Buying my first light since years! Help me!

[MrCG]

Hello everyone!

It´s been quite a long time since I thought about buying a new light. The reason I am weak again is that a friend of mine bought his first light (for geocaching) and it is soo much brighter than my lights!
Back in the days XML-2 was the best I knew of (for the size and the bidget). His light uses an SST40 and now I want one more light that is just as nice.

What would you suggest me to get? I want it mainly for taking walks in the dark forest, using here in there for everything. I prefer a nice smooth floody beam over a sharp throw.
I think I would enjoy the new Convoy C8 with an SST40, but I really want that nice floody light for close ranges. That´s why I think the Convoy S21A with an SST40 could be what I am looking for, right?
I also saw the Convoy S12 with triple SST20 or triple Nichia219. How would they compare to the S21A with one SST40?

If I say the C8 is nice but I prefer the smooth beam, which one would you recommend?

- S21A with SST40

- S12 3x SST20

• S12 3x Nichia219

Or is there a different light I should consider? I don´t want to go with a much bigger light if I don´t have to and I also appreciate the low price for the S21 and the S12 : )

Thanks guys!

[Lumen9000]

Convoy m21E with the 4000k xhp70 for like 36 USD. 3000 lumen for 5 min then 1200 lumen in a nice cone for 45 min maybe. Hard to beat!

[MrCG]

Thank you.

Is the XHP70 performing better/ is it brighter than the other options I mentioned?
Do the S21 and the S12 also decrease brightness significantly after a couple of minutes?

[Lumen9000]

Yes and yes. And 3000 on the highest level is quite alot for a single emitter. You would start an ever escalating lumen war with your friend with that light.

[raccoon]

The XHP70 is my favorite emitter because it's so bright.

Some people don't like the tint shift.

The hotspot is a bit warmer than the spill, but it doesn't bother me.

[MrCG]

Sounds good!

Speaking of lumen war: This is the lamp my friend uses and the reason I got back to lights >_>

Friend´s light

[raccoon]

By the way, the official Convoy store is on vacation until February 9th, 2022.

https://convoy.aliexpress.com/store/330416

I can't even access the store to do research!

I don't care for the Convoy M21E because it has a side switch.

There is a Convoy M21 variant with a tail switch and an XHP70.

That's the one that I would get.

[Lumen9000]

@MrCG

Sounds good!

Speaking of lumen war: This is the lamp my friend uses and the reason I got back to lights >_>

Friend´s light

Also a great light. Efficient driver as well, same battery size. Just, a bit smaller emitter.

Then, there is Astrolux ea01s with four sst40 or xhp50 emitters for way higher turbos. The xhp50 one is almost a pure flood/ unfocused wall.

[pennzy]

If you want a lot of brightness with little step down, I recommend the Convoy M3-C with xhp70 5000k. On the third level, about 1500 lumens it lasts a long time. High is about 4000 lumens or more and also lasts a good amount of time. You can add the tube extension and run 26800 batteries for plenty of mahs. About $40.

Review: Convoy M3-C. Single 26650, USB-C, XHP70.2, 4300lm, 365m throw

This review was originally written for and appeared on 1lumen. Read the review there or on my site for all the images. This flashlight was sent to me for review at no cost by Convoy. I have not been paid to review, nor have I been holding back on problems or defects. [image] [image] Introduction Convoy is well known amongst flashlight enthusiasts. Especially for their low cost and easy to mod S2 and C8. Convoy also sells the hosts to many of these lights by themselves, so they’re well-l…

[Lumen9000]

@pennzy

If you want a lot of brightness with little step down, I recommend the Convoy M3-C with xhp70 5000k. On the third level, about 1500 lumens it lasts a long time. High is about 4000 lumens or more and also lasts a good amount of time. You can add the tube extension and run 26800 batteries for plenty of mahs. About $40.

Review: Convoy M3-C. Single 26650, USB-C, XHP70.2, 4300lm, 365m throw

Ahh, yes, its like the m21e on the inside and the -C model has usb charging as well. So i guess its a matter of looks.

[Bort]

@pennzy

If you want a lot of brightness with little step down, I recommend the Convoy M3-C with xhp70 5000k. On the third level, about 1500 lumens it lasts a long time. High is about 4000 lumens or more and also lasts a good amount of time. You can add the tube extension and run 26800 batteries for plenty of mahs. About $40.

Review: Convoy M3-C. Single 26650, USB-C, XHP70.2, 4300lm, 365m throw

Good light but the built in charging is buggy.

[raccoon]

Here's a 26650 flashlight with an XHP70 for $41.39

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003438724316.html

It looks good, but only comes in cool white.

[Bort]

@raccoon city

Here’s a 26650 flashlight with an XHP70 for $41.39

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003438724316.html

It looks good, but only comes in cool white.

I’m guessing that will be very floody, some throw would be a good idea so the Convoy M3C might be a better choice.

[raccoon]

@Bort

I'm guessing that will be very floody, some throw would be a good idea so the Convoy M3C might be a better choice.

Yep, it just depends on if you want a larger throwier head, or a more compact head.

[Bort]

@raccoon city

@Bort

I’m guessing that will be very floody, some throw would be a good idea so the Convoy M3C might be a better choice.

Yep, it just depends on if you want a larger throwier head, or a more compact head.

The M3C is my bulkiest flashlight, it is a beast.
But boy does it turn heads on maximum.

[pennzy]

@Bort

@pennzy

If you want a lot of brightness with little step down, I recommend the Convoy M3-C with xhp70 5000k. On the third level, about 1500 lumens it lasts a long time. High is about 4000 lumens or more and also lasts a good amount of time. You can add the tube extension and run 26800 batteries for plenty of mahs. About $40.

Review: Convoy M3-C. Single 26650, USB-C, XHP70.2, 4300lm, 365m throw

Good light but the built in charging is buggy.

Mine too. At least the charge indicator light is. Mine won’t over charge but I use a USB tester to monitor the status.

[Bort]

@pennzy

@Bort

@pennzy

If you want a lot of brightness with little step down, I recommend the Convoy M3-C with xhp70 5000k. On the third level, about 1500 lumens it lasts a long time. High is about 4000 lumens or more and also lasts a good amount of time. You can add the tube extension and run 26800 batteries for plenty of mahs. About $40.

Review: Convoy M3-C. Single 26650, USB-C, XHP70.2, 4300lm, 365m throw

Good light but the built in charging is buggy.

Mine too. At least the charge indicator light is. Mine won’t over charge but I use a USB tester to monitor the status.

Mine also doesn’t overcharge but once the light says its charged the charge rate slows to a crawl and it can take all day to actually fully charge then i need to check the battery to make sure it is fully charged.
I just charge the battery outside the light now.

[Lumen9000]

I was wrong about m21e, around 2000 lumen for 45 mins (depends on the battery of course)

Convoy M21E Flashlight Review - ZeroAir Reviews

[MrCG]

I have not made any real progress in deciding which one I want : D
So far I like the M3C and the M21E best. I don´t like the angled insets on the M21E´s head and I don´t like that the M3C´s charging seems to be somehow bad AND I am not sure about having a side switch.
However, I have not found something nicer so far.

If you have any additional thoughts, please enlighten (ha!) me.

[headband]

If you want a tail switch it’s usually mechanical instead of e-switch which will usually rule out built in charging if you care about that.

Maybe take a look at M21D or M21F, if it’s just asthetics you’re looking for. Not sure what the issue with the M3C is, but I believe the driver on all of these will be the same.

Also maybe look at the Wildtrail WT3M, just ordered one of those.