Confused first time buyer

LED Flashlights – General Info
1

I’ve done some research and I am really confused by the specs of the different models I’ve found. I want to buy a 18650 flashlight for camping.

1) This generic cree flashlight can ouput 2000lm, can zoom and only costs 7$ here

2) The XINTD C8 V5 XM-L2 U3 can output ~1200lm, but costs 30$ here

3) The Convoy S2+, a popular pick here

I’ve searched my first pick (the 7$ XM-L T6) and I’ve found that, while this budget light seems to beat the other two spec-wise, it is not discussed on forums and that there are very few reviews about it compared to the other two models. While the other two models seem to be better for customization and have a better build quality than the first one, I was wondering why the first model is, at the same time, the most bought flashlight on aliexpress, while being the one with the less information on the internet about it? Where is the “catch” in buying the first model? Reliability? Build Quality?

2

An xml will not put out 2000 lumens. That’s what we refer to as “chinese lumens”. The most commonly agreed on conversion is usually around 3:1 :stuck_out_tongue: Cheap over rated lights tend to be built with cheaper components and generally aren’t worth the $5-10 savings versus a much nicer light.

If you want a really nice c8 get the xtind, otherwise convoy makes a very comparable light for a bit less money. The c8 is going to have a very tight far reaching beam without as much flood as the s2. If you want to spotlight things several hundred meters away get a c8, otherwise for daily use or as you mentioned for camping or hiking the floodier s2 will probably be a better choice.

3

Option #1 is crappy, stay away from such lights unless your budget is only $7. You will be much happier with Convoy lights at $13 (S2+) - $28(L4).

4

Flashlight number 1 takes 3 AAA batteries or one 18650 lithium battery.
XINTD C8 and Convoy S2 takes only one 18650 battery. If you buy one, you’ll have to buy some 18650 lithium batteries and a specific charger with it. Do not buy a crappy “**fire” 18650, those cells can be dangerous.

There are other zoomies which take 3xAAA or one 18650. This one has a good reputation here :
Supfire F3-L2 review on BLF

5

Yep^ Those “2000 lumens” are probably closer to 600.

The Convoy and XinTD lights are also much higher quality, which will translate to reliability as well.

6

You can’t go wrong with a Convoy C8. Since you are using it camping, I’d suggest a neutral white XML2 T6-3B for 53 cents more.
Convoy C8 Cree XML2

EDIT:
One more thing. When you buy batteries, do not buy anything with FIRE in the name.

7

Its not 2000lm. No where near it. Lies. We call it “chinese lumens”. Some sellers just make up a nice high lumens number. Other sellers just take the max lumens that the best bin an led is capable of and claim thats what their flashlight produces. The real lumens that a light produces is called OTF (out the front) lumens which includes light loss from the reflector, lens, light that strikes the bezel, etc.

8

Another who agrees with the above.

By the way - welcome to the forum!

Soit dit en passant - bienvenue sur le forum!