veer, the XHP-50 and XHP-70 are multi-emitter emitters, comprised of 4 XP-G2 dies in the 50 and 4 XP-L dies in the 70. With a smooth reflector there is a big + shape in the middle of the beam profile where you’d expect a hot spot to be. As such, these are not good throwers at all. A diffused reflector or optic is required to blend the 4 emitters output and smooth out the + shape, giving the beam profile a big floody output in most cases. A huge reflector can be made to have a “hot spot” in loose terms, but thrower it is not.
I think it would be easier and more sensible especially to maintain the way it the looks to go for:
Option #1: Make it one solid tube and use block knurling like current L2 across whole tube.
I haven’t purchased the L2 yet but I will when this option becomes available, it would be nice to have the choice of buying the L2 single cell version or L2 two cell version or to buy the whole L2 package with both length tubes at a slightly reduced price than buying them separately.
I’m quite happy with the standard finish on the Convoy’s but if it has to be a little more aggressive I don’t mind, but not so much so that it spoils the way it looks now as it’s really nice.
Thanks, DB Dale ;)!
I was about to ask about whether Simon will be selling driver+pill+LED combo for easy swaps, but since hes already working on XP-L HI version, not sure if thats necessary.
(XP-G2/XP-E2 would outthrow XP-L HI, no?)
The XP-E2 would, theoretically, have the tightest beam and furthest throw, but with substantially less lumens. The XP-G2 would have more lumens, a somewhat larger hotspot and probably close to the same throw due to the higher current capability and much more output. Then there’s the XP-L, giving much much more lumens output and yet again more current draw, with the HI variant being the best color tint through tint maintenance by Cree, de-doming an XP-L can give a tighter hot spot with more lumens than an HI but at the cost of tint being skewed, sometimes toward that green hue that nobody cares much for.
Option #1: Make it one solid tube and use block knurling like current L2 across whole tube.
I’ve been a little busy with work and family matters so I haven’t had a chance to respond to any of the comments from today until now.
I will do my best to answer the questions and concerns expressed over the last 24 hours here, and yes Dale… I see your point. :~
I cannot say yet if the extension will thread into the existing single cell tube but I assume it will, however that is if there is an extension tube made. I am just the go-between doing my best and make no guarantees. The original intent of this mini-mission was to have a solid one piece tube that would replace the stock L2 single cell tube if desired. So in other words this is something Simon would be doing just for the host. Simon has no intention of making a stock 2 cell version of the L2 that I am aware of. This was to be a bonus for flashlight builders/modders so they could use a 2 cell configuration if desired with the current L2 design. The stock L2 will remain a single cell light. If you want the longer tube or extension you will be buying it separately. You could use a dummy cell to fill the gap if you want to use the stock light with a longer tube, or you can put whatever you want in the L2 host. The sky is the limit, or at least it is limited to your modding skills within said constraints.
Regarding Pilotdog’s (and others) concern about the tactical ring (thank you for reminding me) Simon and I both originally saw this as a useless cosmetic feature. However, KawiBoy brought up some great points on why it can be very useful. I discussed this with Simon and he included it in the double tube design but made the tac-ring removable. If you don’t like it… just take it off. Everybody happy. :bigsmile:
Now onto the hefty vs. wimpy knurling war… First, let’s all chill a bit. I see valid points on both sides but it comes down to this. Simon will make what he sees fit. End of story. Personally I can’t see the L2 as anything but a purpose driven light. This will never be your EDC unless you’re fit to wear Andre the Giant’s (R.I.P. big guy) shoes so I’m on the side of heavier knurling. Yes, I have dropped other lights in the snow while wearing gloves and I don’t have weak hands. The stock L2 is a heavy/beefy thing of beauty and with a 2-cell tube it will only be more so IMHO.
The following statement is only about knurling and in no way represents the views of Convoy or myself. Viewer digression is advised.
The most aggressive knurling on any of my lights is on my old 501B. It’s never caused me any problems or injuries and the grip with gloves on or off is fantastic. It’s a $12 light and still a favorite. There are a lot of junk 501B lights out there but I love mine. $12 well spent there. See pic below…
I have that exact same model of 501B.
It died on me so I had Richard (RMM) make a new drop-in for me using XP-L HI V3 2B - Love it!
-Chuck
The same options I presented to you all in post #423 were the options I proposed to Simon. He responded last night that he likes option #1 which is to make it one solid tube and use block knurling like the current L2 across whole tube. That was the most common response here as well. I did mention that it would be nice if he could make the block pattern knurling just a little deeper but I thought most people would be happy with it even if it is just a longer version of the current tube. So it’s not going to be an extension tube but the end result is the same. You just swap tubes if you want to run a 2 cell version. I like this option best as it will not look like an afterthought in any way. It just transforms it into a 2 cell version with the same great looks as the current single cell version. Essentially it should look like the picture below except being one piece there will not be a break in the knurling near the middle that you would have had with a tube and extension. Funny, I now find that I love the look of the tactical ring that I thought I didn’t want on this light but again for any who don’t, it is removable.
I’m interested in that last bit. Did he give details about how the tact ring attaches? Is it threaded on, or just held on by the tailcap?
Looks Great, I like the Tac Ring! Will be really special with the one piece tube and full knurling, which is unlike the X6 with only the front of the tube knurled, and scalloped, so that alone stands out, and will be a very classy look!! 
Well DONE! 
I Like It, I Love It, I want some more of it! 
Well done Simon and Garfunjared, oops, got a little carried away there, well done!
It looks brutal, definitely my future hi-amp xhp-70 build. Thanks for working this out with Simon, great work. When can we expect these tubes to be in production?
He didn’t say but I wondered the same. I asked him about it and await his response. I would assume that it would just be held on by the tailcap. It seems if it were threaded it would look ugly when removed and Simon doesn’t typically do ugly but I won’t know for certain until he responds at which point I will post it here.
Thanks. I’m really looking forward to holding this one in my hands. I love the looks of the current L2 but I think it just got better. Personally I think this tube will look way cooler than the X6 tube. Thank you for arguing the usefulness of the tactical ring. It had already been decided that we would not be including it but what you said made a point Simon and I hadn’t seen. That ring acting as a grip stop so you could just loosen your grip and let it slide to a stop so you could quickly access the rear switch button just made too much sense to be ignored so back came the ring. 
I don’t have a production date yet but typically once a design is finalized it takes a month or so for it to hit the shelves, Simon’s shelves that is.
Simon and Garfunjared? You been eatin paint chips again Dale?
Simon And Garfunkel. Getting groovy with it, you KNOW!
Hello Darkness My old Friend!
Hello darkness my old friend… I’ve come to vanquish you again… Meet the L2! 
Dig IT! :bigsmile:
The knurling in post 466 on the 501B is just fine. No problem. It’s what I would call 90. The knurling originally posted that started the war was like 98.
As for the tactical ring, I’m glad we found a use for the average person. Using it to swing the flashlight around to get to the button would add value for everyone.