Fellas looking at a budget long gun light( not for badguys, just pest animals, so no need for surefire). I usually use things in the class of nitecore with remote tail switches and head same size as bodies.
1. Wondered if I try one of these convoy s2 to save a few dollars whether durability and longevity might be comparable?
2. Also wondered what specs are for S2’s out there? Im not really an expert on tint or emitters, usually go off lumens and CD figures. Several on fleabay dont have the full specs. Would like to be around 1000 lumens and a bit of throw, if any configs get me to 13000-15000 CD or more that would be great. Thanks if anyone has an idea or recommendations.
3. Last question as looking to buy a few and keep them in storage, wondered about flashlight shelf life when not in use? Something for the electronic wizards( which I am not, being a dumb old soldier), but what eventually fails on lights in storage?(solder cracks? firmware fails?). How much would this differ between say a Convoy, Nitecore and a surefire? If I was happy with the specs, would a 12-15 year supply of convoy S2’s be a really dumb idea?
Edited to ask as well about the remote pressure switch for this flashlight? Is it okayish quality?
Convoy S2 durability test
They do alright in so far as general durability. I’m sure someone else has more experience when it comes to using it as a gun light though.
I heard from someone they are just as durable as the Malkoff’s and Surefire’s.
I know the malkoff is potted, but I am sure that is better than non potted right for durability in electronics.
?.
thanks.
If you want throw, the Osram emitter or XPL-HI are probably your best bet, unless you’re going to mod them yourself. Since Simon doesn’t publish numbers for those, it’s hard to say which one will throw more, but I suspect the Osram will win.
You want durability, you can get dumb drivers with just 7135s to regulate current. No modes, no LVP, just 7135s. Nothing to shake itself off the board. Potting it would make it indestructible.
A pressure switch couldn’t do 3A current for very long, and thin wires would likely limit maximum current, too. And you’d have to screw with the whole tailcap, have a big gaping hole where the switch was, etc.
Frankly I don’t think you are gonna like the s2 for a gun light. The s2 doesn’t have the focused beam I like on gun lights. I use a C8+ on my .22 rifle (the only gun I have a light on).
I daily carry a s2+ and have done so for at least 3 years. It’s to the point the poor thing doesn’t have much of the factory anno left on it. I don’t use it as a hammer but I don’t baby the thing either.
I have a S2+ that rides in my overnight/weekend pack 24/7/365 and probably travels every third weekend throughout late spring, summer and early fall. It still looks and functions like new. In a low/no risk situation on a low recoil setup I am sure it would work just fine. Mine is a SST-20 with OP reflector and its a well balanced beam. Noticeably more “throwy” than my Malkoff drop ins. Actually its fairly throwy compared to many modern compact LED lights. XP-L should be similar being a 3535 chip, especially in “HI” version.
As a gun light builder: I like the idea of a simple driver, potted. I ALSO like the idea of some newer emitters that will throw decent in that light maybe 70-100 yards (* where MOST of the night-time hunting action happens in thicker woods for example).
So it’s all about what you want to cover. Like I don’t need a 300 Win Mag in a lot of Eastern US landscapes… I don’t need a super thrower and so a smaller light like the S2 (put together right) works in this case.
I’ll be trying some S2+ hosts (for gun mounting on AR15s in a 6.8SPC). I LOVE I can use a small shim and mount this light to the AR’s rail (about anywhere) using regular 1” scope mounts. It’s not to hard to thumb the S2’s rear clicker in this config, but I will use a FET switching remote pressure switch on these- so ZERO line loss (but you have to get that switch PCB and mount/install it in the light’s tail cap (where the switch was) and good to pot that as well (I use hot glue sometimes also).
One cool trick is also going direct drive (no driver), just switching at tail (using a FET remote switch) direct from the battery to the led’s. The Sofirn C8F is a great host for that (using XPL-HI’s or HD’s) where a very high drain 18650 or 21700 will output some serious light (at the correct voltage for the TREE emitters- so no driver needed) — but you have to know your limit and not run too long without LVP, thermal protection, etc.
I DO think the S2 would work fine without any mods unless your mounting to a heavy recoil firearm. I’d say go with a couple of S2s (or S2+ would be my preference for it’s fit in 1” rings). They’d probably go for a lifetime unless you really work them hard. If you get a few… you can also buy several in different emitters (so use an SST40 for shorter/wider range hunting, then the Osrsam for 100 yard+ stuff- given a good scope is used). Definitely get the NEW Ramping driver as it’s ready for gun use with it’s 100% on mode.
I asked Simon re. the remote switches he’s sending me for a pair of S2+ lights I’m putting together for AR15 use (order is on the way). He didn’t have them for the S21B’s (I’m getting also), but said he has them for the S2+ (and he knows what I’m doing with them so being Simon is an honest guy— I’m expecting them to be of good quality). But I need to get them in to give you an accurate answer there (and as said already- I’ll be rebuilding them for the FET PCB lossless remote switch so in any case— when done the will be solid).
Funtastic is a dealer in NZ and is using Convoy’s C8+ host for his serious output Osram rifle light (which I borrowed from for my own use adding the FET remote switch) He KNOWS his stuff and using Convoy there for some larger calibers too.
And I have six Convoy hosts going on guns to pro-staffers this spring: a pair each of S2, S21B, and C8’s. So ya… I think you’d be very happy with any Convoy and might consider the C8+ for a LONG light if that’s in your future. I’m planning coyotes at 600 yards with a 260ai this winter using that light. Good Luck!
Regards the above, as some of the jargon and forum shorthand is a bit beyond my level. Could I get clarification on a few things.
1. Can anyone link the remote pressure switch for the Osram convoy 2+? Assuming there is one currently for this model?
2. Whats the lumens output of it? Can someone estimate how many hours use on high.
3. Will it fit most protected 18650 cells? I’ll be buying for remote work purposes so some idea of compatibility would be good.
4. Whats the main difference between Convoy S2 and S2+?
The SST20 throws better than all the rest. XPL-HI is a thrower as well but not as much. SST-40 is not a thrower, more an even beam. I’ve got a Osram S2+ on the way but have not tested yet - just looking at beamshots online it should be the best thrower of the bunch. Here’s a beamshot comparison, the SST-20 at 590 lumens throws further than the SST-40 at 1180 lumens.
Here is a link to runtimes for all the lights, using 18650, 18350, and 16340 batteries.
I’ve been buying old lights for my collection - produced from 2005-2008 - the only thing I’ve noticed is a slight discoloration of the dome, I suppose because the polymer ages over time? If it affects the tint it’s only slightly. How many lights are a 12-15 year supply? Things are still moving pretty quickly in the flashlight/firmware world and I would think you’d want to upgrade at least every 3-5 years.
I dont collect lights, just use them for work. Prefer minimal modes(2 for handheld and 1 for WML) to be honest and 2015 era outputs which matched battery capacity better. Part of the reason for stockpiling a few is to get the power levels I like before lumens and disco functions go crazy on later models.
Actually disregard, Im giving up on the budget light idea. I get the feeling the downside to budget lights is user expertise needed to decipher all the options. Doesnt appear to be clear direction on this Osram unit in particular. I’ll pay the extra for some olight odins to save headache, the money spent on the glossy packaging at least has writing explaining clearly what the light does. Thanks all who contributed.
That’s the problem I had when first looking at Convoys. Ends up taking a lot of time to puzzle together what you want and how to buy it. Hope the olights work out for you, reviews seem pretty solid :+1:
He KNOWS his stuff and using Convoy there for some larger calibers too.