This thread is to collect change requests to @Simon_Mao, per the excellent advice of @PiercingTheDarkness. This is to make sure that regular traffic on the main Convoy thread is not interrupted, and that the issues raised are seen and addressed, not flooded out. This thread is created not because Convoy lights encounter more quality issues than other lights, but because of Simon’s willingness to listen to the community.
I am happy to maintain a list of major unaddressed issues/requests; please post in this thread to have your suggestion added to the list; I will link to an elaborate writeup if provided. (For minor requests that would not take much engineering to fix, or personal requests, please post in the main thread instead.) If I left out or misrepresented an idea of yours, please let me know. Current requests include:
every new host gets sent to a select few testers. This way everything gets checked over before mass production resulting in fewer surprises.
consistent batches (with same threads for pill etc, no changes to tubes etc)
identical assembly of lights (some have soldered drivers, some don’t, some DIY hosts have AR lenses, some not, something like that)
OPTICAL
Replace circular-opening centering rings with square opening, adding a large butterfly-type base if necessary to increase friction and avoid twisting off the LED
Some S2+, C8, and L21B reflectors cannot be properly focused
7mm 3535 square centering rings are lopsided
DRIVER
proper moonlight (0.5-1 lm or less) for all drivers
proper modern UI for drivers (Anduril!)
flashing pads and proper Atmel AVR MCUs (for better firmware modding like in good old 105c days)
Keychain flashlight: the 1AAA light could use a drive/emitter update
SFT42R
SFT70 4000K and 5700K 95CRI
4x21700 light
46950 battery tube/option for all 3x21 and 4x18 flashlights
WEB SHOP
solving of these antivirus-phishing-warnings for his site (could be really difficult since Simon has no control of these anti virus services)
updated images in the item descriptions, I remembered the thing with the wrong MCUs on linear drivers several months ago, although it was on Aliexpress)
proper item description. For all lights, include relevant dimensions such as MCPCB size, driver diameter, switch size.
all LEDs with flux binnings in the item description like given from supplier/manufacturer
dedicated news-blog or page with all new products/news instead of having a simple banner on top of the page
Basic guide for new users to help them choose the right light and configuration
Oh, cool thread. So, let’s rewrite what i wrote to the Litnit thread, plus a few more recommendations.
I think that at some point we should move on to a driver more like the ramping driver, where we access everything through shortcuts. At least the special modes like strobe, battery check, beacon mode, sos, etc, should be accessed this way and why not, even the normal modes, like the ramping driver already does. Add to this and all the safety features like thermal regulation, low voltage warning and cut-off and mode memory function with the ability to turn it on or off and we have an almost perfect driver.
A clip that doesn’t come out unless you unscrew some screws or the head or the tail of light, would be great. Especially a clip that latches towards the tail of the light, so when the flashlight latches to a belt, the reflector points upwards, would be very useful.
A shorter 2xAA model. Even a rectangular 2xAA model like these i believe is something we could consider. Maybe there is something practical to it.
Thank you.
PS. 4. Bring back older AR coatings like the purple one. I like the green hues of my leds.
A high powered cheap thrower would be really really nice maybe something like L21B available in SST90 or SFH55 these leds are still very bright but come at a lower price than the sbt90.2. A powerful midsize thrower like the astrolux ft03s.
A small keychain/edc flashlight would also be super cool. Convoy has the 18350 tube lights which are small and the T series 14500 lights but something smaller would be cool. Maybe a 16340/cr123A light or a dedicated smaller cell light. Doesnt have to be crazy bright just small convenient and portable.
Before I update the list, I want to make sure I understand you correctly and don’t misrepresent your idea: for a cheap high-power thrower, what would the SST90/SFH55 offer over SFT90/LHP73B?
It would be amazing if Convoy would bring back a proper keychain light. They already have a AAA model, and a driver/emitter update could easily make it the best AAA light on the market right now. For some reason, nobody seems to make AAA lights with (1) high CRI emitter and (2) UI that includes moonlight ever since the C01S was discontinued…
I really don’t want to dampen your enthusiasm, but I don’t think much of these suggestions will actually happen.
The fact that the drivers still don’t have proper moonlight, Anduril is still not a thing for Simon (or his suppliers), and quality problems are unfortunately still an issue gives me little hope.
Nevertheless, it makes sense to split the threads up a bit so that suggestions don’t get lost, so thanks for creating this thread @QReciprocity42
Thank you for your kind comment. I am not optimistic myself that these issues would be resolved. I am not sure what to attribute this to: Simon thinking these issues are not high priority, or the vast majority of the community not caring enough. I think some users found my complaint about moonlight laughably trivial, and I bet they probably think similarly of other concerns.
But at the moment, moving longstanding issues to a separate thread is definitely a good idea. Way too much stuff going on in the main thread.
Since this is a suggestion thread, I would like to name some suggestions:
proper moonlight (0.5-1 lm or less) for all drivers
proper modern UI for drivers (Anduril!)
flashing pads and proper Atmel AVR MCUs (for better firmware modding like in good old 105c days)
consistent batches (with same threads for pill etc, no changes to tubes etc)
identical assembly of lights (some have soldered drivers, some don’t, some DIY hosts have AR lenses, some not, something like that)
shop:
solving of these antivirus-phishing-warnings for his site (could be really difficult since Simon has no control of these anti virus services)
updated images in the item descriptions, I remembered the thing with the wrong MCUs on linear drivers several months ago, although it was on Aliexpress)
proper item description
all LEDs with flux binnings in the item description like given from supplier/manufacturer
dedicated news-blog or page with all new products/news instead of having a simple banner on top of the page
I think some instructions/tips in the website would go a long way since there are many options and not everyone likes to research and join forums to find the differences in order to choose emitter/battery/host/lens…
The item page for each flashlight should list suitable accessories beyond batteries. Such as:
-clips
-tactical rings
-TIR’s
-switches
-shorter tubes
Some could be available for installation on new units, some could be bought as an accessory item with the flashlight, and some could be bought as an accessory by itself.
For example it’s hard to know which TIR fits which flashlight, or if there are any TIR’s that fit.
Just my opinion here: I think the OP needs some sort of disclaimer to state that these suggestions/discussions are for constructive purposes and does not indicate any “quality” issues with Convoy. Just thinking from an outsiders perspective or someone just getting into the hobby, they might be deterred by this thread thinking that Convoy means poor quality when it reality it’s the total opposite.
It’s already set at around 50°C. The issue is that the firmware isn’t coded to reduce below 35% despite crazy temps. The M21J hits 90°C at 30 minutes into a turbo run. Should never have been for sale.
Great to see someone other than myself mention it needs attention. Often I’m met with opposition that it should be left alone for high sustainable output, just use common sense and reduce the brightness etc. This is a very real safety concern.
Shorten 3X21C screws that insert through the MCPCB and into the reflector.
I 3D Printed a 2mm spacer for the screws, and now that the MCPCB has downward pressure it’s performing much better. The host now gets so much hotter on full turbo, it also peaks at 31,000 lumens and holds its output instead of a rapid decline. Indicates poor thermal transfer in stock form.
For those not following the main Convoy thread, the 31,000 is also using dual springs. The single springs overheated and collapsed.
Also i want to buy a T3 but want to get the older thicker version, not the new thinner one that was mentioned on the other Thread, hopefully that can still be done.
A 4x21 light would actually be amazing dont think convoy has this form factor yet. I personally would definitely buy a 4x21. Honestly i think sfy55 would be ideal. Maybe not as throwy as the lmp option but still paired with the right reflector it should still be very bright and throw far.
Yes good point with the LEDs. To be honest with you any of the cheap big leds would be perfect in such a light sft 90 especially. However I personally feel that the San’an or LMP 9090 leds would have great potential in such a light because theire dirt cheap, cheaper than a sbt90.2 and also have potential to be driven hard and then achieve very high brightness.
Again moonlight mode in a small form factor (keychain or small/portable light) would definitely be worth considering. In my opinion anyways many customers would want that feature especially if youre trying to preserve the battery, which small lights struggle with as theire limited by low capacity batteries and it would also be useful if you ever need a low powered light for whatever reason. A driver with decent moon mode would be a great addition to any light not just limited to keychain/small lights. Sometimes a dim light is all you need