I’m a huge fan of the C8 but I agree that the Convoy S2+ will fit this need better. I’m not sure I’d agree with 7135*4 over 7135*6 as you can always select a lower mode but I’d not go higher than 6. Tints and mode groups to suit your preference are available. If you’re not familiar with tints aim for the middle, say 4500K or close to that. Higher numbers will give brighter but harsher light which you may not like.
Once you get a light like this you’ll discover just how much you’ve been missing and you’ll want to try more options- welcome to Flashaholism
Thanks everybody for your help. I learned a lot of things.
So many choices available, it’s very difficult to make a choice. I will be forced to start a collection . It’s only the beginning!
Since I don’t want to use this first one only for camping (all utilities are possibles) I would like something powerful and not too small, so I think yours suggestions for the three flashlight below can fit my needs, tastes and budget. The price are in the same range and all use the same LED XM-L2, so, can I conclude that all three are “similar” products ?
Palight MTS
XM-L2 LED, IPX-3, 5 modes with memory, 1100 lumens, battery indicator
26650 battery and charger included
Convoy C8
XM-L2 LED, 3 and 5 modes with memory, 1067 lumens,
Customizable (orange peel reflector can be ordered if I want a more floody beam)
BLF D-80
XM-L2 LED, IPX-7, 5 modes with memory, 1100 lumens, batteries with protection circuit are too long for this flashlight but a longer tube are available.
They are all pretty “powerful.” You need to decide on form factor and user interface. There are so many, so it’s best to tailor a particular light to a particular need IMHO (thus starts Flashaholism!).
How big do you want to carry camping (and still have it on you 100% of the time?). A holster? A clip? Stuff it in a pocket?
How much battery capacity will you need? Larger battery? Spare batteries? Recharging?
What type of light output? Floody? Throwy? Diffused?
Modes? Which levels? Which level to start on? SOS? Strobe? Beacon?
Will you have a lantern of some sort for evenings?
The lights you have selected so far are best carried in a holster (for comfort due to head size). Will you always be wearing a belt?
The D80 has a larger center spot and brighter spill than the C8. By contrast, the C8 has a much tighter center spot (throws more), at the cost of diminished side spill. When compared side-by-side on a white wall, the two beams appear relatively the same brightness because of the intense spot thrown by the C8. However, a ceiling bounce test will confirm that the D80 puts out more overall lumens (in excess of 1300 lumens with a good unprotected cell).
So, which one suits your needs better? If you’re lighting up a foot path, then the D80 would fit your needs better. If you’re hunting for coyotes, then the C8 would be your choice.
Notes:
Your comment regarding the C8, “orange peel reflector can be ordered if I want a more floody beam,” isn’t exactly true. The OP reflector will smooth out the beam, reducing artifacts and taking the hard edge off the center spot. It won’t significantly affect the floodiness of the beam.
I do not own the Palight, so I’ve refrained from commenting on that choice.
Thanks for this comment. At first I don’t understood well the orange peel utility. It’s more clear for me now.
So, I wonder if some models similar to Convoy C8, Palight or D80 are available in a more floody beam. I will probably take one of the three mentioned above as a thrower, but I woul like to look for a other one more floody. Any suggestion ?
If you want a floodier beam, I’d recommend the Convoy S2.+ It feathers smoothly from large center spot to spill areas. Short of buying a Surefire (or adding a diffuser or diffusing film), you’re not going to find a nicer beam profile. The Convoy S2+ comes in a variety of tints, colors and power choices. “[link]”:18650 flashlight with protection built in? - #12 by 1dash1 Note: For camping purposes, I’d recommend you get the 7135*8 version, because you might need the extra output.
However, I hope you recognize that everything is a compromise. With a more mellow beam, it won’t throw nearly as far as the other flashlights. The S2+ is well-suited for needs in and around the campsite, but not for investigating things. I recommended the D80 to you because while camping, you may have an occasional need to try identify distant objects. The D80 is also more weatherproof than the S2+.
I’m going out on a limb here and recommend the Thorfire VG10. This light will let you use cr123a’s then if you want to jump on the 18650 format it’ll work there also. 4 well spaced mode and around $20.00. http://www.banggood.com/ThorFire-VG10-CREE-XM-L2-4modes-847lumens-Tactical-LED-Flashlight-p-1039684.html They have one with a battery and charger for $25 but I know nothing of the battery or charger. It’s not the brightest 900 lumens on good 18650’s but is fairly stout and should take lots of abuse before that fatal drop.
More I read your comment, more my idea become more clear.
I think a Convoy S2+ and a Convoy C8 can make a good pair.
(And a good collection beginning:-) )
Some peoples seems to recommend the 8x7135 while othe recommend a lower setup like 4x7135 ou 6x7135. If the flashlight become too hot after a few minutes, I think I prefer to choose less chips… But how many is enough ? 4 or 6 ? I hesitate between a 7135x4 and 7135x6.
The D80 seem interesting, but the longer tube seems to be sold out. So the “standard” model don’t accept protected battery. I imagine all flashlight does’not have a cut-off protection (not specified for the D80). I think a protected battery is better, I am right ?
These 2 alone could satisfy any reasonable (non-obsessed) person indefinitely. You’d need to learn about Li-Ion safety (see post #7) and then buy decent cells and a good charger, but it would be worth the investment.
I have the S2+ (& another on the way I like it so much) & mine are the 6*7135 versions as I thought it was a good balance between brightness & run time.
Can”t comment on how hot the 8*7135 gets but obviously you don”t have to use the highest setting all the time.
I also have a pair of C8”s but mine are the Thorfire C8s.
With an S2+ & C8 you will be pretty much covered for your needs I think.
Get a good charger & some good cells & you are good to go
I tested my S2+ (4C) 7135*8, ambient temperature 73F:
- 1:00 noticeably warm
- 2:30 uncomfortably hot
3:25 painfully hot, terminated the test.
Picture showing hand position during impromptu test.
I recommended the 7135*8 because of the occasional need for turbo mode (a burst of brightness to illuminate the scene). For the most part, I would expect you to be using low and medium modes. Depending on the flashlight’s particular mode setup, medium on a 7135*8 will give somewhere between 350 to 500 lumens - which should be plenty bright enough to meet 95% of your needs!
Besides, as a newbie, you’re entitled to be infatuated by bright flashlights. You have yet to discover the thrill of your first 2K lumen flashlight or 250Kcd flashlight. You have yet to pick up a collection of 1000 lumen to 2000 lumen flashlights, only to discover that very few of them meet your needs. For now, brightness trumps practicality. I wouldn’t dream of recommending you a flashlight with a lower output … until you’ve had an opportunity to experience more. Or until such time as you can better define what it is that you are looking for.
So, I still recommend that you get the 7135*8, but if you must choose between the 7135*4 and the 7135*6 and you’re worried about overheating, choose the 7135*6. Provided you hold it in your hand (your hand is a much better heat dissipator than ambient air), the flashlight won’t overheat.
Regarding the D80 cutoff and protected cells:
Both LVP’s for flashlights and PCB’s for flashlights are failsafe devices. In practice, you should never get close to the cut-off voltages (2.5V to 2.7V). In most flashlights (especially high-powered flashlights like the D80), the flashlight will begin to noticeably dim at around 3.5V. By the time it hits 3.0V, it will be very dim. So, if you are half-way paying attention to it, you’ll have recharged it long before running the battery down. The only time that I could see you running the battery below 3.0V would be if you were to accidentally turn the flashlight on, say like in a duffel bag. And if that instance should ever occur, I think the biggest danger wouldn’t be from overdischarging the cell, it would be the damage caused by the overheated flashlight. (I’ve singed pockets with accidentally turned-on flashlights having much less power than the D80. I shudder to think how much damage the D80 would do if left on in a closed environment.)
Overdischarging cells will damage them. However, there is little danger posed by the overdischarged cell, sitting statically, by itself. The danger arises when the cell is recharged. So, even if you accidentally overdischarge a cell, you can handle the situation safely. Discard any cell lower than 2.5V. Exercise due diligence when recharging any battery. (See safety precautions mentioned earlier.)
So, yes, Low Voltage Protection and Protection Circuit Boards are “safer”, but the margin of safety that they provide is not as much as you imagine.
Nothing can take the place of awareness and due diligence when it comes to safely using li-ion batteries.
Personally, I run my BLF D80 on unprotected Samsung 30Q batteries. I hardly give them a second thought when I’m using the flashlight. Well before the flashlight shows any signs of dimming, I replace the battery.
And I am very careful as to how I handle recharging the 30Q’s.
By the way, do you have any suggestions about choosing a charger and some batteries for the S2+ and C8 ?
People recommend to buy a good charger and good batteries, but what is considered “good”?
I look for some protected 18650 batteries not too expensive, but not junk too.
I have seen models ranging from $4 to $30. What would be a good ratio “quality vs price”
someone can make me some suggestions ? (Gearbest , Banggood, DX)
And what capacity do you recommend ?
About the charger, a multi format can be interesting for the future.
I presume that the $ 5 models are not recomandables, but I wonder if bigger models with an LCD is really necessary ?
What do you think about these two models:
Nitecore, Xtar and Liitokala are among the most popular brands. I’d suggest getting one with a digital display.
Personally, I’ve got a Nitecore D2 which has given me good service. I have a Liitokala Lii - 500 on order, because of three features: (1) it has four bays; (2) it can run battery capacity tests and (3) it can charge at 1 amp, as opposed to the D2’s maximum charge rate of 0.5A.
Note: the main reason I need the higher charge rate is because I’ve started to use a lot more 26650-powered flashlights. Charging the 26650’s @ 0.5A takes too much time. And I plan on keeping the D2, which has a low amp (0.3A) charging cycle designed specifically for charging smaller batteries, like 10440’s and 16340’s.
Richard (Mountain Electronics) is a reputable source state-side.
Illumn.com had the best prices on the Nitecore chargers (also state-side).
Otherwise, these products are generally available at the normal vendors (Banggood, Fasttech, Gearbest, HK, Aliexpress, etc.).
EDIT: BTW, if you’re interested in comprehensive reviews of these chargers, see: Batteries and chargers
I wouldn’t recommend the I2 because it lacks the digital display. (The information it displays regarding voltage and charge rates is invaluable. This info may not be important to you now, but it may be some day.)
The VC2 only charges Li-ion. If you can live with that, then it’s an acceptable choice. And on the plus-side, it can run capacity tests.
Answer:
Gearbest: The products is not original.It is a Chinese brand.
BangGood: Yes,of course this is a 100% original nitecore charger with validation code.
It is still doubtful to not specify if it’s a fake or copy, especially if they know it’s a fake…
I would order in US, but shipping to Canada (and tax and customs) cost a lot of money, sometimes it doubles the cost!
It does not bother me to wait a few weeks but I want to make sure that I buy…
The highest capacity known 18650 is 3600mAh by Panasonic/Sanyo, which is quite rare to get, and the next most available highest capacity is 3500mAh, i.e. Sanyo NCR18650GA, LG MJ1 and Samsung (can’t remember the model name).
I’ve no idea where Meco get the 4000mAh capacity, which I suspect is not the true capacity, so I’ll stick to the tried and tested 3400mAh NCR18650B.
. It’s only the beginning!
