Help a Newbie with a purchase!

MUCHLOST · 2019-12-18T11:33:48.000Z

Hi Guys/Gals!

I’m quite new to all of the flashlight goodness but have been hooked since getting a “free” torch when i purchased some 18650s for halloween… I’ve since found out the batteries are most likely dangerous and the torch not great (Leifire batteries - so i want to get rid asap)

I was hoping you guys could narrow down or send me cheaper links or better recommended after my lurking for a edc (coat pocket)

For the torch the standard recomended convoy s2+ not sure which is the best?
Gray-Convoy-S2-SST40-1800lm-5000K-6500k
Gray-Convoy-S2-SST20

charger possibility? Liitokala Lii-402 or Klarus K1or other?
Liitokala-Lii-402
Klarus-K1

the main issue is also the best battery any recommendations for these its the part i’m struggling most with! I’m based in the UK if that also helps!

Thanks again!

mortuus · 2019-12-18T12:17:56.000Z

both are good lights for edc… depends what tint u want in it, cool or neutral etc… iwould pick the liitokala charger… since u based in UK if want buy good batteries Nkon.nl is a good choice, they sell quality batteries and ship within EU no problems.

a good battery for the convoy lights would be a samsung 30Q 3000mah.

Skylight · 2019-12-18T13:23:31.000Z

The Convoy S2+ with SST40 is brighter (2000 lumens), gets hot faster and is generally a nice flashlight.

The Convoy S2+ with SST20 has around 1000 lumens, a bit more throw and less heat. 4000K and 3000K are with 95 CRI. They will have only 700 lumens but point out the brown and red hues and look better outdoors.

These lights are a good point to start with. If you want similar high quality and simple but nice flashlights approved by BLF I would have a look at Emisar, Sofirn, Lumintop and Fireflies.

Mocarny · 2019-12-18T13:29:28.000Z

I’d get SST40 5000K. Convoy has very greenish SST20 4000K. And this SST40 tint is great. Get it with OP reflector. And other good batteries are Sanyi NCR18650GA
You can consider FW3A flashlight, or EDC18 as well.

I’d get this Klarus, or Liitokala Lii-100

MUCHLOST · 2019-12-18T14:46:05.000Z

Thanks everyone for your help so far!

I think i’m going to go with the SST40 5000K

I don’t think you Klarus link is working?
I’m now torn between the Liitokala Lii-100 and the XTAR MC1 Plus (can get the xtar from the uk while buying the battery)

think im going to go for the Samsung 30Q (Button Top) 18650 battery

Thanks,

mortuus · 2019-12-18T16:12:26.000Z

u can go either way, its more personal preference most important to have good battery and u good to go.

JiggyJinjo · 2019-12-18T17:21:03.000Z

I’d suggest buying it here instead : https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33009862476.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.1ec66c37FolF4C

Then you can ask Simon to put the SST-20 of your liking along with an OP reflector in the order message. He’ll tell you the SST-20 LED may be a bit overriden by the driver but it can handle it fine.
That way you get a nice FET driver with spring bypass while still having nice CRI thanks to the SST-20

Lightbringer · 2019-12-18T17:24:44.000Z

I’m usually in the minority about this, but being that the S2+ is not a big light, pushing too much power through the LED makes it heat up really fast. Imagine grabbing the pointy end of a soldering iron…

The SSTs can be kinda green, so be aware of that (someone mentioned the ’40 isn’t as green, so I’ll defer).

With a small shallow reflector, it ain’t the best light as far as throw, so for a practical light, I’d even go for a wider floodier beam.

Which brings me to my usual preference. The plain ol’ 4C tint XM-L, behind a 60° TIR lens. Takes 5min to swap out the reflector for the lens, and you get none of the “Cree rainbow” (tint-shift, and a fried-egg beam) because the lens mixes the light nicely, and the 4C tint (yes, above the BBL) makes for a nice “warm sunlight” glow. If you want warmer, the 7A or whatever’s offered is a nice warm-white color.

Eg, for around the house, I’ve taken to using a WW Xeno E03 with heavily-diffused diffusion-film on the lens. Talk about a nice warm blanket of light. And that’s infinitely more useful than a small overly-bright hotspot with faint spill.

If you want a thrower, get a C8 or similar. Tubelights like the S2+ with small-diameter shallow reflectors are naturally best-suited for floodier beams. So why not “tune” the light for what it does best?

Lightbringer · 2019-12-18T17:25:56.000Z

JiggyJinjo:

Then you can ask Simon to put the SST-20 of your liking along with an OP reflector in the order message. He’ll tell you the SST-20 LED may be a bit overriden by the driver but it can handle it fine.

The LED might handle the heat, but your hand likely won’t. :laughing:

JiggyJinjo · 2019-12-18T17:30:26.000Z

Lightbringer:

I’m usually in the minority about this, but being that the S2+ is not a big light, pushing too much power through the LED makes it heat up really fast. Imagine grabbing the pointy end of a soldering iron…

The SSTs can be kinda green, so be aware of that (someone mentioned the ’40 isn’t as green, so I’ll defer).

With a small shallow reflector, it ain’t the best light as far as throw, so for a practical light, I’d even go for a wider floodier beam.

Which brings me to my usual preference. The plain ol’ 4C tint XM-L, behind a 60° TIR lens. Takes 5min to swap out the reflector for the lens, and you get none of the “Cree rainbow” (tint-shift, and a fried-egg beam) because the lens mixes the light nicely, and the 4C tint (yes, above the BBL) makes for a nice “warm sunlight” glow. If you want warmer, the 7A or whatever’s offered is a nice warm-white color.

Eg, for around the house, I’ve taken to using a WW Xeno E03 with heavily-diffused diffusion-film on the lens. Talk about a nice warm blanket of light. And that’s infinitely more useful than a small overly-bright hotspot with faint spill.

If you want a thrower, get a C8 or similar. Tubelights like the S2+ with small-diameter shallow reflectors are naturally best-suited for floodier beams. So why not “tune” the light for what it does best?

Definitely get a 60 degree TIR with your S2+, it’s around 1-2 bucks and it will completly change your light (for the better or the worst, depends on your liking)

“The LED might handle the heat, but your hand likely won’t. LOL”

=> The light I posted has temp management set @ 55 degrees, I have it and it doesn’t burn your hands. The FW3A is one of the most loved lights here and it will definitely burn you in less than 20 secs on turbo

Mocarny · 2019-12-18T21:59:27.000Z

I have S2+ SST20 4000K and it is very greenish. Better get SST40, and you shouldn’t expect it to sustain 100% for a long time, small and lightweight flashlight will overheat quickly.

And as mentioned, it is a good idea to buy from Aliexpress, from Simon. You can ask them in message to change reflector from smooth to OP, it will be better for EDC use.

Batteries I mentioned are also from Simon, the best batteries in my opinion, I measured ~ 3450mAh on both I have.

Liitokala Lii-100 is a bit bigger (and can be used as a power bank), but you can charge all types of batteries, Xtar (I have MC1) is smaller but you can charge only Li-Ion. So it depends on what you need, I have MC1 for 5 years and it’s doing well. But Lii-100 may be a better choice.