I’ve already ordered an S2+ SST20 2700k 6*7135, with the help of the good folks on this forum.
Seeing as it’s such a popular choice with so many different options, I was wondering what are people’s ideal S2+ setup and why?
Just interested to hear from people who have this light and their reasons for their choice.
I like the 8x7135 doohickies and have four S2 and S2+ lights.
Chris
I just have a 4*7135 2700k model but I have a slice of one of the non adhesive dc fix sheets under the lens for as much flood as I could get without a tir.
I use it as an indoor light mainly at low levels. The battery lasts a long time at my levels and durations of use. I think you will enjoy yours.
S2+ tan, 8x7135, XPL HI 5000K, 45 degree TIR. Warm floody beam, slightly rosey.
I’m a runtime snob so the 5A FET model with SST40 and regular SMO reflector in 5000k is my EDC and main bicycle light, 18350 for the former and 18650 for the latter. I’d like the option for little more throw for EDC so I have a CSLNM1.TG on the way but it hasn’t arrived yet.
I do like the 2700k SST20 model but only occasionally use it as a night time reading light. The very warm tint is relaxing.
I’m not sure there is an ‘ideal’ setup. It just depends what you are after. But they are cheap enough that you can have several different ones 
For me, the biggest issue is the stock driver. There isn’t anything really wrong with it. But the flash on low is super annoying. And the lack of a true moonlight is an issue for me too.
And I’ve had issues with a couple switching back into the 5 mode group with the blinkies. And a couple that have been a bit noisy too.
The 3.0 amp Qlite driver is a nice replacement (spring is a little short) or the BLF A6 (assuming the LED can handle direct drive). Or I suspect even the new Convoy 5amp SST-40 driver, although I’ve not tried one of these yet in an S2+
Here are some of mine:
Note there is also a Convoy S2 in the picture. Which in some ways I think is superior to the S2, as the S2 has a nice deep reflector, but appears to have lost favour and is only available with an Infrared LED these days. I also included the BLF A6 as you can still get these and they are not much more money but come with a much better driver. The two on the far right are Convoy S4’s, no longer available and the quality is much lower than the S2/S2, but they do have nice deep reflectors too.
SST-20 triple 4000k | XP-L HI Warm White with TIR optic | XM-L NW wide angle TIR | XP-L HI (S2)
The blue S2+ is missing from the above as it is just a shell currently. But it normally sports a Qlite with Nichia219B and narrow TIR optic.
BLF A6 - XP-L | S4 Nichia@19B | S4 de-domed XP-G2
I do wonder what an Osram W1 or W2 would be like in one of these, although the 8 amps the W2 requires would produce too much heat IMO. The S2+ also has a very shallow reflector which is unlikely to work the best with that LED.
Out of the above, it really depends. The de-domed XP-G2 in the S4 is a monster with super amounts of throw. The XP-L HI in the S2 isn’t far behind. None of the S2+ are close in terms of throw. Although the beam profile of the XP-L HI with the narrow TIR is very nice, much better than the stock reflector it came with.
The triple I’ve just built, not had chance to really use it yet. Looks pretty nice, but triples lack the throw IMO and a single XM-L2 can offer nice flood.
All are good.
As I’m not a fan of floody beams I’d choose between SST20 4000K (95 CRI) driven by 6x7135 Biscotti for light quality or XP-L HI 4500-5000K (highest bin possible) and 8x7135+Biscotti. I like 10–20 modes that other UIs don’t have.
Really happy with the 4000k SST-20 S2+ I have. No idea why I didn’t stop buying lights there- it would be totally adequate. Maybe a little too throwy for up close tasks like reading but really a great all around beam. Currently a 8x7135 but I’m about to desolder two of them I think…