I love the form factor of this light, especially with the 18350 tube. Of the emitters I’m looking at stepping away from the 519A ‘comfort blanket’ and getting something I have tried before.
I read that B35AM shows as warmer than most emitters with similar Kelvin, and that it doesn’t run as bright as many others, and that it might burn up on high.
But for this deep reflector am I looking at a good LED or are there others in the list I should consider. Massive throw isn’t crucial or I’d be looking at SST, what I’m after is a smooth transition from the spill into the hotspot and a comfortable colour (probably 4000K).
If you’re looking for flood, the S6 is an awkward host because its spill cone is very narrow compared to most reflector lights. The beam is pretty ugly too with B35AM–an S2+ with beaded TIR makes a much more usable beam.
For 4000K, nothing else from Convoy beats the B35AM in color rendering.
The 519A has this issue; the B35AM is usually pretty close to spec.
Handy link, thanks. On reading it may not be as simple as incompatibility. But you’re right about the long head on this light, maybe I ought to be trying to optimise that.
By flood, I’m meaning a bit of usable spill rather than wide illumination, I don’t want a pencil beam with a white dot at the end. I’m having to google most of the emitters in the list, I only really know the SFT and Nichia 519A.
Maybe I’ll get the 4500K and see what it’s like. I don’t see TIRs for the S6.
The long head is explicitly designed for maximum throw and narrowest beam, which is contrary to what you’re looking for. The S6 is not easily compatible with TIRs because the reflector is 7mm longer than the TIRs available.
You might see some reddit posts saying they’ve installed a TIR in the S6, but the 7mm of extra space is likely to lead to issues like flickering when the light is bumped, due to insufficient spring pressure.
I have 4 lights with the B35AM, the 4500K is where it’s at!
I would also go with the S2+ and the beaded 30 degree from the S21E, that is the best combination IMO!
Not contrary, the cool and tidy old school S6 is what I’m looking for, and the best emitter to put in it. Not all are going to produce a ping pong ball of light bobbing away in the distance, something I’d find pointless. I’m ignoring TIR for now, totally agree with you that it might be possible, but it also would be trying to make this tube light something it isn’t.
Here is a S6 in 18350 format with W2 emitter, it has much usable spill.
This comes up a lot, the BM isn’t a very bright emitter, even at higher colour temps.
Luckily choosing for a Convoy isn’t quite the exquisitely painful process it is when choosing something from Hank Not that I’ve ever been disappointed with my Emisar/Noctigons, but I did end up with 3 D3AA to try rosy, throwy, warm.
The host IS the S6, that’s a given because I like the design. Reminds me of old Nitecore. I have the S21E in 519A 2700K beaded TIR, it’s a bit orange but lovely campfire lighting. Fave S2+ has a 5700k and OP reflector.
I love the s6 with a short tube. Based on what you’re saying I don’t think it’s the right choice.
This picture is holding two flashlights in one hand approximately arms length from a wall. Both have an sft 40 3000k. Smooth reflectors.
S6 on the left, S2+ on the right.
I don’t think you’re going to change the size of that spill in any measurable way no matter which led you choose. They are both on the lowest setting. 5 amp drivers. As you back up from the wall or outside the hot spot size changes significantly. The S2+ does not throw nearly as far
I understand this. I know exactly what I’m buying, it’s a tube light with a deep reflector. But some of the emitters (of which I asked specifically about the BM35A) will have different beam profiles, such as SFT-25R throwing a hotspot a long way by comparison to a flat quad which will not throw a pinpoint beam. I don’t think it’s me that’s missing the point here.
I like the S6 and will be buying one, probably with the BM35A 4500K because it is more likely to create a broad, mid-range beam rather than a distant tight hotspot, has impeccable tint and high CRI, plus it doesn’t get too hot and has a boost driver to maintain decent light levels.
The S6 is probably the best 18350 “25mm tube light” out there for “throw”. And it probably has the smallest spill in that category.
You can try to tone it down some and maybe you will like it.
It doesn’t make sense to me to try to tone it down.
But if you have an idea of what you’re trying to do and you think this will get you there, then yeah, we all keep searching for the perfect light.
I agree that different emitters have different beam profiles, but it’s important to be very clear about exactly what’s different. B35AM will give a larger hotspot, but not a wider spill, compared to SFT25R.
If by broadness you mean hotspot, yes. If you mean spill, no.
This accusation feels unwarranted as we are simply trying to help you understand exactly what to expect.
I also mentioned (reddit post above) that the B35AM tends to make a somewhat ugly beam with a central dark spot and uneven spill. You’re completely welcome to get the light if you’re ok with this; we’re just making sure that you’re making a well-informed decision, so that you don’t get a nasty surprise when you receive it.
I’m perfectly clear on what the host does, the host is a given, I’m buying a cheap torch on a whim. I don’t need physics lessons or to be told I’m looking at the wrong torch. Your Reddit link is completely inconclusive and more likely to be due to reflector distance from the emitter, the OP wasn’t highlighting the hole, it was the ugly beam. My question was dead simple and singular, one question.
Struggling to visualise exactly what type of beam you’re looking for, I assume you are describing what I’d call “punchy flood”. Ultimately, the only way you’ll find out if you like the S6 with B35AM is buying and testing it.
The only drawback I see is that if you don’t like it, you’ll have to swap both driver and emitter. But not end of the world- Does the Noctigon NTG50 come on a 6V 16mm board that would fit?
I can tell you B35AM in my H4 with a beaded optic is nice, but likely too floody for what you want.
Not that I’ve ever been disappointed with my Emisar/Noctigons, but I did end up with 3 D3AA to try rosy, throwy, warm.
