Mini-review - Convoy S11 impressions

LED Flashlights – General Info 26650 Flashlights
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First off - No lumen/voltage/fancy charts, as I don’t have the gear for that. Also having a hard time getting my camera to do shots how I want them, but I’ve got the RAW images, so I can probably adjust exposure later (when Photoshop decides to work).

So:

I received my S11 from Convoy yesterday, and have finally had a chance to have a play with it.

It’s a 26650 body with an XHP50.2 using an OP reflector - I got 5000K because that’s my CCT of choice. It feels really good in the hand; a good weight, no sharp edges. At 100%, it does heat up very fast, but that’s to be expected.

I’ve since been reading that there’s a lot of green there, which I’ve experienced. This next image was taken around 3m away from my garage door at the 100% setting - still noticing a definitive green around the hotspot.

I’m feeling with a TIR that it’ll come nice, but it’s a 28.5mm (wide) by 20.5mm (high) reflector, so finding something to suit might be pretty difficult. For those interested, it’s a 7mm emitter opening.

The springs are bypassed, but the wire gauge seems to be fairly small, though this may be enough. Given that it’s a 6V emitter at 3A (w boost driver), a small cable might just do it.

The driver is a simple 4 modes plus hidden strobe; I feel this could really benefit from Biscotti or similar, with more options to choose from.

Overall, it’s fun so far, but…. really needs reverse clicky and Biscotti or similar. Simon has indicated that there’s not a direct reverse switch replacement, so I’m looking into the Omten 1288 (with slight modification for button height), and hoping for the best. I’ve been reading around that people have had it to 15A, so that gives me some confidence.

Some final shots for reading this far :wink:

Driver and emitter album

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oweban, thanks for your review, some good info.

I am patiently waiting for mine to arrive, I’ve ordered the same tint (5000k).

Please keep us updated about what you do with the switch, I am very interested in that.

And nice photos by the way!

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Thanks! Good review, it sounds like another solid Convoy offering, with just enough potential for modifying to keep us flashlight nuts interested. :+1:

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Thanks guys - I’ll probably order the 1288 today and see how it goes. I’ll also try and find a large TIR; I think it’d really benefit from it even at the expense of lumens.

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Order placed with Simon just now for 1288 switches (pack of 10, but whatever), and am looking at some Ledil TIRs (in order):

  • CA11388_EMILY-M
  • CA11934_EMILY-W
  • C16125_OLGA-W
  • CA16128_OLGA-M

The Olgas would have to be sanded down, but not too much.

Will try and buy them in the next week and see how they go - I’ll need to 3D print a ring to space the TIR down to the pill if I get the Emilys.

:person_facepalming:

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Thanks for the review, being Convoy Quality is always good and nicely priced too. I may need to buy one myself as it’s a powerful compact which is appealing.

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Мой s11 уже в пути. Саймон выставил на продажу гладкий отражатель. Я хочу переделать под XHP35

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Google Translate^

@Valera D, звучит очень интересно, пожалуйста, держите нас в курсе ваших результатов.

(English: @Valera D, sounds very interesting, please keep us informed about your results.)

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The main issue with going XHP35 is taking 1S to 12V - good luck!

I’ve been getting more frustrated with the forward clicky, so I’ll be copying a build someone did and make it a quad LH351D FET.

[Album] [NLD] Convoy S11 Quad XP-L V6 3D, MTN-22DDm, and reverse clicky swap, with...

(Just need to find somewhere to machine the spacer)

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For XHP35 either the FX35, H2-C or Manta Ray LC15 should work in the S11.

I also have a copper S11 quad spacer from kiriba-ru, but no host yet. I believe he is going to make a aluminium quad pill though.

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Convoy S11 to XHP35 diode and H2-C driver with a smooth reflector. The light shines closer than the Convoy M2 on the XPL HI diode and the LD25 driver. But shines farther than the XHP50.

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First S11 I made up was with an XHP35 and H2-C with the OP reflector. It now has the smooth reflector, which I ordered as soon as I saw them on Simons store. My second one arrived today (or should I say 3rd as one went missing in the post). Plan is for a Fet+1 and 3V XHP50.2. I don’t mind the forward clicky with the H2-C modes, but the Fet+1 is the same as my other lights with reverse clickies, so I’ll need to change to avoid confusion.

I tried 3V XHP50.2 and Fet+1 in a Convoy S2, measured 19 amps at the tail. I thought I’d reduce the current by not bypassing the spring, bad mistake, it just un-soldered itself. The Omten switch in the S2 appears to survive, not that I can hold it on high for long.

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I wouldn’t count on it.

Just completely bypass the Omten switch.
Put copper wire on the switch to do this.

Also, due to its very low VF, it will still draw a lot of current, and the spring probably melted for a moment, unsoldering itself and damaging itself.

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Anyone has a shot comparison between S11 with OP reflector and that with SMO reflector? As Ecotack said, now at Simon’s store, a blunish gray version, which comes with SMO reflector, is available. I personally prefer the bluish gray one with 4000k emitter, but still can’t make up my mind as I’m thinking that the OP one (comes with black-bodied S11) might give a better tint.

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Hello! Just a quick question fellows, what's up with forward clicky switches? Do they need to be clicked for 'em to disengage? I wonder if I could use this ∅17/22 mm weird firmware driver with a forward clicky… nevermind, in the ad it says “this driver should be used with a reverse switch”.

What is the size of the stock switch? There must be some compatible reverse switch, I think.

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Ooooh, I’ll get back to you with the size of the stock one. I think I kept it… working from home so I’ll check in a few.

edit:: I’ve done it in a paint app and it’s garbage. I’ll make it in something like Sketchup and take some images there that are actually semi-decent.

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Advancing the work on this, took a peek at the Convoy store to see which forward clickies they have for sale:

Coincidentally Kaidomain also lists two forward clicky switches for sale, and they seem to be the same. Good thing is they have a lot of reverse clickies listed, and looks like there are viable replacements.

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Reallly dodgy drawing because I’ve been pulled into a conference call:

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LoL oweban, no need for such hurries. According to your diagram, the switch should be the second type I linked from the Convoy store:

So, that nails down the possible candidates to the following, imho:

  1. OmTen PBS101F Closest in height, a bit shorter, legs may need extension.
  2. OmTen PBS101XD Pretty rectangular, a bit low.
  3. OmTen PBS101C190 A bit low, wide legs.

Which one do you think it would be the best replacement, oweban? I ask because I don't know how is the switch board or the support casing inside the tailcap. Thanks.

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That last one looked okay, but there’s two other terminals on the bottom.

The one I used is this: https://www.fasttech.com/p/1203605

[Album] imgur.com