Forgive me for not lurking longer before asking someone to hand hold me through ordering my next 18650 light. I lost my astrolux/ blf s6 1600 lumens (I forgot what it was) which I use on my handlebars and I need to replace it. I use a $350 Diablo MK7 on my helmet which has needed to be shipped to the UK for repairs 2x now. Funny that these Chinese lights are more reliable. Anyways, to the point. Can you guys please recommend me the best set up (emitter/ options) for an S2+ or perhaps a different brand, but it seems as if the S2+ is these best on the market for the 18650 batteries. I need to get 1.5 to 2 hours of run time at atleast 1000 lumens with a decent throw. Perhaps a warmer color that will make colors pop/ show depth of the trail. Also, I’m in Arizona so even at night its 100 degrees when I’m mountain biking, so overheating might be a concern. From my 2 hours of research I am thinking about getting an S2+ with 4 to 6 chips of 7135. Lightbringer says to go with 4C for tint and 20mm TIR lenses and Biscotti firmware. XMC2 T6-4C? Thank you guys, any help is appreciated. Here’s a picture my two batteries, ok I dont know how to post pictures. They are 3.7V 2500mah Samsung
A S2+ will not be able to sustain 1000 lumens no matter the emitter. I suspect you don’t need that many lumens though.
Also, it is impossible to have 1000 lumens for 2 hours on a 18650 battery. It will take at least 3A to produce 1000 lumens with an efficient emitter. And the largest 18650 is 3500 mAh so the runtime will be under 1 hour and even less time with your batteries.
Maybe a fenix bc30 v2 with 2x3500mAh can do what you are looking for. If you want a convoy, I would recommend a s21b with strip lens and 519a. Also check lumintop b01.
Hmm I couldve sworn that my astrolux lasted well over an hour at over 1000 lumens. I believe the boost mode which only lasted 60 seconds was 1600 lumens and then I used the one just under it which I though was like 1400 for over an hour every time. That fenix bc30 v2 with 2×3500mAh that the comment below mentioned looks pretty sick especially if I can get the 20% off coupon to work and the bo1 looks nice too. Ill have to look into both of those. Thanks for the suggestions
I went through this with an S2 as well. I’d suggest your best bet is a 3,500 mAh battery coupled with an efficient, low-CRI emitter like an XPL-Hi, or Nichia 319A. You won’t get one hour at 1,000 lumens (3A) let alone two, due to the limited battery capacity and lack of heat shedding capabilities of the S2. It would sustain 400-500 lumens though and that’s a fairly useful amount of light. XPL-Hi’s are rated around 600 lumens @ 1.5A.
Would you consider an S21A? Mtn Electronics has hosts as well as Mohr lumens. You can put the same TIRs in them as an S2+.For the road, I want something that shoots further but this is one of my experiments for the trail. The S21A with the SST40 is great but I just might have to switch it out to a 4C XM-L2.
Yeh, the 4C behind a TIR lens is a great combo. Ain’t high-CRI but is efficient enough to wring out a few more lemons for the same current. High-CRI is great, but often at the expense of efficiency.
Skip the 7135 models and go with a 5A driver model. It’s more efficient, I got ~90 minutes at 700 lumens (40% level) for my S2+ with SST40 and 5A driver. I use 2 of these models with OP reflectors mounted on my handlebars for my night riding - mainly singletrack and gravel.
Conversely, I only got ~80 minutes at 600 lumens (100% level) for my S2+ with 7135*6 and XP-L HI.
Both measured using 3500mah batteries.
I also did not like the TIR lens with any of the lights, the lack of spill and wider, less punchy beam did not work with my eyes.
Lumintop B01 is crazy efficient but does not have a true “high” level. Good light but badly needs an update.
you would be better off with a $35 amazon bike light with 4 18650s
seriously
color/tint matters only about 2%
my 2c
I use the Fenix BC30 , I use flat top protected Panasonic cells. The headlight will work with button tops, but is designed for flat tops (my version)
My BC30 also does not have low voltage protection so I got the protected cells. I also carry spare cells on my rides.
For my mountain biking I find the Fenix on the handlebars and a Jetbeam BR10 Gt (single 18650) on my helmet works for me.
If you go for the Fenix BC30, you will need a minimum 2 bay charger and high capacity flat top cells if you do not already have them.
BTW were did you find a 20% coupon?
I’ve used S2+, A6 and other lights as helmet light either with OP reflector or DCFix. Don’t really want a tight hotspot even when descending at speed, prefer a somewhat smoother transition and similar tint from the floody bar light to the helmet light. I carry a spare light in case one fails and that is the spare battery holder. I prefer to use the brightest light possible, but only use higher modes when needed. When I’m following others and there are riders behind as well, I step way down or can turn off for prolonged climbs. When I’m leading, I use higher modes and full blast for descends.
On fenix’s website it says become a member and receive 20% off plus free shipping. Assuming membership is free, that’s a good deal. I have two 18650 batteries but I don’t have a dual charger. I just charge them one at a time with a vape which is annoying. I see I got more reply’s. Good stuff. I’m surprised how active this forum is, you guys really like your lights. And I think that’s cool, taming the darkness and being out when others are in
When you say a 5A model you mean a 519A one like this right? https://m.aliexpress.com/item/1005003914620098.html?browser_id=a05bb37f7b504424aa97bef51a445442&aff_trace_key=&aff_platform=msite&m_page_id=xsw9ghtnnnycaujq17fb2a9c9db198057272b89f8c&gclid=
Also, with this biscotti firmware there is a way to run it at like 70-80 percent right? I really liked how my astrolux was like moonlight, 20, 50, 75, 100 and boost and a quick half tap would cycle me up through. Made it real nice for biking
Yes that would be a good choice. The closest option is Group 10:
35% is going to be 450-550 lumens, 100% is spec’d at 1240.
One of the best things about the S2+ is that it takes a cord switch so you can mount the light far from the handlebars and still have access to on/off and mode switching.
Get a 4-banger like an Opus 3100. Does charging, R testing, capacity testing, refreshing, etc. You’d be able to tell a cell’s developing a problem long before it shows up as a problem, or goes supernova.
Yeah, we’re pretty social. Demented and sad, but social.
I wouldn't say that I'm sad, but demented and social (at least online) are dead-on accurate! 
It's a pleasure to have you onboard, NightBiker!
Am I getting this right? It’s impossible to run this light between 50% and 100%. It’s one or the other? Should I do the 3/5 firmware? That way it’s on 3 settings mode low, medium, high. Or the 5 settings would be lower low, low, medium, high and higher high? That sounds more like what I want
There won’t be much if any visual difference between 50% and 100%.
If pushed hard enough, 100% might be only as bright or even dimmer than 50%, if you’re already at/near the peak of the parabola.
Even so, if you’re still on roughly the linear part of the parabola, 50% to 100% (ie, 100% increase) might look like a minor step up, like 30% brighter.
When I got my first 2000lm light, vs my 1000lm lights, I was rather underwhelmed. “That’s it??” Yeah, it was visually only a bit brighter.
You from Texas?