Hello everyone. This is my first post !
I never knew that there was so much to know about flashlights, tint, emitters,etc.
I need a flashlight for working indoors and above ceilings mostly. I also need to read nameplate info on motors and air handling units.
I have been looking at Convoy flashlights because they use 18650 batteries and the price is right. I tend to lose flashlights, so I don’t want to spent too much.
My question is which tint, emitters would be best for my application. I really like the Convoy s2+ red with the stainless steel switch, but I don’t know which options to choose. I’m open for suggestions on other brand flashlights also.
The Convoy S2+ is a good general purpose flashlight. It’s large spot fading into a relatively bright spill makes it very good for illuminating everything up to 50 feet. (It’ll throw over 100 yards, but it’s ideal range is under 50 feet.)
As far as tint is concerned, I’d suggest that you start with a 1A tint. It’s a cool white. The reason I recommend it is because it (a) has the brightest bin and (b) it provides the highest visual contrast. (If you spend more than 2 hours with the flashlight on during your workshift, then I’d suggest a warmer tint: a 3B or 4C tint. The mellower tint is less harsh on your eyes.)
I believe the current batch of Convoy S2+ come with an XM-L2 emitter (bin U2 for the 1A tint and bin T6 for the 3B or 4C tint) putting out about 1000 lumens at 2800ma. You’ll want to check that the flashlight reference information states either 2800ma (2.8A) or 8x7135 driver chips (circuits).
Question: I have a hard time imagining what work you do in ceilings. In my mind, most work in the ceilings are very close quarters (10 feet or less). Wouldn’t a really floody headlamp be better suited for your use?
Another vote for the 1A tint. A lot of people here are in love with their warmer lights but I like the max output and shade of the cooler tint. Unless you have a need for better color rendition, such as checking cabling color codes, in which case you should go with a Nichia high-CRI emitter.
Go with the S2+ if you want floody, or the standard S2 if you want a light with a little bit of extra reach.
Stay with primary cells or NiMH.
Leaving lost 18650 cells lying around is setting up a risk for someone, eventually, to have a problem they won’t understand.
If you’re around li-ions, you have to know when not to inhale.
Fortunately, I found my flashlight in the car, but thought I had lost it on vacation for a while. I was curious about what someone would do when the random flashlight they picked up (“Yay! Free Flashlight”) turns out to be a FET-drive XP-L HI triple with a high-drain cell: (“Gah! That’s bright! I can’t see anything! …. Whoa… that’s getting hot… REALLY HOT! [drop - flee - panic - call 911]”)
I work as an air balancer. My flashlight will be used to locate and take information from various equipment associated with the HVAC system of large commercial buildings. If I need to actually work above the ceiling, we have lights on site for that.
I will need to be able to read and record equipment information as well as trace out ductwork runs, find and adjust dampers etc.
So you think that the Convoy S2+ with the 1A tint will be good for this use ?
Ok, I decided to buy the Convoy s2+ xm-L2 with 1A tint.
Where would be the best place to buy from ? Everything online seems to be from China and I don’t want to wait weeks for my order if I don’t have to.
Are there any US venders selling for a similar price ?
I see Fasttech has a US warehouse, for a few bucks more. Does that help ?
I hardly think losing a flashlight with a LiIon 18650 would be much risk to
civies.
They will either know how to handle the cell—or it will be placed in a drawer and
ignored.
Anyway—as a true flashaholic and believer in preparedness—I suggest a backup
light.
My choice would be an easily shirt-pocketable penlight such as
Thorfire PF-04 or Hugsby P2.
Or maybe the shorter, 18350 version S2+
Fasttech US Warehouse would probably be the fastest.
However, I don’t see where that information (US Warehouse) is shown for the red S2+: https://www.fasttech.com/products/2060916
Second choice would be Banggood USA Warehouse (but only blue is stocked there):
Richard at Mountain Electronics sells the S2+, but his stock versions run at 2100ma. Otherwise, I would recommend that you buy your flashlight from him.
Fasttech is great to do business with and flashaholic friendly. You’ll like the C2 for your kind of work so well that you won’t be losing it (though everybody else on the site will want one too so beware the sticky-fingered types). You’ll need a cell and charger which is a whole ’nuther subject, but get nothing less than an Xtar MC1+ charger and a Samsung or Panasonic cell for safety’s sake; cheaper stuff can be dangerous.
In any type of construction work I recommend a key-chain back-up light; doesn’t have to be special but must be absolutely reliable so you can find your way out no matter where you crawl into no matter what happens. You know how it goes in this business and what “S.H.” means!
Don’t inhale — because your common sense will steer you wrong. The symptoms don’t appear for several hours.
At which point your lungs start to fill up with fluid and if you’re not already in treatment, you’re in an emergency situation.
Or not. Depends on how much of what vents into what kind of room and air circulation.
Shorter answer: don’t expose your family to this sort of risk, even as unlikely as it is, because it’s not easy to recover. https://www.google.com/search?q=lithium-ion+vent+fume+lung+doctor
Thank you all for the replies, very helpful, great forum !
Thank you Hank for that information. I’ve read up on the safety information on these batteries because i use them for vaping. I quit smoking a couple years ago, but all the info I read was about choosing the correct battery so as to avoid an explosion. I have good chargers and only buy good batteries, but I never knew about the dangers of them venting ! Thanks again for sharing that with me, I’ll be sure to let all of my vaping friends know about this.
So, I ended up buying two Convoy s2. One on Amazon - $ 14.99, 1A tint,4x7135, should be here Monday and one on eBay, 4C tint,8x7135, blue with ss switch, $ 20.00 comes with a battery, cheapy charger ( which I probably won’t use ) and a case. Free shipping on both. I wanted to buy locally because I am starting a new job on Monday.
Again, thanks to everyone for all your help ! And I really got an education over the last couple of days !
Don’t forget to post here when you get them. Your impressions count and may help others decide as well.
A lot of people (me included) start off not liking the warmer tints. For indoor, and especially up close, these warm tints are great. The neutral and cooler tints are bright and needed too, so there is no “wrong” tint, just preferences.
Do you have any idea about bland？or you just find the fit one.I have been use Brinyte B48，1*18650batteries，and you want to buy tint，emitter，you also can connect the company of the brinyte.