Convoy 3X21A
At the end there will be a summary for those who like only particulars. In each topic I will bold the key sentences, so it will be easier to notice what's the most important. Enjoy!
Table of Contents:
- General parameters
- Package content
- Appearance, parameters
- UI, runtime and charging
- PWM
- Waterproofness
- Light pattern, tint
- Beamshots
- Gallery and Summary
General Parameters
Name: Convoy 3X21A 3 x SFT-40 6500K (my sample has SFT-40, you can also buy SST40 version)
Glass: AR coated
Reflector: Smooth, SMO, better throw
Brightness: 6800lm (SST40) / 5400lm (SFT40) theoretical values, real brightness will be lower
Intensity: 265KCD(SFT40) / 142.5KCD(SST40)
Throw: 1029m(SFT40) / 755m(SST40) , (ANSI standard)
Tint: 6500K / 5000K
Charging: Built-in charging (USB type C), 3A charging
LVP (low voltage protection): automatic, lowers brightness
Battery: 3 * 21700, default not included, can be added when buying. Flashlight can be used with 1, 2, or 3 cells
Current: 17.8A (SFT40) / 16A(SST40)
Reverse polarization protection: No, so be careful
Switch: E-switch on the head
Last used mode memory: Yes
Capability of tail stand: Yes
Head diameter: 69mm
Battery tube diameter: 51.8mm
Overall lenght: 158.4mm
Weight: 569g (flashlight) + 210g(with 3 cells)
Package content
As always, in the package there is only the flashlight. But it’s quite good to receive flashlight, if you buy flashlight overall. Just kidding, anyway:
Appearance, parameters
It is similar in size to LT1 lantern
The flashlight is pretty big (and also heavy, but heavy is a Convoy’s middle name), but capable of carrying three 21700 batteries, giving theorethical capacity of 15000mAh.
On the front there is an AR coated glass, standard for Convoy. We also have a stainless steel ring to protect a triple SMO reflector, and 3 SFT-40 LEDs
The reflector is smooth, and centered using those plastic gaskets
3x cool white SFT40, small LED area means good throw
On head there are heat dissipation fins, helping to...dissipate heat. There also is an e-switch, and a USB type C port with rubber cover, that sith nice and flat
Battery tube with aggressive knurling, helping with secure grip.
Adapter for flat top cells, because it dows not accept the flat top cells
3 calls, to be exact
Springs are well made and thick, and the bottom screwable part is just useless, you can hide there something
UI, runtime, heat dissipation and charging
UI
Quite new in Convoy - simple driver, but with 2 different mode groups, switching by quick 6-click:
- Smooth brightness changing, similar to that known from the Anduril UI. Mode memory on, quick access to moonlight (long press from off) and turbo (double click from on or off)
- Stepped brightness changing, with fixed 4 modes: 1% - 10% - 40% - 100%. Mode memory on, and shortcuts to moonlight and turbo too.
Runtime
Using 3x LG INR21700M50LT 5000mAh cells (real measured capacity, using Lii-500, is 4700 - 4800mAh) I was able to archive 140 min of continuous 40% brightness - it is about 1800lm according to measurements. After that time, the flashlight was still shining, but I ended the test at 150 min with very low brightness, and cell voltage of 3.09V
Heat dissipation
Very good - 2 min on full brightness, in room temperature. The temperature control module is present, and it triggered reducing the brightness to a stable 50%.
Keep in mind that your results probably will be better if you use the flashlight outside, at night.
Charging
Thankfully, there is a USB type C port for charging. It can provide stable 2A of charging current
And you can use flashlight when it is charging, with batteries in or without batteries:
It can be used as a lantern :P
PWM
I did not observe any flickering on the lowest brightness. Good.
Waterproofness
As usual, Convoy did not declare any standards, but their flashlights are usually pretty good at not letting any water in. Let-s thest it!
2 hours should be enough
Light pattern, tint
My sample has 3 * SFT-40 6500K LEDs, theoretical brightness 5400lm and throw of 1km
And 2 other pictures (dimmer and brighter) to better see the light pattern:
Cool white light is okeish here, because it is designed to be bright, and this LED can produce a nice tint light.
Without the lens:
Beamshots
ISO200, t2s, f/3.5 sunlight white balance
What the forest looks like:
Beamshots of 3X21A:
Athe same pictures but smaller, to better see the difference + low brightness under feet:
Good throw, I was unable to test its declared 1km throw, but at 180m distance it really destroys everything!
Gallery
My dog likes it too!
Summary
Convoy 3X21A is another big and powerfull flashlight from Convoy. Equipped with 3 * 21700 5000mAh cells gives 15000mAh overall capacity and can power 3* SFT-40 6500K LEDs giving 5400lm theoretical output. Throw exceeds 1km (ANSI), so if you need a big sturdy powerfull flashlight, this is the one. The flashlight is equipped with 2 groups mode driver, one being stepless dimming, like in Anduril, and second is 4 mode group.
Pros:
+ SFT-40 6500K is an interesting LED, giving good throw and brightness
+ Sturdy, well made – threads well lubricated, SS ring and AR coated glass lens
Cons:
- Heavy
- Stepless dimming need to be adjusted to offer more smooth transition
If you have any questions, put them below, thanks for sticking for a while :)
I’ve ordered one from AliExpress . I would like to get protected batteries,any recommendations.