What flashlight(s) is recommended?

LED Flashlights – General Info 18650 Flashlights
1

Hello.

The last 8 years+ I have used Ultrafire WF-501B (the real ones, not the fake ones), and I have been very happy with them. I have one in my car, one i my bedroom, one on my bathroom, one in my living room etc. Like to have a flashlight nearby, specially in the winter when the power can go out, and it’s totally dark outside (and then inside).

Did make a fool of my self last month, ordering some 3000 and 2000 lumens flashligts on Ebay (single LED), discovered soon that they had lower lumens then my old flashlights. And now, after looking at Cree’s webpage, I understand that you can’t get more then 1040 lm 10W (and 10W is the most) on a XM-L led, and 119x lm with a XM-L2 10W.

I have seen LOTS of post here about Convoy S2+, but it has “only” 350 lumen. Is this still a good flashlight, for using in the dark, maybe in the woods at night etc, since I’m often out taking pictures of the stars etc.
And the price has to be right, if I want to change out more then one of my old flashlights.

Other good flashlights you can recommend. We have a stupid $42 limit here in Norway, including shipping. So if the item + shipping is costing more then $42, I have to pay 25% VAT and then up to $30 in custom fee.
So I prefer Ebay etc, there I can ask the seller if they can lower the value of the package.

So maybe a recommendation on one good, but not so big (more like Ultrafire WF-501B) size or smaller, and also good, but maybe not so pricey flashlights.
If possible, one good flashlight to $40 with shipping? (most likely not possible)

I see they have Convoy S2+ on Aliexpress.com - is it safe to buy from them?
And what about good ebay sellers?

Can’t use Amazon because they will not lower the value.

2

What about a DQG 26650?
maybe you would want a C8? Do you want flood or throw? The ones you have are P60 lights am I right? So maybe if you’re looking for tube styled lights you could get the S2 and get a coupon code from M4DM4X http://www.banggood.com/Convoy-S2-AMC7135+8-8Modes-LED-Flahslight-1x18650-p-908754.html not aff link btw

3

Thats was I nice little flashlight. Will go good with my new Shoshine 26550 5500mAh batteries. Or will high drain 18650 batteries (type 10A - 40A) be better?

4

If you are looking at runtime the 26650 will benefit but since the output is already quite high I will stay with the normal cells and not the high drain cells

Edit: if you get a code from M4DM4X it’ll bring the price down past USD 44.89

5

C8 is maybe little to big for me. If I’m out in the woods or something, I like to put my flashlight in my jacket pocket when I’m not using it.
S2 or DQG 26650. Of course, the S2 is much cheaper. C8 was not so different in price.

6

What P60 drop in do you have?
Maybe with some more detail we could recommend a similar setup with more power.
What type of modes/beam/tint/etc would you like to have?

7

The Convoy S2 lights are very nice, and available in several different combinations of emitters and drivers.

Get a lower-powered driver if you prefer runtime over brightness, or a high-powered driver if you want maximum brightness with the option to use Med/Low modes. The S2 will likely be a bit floodier than your P60 type of drop-ins, but are available with the XM-L2 emitters and 2.8A drivers. It will also have better heat sinking than your 501x P60 hosts...

For your budget, you could get a Convoy S2 (~$14) and a C8 (~$19) from FastTech and have both a floodier EDC-sized light, and a nice thrower light.

https://www.fasttech.com/search?convoy%20s2

https://www.fasttech.com/search?convoy%20c8

8

No aff link

Here are some suggestions :slight_smile:

9

If you get the 2800mAh Convoy S2+ you should be looking at around 900lm, a really great quality flashlight for the price.

Your current WF-501B should be between 650-800lm.

Both are fairly heavily dependent on good batteries. The majority of Ultrafire cells that I have tested, but would never use beyond testing in a safe environment, couldn’t handle 2000mAh+. The few that could handle it, dropped out of regulation before 15 minutes.

Some crazy guys have found that the upper maximum on xml2 is actually around 1900lm. You wont be finding that in any stock, budget flashlights though. :stuck_out_tongue:

10

if you are buying from simon’s aliexpress (i think shenzhen convoy) then you’re getting a safe deal.

not too sure about getting lower price from him but you can try.
the s2+ won’t reach your 40 dollar deal so it should be ok even for the priciest option

11

I did see all the 700+ comments and 5 of 5 rating, so he must be selling a good product.

I often buy from dx.com EU direct, since they deliver really fast most of the time (7-9 days).
Is this a OK Convoy S2+ flashlight? Convoy S2+ 925lm 2-Group 3/5-Mode White LED Flashlight w/ Cree XM-L2 T5-5B - Black (1 x 18650)

The good thing there is that they send it as a unmarked package, and you actually can buy a insurance (around $1) that if the package is taken by the custom and you get VAT/custom fee, they pay it for you.

12

for the dollar I think it is hard to beat the JM30 and JM35 lights.

It might push you right up to your 42 dollar limit but they are super lights (yes floody).

Maybe you can have some lights moded and sent in low dollar packages so as not the break the customs limit?

the C8 is really not that big but if you want more lumen and runtime and still fit in a pocket.

maybe somthing like this?

https://www.fasttech.com/products/0/10005206/1412110-ultrafire-lzz-f15-cree-xm-l-u2-5-mode-700-lumen

13

But are the last one better then Convoy C2+?

14

My guess would be not, as the C2+ is a very high quality light; the option Ronin42 suggested is a larger diameter flashlight that uses the higher capacity 26650 cells, which will give you longer runtime. Would be good if normal 18650s aren't sufficient.

15

OK, I have ordered two different types of C2+ - both with XM-L2, but one with T6 and one with U2. Also looking to maybe order a red one from Gearbest, it’s only $13 now with the sale.

My old flashlights is good for now, but if a new one is better, then of course I will change to new ones. I have got several good replies here, so if I need a more powerful flashlight, or know somebody that need one, I can recommend flashlights from this thread.

If there is any more I should take a look on, please mention them.

16

Might be too late, but you really can't go wrong with this AliExpress Store, as previously mentioned. Highly recommended here on BLF - Simon seems like a pretty good guy. Always responded fast to me, answered all my Q's. Here's the RED S2+: http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Convoy-S2-Red-Cree-XML2-U2-1A-EDC-LED-Flashlight-torch-lantern-self-defense-camping-light/330416_32252638688.html. Little more money, but he's got it with a ton of options and has the full set of accessories and components unlike the $13 special from GearBest. I got both and there is a difference. Believe me, I ordered a ton of stuff recently from GearBest and it's a hit and miss, lots of misses due to false advertising, re-sale of old inventory, they have no clue what they are shipping, etc. Dunno bout shipping to Norway. DX really isn't any better - we've had recent problems with them as well.

The RED Convoy S2+ is the state-of-the-art in these budget tube lights. The SS switch is outstanding. If someone wants a tailswitch tube light now, it's the only one I'm recommending - lots bought from my recommendation on it.

17

Trust me about this! I have a lot of Convoys lights,S2,S3,C8…… But recently I have ordered Eagle Eye A6 with XP-L led, and it
iz amazing,I love it so much that I have put all my convoys EDC away, and taking this light with me everywhere I go. Neutral tint is perfect, and it have 4 modes (LO,MID,HI,TURBO,and the strobe is hidden). I am reading 2,85A on turbo no mather what cell I use! Memory is also instant, always starts in last mode,there is no PWM,and ugly noice from the driver like S2 have on middle mode. Oh yeah the glass is also AR coated !!

link

18

I did order two red S2+ from Simon with only mod to 7135*6 output current 2100mA on one of them, and
7135*8 output current 2800mA on the other. I understand that the last one will be the brightest one? But also the hottest if I use full power to long. (same issue that I have with my old WF-501B Ultrafire flashlights now, they are getting very hot).

If I’m happy, I will order 2-4 more. What other mods do you recommend? Is it stupid to use 7135*8. I will maybe then have a *3 or *4 so they last longer. But what about all the XML2 T6-3B add $0.53 and XML2 T6-4C / XML2 T5-5B / XML2 T4-7A add $1.4 what is the best setup?

Last question, if I use batteries with more then 2800mAh in this flashlight (with *8), will it just last longer?
What if I use high drain batteries in this flashlight, but with 10A-40A 2800mAh, will it just last as it’s rated?

19

For a 2.8 amp light you shouldn’t need high drain cells, Look at HKJ’s site where he shows discharge curves for the various cells. Looking at Cree’s data sheet as long as the cell is over about 3.4v you it should the light should still be at full brightness.

You might want to look at the Eagle Eye X6 It’s a bigger head but it still fits nicely in a jacket pocket, the extra size meant it will run cooler at the same power level as a little tube like the Convoy S2.

20

mA on the driver is current to the LED.

mAh on the cell is a rating of the cell's capacity. A higher capacity cells holds more energy, so it would last longer at the same current. The mAh rating and discharge current aren't directly related. I.E., a 3500mAh cell doesn't provide 3.5A; it can provide more (or less) current depending on the quality of the cell, but it can provide current for a longer time at the same current.

Any decent cell should be adequate for any of the lights discussed in this thread. The high-current 30A cells are for hot-rod flashlights that need higher current for peak performance. Example being, a direct-drive triple.