My new torch

[Pesty]

Damn it you just reminded me I was going to try the convoy L6

[leglessAlex]

moleamol said:

Thanks for the info Alex, I apologise for making you buy one. It was clearly my fault. I'm ordering from BangGood though because delivery says 7-20 days rather than 20-40.

Are cheap eBay batteries a bad idea then? Will the 'do a Samsung'?

Very much so, the risk is very real if it isn't a protected cell. I know this sort of makes the whole package a lot more expensive and a bit less appealing but you should be able to get the charger, two cells and the C8 for around £50 all in which I think is worth it, especially as you won't have to buy the charger or cells again any time soon.

[tenohfive]

moleamol said:

leglessAlex said:

moleamol said:

leglessAlex said:

300bhp/ton is a great lad for the cheaper (but still decent quality) stuff, might be worth chucking him a PM if he doesn't see this post, I know he's a fan of the Convoy C8 lights but they're quite throwy I think.

Thanks for all your help guys. I've checked out everything you've all posted. For now I'm going to try this one as it seems like it would be ok on the lower setting for closer and then it has really good throw if you crank it up. If I do get the bug I'll be back with more budget.

I think that's a good choice. Someone somewhere has written out a great guide for all the modes that's dead useful, I'll try and find it*.

Apologies if you already have all the kit, but you'll needs some 18650 batteries for that (like these) and a charger for said batteries (like this). Apologies if you know all this already!



*Found it! It's on the actual website, it might also come with the light, I don't actually have one! Just thought it was useful. Link


Edit; I've just ordered one because I was trying to find that info above and my finger slipped. I'm blaming you for this moleamol

Thanks for the info Alex, I apologise for making you buy one. It was clearly my fault. I'm ordering from BangGood though because delivery says 7-20 days rather than 20-40.

Are cheap eBay batteries a bad idea then? Will the 'do a Samsung'?

If you're looking for the same light that Alex posted then you want this link instead:

http://www.banggood.com/Convoy-C8-XP-L-HI-71358-In...

That's the one with the XPL HI emitter (rather than the XML2 emitter.) The XPL-HI is a more throwy emitter (although due to the head/reflector even the XML2 should be fairly throwy.)

[5678]

Just had a thought for those wanting to try li powered torches on the cheap... get a BLF A6

Google for it and have a read. £25 from Banggood. Designed and specced by the BLF forum. It's a well made torch.

[V8mate]

tenohfive said:

If you're looking for the same light that Alex posted then you want this link instead:

http://www.banggood.com/Convoy-C8-XP-L-HI-71358-In...

That's the one with the XPL HI emitter (rather than the XML2 emitter.) The XPL-HI is a more throwy emitter (although due to the head/reflector even the XML2 should be fairly throwy.)

What differences do the V2-1A,U6-3A,U4-7A choices give?

[tenohfive]

V8mate said:

What differences do the V2-1A,U6-3A,U4-7A choices give?

Tint/colour temperature. Blue-ish tint=cool/cold, yellow-ish tint=warm. You'll see the numbers quoted with xxxxK - less is a warmer tint, more is a cooler tint. As a rule a warm tint is better for accurate colour of whatever you're shining it at, whilst cooler tints throw slightly better apparently. Something in the middle is often a safe bet. I've copied over the tint chart from the Aliexpress store, pretty much the same range available:

XPL HI V2-1A - 6500-7000K
XPL HI U6-3A - 5000-5200K
XPL HI U3-7A - 3000-3300k

[V8mate]

tenohfive said:

V8mate said:

What differences do the V2-1A,U6-3A,U4-7A choices give?

Tint/colour temperature. Blue-ish tint=cool/cold, yellow-ish tint=warm. You'll see the numbers quoted with xxxxK - less is a warmer tint, more is a cooler tint. As a rule a warm tint is better for accurate colour of whatever you're shining it at, whilst cooler tints throw slightly better apparently. Something in the middle is often a safe bet. I've copied over the tint chart from the Aliexpress store, pretty much the same range available:

XPL HI V2-1A - 6500-7000K
XPL HI U6-3A - 5000-5200K
XPL HI U3-7A - 3000-3300k

Thanks

[tenohfive]

Convoy S2+ XML2 and Convoy C8 XPL HI arrived. I've put off buying these two for far too long. Now waiting for it to get dark like a child on bonfire night.

ETA: just over two weeks from ordering to arrival - ordered through Simon's Ali Express shop. Won't be shy about going that route instead of GB/BG in future for Convoy lights.

Edited by tenohfive on Thursday 20th October 18:19

[moleamol]

tenohfive said:

Convoy S2+ XML2 and Convoy C8 XPL HI arrived. I've put off buying these two for far too long. Now waiting for it to get dark like a child on bonfire night.

ETA: just over two weeks from ordering to arrival - ordered through Simon's Ali Express shop. Won't be shy about going that route instead of GB/BG in future for Convoy lights.

Edited by tenohfive on Thursday 20th October 18:19

I haven't ordered yet because I've been busy with a new job. Can you post a link to the C8 XPL HI and some suitable batteries/charger? And could you also let me know ho good it is and the advantaged over ordering from BG? Cheers, I'm going to order later.

[tenohfive]

moleamol said:

I haven't ordered yet because I've been busy with a new job. Can you post a link to the C8 XPL HI and some suitable batteries/charger? And could you also let me know ho good it is and the advantaged over ordering from BG? Cheers, I'm going to order later.

No real advantages, but I've always gone with BG or GB as there's protection through Paypal. Not with AliExpress, but the official Convoy shop has a good reputation (and I can see why now.)

C8 XPL HI:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Clear-Convoy-C8-wi...

Charger:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/XTAR-VC2-Premium-Charger-...

Batteries:
http://www.banggood.com/2PCS-INR18650-30Q-3000mah-...

Edited by tenohfive on Thursday 20th October 19:33

[moleamol]

Thanks! And now that it's dark, how is it (assuming you are in the UK)?

[tenohfive]

It's impressive. But I've only been able to play with it briefly in my garden and don't want to annoy the neighbours (particularly the distant ones that I'm using for range testing.) I can't quote range etc but it feels like a very useful open spaces light - countryside, dog walking etc. Obviously it's throwy in nature but the hot spot is broader than I'd expected (in a good way) and a broad flood for seeing what's nearby - much more than my other throwers (Jacobs A60 - famously a pencil-thin hotspot, and my pocket rocket Manker T01.)
For a big-head throwy torch it feels quite compact and light. Obviously not T01 level but it fits into a jeans pocket without being obtrusive. Overall first impressions are that it's a lot of torch for the money.

I need some time out in the countryside to really put it through it's paces though, and I'm also considering strapping it onto my road bike for some extra throw on unlit potholed country roads - I'm currently using a BLF A6.
I'll report back when I do.

As an aside I can really see why the S2+ is popular. I expected it to be a close range, round the house/glove box type light - and it is, the beam pattern is perfect for general use - but it was also picking out roofs over 100m away, whilst fitting perfectly in the hand (the grip is lovely.) I can see myself using it a lot and have just ordered another (warmer tint this time though) which is probably a good testament to the first impressions; I've only had it 8 hours or so.

I really should rig up a spare tripod for holding lights, get the DSLR out and do some beam shots somewhere rural for the various lights I've got. Get some objective idea of which is the right tool for any given job.

[moleamol]

tenohfive said:

It's impressive. But I've only been able to play with it briefly in my garden and don't want to annoy the neighbours (particularly the distant ones that I'm using for range testing.) I can't quote range etc but it feels like a very useful open spaces light - countryside, dog walking etc. Obviously it's throwy in nature but the hot spot is broader than I'd expected (in a good way) and a broad flood for seeing what's nearby - much more than my other throwers (Jacobs A60 - famously a pencil-thin hotspot, and my pocket rocket Manker T01.)
For a big-head throwy torch it feels quite compact and light. Obviously not T01 level but it fits into a jeans pocket without being obtrusive. Overall first impressions are that it's a lot of torch for the money.

I need some time out in the countryside to really put it through it's paces though, and I'm also considering strapping it onto my road bike for some extra throw on unlit potholed country roads - I'm currently using a BLF A6.
I'll report back when I do.

That sounds brilliant, as I want it for dog walking it's now ordered. thanks all.

[Uncle John]

Looking for some advice. I've a TM16 less than a year old with Ultrafire 18650 batteries.

Now it's getting darker I've had the torch out again & the problem I have is its not as powerful & does not cycle between the 5 modes.

The batteries were then charged fully in the Nitecore I4 charger but it's still the same.

I suspect the batteries are causing the problem but before I get on to Nitecore can anyone shed some light on the situation, no pun intended!!

[tenohfive]

If you suspect it's the batteries maybe try and find someone else you can borrow some decent batteries off. Whereabouts are you, someone following this thread may be local and able to loan you a few to test?

[Hainey]

Uncle John said:

Looking for some advice. I've a TM16 less than a year old with Ultrafire 18650 batteries.

Now it's getting darker I've had the torch out again & the problem I have is its not as powerful & does not cycle between the 5 modes.

The batteries were then charged fully in the Nitecore I4 charger but it's still the same.

I suspect the batteries are causing the problem but before I get on to Nitecore can anyone shed some light on the situation, no pun intended!!

Ultrafire batteries are as wk as a wk thing. Torchy the battery boy tested them back in the day and they were getting on for laughable.

I use 18650 Samsung and Panasonic and they make the Fenix PD35 into a blummin light sabre

[pherlopolus]

V8mate said:

Bought this, this morning. Aldi jobbie, in this week's aisle of dreams.

Just bought 2 of them, very impressive, would be nice to focus it, but it has quite a nice spread and hot spot so little need I suppose.

[Hainey]

pherlopolus said:

V8mate said:

Bought this, this morning. Aldi jobbie, in this week's aisle of dreams.

Just bought 2 of them, very impressive, would be nice to focus it, but it has quite a nice spread and hot spot so little need I suppose.

Only 700 lumens. So it's more about ttting someone over the head than it is about light output.

[Pesty]

Uncle John said:

Looking for some advice. I've a TM16 less than a year old with Ultrafire 18650 batteries.

Now it's getting darker I've had the torch out again & the problem I have is its not as powerful & does not cycle between the 5 modes.

The batteries were then charged fully in the Nitecore I4 charger but it's still the same.

I suspect the batteries are causing the problem but before I get on to Nitecore can anyone shed some light on the situation, no pun intended!!

Not an expert heard lots of bad things about ultrafire

However one other thing which I believe goes for all lithium batteries. between winters charge them every 3 months or so,
Leaving them is no good apparently

[pherlopolus]

Hainey said:

Only 700 lumens. So it's more about ttting someone over the head than it is about light output.

It is plenty bright enough to for my intended purpose of walking up and down railway lines and stations at night, with added benefit of being fairly hefty if I come across anyone who shouldn't be there. It will be plenty bright enough to disorientate if pointed in face to.

I would struggle to see a need for anything brighter, I wider beam possibly, but not brighter.