Convoy flashlight opinions?

[PaladinNO]

Thank you @PaladinNO and @orbital
Now to check my wallet.
Thanks

What is your intended usecase? Knowing that would make it easier to make a specific suggestion.

My favourites is the 3X21E 60° TIR (519A, 1800K / 4000K) as an outdoor flood light / work light, and the S21E 45° TIR (519A, 2700K) for indoor use / emergency lights.

 

[glockboy]

I work at night at the Apt complex, just enjoy different kind of flashlights.
I like the Ryobi FVL51.
I'm looking something like it but brighter.

Just ordered.
Convoy S21E 21700 flashlight
LED type: 519A
Color temperature: 5000K
Replace the reflector with 10 degree flat TIR

 

[PaladinNO]

Just ordered.
Convoy S21E 21700 flashlight
LED type: 519A
Color temperature: 5000K
Replace the reflector with 10 degree flat TIR

Solid choice. I am all over the S21E myself - we got like 7 of them in the house now.
Solid emitter choice too - excellent CRI, good throw, and the 5000K is the max of what I would recommend before the beam starts to look blue and ugly.
Top tip though, if brightness (and hCRI) is your game: get the SFT-40, and send an email to have it upgraded to SFT-70. It's significantly brighter than the 519A.

I am playing around with the different TIR-lenses on a 3X21E. Just recieved some extra 10° and 30° bead lenses, so I will try putting one of each on a 3X21E, plus keeping a 60°, this weekend and see what happens.

According to reviews, the 10° bead surprisingly gives a marginally longer throw compared to the 10° flat.

EDIT:
If you would be interested to know, the degree symbol I use is ASCII-code.
The degree symbol is press and hold Left Alt-key, then type 0 1 7 6 on the numerical keypad / numpad (doesn't work on the regular number keys). Then release the Alt-key.

 

[JP031716]

According to reviews, the 10° bead surprisingly gives a marginally longer throw compared to the 10° flat.

Do you think this would apply to the S2+ TIR as well? I really like the 20 degree beaded TIR as it’s nice and artifact free with no tint shift that I can see.

I also contemplated the 15 degree matte TIR to accomplish the same (a little more hotspot and throw) but haven’t been able to find beam shots to compare.

I really just want a little bit more defined hotspot with slightly more throw but keep the same color-rendering goodness of the 519a.

 

[orbital]

I work at night at the Apt complex, just enjoy different kind of flashlights.
I like the Ryobi FVL51.
I'm looking something like it but brighter.

Just ordered.
Convoy S21E 21700 flashlight
LED type: 519A
Color temperature: 5000K
Replace the reflector with 10 degree flat TIR

+

I have two of those, both in 10 degree flat
one is MAO white (LHP531 ~ 3000K) & the other is MAO gray (SFT40 ~ 5000K)

The gray one is on my AR

Incredibly small light for a 21700,, bet you get another

 

[PaladinNO]

Do you think this would apply to the S2+ TIR as well?

I would think so? Don't see why it would be different for a smaller light of comparable size, and when the beam angle is the same. I haven't tried different TIR-lenses with the S2+ though, only the S21E. And with the S21E, I went with 45° TIR for all of them, as they were all only intended for indoor use.

The 45° beam pattern is wide enough to not blind yourself even when shining into a window when it's dark outside, while still having enough throw to recognize those kamikaze LEGOs hiding the carpet (if your chosen LED has a good enough CRI).

Stripe TIR-lenses is what I want on my car auxiliary high beams - just an even wider horizontal spread, with reduced vertical spread to prevent blinding oncoming traffic. Should work nicely on bike lights as well. Wouldn't want it on a flashlight though.

I don't mod my flashlights like that on my own though, only buy them ready-made. In your case, honestly, I would just buy one of each to compare side by side. It's not like Convoy's are expensive.

Hope to play around some more with my 3X21E this weekend, trying out the different TIR-lenses (10° and 30° bead) that arrived on Monday. Bought 3x of each.

I really just want a little bit more defined hotspot with slightly more throw but keep the same color-rendering goodness of the 519a.

If you like the 519A, please do yourself a favour for a nightstand light:
S21E, 519A 1800K with smooth reflector (stock is orange peel), with a diffuser. Put it in Moonlight and place beside your bed. I guarantee you'll love it!
Full disclosure: the 1800K specifically is CRI 70.

 

[Jean-Luc Descarte]

I work at night at the Apt complex, just enjoy different kind of flashlights.
I like the Ryobi FVL51.
I'm looking something like it but brighter.

Just ordered.
Convoy S21E 21700 flashlight
LED type: 519A
Color temperature: 5000K
Replace the reflector with 10 degree flat TIR

That's a pretty decent choice. I have the S21E and it's a joy to carry and use. For a 21700 torch, it disappears inside my hand. Although mine are B35AM and I prefer running them with the reflector.

If you'd like something more powerful but still with good CRI, I can also recommend to you:
• Convoy M21H
• LED: GT FC40 (5000K or 4000K), SFT70 (3000K)
• 8° faceted TIR lens

When I have more pocket space and want to carry a side switch light, the FC40 5000K one is my go-to. Great form factor, great illumination, great beam pattern. The lowest point in ramping gets me through practically every task I need a flashlight for.

 

[PaladinNO]

That's a pretty decent choice. I have the S21E and it's a joy to carry and use. For a 21700 torch, it disappears inside my hand. Although mine are B35AM and I prefer running them with the reflector.

What beam pattern can typically be expected from a B35AM? I don't have a light with that emitter, but I am considering either a Convoy T6 or a C8+ with it.

Will buy both for a friend, and he prefers throwy lights with hCRI. B35AM 3500K in one, and the other light will likely get a 519A 3500K (or something more exotic, I am still trying to get a clear answer on what emitters he wants).

 

[orbital]

What beam pattern can typically be expected from a B35AM? I don't have a light with that emitter, but I am considering either a Convoy T6 or a C8+ with it.

Will buy both for a friend, and he prefers throwy lights with hCRI. B35AM 3500K in one, and the other light will likely get a 519A 3500K (or something more exotic, I am still trying to get a clear answer on what emitters he wants).

+

I actually have the 3500K B35AM.
It's domeless, so similar to xhp50.3 HI or LHP531 in beam pattern. All depends on the depth of reflector (personally detest shallow reflectors)

If you can get the LHP531 in the light you want, that emitter in 4000K is absolutely fantastic tint.

 

[Jean-Luc Descarte]

What beam pattern can typically be expected from a B35AM? I don't have a light with that emitter, but I am considering either a Convoy T6 or a C8+ with it.

Will buy both for a friend, and he prefers throwy lights with hCRI. B35AM 3500K in one, and the other light will likely get a 519A 3500K (or something more exotic, I am still trying to get a clear answer on what emitters he wants).

Beam pattern is actually very similar to the 519A's, but with a slightly tighter hotspot. The B35 has a wider LES but it's also domeless.

Keep in mind that putting it in the T6 will be a custom job, as Simon only sells 3v drivers for 3V LEDs for the single-cell T lights, so you'll need an aftermarket driver. And you will lose the dual fuel functionality.

----

As an aside, on the topic of 3500K, I had a massive ongoing brainfart going for YEARS about that CCT. I could've sworn my first S21A, that came with 519A, was 3000K, but it was actually 3500. And that's why I always enjoyed it as a more useful light over my other warm white lights - it's still warm but neutral enough to be useful in more periods of the day.

If your friend likes warm CCTs, you two cannot go wrong with the SFT40 3000K. Be it in an S2*/S6/S7/S8 or T6, it'll deliver reasonable throw in a compact format. I only have it on an M21E (same reflector as the C8/C8+/M21A) and while it outranges my usual distances a bit, it's still a joy to use, especially looking into small dark nooks during daytime.
*: IMPORTANT NOTE: Do not mistake the S2 for the S2+. The S2+ has a significantly shallower reflector than the S2 and much less throw as a result. That + sign makes all the difference in the world.

 

[PaladinNO]

Thanks, @orbital and @Jean-Luc Descarte
The purchase won't be until next month, but the lights are decided: T6 and C8+. But they are both for my friend, I am just getting some advice on emitters. :)

So far the options are T6, LHP531 4000K / 519A 1800K, and C8+, B35AM 3500K / LHP351 3500K / 519A 3500K.

Beam pattern is actually very similar to the 519A's, but with a slightly tighter hotspot. The B35 has a wider LES but it's also domeless.

As an aside, on the topic of 3500K, I had a massive ongoing brainfart going for YEARS about that CCT. I could've sworn my first S21A, that came with 519A, was 3000K, but it was actually 3500. And that's why I always enjoyed it as a more useful light over my other warm white lights - it's still warm but neutral enough to be useful in more periods of the day.

If your friend likes warm CCTs, you two cannot go wrong with the SFT40 3000K. Be it in an S2*/S6/S7/S8 or T6, it'll deliver reasonable throw in a compact format.

The 519A range as a whole seems to be sometimes WAY off the listed CCT. Whereas, for comparison, the E21A range seems to be spot-on (within a single digit) most of the time. Shame Simon doesn't carry the E21A.

My friend already has the SFT-40, 3000K in a T8. To be precise, he is collecting all of the "Camouflage Blue"-lights, but I am trying to get different LEDs in each of them.

 

[PaladinNO]

Has anyone asked / ordered / tried to swap heads between the different options in the 3X21-series?

I wonder whether it's possible - assuming all the electronics is contained in the head unit - to simply swap heads to change, for example, from a 3X21E 519A flood light to a 3X21D SBT-90 spot light. The body with the batteries looks the same on all models, at least on the pictures.

Should on paper be cheaper too, if Simon is willing to sell the heads seperately.

 

[glockboy]

At Convoy, they sell infrared light wavelength: 850nm and 940nm.
Which wavelength work with night vision camera?

 

[PaladinNO]

First hit on Google, searching for "best nm for night vision camera":
850 nm

 

[trl]

The best contrast and brightness is on the 850 nm, but from a low distance a faint reddish light could be seen though. Take into account that, because if you want to remain 100% stealth then you'll need to use the 940 nm one, despite having a lower efficiency and a poorer contrast. This is why I bought one that has both 850 nm and 940 nm wavelength.

 

[PaladinNO]

Is it difficult to replace the TIR lens in the Convoy M21H?

I recently ordered a M21H, SFT-70, and also added a (supposedly suitable) 24° TIR lens.

MAO Convoy M21H , 21700 flashlight - Convoy flashlight

MAO Convoy M21H , 21700 flashlight

convoylight.com

35mm TIR lens for M21H M26D - Convoy flashlight

35mm TIR lens for M21H M26D

convoylight.com

I politely requested that Simon swapped the default TIR before shipping, and given that it was a 400 USD order, I have to say the response somewhat surprised and disappointed me.

You need to modify the total internal reflection lens in the M21H flashlight yourself

Given the reply, I get the sense this will take a long time to do.

 

[AMD64Brunette]

Ironically,I just ordered a Convoy T5 in orange.

(Last Tuesday,June 9th,2026 that is.)


(4000K Nichia 519 LED.)

Looking forward to getting it.

 

[Jean-Luc Descarte]

Is it difficult to replace the TIR lens in the Convoy M21H?

I recently ordered a M21H, SFT-70, and also added a (supposedly suitable) 24° TIR lens.

MAO Convoy M21H , 21700 flashlight - Convoy flashlight

MAO Convoy M21H , 21700 flashlight

convoylight.com

35mm TIR lens for M21H M26D - Convoy flashlight

35mm TIR lens for M21H M26D

convoylight.com

I politely requested that Simon swapped the default TIR before shipping, and given that it was a 400 USD order, I have to say the response somewhat surprised and disappointed me.

Given the reply, I get the sense this will take a long time to do.

No, it's not difficult in the slightest. Unscrew the steel bezel at the front, remove the TIR, plop the one you want in there, and presto. If Simon isn't doing it for you, it's not out of unwillingness, it's because he's swamped and has to refuse this kind of minor DIY job that doesn't require any of his technical expertise and he can trust the end user with.

Remember that Simon doesn't speak English, he uses a translator software to talk to foreigners, and Chinese-to-English translators are notorious for utterly killing any nuance in the original text. They also get words wrong all the time: "modify" in Chinese is the same word as "swap" or "exchange".

 

[Jean-Luc Descarte]

Ironically,I just ordered a Convoy T5 in orange.

(Last Tuesday,June 9th,2026 that is.)


(4000K Nichia 519 LED.)

Looking forward to getting it.

Oh you're gonna enjoy that. Believe you me. it's almost like a lantern with super soft beam, and so short that you can hide it even in a pocket of a lady's clothes.

If it's too floody for your tastes with the stock 60° TIR, there are other narrower angles for sale. You'll want the 17mm TIRs on Convoy's site.

 

[PaladinNO]

No, it's not difficult in the slightest. Unscrew the steel bezel at the front, remove the TIR, plop the one you want in there, and presto.

Remember that Simon doesn't speak English, he uses a translator software to talk to foreigners, and Chinese-to-English translators are notorious for utterly killing any nuance in the original text. They also get words wrong all the time: "modify" in Chinese is the same word as "swap" or "exchange".

Thank you very much. That sounds doable, even for me.

I was not aware Simon didn't speak English. While I don't expect him, or any other Chinese E-tailers to be fluent, I do expect them to have the basics down. But I am still keeping it courteus and as short and simple as I can.

Damn shame, really, as I am a sucker for grammar, and I am trying my best myself, considering English is my second language (though it feels like I know English better than my native Norwegian at this point). ^^