Bargain flashlight for EDC or pistol

[manithree]

Their are lots of cheap, crappy flashlights available from China. But there are also some high quality units from reputable manufacturers at amazing prices. In my opinion, the Convoy flashlights, especially the S2+, are in the latter category.

I'm completely unqualified to comment on the suitability of any product for LEO or military use, having zero experience in either field. But as a daily carrier, I've gone through a lot of flashlights, and I've gotten picky in my own ways, and I've settled on some lights that others here might be interested in.

First, the Convoy S2+ is what's generally called a "tube" light that runs on a rechargeable lithium battery in the 18650 format.

They're available in several colors. That can be handy if you have them set up for different purposes. Or, just because.

Here's most of my current S2+ collection with a mini MagLED thrown in for size comparison:

There are a lot of external and internal configurations available for the Convoy S2+. The standard size is 4.7" long, and .95" diameter. I'm in the camp that consider that format small enough to be pocketable for EDC. That's slimmer than many tactical lights. What you give up is throw. It fits in a pocket better, but without the wider head and reflector, the beam is less focused, and doesn't go as far. Most flashoholics consider flood more important than throw for EDC, anyway.

One of my favorite options available for the S2+ is the short tube. For only a few dollars you can replace the main body tube with a shorter one that lets you use 18350 or 16340 rechargeables, or non-rechargeable CR123A batteries. That's the shorter blue, gray, and green lights in the photos.

Switching to lithium rechargeable batteries can be a big step if you don't already use them and have a charger. And if you do it wrong you might burn your house down. But CR123A batteries are available almost anywhere now, and even though they'll likely cost more than rechargeables in the long term, it's less costly up front if you're just trying things out. Obviously, this makes the light much smaller (3.3" length) and easier to carry. And you really don't sacrifice brightness, generally, just capacity or runtime.


All but the gray and black bodies come with a metal cover on the switch. I really like the metal switch cover because when I'm wearing gloves, the soft cover catches and I sometimes get unwanted mode changes.

Speaking of modes, there are multiple options there. The standard firmware has 2 mode groups. One group has three modes with just low, medium, and high. The other group has five modes with low, medium, high, strobe, and SOS. To switch between groups, go to low mode for a few seconds until it blinks, then turn the light off. You're now in the other group. There's also mode memory, so as long as you leave the light in a mode for 3 seconds before you turn it off, it will be in that mode the next time you turn it on.

I absolutely HATE 5-mode flashlights. I can't stand having to go through strobe and SOS to get to the mode I want. But I bike a lot, and it's nice to have strobe available for those mornings or evenings where I need to be seen. Some people hate the one blink in low mode, but I'm willing to accept it to have a simple way to avoid strobe and SOS except for when I really want them.

If you order from the official Aliexpress Convoy store (Simon), you can also request the Biscotti firmware with lots more customizations and options. If you're in the US, mtnelectronics carries them, and you'll get them a lot quicker, but not all the options are available. And that's about as close as I can get to a negative comment about mtnelectronics. Richard, the proprietor, is an excellent seller with a stellar reputation.

I've never owned a Streamlight or a Surefire. But I have fondled them at the LGS. The Convoy feels just as good in my hand as the much higher priced lights. The machining is great, the square cut threads are smooth and easy to use. I've tinkered with mine enough to know that none of the parts are low quality, even if some aren't top-of-the-line. I've carried them, biked with them, and abused them for a couple of years, and have had zero problems.

My S2+ that gets the least use in on my nightstand in a SmartCarry holster with a Thyrm Switchback attached. The Switchback Large is compatible with several flashlights, and even though the S2+ is not listed, it works just fine. I haven't looked up all the lights in their list, but I'm reasonably sure the S2+ is much less expensive than anything there.

I wouldn't advise anybody to dump their existing pistol light and matching holster and use a Switchback instead. But if, like me, you're still trying to decide which light and holster you want, or saving up for it, the Switchback/S2+ combo is quite usable, and inexpensive enough to make a painless interim solution. That light is the short blue one all the way to the left in the above photos. Here it is as it's supposed to be used:

In summary, the Convoy S2+ is a much higher quality flashlight than you might think given the price tag and the country of origin. For the average non-LEO/military carrier, it's more than adequate. The amount of light (500-800 lumens) from a short S2+ is amazing.

If you do decide to start using rechargeable lithium batteries, please educate yourself on the safety concerns before purchasing any chargers or cells. The short version is, buy reputable batteries (Samsung, Sony, Panasonic, Liitokala, etc.) and only buy a high quality charger from a reputable manufacturer (Liitokala, NiteCore, XTAR, etc.). Since most protected cells fit, and there is no disadvantage to using them in a stock Convoy S2+, I highly recommend using a protected 18650.

Since this is a gun forum, not a flashlight forum (yes, that's a thing), I haven't delved into great technical detail on this light. But I'm happy to oblige here or on BLF if anyone wants to go more in-depth. Here are some links to reviews and other info on the Convoy S2+.

All the gear mentioned in this review was purchased by me with my own funds. I was not given any gear or other consideration by any manufacturer.

 

[Alte Schule]

For me the best bang for the buck pocket flashlight is the Streamlight MicroStream LED Penlight powered by one AAA battery. Bought mine for $12 three years ago and I carry and use it everyday at work. I'm on my second battery. Can't tell you how many times it's been through the washing machine.

For handguns and shotguns the best bang for the buck, in my opinion, is the Nebo Iprotec RM 190. There may be better weapon lights on the market but not for $30. Add another $30 if you want the light/laser combo.

 

[manithree]

For me the best bang for the buck pocket flashlight is the Streamlight MicroStream LED Penlight powered by one AAA battery. Bought mine for $12 three years ago and I carry and use it everyday at work. I'm on my second battery. Can't tell you how many times it's been through the washing machine.

That's a nice light. I know a few people who have it and are happy with it.

Personally, I can't stand alkaleaks any more. I've also gotten really tired of the low capacity of NiMH rechargables.

Realistically, 28 lumens from your Streamlight is enough light most of the time. But when I want 500 lumens, I have it in a light that's just a little (lot?) fatter than your penlight.

For handguns and shotguns the best bang for the buck, in my opinion, is the Nebo Iprotec RM 190. There may be better weapon lights on the market but not for $30. Add another $30 if you want the light/laser combo.

I have one of those, also. I can live with the really ugly beam, but I haven't found a holster that fits it. What holster do you use with it?

I keep wondering if it's worth having a custom holster made for a $30 light. But, at least at that price, I could have a couple of spares.

 

[armoredman]

I have a Surefire Nitrolon G2, but it rides in a cheapie WalMart light holder on a long gun nowadays. Pocket light was so cheap it was free - Christmas gift from a former captain, tiny little LED light called Defiant, probably about $2 in the promo bucket by the cash register. It works quite well, and doesn't eat up AAA batteries that badly. Work light is a NEBO five mode with metal body and strike bezel. It works well for what it is - I don't take expensive items to work, as things get destroyed here.

 

[Alte Schule]

I have one of those, also. I can live with the really ugly beam, but I haven't found a holster that fits it. What holster do you use with it?

I have one mounted on my PMR 30 but I don't have a holster for it. I keep it on a high shelf by the back door. I live by a creek and I get snakes on my deck or by my BBQ pit all the time. Most of the time I leave them alone and they go away or I chase them off with a bamboo pole I keep for such an occasion. . Sometimes I'll get a Copperhead or a Moccasin with a nasty temperament that can't take the hint. The PMR takes the fight right out of them.

My other one is on my 12 ga. pump I keep in the bedroom. I have it on a 45 degree offset rail mount.

I also bought one for the Mossberg Shockwave I pick up on 9/1 when the new law in Texas allowing them goes into effect. Don't know if the offset rail mount will work with it but I'm going to give it a good effort.
The only thing I don't like about the Iprotec is the on off switch. To easy to turn on when laying a firearm on it's side.

 

[jmorris]

I too have had a bunch I like the eagle practice D25 that uses an AA battery the most.

It is insanely bright for a single (cheap and commonly available) AA battery.

 

[maxxhavoc]

For Alkalines, the Coast HP1 is $8 of focus ring goodness. I like them for disasters because it is easier to stack AAs for an emergency than to keep 18650s charged. For 18650s, I like my Fenix PD32.

 

[manithree]

For Alkalines, the Coast HP1 is $8 of focus ring goodness. I like them for disasters because it is easier to stack AAs for an emergency than to keep 18650s charged. For 18650s, I like my Fenix PD32.

I do have some Duracells stockpiled, since the claimed 10-year shelf life is pretty attractive for disasters. But the lights I have for them will also run on 14500's, so I don't have to deal with alkalines until the next disaster AND my lithiums go dead.

Love that Fenix, but that's way over my budget for an EDC. I'm too clumsy and forgetful.

 

[RAT807]

If you don't mind, I'd like to give you a few things to think about from a law enforcement perspective (mine). We have a night fire course that if shot in daylight is quit easy, but at night, seasoned shooters can struggle. First off, the body won't go where the mind has not been. So in the safety briefing, I let them know holding a light in one specific manner will not work for all shooting position / stations. You also can not hold a light and clear malfunctions, tactical reloads, etc. So what do you do with your light when you need both hands to get the weapon up and running? Ohh yeah, when your guns quits shooting, it's dark, looking at your weapon does no good. You can't see! Shinning your light on your weapon to see, let's the bad guy(s) know where you are.... Not a smart thing to do at all. So, go out and shoot at night, reload your weapon, clear malfunctions (drills), shoot off the right side of cover, and then left side, reload and reload again. Most people drop things! It is not easy in the dark. It is not easy to shine your light on the target and hit the target. A lot will shoot where the light shines, low!
A weapon mounted light makes a lot of this easier. But, I still carry a handheld light cause I can't go around pointing my weapon mounted light, and loaded gun at things I don't need to...
Ammo. Make sure you can see the target after 3 or 4 rounds. Some ammo will produce a lot of smoke. Guess what your light can not penetrate. A lot of smoke!
How much light do you need so you can identity friend vs foe?
Now that you are thinking about all of this, run through these things and figure out what it takes for you. You owe it to yourself and your family.

 

[Zebraranger]

A few years back I purchased this Olight M20 Javelot and mounted it on my CX4 and its held up well. It has three brightness levels and max output is 600 lumen. At the time I think it was around $70 but the newer model now has 3 levels of brightness from 25 to a max output of 820 lumens.

 

[manithree]

If you don't mind, I'd like to give you a few things to think about from a law enforcement perspective (mine). We have a night fire course that if shot in daylight is quit easy, but at night, seasoned shooters can struggle.
...
Now that you are thinking about all of this, run through these things and figure out what it takes for you. You owe it to yourself and your family.

The reason I started buying pistol lights was a local-ish range has mini-IDPA "Fun Shoots" twice a month. A couple of times a year, they turn off the lights. It really sucked trying to hold a light and shoot. It also made the required reloads a LOT trickier. My wife requested a light for her nightstand gun after that fun shoot.

My plan is to have lights attached to my railed pistols, and appropriate holsters. But I have revolvers I carry sometimes, and for failures, or things I want to light up but not muzzle sweep, the Switchback might become a permanent part of my EDC gear (even when I'm carrying a pistol with attached light). That's another reason I love my S2+ lights. I have lots of other lights that won't work with the Switchback.

 

[RAT807]

http://www.iwillnotbeavictim.com/flashlight_hold-page.html

One of my lights is a scorpion from Streamlight. I use two of the light holds from the above page, Rogers/Surefire and Harries. I prefer the Rogers/Surefire hold as the rubber body on the scorpion light is easy to grip and push into the base of the thump and activate the tail cap switch. For this reason I don't like a light with the extensions around the tail cap switch. Also the carrying pouch for my scorpion has a Velcro strap that I use to make sure the light doesn't set too deep and have the light come on when it is in the pouch. This system has worked very well for me for several years of duty service. The main intended purpose for this light is for close range work. It's not as bright as my weapon mounted light but it is more pleasant to use when you need a light but not a gun. I do shoot with the scorpion out to 25 yards.

 

[manithree]

http://www.iwillnotbeavictim.com/flashlight_hold-page.html

Good link, thanks. I almost laughed at the old Maglite in the Ayoob and Chapman holds. The '80's called and they want their dim, beastly flashlight back.

 

[jmorris]

I had to laugh at the linked photos of all the different holds using a pistol with a light rail.

I made a special fixture for IDPA matches, because the rules wouldn't allow gun mounted lights. It didn't take much of anything away from normal dexterity, draw, TAC load with light off, back on target, etc. Never lost a lowlight match using that setup. Everyone told me I needed to go Shoot the West Texas Regional, low/no light match, so I did Oct 20, 2007 and was high overall, the 2nd fastest shooter was about 30 seconds behind me. I'm no slouch as a shooter but the rig was definitely a huge advantage as I have never put that much ground between me and the field at a match of that size.

Funny it been 10 years and I still remember the stages in that match and the RO on the "van" stage telling me there was something wrong with his timer. When I asked why he said my time was half what the next best had been on the stage. I told him, I'd shoot it again if the shot timer didn't have the correct shot count on it but it did.

I wish indoor nationals wasn't always so far North in less than gun loving country...

 

[FL-NC]

To me, "bargain" isn't the way to go when shopping for a light for use with or mounted to a weapon that you intend to use for serious work. When I hear about "bargain" lights, I think about the junk sold by CTD, or the lights sold at gun shows on the tables with the NC star optics and such. Your light is what will enable you to ID your target in the dark, so pretty important that it works. To me, the low end is a surefire nitrolon (about $50). For pistol mounted, M3.

 

[manithree]

To me, "bargain" isn't the way to go when shopping for a light for use with or mounted to a weapon that you intend to use for serious work. When I hear about "bargain" lights, I think about the junk sold by CTD, or the lights sold at gun shows on the tables with the NC star optics and such.

What you're describing isn't "bargain" to me, but just "cheap crap." If your Convoy lights are like those, they are fakes. Convoy does sell branded hosts, and unscrupulous manufacturers will put garbage drivers and emitters in them. But the 2 sellers I linked are reputable, and only sell the good stuff. What about the Convoy lights you own makes you think they're junk?

I consider a bargain an "advantageous purchase," and there's nothing advantageous about buying cheap garbage that won't last. But I have thousands of bicycle commuting miles and years of EDC experience with Convoy lights. I had one (it was hastily mounted incorrectly) hit concrete at 25 mph. It nicked it on both ends, but it didn't even change modes. So, to me, an affordable ($14 and up) light that is, to my admittedly non-military and non-LEO purposes, WAY beyond the quality I require is a bargain. YMMV.

 

[SKILCZ]

For me, the two (EDC and pistol light) are basically opposite.

For EDC I like a quality, single AA light (many can also use 14500 Lithium ion batteries). AA batteries are readily available, and a single AA light can be pretty small for carry and reasonably bright. I don't want a crazy bright EDC light as the battery life will be shorter and/or it will use more exotic batteries that may be hard to come by in a survival situation.

Here's one. There are brighter options, but this one can do 8, 50, or 130 lumens on one AA and is barely bigger than the battery.




For a pistol light, I want a high-output, high-quality light that will illuminate well and blind an attacker. I'm not as concerned with long battery life and using it to find my way around in the dark for extended periods of time.