Convoy L21B / C8+ SFT40 vs CULPM1 Comparison

[@mikanielsschroeder]

I love these types of reviews/comparisons because you can actually see how the light will perform when you use it. Great video!

[@explite]

Exactly

[@PiercingTheDarkness]

:( I missed out the two last full size L21B SFT40 photos. I'll be uploading separate C8+ and L21B comparisons as well. Quite a few like shorter demos of the one model they're interested in.

[@fundamentallymartin9656]

Fabulously reviewed. You have put a lot of thought into it and show just what we the viewer needs to see. Not only that, you executed it brilliantly, it's almost art...

[@ThePower1963]

I really enjoy how you present the comparisons together. It's one thing to just have a video of showing the light in motion, and a completely different thing to have multiple, side by side still shot comparisons to judge which light suits the individual's preferences. Very well done. Also, you don't give biased rhetoric about why this one may be better than that one. The videos and stills easily let make up my own mind. Again, very well done!

[@cosminstefanpuie8313]

I just ordered a L21b culpm1 based on your review, i realy like your reviews. Thank you ✌️✌️

[@Bambams11Rt]

One of the Best Reviews I've seen!!!

[@ultralightflyer9849]

I always look at your videos prior to buying a new light for a no-nonsense, on point demonstration of what the light is capable of in comparison to similar lights. Thanks.

[@mibo747]

SUPERB COMPARISON, no more questions...

[@g22dru]

Great comparison! Still relevant after all this time! About to pull the trigger on one of these and greatful for the review! 👊

[@r.junior9002]

Your videos are very good, don't miss them, you have helped me buy my flashlights, you are very kind, thank you.

[@dgkrompholz]

Would like to see a direct comparison of the convoy l21b sft40 to the Sofirn sf47t

[@Thrael72008]

Excellent video. You did a great job there. A little late to the party but since I'm in the market for a culpm1 light I'm glad I found this.

[@testaccount7010]

Thank you so much for this video!

[@PiercingTheDarkness]

Please note that the 8A driver in the C8+ is the Ramping Driver which is available in the Convoy store. If you want the same driver in the L21B then get the M21A

[@lakasund]

Very good video and fantastic photos, CULPM1 is just a little bit sharper.

[@tomthomas9910]

I did like C8 SFT 40, but the L21B SFT 40 seems a bit brighter & both have strong flood mid range" as well

[@PiercingTheDarkness]

I have recently discovered that the driver I used at 8A has now been reduced to only 6.4A. Not sure why Convoy altered it, so it won't be as bright as this video. L21B is recommended

[@batistepretoriano7188]

Muy buena comparativa de las mejores que hay por ahí

[@caydengonzales5495]

From what I see the sft40 is better for surrounding light. Not just throw. Is that because the spill is brighter?

[@PiercingTheDarkness]

Larger LED and the fact Convoy haven't produced the correct gasket so it's not properly focused.

[@TonyMontana-xj3zv]

The L21B with CULPM1 is like " MOVE THE TREES I WANT TO THROW FURTHER" 😆 🤣 Great video ! i like the way you keep showing us the differences between 2 LEDS in 2 different 🔦 . I just ordered from convoy a C8+ with SFT40 (8A) in a blue body + SS bezel + LED RGB rubber switch, will put there a sony VTC6 cell, i hope it delivers me what i want, if not i maybe order next time a bigger light like the l21b/a with osram LED for the next occasion.

[@jackanapes6676]

Do you believe that a warmer color temperature such as perhaps 5000k is better or worse than 6500K for thrower lights? I find that sometimes it seems I can see an object at distance better with my FT03 SST40 5000K, than with my FT03 SST40 5700K. Any thoughts? Seems like the cooler temperature lights seem to washout more than the warmer K lights at times.

[@PiercingTheDarkness]

Yes, this is why fog lights are amber in color because cooler tints are affected by the moisture in the air. On an ideal night a cool white will perform a little better, but warm white is the best all round.

[@clintonsienes507]

Yes because 6500K tint has more blue light and blue light reflects/bounces back greatly especially in foggy area

[@gernotboesser6901]

I still have no flashlight with this SFT40 emitter but this definitively will change, at the moment I am happy with my Convoy L21B with CSLNM1 green, a very far reaching, phantastic and affordable thrower, which I recognized first on this channel. 👌

[@PiercingTheDarkness]

The L21B with CSLNM1 and CSLPM1 isn't yet focused correctly. When it was first released it was worse than the C8+ and Convoy couldn't sell it, I provided them with the correct focusing adjustments. However, the factory failed to produce the correct gasket thickness and it currently gets 250m less range than mine. I have provided Convoy with the correct measurement again and a new gasket is in production. Here's a look at the all 3 gaskets including my custom one - www.imgur.com/pA8umyM.jpg

[@gernotboesser6901]

@@PiercingTheDarkness Thanx a lot for your answer 👍, and you are definitively right, the hotspot is exactly like your custom one, especially the corona around the spot is a mess, but as I am no expert, I don't really know, how to change that. Maybe convoy offers to buy a corrected head.

[@PiercingTheDarkness]

@@gernotboesser6901 The correct gasket will be available in roughly 2 months. It's just the plastic gasket that you can see at the bottom of the reflector, it's what sits around the LED

[@gernotboesser6901]

@@PiercingTheDarkness Ah, o.k., then I will purchase one and try my very best to change it. It is the black plastik ring at the bottom of the reflector, right ?

[@PiercingTheDarkness]

@@gernotboesser6901 That's correct, that's the middle beam in my photo at 0.8mm. The correct one like mine will be 1.2mm. All you do is unscrew the bezel, remove the reflector, swap the gasket and reassemble. Easy :)

[@jonskitch8082]

C8+ gives L21b a run for the money. C8+ compact too.

[@ShouldaWaved]

Did you end up getting one of em ? Love to hear your opinion

[@jonskitch8082]

@@ShouldaWaved I have both with SFT40 leds - both are excellent throwers, but L21b has a more intense spot but bulkier!

[@TonyMontana-xj3zv]

​@@jonskitch8082i have also the c8+ sft40 (8 A, buck) and i want to get a L21A, but i dont know if i should get it also with sft40 or culpm1, or paying 20 USD more and getting the L21A with sbt90.2 - but the turbo mode is only 60 seconds tho..

[@IsraelMagalit]

Great comparo. Thanks for sharing! Am I seeing it right? The Osram hotspots are brighter?

[@PiercingTheDarkness]

Yes, that's correct, the Osram LED is further range = brighter :)

[@marcgossling8260]

Awesome video Jacob!! You’re the man

[@unkle-user]

As always, best night shots. I think c8+ pretty good for the price, but m21a, or m21e with 21700 may be looks better, what do you think about it?

[@jon123423]

C8+ will larger head wins!

[@fazil5648]

Sir which flashlight get hot first l21b sft40 or l21b culpm. And which have longer turbo time in these two without stepping down

[@PiercingTheDarkness]

I'm not sure because the driver and firmware was changed about 6 months ago. Both SFT40 and CULPM1 use the same 8A driver, so both should be much the same. Maybe 2-3 minutes of turbo at a guess.

[@AlexKisel]

Здравствуйте, скажите пожалуйста доступно ли турбо по двойному щелчку ⁉️

[@PiercingTheDarkness]

No, not with these models. You can configure them to always turn on in turbo though.

[@AlexKisel]

​Спасибо . благодаря вам определился с первым фонаем convoy . решил сделать ставку на c8+sft40. Надеюсь не проиграю . ​@@PiercingTheDarkness

[@scxndaal]

Where did you get the 8A driver for C8+? Simon's store doesn't have them.

[@PiercingTheDarkness]

He does actually, this maxes out at 8.4A - www.aliexpress.com/item/32989372464.html

[@SNM_100_]

​@@PiercingTheDarknessc8+ справляется с нагревом от 8А?

[@21700lover]

What were your lumen measurements at different outputs for the SFT-40 C8+?

[@PiercingTheDarkness]

They were entirely different to what you can get now. These were using what was called the ramping driver at 8.2A, since then Simon changed it to only 6.5A. Now I use the 8A buck driver, but haven't noted the levels down. Too busy to check, sorry. Busy as with my flashlight store at this time of year, and reviews on top of it. This current L21B & C8+ batch is less range than what you now get as well. I hate Convoy's inconsistencies between batches. The first batch is usually the best and is what all the reviews are seen with, then a new batch comes along and performs worse because of the focus difference with the reflectors and gaskets. Too many people requesting too much from Simon, so now we have a heap of LED/Driver combos in a lot of unnecessary models, and out goes the quality control. I for one don't believe we need an S2, S2+, S3, S5, S6, S7, S8 etc.

[@21700lover]

@PiercingTheDarkness Do you think it would still be fine to get the CSLNM1.F1 C8+ (buck driver) at the moment? Would it still be close to your old measurements? If not then is there any alternative light you would recommend that's virtually the same?

[@PiercingTheDarkness]

@@21700lover I would wait for my testing of the 5A buck driver, the first batch stepped down way too early. My new shipment has just left China, so hopefully I'll get it within 2 weeks. Simon said it was fixed, but sometimes I don't trust what he says. The KP CLSNM1.F1 with 5A Linear Driver (actually runs at 5.7A) measures 1087m at turn on, so more likely 1000-1040m ANSI. First batch was 1100m ANSI, so just a bit less. The 5A Buck Driver is running at 5A, so you'll get a bit less.

[@21700lover]

@@PiercingTheDarkness Well I'll be looking forward to the testings. Why exactly was the first batch 1100m? As usual, I wish convoy was consistent.

[@PiercingTheDarkness]

@21700lover different reflector dimensions. The current batch uses thicker black gaskets to fix the focus, the original batch used thin white gaskets. Here's the thread I'll post the graph on budgetlightforum.com/t/convoy-sft70-3000k-cri95-available/54654/14451

[@maxpower6802]

Thanks for great video. May I ask you a question, please. I'm planing to buy Manker U22. sft40 vs pm1. Tell me your opinion please. (I prefer warmer tint and power efficiency). I broke my mind after watching your video... sft40 looks brigher....

[@PiercingTheDarkness]

PM1 is brighter, as in more intense. The SFT40 has a wider beam for more coverage. I personally like the PM1 for the warmer CCT and it reaches a little further which I prefer. I don't know what the Manker U22 runs at though. I just had a look at the 1Lumen review and see theirs has the CSLPM1, not the CULPM1. If it's not the CULPM1 than I would go for the SFT40.

[@maxpower6802]

@@PiercingTheDarkness Thank you so much!

[@ilovehotdogs125790]

ali expressed has a c8+ with the sft40 emitter in 5700k. Do you think the gasket is correct on those now? It's been a couple months since you said they were wrong. If not what thickness is the gasket supposed to be? Thanks

[@PiercingTheDarkness]

The C8+ always had the correct gasket, it was only the L21B. Convoy has now, finally, produced my correct gasket and it should be perfect, I haven't yet received them to check. It was only with the Osram chips though, not the SFT40.

[@ilovehotdogs125790]

@@PiercingTheDarkness ah ok, thanks for the info

[@HoaLe-mp5uq]

L21b. With a 5000mah battery at the highest brightness, how long does the lamp last?

[@PiercingTheDarkness]

Check out the performance section on 1Lumen.com they reviewed the L21B SFT40

[@grzybek3376]

I have a C8+ SFT40 and love it. I use the 5A 12 groups driver. Measured 813m at 4m @ 30s with my Uni-T UT383S luxmeter. I've been wondering how much will my throw increase if I use the ramping driver. Looking at the SFT40 test at BLF, the output should rise about 30%, and so should candela (up to 937m). How did you measure throw? Is my Lux Meter just inflating the reading?

[@PiercingTheDarkness]

Hi, measuring throw is a bit difficult to get an accurate reading since very, very few are using a lux meter that's professionally calibrated. I for one only have a cheap meter, so I'd say mine is reading approx 5% too high. The 5A driver is actually running at 5.5 - 5.7A. I'm not sure how much of an increase you will receive. I always measure at 20 meters for throwers. I was previously measuring at 9 meters, but found I'd get 50-80m more if it was done at 20m

[@PiercingTheDarkness]

Btw, both C8+ models in this video were with the Ramping Driver and I measured only 820m. Maybe if one focused the emitter a little better those results would be better, but like I mentioned in my earlier reply, measurements vary greatly from person to person having different lux meters. On the L21B SFT40 I only saw 40m increase with a better focused emitter. I see some claiming they're getting better results than an NM1, but I highly doubt it. My L21B with NM1 achieved over 1450m, so I doubt they're seeing a 250m+ increase.

[@onurozguder8210]

very nice video, love from turkey❤️❤️

[@johnsonvs5126]

love your type of music and video

[@detudoumpoucoedc3417]

Hello I really like your videos, I watch them all! I wanted an opinion : I need a compact flashlight with the highest possible pitch, the options are the Convoy L21B (LED SFT40), Wurkkos t01 or wurkkos ts30s. Which would be the best choice for the widest possible reach out of these 3? Thank you very much.

[@PiercingTheDarkness]

Hi, glad you enjoy the videos. The Convoy L21B has the longest range of the 3 models. The Wurkkos TS30S is only a little less range and has a much wider beam, so you might like the TS30S more. The SBT90.2 LED is really awesome.

[@alexsey7777777]

On what device you have filmed this video, Jacob? Excelent quality! :)

[@Vinnay94]

Would be interesting to see SST20 (700lm) in both lights as the diode is tiny which give a super tight throwy beam.

[@PiercingTheDarkness]

Maybe buy both with the SST20 and you can see :) . I only make demos for models I sell in my store, or those that are sent for reviews

[@MLinktheprophet]

​@@PiercingTheDarknesswhat's the link or website to your store? Thanks.

[@Davin.29]

L21b sft40 and l21b culpm1? which of two is the best consistent output and sustain ability for long time?

[@PiercingTheDarkness]

They both use the same driver so they'd be much the same.

[@Davin.29]

​@@PiercingTheDarknessthank you sir, so what would you prefer sir sft40 or culpm1?

[@jiktakjiktak8508]

Piercing The Darkness, I'm asking for your subjective opinion and ranking by illumination distance, because through the eyes the perception is different live and in photos or video.... I guess it will be: 1. Convoy L21B CULPM1 2. Convoy L21B SFT40 3. Convoy C8+ CULPM1 4. Convoy C8+ SFT40

[@explite]

Nice fresh light nice review

[@GSTYOU]

What's the power consumption different?

[@DISKRlM]

Спасибо! C8+ это тот же m21a, и его более чем достаточно! Размер фонарей очень отличается, большой разницы по свету с l21b нет! m21a culpm.1 отличный дальнобой!

[@engineren8023]

Which of these flashlights has a longer range?

[@PiercingTheDarkness]

L21B CULPM1

[@tekvento79]

Those convoy flashlight that are made in china are are those original ??? (Sorry for my english)

[@PiercingTheDarkness]

Yes, I buy directly from Convoy. They are all made in China

[@schiaucugabriel6202]

You made me change my mind :)

[@PiercingTheDarkness]

Changed to what? This video no longer applies to the most recent L21B batch that is out of focus using the Osram LEDs, including the CSLNM1, CSLPM1, CULPM1. These require an extra 0.5mm increase added to the gasket.

[@schiaucugabriel6202]

I was oscillating between C8+ and L21B with SFT 40. Your video made me choose the L21b. I think is a better thrower and less spill.

[@SCHATTEN.0_0]

How long does the battery of the Convoy-L21B SFT40 last? Is it waterproof?

[@PiercingTheDarkness]

Please find the review on 1Lumen.com

[@Hepta.Asteras]

I got the L21B, SFT40 (ordered in November 2021). The LED fell off. Don´t know what to do, I can´t fix it myself, live in Spain, shipping is expensive. (don´t know if this model had centering issues, ...it did show many rings).

[@PiercingTheDarkness]

The issue is the square centering gasket is too tight a fit into the reflector and doesn't rotate freely when tightening the bezel down, and so it weakens the soldering under the LED causing it to break and come away from the mcpcb. If you purchased from Convoy on AliExpress you can message with a photo, hopefully you get sent a new unit.

[@Hepta.Asteras]

@@PiercingTheDarkness great! you got the answer right, not so great, it's the only Convoy I did not buy directly from Simon. Maybe I can ask the local TV and electronics repair guy to resolder it? He knows nothing about flashlights, but can solder stuff.

[@PiercingTheDarkness]

@@Hepta.Asteras That's unfortunate. Here's a great video on how to reflow the LED - kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGSpZ2url8t1oc0 . You could always order another SFT40 that's already on the 20mm mcpcb to solder in, if guy has trouble.

[@thertardhouse8764]

Where do you buy this light?

[@PiercingTheDarkness]

What country do you live in?

[@thertardhouse8764]

@@PiercingTheDarkness The U.S.

[@PiercingTheDarkness]

@@thertardhouse8764 convoy.aliexpress.com/store/330416

[@givawaigivawai4017]

L21b sft40 modded sir?

[@scxndaal]

What is the difference between a 7mm and a 9mm reflector hole for C8+?

[@PiercingTheDarkness]

Can't answer since I've never used the 7mm

[@scxndaal]

@@PiercingTheDarkness I was told that a 7mm hole gives a tighter spot, while a 9mm hole gives a larger spot. Could you test this on C8+ in one of the next vids?

[@PiercingTheDarkness]

@@scxndaal i don't have a 7mm reflector though.

[@07freshkid70]

Is the L21B better than the Thrunite Catapult Pro?

[@alanrabinowitz7111]

Better in what sense? L21b will throw marginally better. Catapult pro is in my opinion brighter with a larger hotspot and a clean profile. Both good throwers but L21b uses a more common 21700 battery while the Catapult pro has onboard charging.

[@kylam9874]

💯💯Thanks.

[@fastsrt8]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and knowledge to us other Earthlings. Much appreciated. By the way, what is the music 🎶 playing in the background? Be well, aware, and safe, out there. Sam, Q.

[@PiercingTheDarkness]

It's all mentioned in the description :)

[@HunGyilok]

0:13 dee Canvoy Bro-Aelectric-hood XD

[@arakakimangaka]

Awesome video1

[@relitto1019]

these are all unmodified from factory?

[@PiercingTheDarkness]

I provided the correct gasket dimensions to Convoy and the L21B CULPM1 is now perfect. Fixed focus L21B CULPM1: fixed The two below are still the wrong focus and won't be fixed. I make my own gaskets, so I stopped asking Convoy to fix these. The factory messed up the gaskets and still aren't quite thick enough, but better than they used to be. My gasket increases the range by up to 200 metres L21B CSLNM1 L21B CSLPM1

[@relitto1019]

@@PiercingTheDarkness i might be interested in fixing the light myself, seems easy enough. would you have any guidance on how to fix it? specifically the CSLNM1 version

[@PiercingTheDarkness]

@@relitto1019 Yes, buy 2pcs of the original white 3030 gaskets, sand one piece flat so that it's 0.9-1mm thickness and glue it to the 2nd gasket. That's what I do for my store.

[@ФедяФедоров-и1ь]

Обзор ништяк, як светит,когда гуси догари ногами, талабу осветить трэба.

[@TheWolf-jf5mh]

The best is l21b sft40 ?

[@PiercingTheDarkness]

What's best will depend on each individual's needs. I prefer the CULPM1 because it has a warmer tint and I love the slightly extra reach. For the best combination beam of both flood and throw, the SFT40 is best. I use these mounted to a rifle for hunting, and a narrow beam is best

[@the7asmann]

@@PiercingTheDarkness are you using the SFT40 6500k here in this comparison? If yes how's it compare to SST40, which one is warmer at 6500k.

[@PiercingTheDarkness]

@@the7asmann SFT40 seems a little warmer on the lower levels. The Luminus LEDs tint shift. Convoy currently only stock the SFT40 in 5700K

[@atps2421]

C8+ SFT40 vs IF22A with drone shots ?

[@PiercingTheDarkness]

I won't be making a video for those two. C8+ is 820m and the IF22A measured 685m

[@googlemugle1457]

👏

[@r.junior9002]

GOOD, TOP

[@ВладимирМихеев-э1з]

👍

[@jovan4382]

SFT40