Convoy S8 Comparison: SFT40, W1, W2, W5050SQ3 - Which Should You Get?

[@Arron-S]

Hey mate. Just bought a c8 plus. After watching your video. Excellent content. I'm getting perplexed by the difference between all the different S series hosts. Ie S2, s6, s8 etc.

[@DarrenYeoYT]

Thanks mate, glad you're finding my videos helpful. I've reviewed a lot of these convoy hosts, might wanna check out those videos as well. That C8+ is a great thrower.

[@lakasund]

Very good comparison, and video. Iam impressed of the new led w5050sq3.

[@DarrenYeoYT]

Thanks man, these circular LEDs are looking quite promising.

[@doktorb3at]

For me, the sft40, for all around performance.

[@FerinaAryele]

I ordered the PM1 instead of the NM1 and was worried I made a mistake since I kept reading comments about the NM1 being the better choice but this video helped clear that up I think I will be fine and you tend to prefer the PM1 anyways I just wanted it for fun since my current Flashlight is great close up but sucks after like 15-20 feet lol

[@DarrenYeoYT]

I struggle to decide between both but I'd pick the PM1 if I could only choose one. It throws almost as far and produces twice the amount of light. In a self defence situation, you might not have time to aim the light properly so it's better to have a larger hotspot. Both are painful to look at, even at long distances

[@FerinaAryele]

@DarrenYeoYT what is your favorite of the white ones? I was thinking about getting one of those too but I've watched so many of your videos and I get confused with all the different names and versions the sft40 seems like a safe pick but maybe you have a favorite one?

[@DarrenYeoYT]

Sft40 and PM1.TG are my favs of the lot. Lots of throw and light. The round 5050 needs a larger reflector and doesn't focus perfectly in this host.​@@FerinaAryele

[@FerinaAryele]

@DarrenYeoYT thanks I will try to get one of those 2

[@StratmanII]

Hi, you won't go wrong with the PM1. I bought an S8 in this configuration (CSLPM1.F1) after noting he brought his PM1 instead of the NM1 for his recent trip to Europe. The S8 already has a deep reflector designed to focus narrow beam LEDs and the NM1's hot spot might be a bit too small be practical.🙂

[@jasonkowalyk4652]

5050 is the clear winner for me. Other than the green it Seemed to be the brightest and almost same throw as the rest .(after 400 meters, 10 or 20 meters doesnt mean much any ways...) I just bought a c8+ with the 5050 and it blows my mind every time I turn it on..

[@DarrenYeoYT]

Yeah it's better with the C8+ die to the larger reflector. Perfect circle!!!

[@geeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzz]

I'm thinking of trying this as a first Convoy in the sft40 for a pocket walking thrower? I have a Sofirn If22a (and C8L) and an Acebeam TAC AA but have not yet tried a Convoy. You seem to like this one and I think it would slot in between my current throwers but maybe there is another Convoy I should consider as a first in this brand? I probably need to spend some time and look into it and maybe just get an S8 meantime. Woops just ordered a Sofirn SP35 as it was a similar price but with charging built in and a bigger 21700 battery included though about 100m less throw. Will still look to get a Convoy to try.

[@DarrenYeoYT]

For your first one this would be good but won't have the best throw. For longer throw, check out the convoy M1/M2 or M21B. Also consider getting one of the CSLPM1.TG or F1 emitters for crazy long range performance. Close to 1km.

[@geeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzz]

@@DarrenYeoYT Hi Darren. Thanks. I checked out your other vid on the green M1 and went for that. If it impressed you with all of your lights and testing then it should blow me away I would expect. I think it was the Possum crossing the road so far away that did it lol, plus it is a bargain budget light. You can barely even buy a decent AA light for that! Edit. Ok wait, I just cancelled that AilEx order and am now on Convoy site which seems to actually be cheaper and I think I will get a short 18350 tube/battery also for some extra compactness to try. It's in progress of me looking at all the options but the Green performance still looks interesting and likely will still be my choice.

[@DarrenYeoYT]

Yeah it's almost as good as an LEP light. I keep mine out on the desk... And have way too many lights so most go in boxes. ​@@geeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzz

[@DarrenYeoYT]

​@@geeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzzgreen will get you close to 1km throw if I remember right. Yeah, worth every cent.

[@geeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzz]

@@DarrenYeoYT Was out along the river last night with my Sofirn SP36 5k and the TAC AA 6k and surprised to find that although not near to the power of the SP36 the TAC was great to use with just 280m of throw and 1000 lumens (would make a brilliant bike light also) but the 14500 drains quickly as the TAC AA seems to have a constant current driver and maintained high very well until it suddenly just shut off and will only come on again in a lower level. An 18650 and that would be a great little light and it didn't heat up? I'm going to take my time and look through the Convoy site as I imagine there will be quite a few things I will get there. I just have to decide and there sure is a lot of choice and I think around 300m throw with some spill is a good balance for me in general such as with the SP35 though I also like my SP33V3 in 5k and I have an SC33 etc but that green thrower does look like fun and I probably definitely should get something like that for the collection.

[@TacticalLuminescence]

After a quick email of me requesting it Simon now offers the 8amp 12 group buck driver for the sft 40

[@DarrenYeoYT]

Awesome. That'll have better sustained output, run cooler too.

[@obstacle6650]

Hi Darren. Great updates on these S8s. Which one between the S6 or the S8 will have a longer high mode output?

[@DarrenYeoYT]

Hi Alvin, they'd be the same - I tested runtimes on both on 100% and no difference in step down times. The different design of the S8 (cooling fins) doesn't make a difference.

[@obstacle6650]

The SFT40 does seems to offer a good useable spill while keeping a good throw distance, but with the 50SQ3 there is a more defined beam. The options are growing (positive learning from your reviews). Cheers and enjoy the Holidays Darren!

[@DarrenYeoYT]

​@@obstacle6650focus is better on SFT40 too. Centre has slightly darker spot. Have a great Xmas Alvin and thanks for all your support this year mate.

[@ShouldaWaved]

​@@DarrenYeoYT If the runtimes are the same ide pick the one that would be warmer for the hands ironically between thr s6 and s8

[@V3g3t41987]

@@DarrenYeoYT i cant find the pm1 version of the convoy s8 on ali express or ebay...how do you get them and also how to get the green one?

[@kdoggy6069]

Great comparison! What’s the name of the green emitter

[@DarrenYeoYT]

Thanks mate, the green one is the Osram W2 or CSLPM1.F1

[@jimmydeslondes9531]

Man that w5050 emitter really has a sustained output. The sft and the pm1 are both brighter at on. but that w5050 stays right where it is while the others pretty quickly and significantly fall behind.

[@DarrenYeoYT]

It has the nicest hotspot of the three!

[@NGMonocrom]

Ironically, bought a Convoy S8, SFT40 literally two days ago.

[@DarrenYeoYT]

Nice!!

[@jmcg_8]

@DarrenYeoYT, I'm here for a link to that deep carry clip you discuss at @ 7:35

[@DarrenYeoYT]

It's from my Nitecore P23i. Did a search and appears you can get one here: www.nitecorestore.com/Pocket-Clip-for-Nitecore-Flashlights-p/acc-clip-nitecore.htm It's the "G" version

[@jmcg_8]

Very much appreciated, man! Thanks for the excellent videos, too. I have four Convoys, all with different emitters on order because of you!​@@DarrenYeoYT

[@DarrenYeoYT]

That's awesome bro, glad that my videos have been helping out :) I still reckon convoy are the best value lights out there. Have tons of more expensive lights and they hold up well ​@@jmcg_8

[@StonerB15]

Between the 620 nm CSLNM 1.23 and the 660 nm SST-20-DR which red diode would you prefer in a C8+?

[@mr.frandy7692]

i recommend the 660nm personally but maybe just because i prefer true deep red. 620nm kind of looks orange when compared side by side.

[@DarrenYeoYT]

I like the 660nm better - it's a proper red compared to the 620. Though the NM1 will have increased throw capabilities.

[@andrew4274-q4m]

So which is the best for general night time activity like walking through woods?

[@DarrenYeoYT]

SFT40 would be the best general choice - makes way more light than the other LEDs here and still decent long distance performance too..

[@andrew4274-q4m]

@@DarrenYeoYT Thanks Darren, much appreciated.

[@DarrenYeoYT]

All good mate​@@andrew4274-q4m

[@MiggyLights]

Hey Darren, what's the led and driver size in mm? Gonna build one.

[@DarrenYeoYT]

Hey mate 17mm, 5A. There's a buck and linear version I think.

[@MiggyLights]

@@DarrenYeoYT thanks mate, gotta try it with cslnm1.f1, it'll be a much more thrower in it than pm1.f1 🍃

[@willanonym-bleiben1012]

As a railway worker, I really wish there was a mode for signaling (momentary mode).

[@DarrenYeoYT]

A forward switch installed in it would do the trick. Simon sells them but I don't know how to install it.

[@jtwig9311]

Osram one of my favorite emitters. P9 goes to work. Also I prefer the flooding beam of the sst 40 with a deep reflector. Not a huge fan of Convoy..sofirn or wurkkos. I know ...I know.

[@DarrenYeoYT]

P9 is a great workhorse.. doesn't get too hot either. Convoy is good for trying out new emitters on the cheap

[@raymondborkowski4290]

I love my w1

[@DarrenYeoYT]

It's a fun LED. I'm looking at swapping in a green NM1 later.

[@Rudim0n]

Whoa! CSLNM1 8558K on full power! That thing surely don't like that much amperage. I dropped my C8+ CSLNM1 to 50% group and throw decreased only from 242KCD to 222KCD and got rid of that angry blue tint. That led is on it's limit.

[@DarrenYeoYT]

Yeah I dunno what the heck was going on there. It might have just been that reading for a second or two. Like you said, the driver is pushing the NM1 beyond spec. And it does make it brighter, but also lowers lifespan @5A. Probably not to any significant degree.

[@ChalliceofLight]

I can't find anywhere to buy the 5050 version anymore.

[@DarrenYeoYT]

Simon ended up not making a listing for it as the LED is not perfectly focused. But you can ask him to put one in as a custom.

[@9hk38f]

You have a million of these videos. Didn't even realize it was still you.

[@DarrenYeoYT]

About 1000 videos to be fair haha

[@9hk38f]

@@DarrenYeoYT I got the Convoy S8 with the green emitter. Same one you demonstrated. Thanks for the info. I had no idea about this light. I typically stay in the realm of Wurkkos and Sofirn.

[@9hk38f]

@@DarrenYeoYT I live in Arizona. And have two dogs. Due to the sun and heat. Between April and October. Walking during the day, simply is not an option. And there are rattlesnakes at night. I wonder if the green light. Will Possibly be better. At seeing the camouflaged snakes. Because the real bright high K lights, actually make it hard to see them. But the brighter 6000k lights, are better at scaring the Coyotes away. I always have to have multiple lights.

[@FlashLightDylan]

i also need to start a youtube channel and do reviews just to get free samples

[@DarrenYeoYT]

Give it a shot mate, nothing to lose. Just make videos that help people decide what lights to buy, and review the ones you own. If you need help getting started just let me know :)

[@DarrenYeoYT]

Not many light channels out there, so it's a good opportunity to stick out.