Convoy S2+ vs Convoy C8+
Quick take: The Convoy S2+ costs $1 less; the Convoy C8+ is brighter (1,100 vs 1,000 lm); the Convoy C8+ throws farther (510m vs 184m); the Convoy C8+ runs longer on high (2.5 vs 2 hrs).
| Spec | Convoy S2+ | Convoy C8+ |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $15 | $16 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | EDC | Thrower |
| Lumens | 1,000 lm | 1,100 lm |
| Candela | 8,500 cd | 65,000 cd |
| Beam distance | 184m | 510m |
| Runtime | 2 hrs (high) | 2.5 hrs (high) |
| Battery | 18650 | 18650 |
| LED | SST-20 4000K | SST-40 6500K |
| Beam type | Balanced | Throw |
| Modes | 4 Stepped | 4 Stepped |
| UI | Biscotti | Biscotti |
| IP rating | IPX8 | IPX8 |
| CRI | 95 | 70 |
| Weight | 2.0 oz | 5.6 oz |
| Dimensions | 4.7 x 1.0 in | 5.9 x 1.7 in |
| Warranty | 1 Year | 1 Year |
What owners report
Convoy S2+
- ✓Enormous emitter and tint selection — you configure the light rather than accept a default
- ✓$15 to $20 buys build quality reviewers rate alongside brands charging five times more
- ✓Simple, reliable driver options with no firmware to go wrong
- ✓A decade of production means accessories, hosts and modding parts are everywhere
- ✓Simon Mao's customer service is repeatedly singled out as excellent
- ✓Survives real abuse — owners report drops and dunkings without failure
- ✗No onboard charging: you need a separate 18650 charger and a cell
- ✗Water resistance is debatable in practice — treat it as splash-resistant, not submersible
- ✗Warranty means negotiating with an overseas seller, not a returns process
- ✗Shipping from China is slow, and the choice of variants is genuinely bewildering for a first-time buyer
- ✗The stock clip and switch are adequate rather than good
Convoy C8+
- ✓Around 500 m of throw for under $30 delivered
- ✓Anti-reflective coated glass lens, which most budget lights omit
- ✓Biscotti firmware lets you configure your own mode set
- ✓Rear mechanical clicky with positive, snappy action, reachable in any grip
- ✓Wide choice of emitters and tints, including high-CRI options
- ✗Some units arrive with the lens ring and caps loose — tighten before first use
- ✗Too big for pocket carry, and no pocket clip fitted
- ✗No onboard charging
- ✗Buying means AliExpress with no manual
- ✗No lockout, so it can switch on in a bag