Convoy S2+ vs Convoy S21A
Quick take: The Convoy S2+ costs $3 less; the Convoy S21A is brighter (2,300 vs 1,000 lm); the Convoy S21A throws farther (219m vs 184m); the Convoy S21A runs longer on high (2.5 vs 2 hrs).
| Spec | Convoy S2+ | Convoy S21A |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $15 | $18 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | EDC | EDC |
| Lumens | 1,000 lm | 2,300 lm |
| Candela | 8,500 cd | 12,000 cd |
| Beam distance | 184m | 219m |
| Runtime | 2 hrs (high) | 2.5 hrs (high) |
| Battery | 18650 | 21700 |
| LED | SST-20 4000K | SST-40 5000K |
| Beam type | Balanced | Balanced |
| Modes | 4 Stepped | 4 Stepped |
| UI | Biscotti | Biscotti |
| IP rating | IPX8 | IPX8 |
| CRI | 95 | 70 |
| Weight | 2.0 oz | 3.2 oz |
| Dimensions | 4.7 x 1.0 in | 5.0 x 1.1 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 S21A
- ✓2,300 lumens and 280 m of throw for around $17
- ✓21700 mass handles heat better and sustains output longer than an 18650 body
- ✓Wide emitter and tint menu, with custom options on request
- ✓88 grams — light for the cell size
- ✓Impact resistance and thermal protection built in
- ✗Ships in the older, less protective box
- ✗No manual
- ✗No magnetic base
- ✗No onboard charging — an external charger is needed
- ✗Buying means AliExpress and international shipping