Convoy has added a small AA light to their lineup. It’s a small version of the Convoy S2+, and called the T2. It’s literally a shrunken S2+, which is fantastic, but lacks Li-ion support. Read on for more!

Versions

There’s just one body and package of this light, but it’s available with three different emitter options. They are: 4500K, 5500K, and 6500K (which is what I have here.)

Price and Coupon

Here’s a link to GearBest, where I got the light. They’re $13.51 there.

Short Review

Overall I like this light as a host, but the driver has PWM on the lower mode (possibly noticeable the lower two modes). With an emitter swap, and a driver replacement, this will be a great little (tiny version of the) S2+!

Long Review

The Big Table

* Standard measurement disclaimer: I am an amateur flashlight reviewer. I don’t have $10,000 or even $1,000 worth of testing equipment. I test output and such in PVC tubes!! Please consider claims within 10% of what I measure to be perfectly reasonable (accurate, even).

What’s Included

Convoy T2

Lanyard

Package and Manual

The package is just a cardboard box, with a GearBest sticker. The light is held in place with some bubble wrap.

There is no manual.

Build Quality and Disassembly

For a $13 flashlight, this one is well built. The anodizing Convoy does now seems to be better than in the past.

Again, the likeness of this light and the S2+ make this a must have for just $13.

The head end of the cell tube is unanodized, and the tail end has anodized threads. This means the cell tube isn’t reversible.

Both the head and tail parts are held in place by brass retaining rings. There are springs on the head and tail too. The tail springs is very thick and beefy, and the head springs is also beefy, but much smaller.

These are very nice parts for just an AA light, which will be low Watts compared to a similar light using Li-Ion cells.

The bezel unscrews readily too, allowing access to the emitter.

Size and Comps

Size: 21mm (diameter), 93.3mm (length)

Weight: 51g

And the most important comparison you’ll see here:

Such a cute little S2+!

And here’s the T2 compared to another random AA light – the ReyLight Pineapple. With a bit of custom patina.

Retention and Carry

The pocket clip included is a friction clip, just like on the S2+. It’ll fit on the head end or tail end, as there are rings on both ends of the cell to be just for that.

The pocket clip has a shoulder but is still not a deep carry clip.

Also included is the lanyard, which arrives already attached. The lanyard doesn’t have one of those little push button things for adjusting the tightness on one’s wrist, but it’s a short lanyard anyway.

Power and Runtime

The T2 may be powered only by AA cells – alkaline (primary) or NiMH both work. Lithium Ion cells are not supported! I tested the light using only a LADDA NiMH cell, AA sized. The light isn’t a powerhouse of output, with high reaching around 260 lumens.

The light also does not have LVP, which isn’t as bad for NiMH cells as it would be for Li-Ion.

I did test the runtime of medium, but my computer couldn’t handle the gigantic spreadsheet. So let’s summarize it by saying: medium lasts for a long time. (I am adjusting my methods to better account for this eventuality, and also make runtime processing better; I hope to not have this problem in the future.)

This output is very conservative, to be honest. It’s another reason I’d consider this light more of an inexpensive host than anything. Replace driver, push the light a little harder.

User Interface and Operation

The UI is simple too. It’s a tail switch – a reverse mechanical clicky.

Here’s a UI table!

State Action Result Off Click On (Mode Memory) Off Half Press No Action On Half Press Mode Advance (LMH) On Double Half Press Strobe Strobe Half Press Back to regular modes (it’s like, mode memory +2 or something weird but explainable*)

* When going into strobe, you half press twice. The first half press advances the mode. When coming out of strobe, the single half press also advances the mode. So exiting strobe is mode memory +2 from where you started.

Modes and Currents

Mode Mode Claimed Output (lm) Claimed Runtime Measured Lumens Tailcap Amps High 100% – 249 1.50 Medium 10% – 30 0.15 Low 1% – – ~

LED and Beam

The emitter of choice for these small Convoy lights is a Cree XP-G2, and in my case, the 6500K version. I don’t like such cool lights, but as I recommend a complete swap of the internals, it’s not a massive problem here (ie it’ll get changed anyway).

The reflector is lightly orange peel.

This setup makes a beam that has a hotspot with a corona that fades off pretty evenly, and a lot of spill.

Tint vs BLF-348 (Killzone 219b version)

The 6500K version; you shouldn’t expect much!

There are many AA lights. There are even many inexpensive AA lights. This Convoy strikes a good mix of viable host and looking-just-like-an-S2+ that makes it a need-to-own. I highly recommend it.

Conclusion

What I like

Build quality is great (especially for a $13 light)

Easy to modify – nothing is locked, everything just screws together

Multiple temperatures (buy the warmer ones!

It’s XP-G2 and not XP-G3

Looks like a mini S2+!

What I don’t like

PWM very noticeable

No Li-ion support

UI is too simplistic

No LVP

Up Next

I have a couple more lights this week, but for my Tuesday and Thursday reviews, I may take a break. I have data to collect before the next installments there are ready!

Notes

This light was provided by GearBest for review. I was not paid to write this review.

This content originally appeared at zeroair.org. Please visit there for the best experience!

Whether or not I have a coupon for this light, I do have a bunch of coupons!! Have a look at my spreadsheet for those coupons. It’s possible to subscribe and get notifications when the sheet is edited!!