The legendary Convoy S2+ is one of the most popular budget flashlights/torches, and also one of the best budget flashlights for creating continuous light trails for light painting photography. The Convoy S2+ is a tail switch flashlight, and the tail switch can be swapped over for a remote pressure switch, which is the subject of this review.
Disclaimer
The Convoy S2+ remote switch was purchased from my own funds.
Product links are non-affiliate.
Design and Construction
Remote switches are designed to allow a light to be turned on and off from a position that is different to using the tail switch. This is commonly used for hunting, but can also be useful for some light painting photography techniques.
The Convoy S2+ remote switch consists of a tail cap (which screws onto the flashlight tube instead of the usual tail switch), a cord, and a 2 button switch.
Convoy also make similar remote switches for the L21B, M21B, and C8/C8+ flashlights, as well as a DIY version.
User Interface
The S2+ remote switch user interface has two switches, upper, and lower.
Upper "reverse clicky" switch (nearest to cable) - this works the same as the S2+ tail switch. Full click for on/off. Half press to advance modes. Last mode memory if enabled on the S2+.
Lower "forward clicky" switch (furthest from cable) - this allows for momentary "on" when pressed. No light when not pressed. But there are a few quirks (see below).
Having momentary functionality on the S2+ remote switch is quite useful, as the light's tail cap switch does not have this functionality. The momentary functionality can also be used with all brightness levels. Users need to take care with a few minor quirks. If you release, and press within a second, the light advanced modes instead of turning back on in the same brightness level. If you are not applying enough pressure during momentary on, then it is possible to perform an accidental release and press, thus advancing modes. No remote pressure switch is perfect though, and neither of these quirks would prevent me from purchasing this product.
The programming functionality of the S2+ is also available using the upper switch (closer to cable):
1.click the switch to turn the flashlight on/off,tap the switch to select mode
2.if flashlight is turned on,tap the switch 20 times quickly to enter into config mode.(On a visual interface,as long as you click on an option, it means that the option is selected. The flashlight has no visual interface. It flashes to represent an option, and "tap the switch in the flashing process" means to select the option.)
Option 1 (normal-flash 1 time + buzz-flash): tap the switch to enter into sub-option to select the mode group,If the user has no operation, the config mode will enter option 2.
sub-option 1.1 (normal-flash 1 time) : tap the switch to select mode group 1 (0.1%, 1%, 10%, 35%, 100%, strobe, biking, battery-check)
sub-option 1.2 (normal-flash 2 times) : tap the switch to select mode group 2 (0.1%, 1%, 10%, 35%, 100%)
sub-option 1.3 (normal-flash 3 times) : tap the switch to select mode group 3 (100%, 35%, 10%, 1%, 0.1%)
sub-option 1.4 (normal-flash 4 times) : tap the switch to select mode group 4 (1%, 20%, 100%, strobe, biking, battery-check, SOS)
sub-option 1.5 (normal-flash 5 times) : tap the switch to select mode group 5 (1%, 20%, 100%)
sub-option 1.6 (normal-flash 6 times) : tap the switch to select mode group 6 (100%, 20%, 1%)
sub-option 1.7 (normal-flash 7 times) : tap the switch to select mode group 7 (0.1%, 1%, 10%, 50%, strobe, biking, battery-check, SOS)
sub-option 1.8 (normal-flash 8 times) : tap the switch to select mode group 8 (0.1%, 1%, 10%, 50%)
sub-option 1.9 (normal-flash 9 times) : tap the switch to select mode group 9 (50%, 10%, 1%, 0.1%)
sub-option 1.10 (normal-flash 10 times) : tap the switch to select mode group 10 (1%, 10%, 35%, 100%)
sub-option 1.11 (normal-flash 11 times) : tap the switch to select mode group 11 (100%, 20%, strobe)
sub-option 1.12 (normal-flash 12 times) : tap the switch to select mode group 12 (100% only)
Option 2 (normal-flash 2 times + buzz-flash): tap the switch to active the mode memory or inactive it,If the user has no operation,flashlight will enter into the last mode.
Compatibility
The Convoy S2+ has been around for a decade, and the remote switch is only compatible with the newer versions of the S2+ with rectangular threads for the tail cap (previously triangular). These newer versions have the 12 group user interface with configurable mode groups, optional last mode memory, and an alternating frequency strobe. Sadly, if the S2+ had a constant frequency strobe, it would be the best budget flashlight for light painting - an opportunity wasted. It is assumed, but not guaranteed that all S2+ advertised on Convoy's new website ConvoyLight are compatible (if in doubt choose the Gray option). LED emitter options are extensive, and include the high CRI 519A emitter (available in 7 different CCTs from 5700K coolish white to 2700K warm white); red, orange, green, and blue Osram CSLNM1 emitters; efficiently bright SST-40; and throwy SFT-40.
On Convoy's AliExpress store, it states "only compatible with current gray S2+, S3, and S8".
There may be multiple incompatible S2+ models on Convoy's Aliexpress store, and other locations that sell Convoy lights. These include lights with the older 3/5 mode user interface (which had a decent 10Hz strobe). My red, orange, green, and blue Convoy S2+ CSLNM1 models purchased in December 2020 are not compatible.
Conclusion
There aren't too many flashlights with remote (pressure) switches, and even fewer that can be used for all brightness modes. So, it is fantastic that Convoy make remote switches for a few of their flashlights. Being able to use a momentary switch with a S2+ may be quite useful for some niche situations. There are a few minor quirks with the user interface that the user needs to be aware of, and the switch only works with newer S2+ models.
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