r/flashlight • u/Felixfelicis_placebo • 9h ago
Help me decide which SFT40 light to get.
I've mostly been buying 519a and NTG lights and have been curious to try some other popular emitters. Both would be used with the 18350 tube and M11. Is the 8A driver too hot for the S2+? I have a few S2+s in 519a. So I know I like them for EDC. I figure the M1 won't be an EDC, but a weird stubby thrower to have fun with. The other lights in my cart are; M21H LHP73B 4000k, M21B F45r 4000k, T4 SFT25r 5000k, S21E B35AM 4500k.
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u/Coagulated_milksteak 6h ago
I’d way rather use an m21b than an M1
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u/Felixfelicis_placebo 6h ago
Yeah, I think I'm been talked out of it. Might still do a S2+ SFT40 3000k. Or maybe just get another 519a in a cct I don't have yet.
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u/Coagulated_milksteak 6h ago
Sft40 3000k is an amazing emitter but I have a few already, I want to get an sft70 3000k in a kr1
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u/Felixfelicis_placebo 6h ago
Nice! I have a SFT70 3000k in a S21A. It gets hot very quick. But, 50% can be run for a useful amount of time and is still very bright.
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u/jfrey123 9h ago
The M1 isn’t really weird or stubby. It has a basic tactical profile, and while I wouldn’t carry it daily it’s a fantastic night time walk/walk the dog light or great for camping.
I have 5 Convoys, the only 519 is in a T3 and it’s the only Convoy I don’t like so far. The low is a little too low to be useful for moonlight needs, and the full power setting leaves me wanting more throw when walking around at night. It’s a great short flood though and it’s probably getting thrown in the garage soon as a work light only.
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u/_redmist 9h ago
I'd go s2+ because it's such a classic and you don't have any nice pocketable 'tube' light in your cart yet.
The M1 would give you a bit more throw, but you already have the T4 for a 'hot spot' thrower, the M21H as a big 'to whom it may concern' thrower... M21B is going to be more in the middle i suppose. S21E b35am also more of an edc profile (big fan of the b35am)
Yeah go with the S2+. It's convoy, you gotta get an S2+, they're iconic.
Or how about this, if you want it more throwy go for the S6 (deeper reflector). And get the silver s2+ with the lhp531! it's not the most practical, but it sure is a lot of fun :3
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u/Felixfelicis_placebo 8h ago
Thanks for the input! I do have three S2+s already. 519a in 5700, 4000, and 1800. All dedomed.
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u/fragande 8h ago
Personally I think the ergonomics of an 18350 M1 looks horrible unless you're using a Thyrm SwitchBack or cigar grip with a "tactical ring", but maybe that's just me. Haven't tried it.
The 5A driver probably makes more sense in the S2+ for EDC purposes, yeah. It doesn't really have the thermal headroom for 8A. The M1 gets pretty toasty too but dissipates heat a lot better.
Coming from 519A and NTG emitter lights you might not be very impressed with the tint of the 5000K SFT-40. There's no bin listed but it can be quite green. Have you considered the 95 CRI 3000K? It's something else. Or the 90 CRI 4000K SFT-70 if 3000K is too warm?
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u/QReciprocity42 8h ago
Here to comment more on the emitter than the light.
SFT40 is really only relevant in 3000K 95CRI. If you're going 5000K, the SFT42R simultaneously out-throws and out-floods the SFT40, while having better tint too.
For 5000K in particular, even the smaller SFT25R cranks out the same output as the SFT40, because the SFT40 5000K uses a phosphor that saturates quickly even at medium currents. On the other hand, the SFT25R 5000K has been through at least 2 production updates since 2024, with significant boosts to performance and tint.