Convoy Lights: Option Comparison Tables and Images

Phlogiston

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Introduction

I wanted to specify a Convoy S2+ Red with an XML2 T4-7A to produce roughly the same lumens in each mode as a T6-3B 7135*3 version I already had. Whilst crunching my way through the Cree Product Characterization Tool, it occurred to me that other people here might find a set of comparison tables and tint images useful. You'll find the tables at the end of this post, after the examples. The images are in post 7.

I consider the Convoy S2+ to be a very nice light. If you'd like to know more, Chicken Drumstick has reviewed the T6-3B 7135*8 version here, and maukka has posted a comprehensive instrumental analysis of his T6-3B 7135*8 sample here, including spectrophotometric data and graphs. You can also find a description of how my T4-7A 7135*4 sample behaves when the cell runs low in post 26.

Applicability

Warning: You use the information in this post at your own risk. I have only used it in conjunction with the Convoy S2+ Red.

However, it should apply in full to the following Convoy lights: S2 Grey; S2+ Black; S2+ Grey; S2+ Red; S2+ Blue; S2+ Green; S3 Black; S3 Grey; S4 Black; S5 Black; S6 Black; and S8 Black.

In addition, some of it should apply to: BD01 Black (7135*8 driver only); BD02 Black (7135*6 driver only); BD03 Black (7135*4 driver only); C8 Black (7135*8 driver only); C8 Grey (7135*8 driver only); M1 Black (7135*6 or 7135*8 drivers only); M2 Black (7135*6 or 7135*8 drivers only); and S2+ Grey 18350/16340 version (7135*3 or 7135*4 drivers only, see also post 13).

Option Availability

Most intermediary dealers only sell a small subset of the possible combinations of Convoy options.

The easiest way to be sure that you have access to the full range of Convoy lights and accessories, including all of the customisation options, is to buy from the original manufacturer's AliExpress store.

Search Google for "shenzhen convoy electronics" and it should be the first link; double-check for the store number in the link, which should be 330416.

Update: You can find my thoughts on some of the Convoy accessories in post 12.

Convoy LED Tints

LEDColour TemperatureDescription
XML2 U2-1A6500-7000KCool White
XML2 T6-3B5000-5200KNeutral White
XML2 T6-4C4300-4500KNeutral-Warm White
XML2 T5-5B4000-4200KWarm White
XML2 T4-7A3000-3200KVery Warm White
You can find comparison photos of the different tints lighting a garden environment by looking up the Convoy S2+ Red page on the original manufacturer's AliExpress store (see previous section). The tint photos are near the bottom of that page.

Update: I have added a set of tint comparison photos to post 7.

Examples

I wanted a couple of Convoy S2+ Reds to act as backup lights to my two Fenix UC35s, so I wanted their medium modes to have lumen outputs broadly corresponding to the UC35's 180lm medium mode. I also decided to get neutral white LEDs, just because I could (the UC35 is cool white).

Example 1: Check the Mid / Medium Mode / 40% table, run along the T6-3B row, closest match is 160 lm in the 7135*3 driver column. Check the Hi / High Mode / 100% table; that combination gives 370 lm. Check the Lo / Low Mode / 5% table; that combination gives 21 lm.

The end result:
Convoy S2+ Red
XML2 T6-3B LED
7135*3 driver
21 lm-----160 lm370 lm-----
Fenix UC3515 lm50 lm180 lm480 lm960 lm
I later needed a desk lamp in a place where it was awkward to run a mains cable, so I pulled out one of my new neutral white S2+ Reds and mounted it with a Rofis AR01 mount.

The 160lm mode was the perfect brightness, but the neutral white tint clashed with the much warmer-tinted room lighting. I also tried the UC35 to confirm that it was the tint that was bothering me, and yes, the UC35 was even more of a clash.

OK, I thought, I'll buy another S2+ Red, but in a very warm white with the medium mode again at about 180lm. Checking the box for the room light - an 18W Philips Master LED bulb - yielded a colour temperature of 2700K. The closest Convoy LED option is the XML2 T4-7A at 3000-3200K.

Example 2: Check the Mid / Medium Mode / 40% table, run along the XML2 T4-7A row, and there's a perfect match at 180 lm in the 7135*4 driver column. Check the Hi / High Mode / 100% table; that combination gives 400 lm. Check the Lo / Low Mode / 5% table; that combination gives 23 lm.

The end result:
Convoy S2+ Red
XML2 T4-7A LED
7135*4 driver
23 lm-----180 lm400 lm-----
Convoy S2+ Red
XML2 T6-3B LED
7135*3 driver
21 lm-----160 lm370 lm-----
Fenix UC3515 lm50 lm180 lm480 lm960 lm
My new very warm white S2+ Red works wonderfully as a battery-operated desk lamp :thumbsup:


Comparison Tables

It looks like Convoy specs use LED lumens, so I've discounted the LED lumen figures from Cree by an arbitrary 20% for optical losses and rounded the numbers to 2 significant figures. Cree LED lumens are in normal type, my discounted & rounded lumens are in italics.

Whilst using the Characterization Tool, I left the LED junction temperature at the default 25°C. Where driver currents fall awkwardly between current steps in the Characterization Tool, I have estimated an interpolated number to 2 significant figures.

Hi / High Mode / 100%

Driver
LED Bin7135*3
1050mA / 1050mA
7135*4
1400mA / 1400mA
7135*6
2100mA / 2100mA
7135*8
2800mA / 2800mA
XML2 U2-1A
6500-7000K
489.4 lm
390 lm
623.8 lm
500 lm
860.6 lm
690 lm
1067.3 lm
850 lm
XML2 T6-3B
5000-5200K
456.8 lm
370 lm
582.3 lm
470 lm
803.2 lm
640 lm
996.1 lm
800 lm
XML2 T6-4C
4300-4500K
456.8 lm
370 lm
582.3 lm
470 lm
803.2 lm
640 lm
996.1 lm
800 lm
XML2 T5-5B
4000-4200K
424.1 lm
340 lm
540.7 lm
430 lm
745.9 lm
600 lm
925 lm
740 lm
XML2 T4-7A
3000-3200K
391.5 lm
310 lm
499.1 lm
400 lm
688.5 lm
550 lm
853.8 lm
680 lm

Mid / Medium Mode / 40%

Driver
LED Bin7135*3
420mA / 1050mA
7135*4
560mA / 1400mA
7135*6
840mA / 2100mA
7135*8
1120mA / 2800mA
XML2 U2-1A
6500-7000K
212.7 lm
170 lm
278.4 lm
220 lm
~400 lm
320 lm
~520 lm
420 lm
XML2 T6-3B
5000-5200K
198.5 lm
160 lm
259.9 lm
210 lm
~380 lm
300 lm
~490 lm
390 lm
XML2 T6-4C
4300-4500K
198.5 lm
160 lm
259.9 lm
210 lm
~380 lm
300 lm
~490 lm
390 lm
XML2 T5-5B
4000-4200K
184.3 lm
150 lm
241.3 lm
190 lm
~350 lm
280 lm
~450 lm
360 lm
XML2 T4-7A
3000-3200K
170.1 lm
140 lm
222.8 lm
180 lm
~320 lm
260 lm
~420 lm
340 lm

Lo / Low Mode / 5%

Unfortunately, the Characterization Tool doesn't go this low, so these are all estimated to 2 significant figures by dividing the lumen figures for higher currents. Given that LEDs are more efficient at lower currents, these estimates are likely to be slightly too low; as a ballpark indication, by up to 5%.

Driver
LED Bin7135*3
52.5mA / 1050mA
7135*4
70mA / 1400mA
7135*6
105mA / 2100mA
7135*8
140mA / 2800mA
XML2 U2-1A
6500-7000K
~28 lm
22 lm
~36 lm
29 lm
~55 lm
44 lm
~72 lm
58 lm
XML2 T6-3B
5000-5200K
~26 lm
21 lm
~34 lm
27 lm
~51 lm
41 lm
~67 lm
54 lm
XML2 T6-4C
4300-4500K
~26 lm
21 lm
~34 lm
27 lm
~51 lm
41 lm
~67 lm
54 lm
XML2 T5-5B
4000-4200K
~24 lm
19 lm
~31 lm
25 lm
~47 lm
38 lm
~63 lm
50 lm
XML2 T4-7A
3000-3200K
~22 lm
18 lm
~29 lm
23 lm
~44 lm
35 lm
~58 lm
46 lm

Finally, you can get custom mode groups that include Mid / Medium Mode / 30% or Lo / Low Mode / 10% levels, so here are a couple of tables for those.

Mid / Medium Mode / 30%

Driver
LED Bin7135*3
315mA / 1050mA
7135*4
420mA / 1400mA
7135*6
630mA / 2100mA
7135*8
840mA / 2800mA
XML2 U2-1A
6500-7000K
~160 lm
130 lm
212.7 lm
170 lm
310.4 lm
250 lm
~400 lm
320 lm
XML2 T6-3B
5000-5200K
~150 lm
120 lm
198.5 lm
160 lm
289.7 lm
230 lm
~380 lm
300 lm
XML2 T6-4C
4300-4500K
~150 lm
120 lm
198.5 lm
160 lm
289.7 lm
230 lm
~380 lm
300 lm
XML2 T5-5B
4000-4200K
~140 lm
110 lm
184.3 lm
150 lm
269 lm
220 lm
~350 lm
280 lm
XML2 T4-7A
3000-3200K
~130 lm
100 lm
170.1 lm
140 lm
248.3 lm
200 lm
~320 lm
260 lm

Lo / Low Mode / 10%

Unfortunately, the Characterization Tool doesn't cover the lower currents, so those are estimated to 2 significant figures by dividing the lumen figures for higher currents. Given that LEDs are more efficient at lower currents, these estimates are likely to be slightly too low; as a ballpark indication, by up to 5%.

Driver
LED Bin7135*3
105mA / 1050mA
7135*4
140mA / 1400mA
7135*6
210mA / 2100mA
7135*8
280mA / 2800mA
XML2 U2-1A
6500-7000K
~55 lm
44 lm
~72 lm
58 lm
109 lm
87 lm
144.2 lm
115 lm
XML2 T6-3B
5000-5200K
~51 lm
41 lm
~67 lm
54 lm
101.7 lm
81 lm
134.6 lm
108 lm
XML2 T6-4C
4300-4500K
~51 lm
41 lm
~67 lm
54 lm
101.7 lm
81 lm
134.6 lm
108 lm
XML2 T5-5B
4000-4200K
~47 lm
38 lm
~63 lm
50 lm
94.4 lm
76 lm
125 lm
100 lm
XML2 T4-7A
3000-3200K
~44 lm
35 lm
~58 lm
46 lm
87.2 lm
70 lm
115.4 lm
92 lm
 
Last edited:

Grijon

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Re: Convoy S2+ Red: Option Comparison Tables

This, sir, is spectacular! Thank you!!
 

D6859

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Re: Convoy S2+ Red: Option Comparison Tables

Great job, thank you!

I wish I had seen your table a week ago when I ordered my Convoy S2+ XML2 T6-3B 7135*3. I would have considered warmer tint and another driver. But on the other hand 370 lm output makes and excellent EDC that you can borrow to a non-flashaholic friend.
 

KeepingItLight

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Re: Convoy S2+ Red: Option Comparison Tables

When I first learned about the options available for Convoy flashlights, I thought 8*7135, at 2.8A, was the way to go. I am now aware that those lights overheat within minutes. My current thinking is that 3*7135 or 4*7135 is more practical.

In addition to generating less heat on high, your lower modes are better than you get with 8*7135.
 

Phlogiston

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Re: Convoy S2+ Red: Option Comparison Tables

You are all very welcome. I really appreciate knowing that you consider it useful :)

But on the other hand 370 lm output makes and excellent EDC that you can borrow to a non-flashaholic friend.

I feel the same way. I never let non-flashaholics borrow a powerful light unless it has an automatic stepdown or temperature regulation. In my view, 1A (300 - 400lm depending on the LED bin) is about the maximum one can get away with for continuous operation in an 18650 light. My Fenix UC35 is relatively good at dissipating heat because of the extra metal to accommodate its USB charger, but even that light steps down from 480lm to 180lm after 30 minutes.

If the light is going to be tailstanding or clip mounted for a long period, I'll set it to a lower level still, since there's no "cardiovascular cooling system" :) as there would be in hand-held operation. I'm fine with that, though, because 150 - 200lm is usually quite good for things like spotlighting a work surface or tailstanding to light a room during a power cut.

When I first learned about the options available for Convoy flashlights, I thought 8*7135, at 2.8A, was the way to go. I am now aware that those lights overheat within minutes. My current thinking is that 3*7135 or 4*7135 is more practical.

In addition to generating less heat on high, your lower modes are better than you get with 8*7135.

I do like that aspect. The 10 - 30lm range works well for me as a general-purpose level for short distance work, and the 18650 cell provides an amazing runtime under those circumstances.
 

D6859

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Re: Convoy S2+ Red: Option Comparison Tables

In addition to generating less heat on high, your lower modes are better than you get with 8*7135.

Exactly my thoughs when I was conforting myself after loosing the extra lumens :) I'm getting more excited about the light. I hope it is delivered to me next week.
 

Phlogiston

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Re: Convoy S2+ Red: Option Comparison Tables

I decided to add some tint comparison images to this thread, but preferred not to make the first post any larger than it already is, so I've put them here instead.

First, a nice side-by-side comparison of Convoy LED tints. This image originally came from a Russian message board; I have cropped and rehosted it to meet CPF requirements. Unfortunately, I don't read Russian, so I can't attribute it to its original creator.

Convoy-_Side_By_Side_Tints.jpg


Second, a set of images showing the effect of each Convoy LED tint in a garden setting at night. These are from the Convoy S2+ Red sales page on AliExpress; they are copyright to Shenzhen Convoy Electronics Co., Ltd. Again, I have resized and rehosted them to meet CPF requirements.

HTB1_D6_Tw_FVXXXXa8_XVXXq6x_XFXXXj.jpg


HTB1_L8_YIFVXXXXb2_XXXXq6x_XFXXXC.jpg


HTB1s0_Lx_FVXXXXbr_XVXXq6x_XFXXXt.jpg


HTB1_H_5w_FVXXXXaya_XXXq6x_XFXXXC.jpg


HTB1_HDvx_FVXXXXbw_XVXXq6x_XFXXXF.jpg


These images were all rehosted using PostImage.
 
Last edited:

Grijon

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Re: Convoy S2+ Red: Option Comparison Tables

Wow, I LOVE it!! STELLAR combo: first post of information and then the pics!
 

D6859

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Re: Convoy S2+ Red: Option Comparison Tables

3B doesn't look so bad after all :)
 

Phlogiston

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Re: Convoy S2+ Red: Option Comparison Tables

3B doesn't look so bad after all :)

One of of my lights has exactly the same configuration, and I liked it enough to order another (now in transit), so I'm hoping that you'll enjoy yours too :)

Wow, I LOVE it!! STELLAR combo: first post of information and then the pics!

Awesome thread,thank you!!:)

:thumbsup:
 

Phlogiston

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Re: Convoy S2+ Red: Option Comparison Tables

The first post now includes a list of other Convoy lights it should be useful for.

I've also bought and received some of the Convoy accessories, so here are my thoughts on those:

Lanyard

The S2+ Red comes with a nice black wrist lanyard as standard, and you can order more of them as accessories in black, army green or neon green.

The lanyard has a mini quick-release buckle with a thin cord for small lanyard holes. The thick cord of the lanyard proper is attached to the buckle with a lobster-claw clip, which can also attach directly to larger lanyard holes.

I normally attach lobster-claw clips directly to my lights when possible, because I don't trust the knot that keeps the small cord secured to the buckle. If I had to use a small-cord attachment, I'd definitely superglue the knot inside the buckle so it couldn't unravel under any circumstances. It's good that Convoy give you both options.

The lanyard proper isn't paracord as such, but it's more than up to the task. It also has a cord lock to keep it snug around the wrist, along with a gathering bead to keep the rest of the lanyard neatly together.

Ever since I got my first Sunwayman light, which came with a really nice lanyard, I've been trying to find a source of more for my other lights and multitools. Sunwayman don't sell theirs separately, but the Convoy ones are very close. I plan to order a whole pile of them now :)

I do have very slim wrists, though, so there's a chance that those of you with thicker wrists will find the lanyard to be a little short.

Pocket Clip

The S2+ Red does not include a pocket clip as standard, but you can get them separately. The clip is attached to the lanyard holes with two sets of tiny nuts and bolts.

When I first saw that, I honestly thought the nuts and bolts would slip through the lanyard holes, they were that small! Fortunately, I tried it anyway and the clip does seem to stay put, so that was a relief.

If forced to choose between a lanyard and a clip, I normally take the lanyard. That way, I can loop the light to my belt and make sure it won't get lost the way it would if a clip slid off my belt or pocket.

I'm glad to say that although the Convoy clip does take up the lanyard holes, it has a cutout in it which I find perfectly serviceable as a lanyard attachment point, so I can still have both. This is a good thing, because the pocket clip isn't particularly tight - it's designed to slide on and off your clothes without damaging them.

White Diffuser

Convoy diffusers are all lantern-style. They look like baby traffic wands with the purpose of scattering light as nearly omnidirectionally as possible. They're available in white, yellow or red. The white ones I have work well, in their intended role as lanterns, although you do have to jam them on quite hard to make sure they stay put.

Unfortunately, lantern diffusers produce a distracting glare at the edge of your vision if you try to hold the light in your hand as a diffuse source for walking. Convoy don't offer the flat forward-only diffusers that would work better for that task.

However, I have discovered that Nitecore's 23mm NFD23 diffuser can be modified to fit the Convoy S2+ head (which is 24mm). If you run your finger round the inside of the black part of the NFD23, you'll feel six friction ribs running from front to back. Cut those out with a scalpel so the inside is more or less smooth, and the diffuser will fit securely on the S2+.

Of course, it won't fit a 23mm light anymore, but I can live with that :)

Nitecore also sell 23mm filters in red, green and blue. I don't own any of those, but I presume that this trick would work on them too.

Update: I've now noticed that a Fenix AOD-S lantern-style diffuser fits rather neatly on my Convoy S2+, because it has stepwise securing ribs on the inner surface to fit more than one diameter of light. Nice if you want the option of swapping one diffuser between your 25.4mm Fenix and 24mm Convoy lights.

By eyeball, I find that the Convoy and Fenix diffusers transmit "about the same" amount of light, but they have different light distributions. The Convoy one seems to spread the light around more evenly, with a relatively small amount of extra brightness in the forward direction. On the other hand, the Fenix one sends a bit more light in the forward direction, and a bit less to the sides.

Taking a power cut as an example, if you hung an S2+ pointing downwards from the ceiling, the Convoy diffuser would be good for lighting up the whole room as evenly as possible. The Fenix diffuser would be good at making a brighter area to work on something directly beneath, with the rest of the room having less light, but still plenty to navigate by. The flat Nitecore diffuser would create a wider, somewhat brighter working area directly beneath, but at the cost of leaving the corners of the room with only a moonlight level of illumination.

Red Diffuser

The red diffuser has exactly the same shape and fit as the white one (the picture on the AliExpress page must be old). It really is a baby traffic wand and does its job just as you'd expect.

One thing to be aware of is that it only transmits a fraction of the light that the white diffuser does. That's exactly what you'd expect, given that it only transmits red wavelengths, rather than the full spectrum of a white diffuser, but it still caught me by surprise until I realised why I was only getting less than a third of the light :)
 
Last edited:

Phlogiston

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For those of you who like 18350 lights, there's a new arrival at Convoy. You can now buy 18350 battery tubes as an accessory for the Convoy S2+ Red and S2+ Blue. The only snag is that you have to buy them in lots of two, not singly, but they're cheap enough for that not to bother me.

I haven't seen an 18350 turnkey package, like the S2+ Grey 18350 / 16340 version which is already available, but I imagine there's still a possibility for that to happen at a later date.

Two things to be aware of, especially if you don't already own an S2+:

  • CR123A and LiFePO4​ cells are unlikely to work well, because the Convoy drivers have a low-voltage warning which is configured for 3.6V - 3.8V Li-Ion cells. As such, the 2Hz warning flash kicks in at 3V ±0.1V, at which point a CR123A / LiFePO4​ cell will still have plenty of charge left.

  • If your S2+ is configured with a higher-current driver, you'll need to make sure that your 18350 / 16340 is rated for that load. This is why the S2+ Grey 18350 / 16340 turnkey package is only offered with the 7135*3 or 7135*4 drivers.
 
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D6859

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Re: Convoy S2+ Red: Option Comparison Tables

One of of my lights has exactly the same configuration, and I liked it enough to order another (now in transit), so I'm hoping that you'll enjoy yours too :)

Nice to know, thanks! I might order another one for a friend and my gf.

Also thank you for the info about lanyard. I've been worried about loosing a light since I lost my TN12. I think I'll use mine tied around a belt loop and attach the S2+ to the mini buckle.

Do you know if S2+ has low voltage indicator or protection? Or is it recommended to use only protected batteries in it? Edit: Yes it has.
 
Last edited:

Phlogiston

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Re: Convoy S2+ Red: Option Comparison Tables

Do you know if S2+ has low voltage indicator or protection? Or is it recommended to use only protected batteries in it? Edit: Yes it has.

Just to be clear, I've never actually had a Convoy light down that low. I only know about the warning flash from the Convoy sales page on AliExpress, and I don't know what happens if you leave the light on anyway (for example, if you've forgotten about it and gone somewhere else).

I should really stick a protected cell in one of my Convoy lights, run it right down and see what happens :) Been meaning to do that with my Fenix UC35, too...

Nice to know, thanks! I might order another one for a friend and my gf.

Also thank you for the info about lanyard. I've been worried about loosing a light since I lost my TN12. I think I'll use mine tied around a belt loop and attach the S2+ to the mini buckle.

No problem, I'm glad my impressions were useful to you :) I've lost and almost lost lights in the past, so I know how that feels.
 

akhyar

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Excellent post on the comparison table.
I think I made the right decision of sticking to 7135*3 drivers configuration for my red and blue S2+ as I have 3 others single 18650 lights that can hit 1k lumens.
I've just ordered a red and blue 18350 tubes direct from Simon as the 2 lights are mainly for my wife and she prefers the shorter dimension of the 18350 tubes
 

B0rt

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Contemplating to get some S2+ myself and the information you provided is awesome and very helpful to chose right.
Thanks a lot Phlogiston! :twothumbs
 

D6859

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You can find a review of Convoy S2+ 18650 – XM-L2 T6-3B 7135*8 by Chicken Drumstick here.

I ordered a grey version. It should have interesting looking green rubber button. Red version should have better button according to the review.
 

akhyar

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You can find a review of Convoy S2+ 18650 – XM-L2 T6-3B 7135*8 by Chicken Drumstick here.

I ordered a grey version. It should have interesting looking green rubber button. Red version should have better button according to the review.

The red and blue version are using the so called "piston" click.
It feels nice to touch, and feels different than my other rubber clicky buttons.
There's a green S2+ version in the pipeline as well.
 

D6859

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The red and blue version are using the so called "piston" click.
It feels nice to touch, and feels different than my other rubber clicky buttons.
There's a green S2+ version in the pipeline as well.

Do you know if there's any other differences between the different colour models than the button type?
 
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