[Review] Sofirn SF36 18650 XP-L2

So as a few other members I received a Sofirn flashlight to review.
I got the SF36 for free, in exchange of an honest review so here it is.

Shall we begin with some glamourous shots?

I love the knurning, general shape is really similar to Thorfire VG10 but I prefer the Sofirn

Draw me like one of your Frenchgirl

Stainless steel bezel with light crenelation for a tougher head, no AR coating on the lens but a good 2mm thickness

They should get rid of the “HOT” symbol IMHO

Cool cutout in the tail section, allowing easy acces to the button and tailstanding at the same time thanks to the double hole lanyard attachment

Focus on the new CREE XP-L2 emitter (CW tint)

LOW mode

Provided charger, branded Thorfire (seems to be a supplier mistake as explained here)

Supplied 18650, protected and advertised as 2800mAh

Beamshot :

Okay, this is the only real con that I have… but it’s a tough one.
I HATE the beam, I don’t think that this reflector was meant to be used with an XP-L2 but rather with XM-L2 or XP-L.
This is a bummer, because the rest of the light is likable. However, if you’re using it in normall condition outside you won’t be anoyed by this beam…

The driver is the same as Thorfire VG15S :

But the modes aren’t the same, the Sofirn Has “only” 4 modes while the Thorfire has a fifth Moonlight mode.
They both gives a quick acces to Strobe via a double click which is both useless and too easily activated if you’re switching modes too fast.

Anway, this package comes with all you need to have a nice outdoor oriented flashlight : an USB charger, a 18650 and a sturdy flashlight with 4 useful modes. The muggle will love it, the flashaolic will mod it !

Thanks for the review mate! You planning to mod it?

Nah, I’m not too fond of this form factor…I already have an Olight R20 in my backpack for that purpose.
But if I was planning to mod it I would put an H1A from KD with an XHP50.2. I think that the driver could be trimmed down to 19mm