Sofirn SP10B - Anyone?

That’s the way how SP32 works, click for ON, hold to change modes and long click for OFF! I guess it would be doable!
I understand what you (k-wong) said, so I won’t hold my breath, but it would be nice if they could tell you something about that change (or not change) in the SP10B firmware!
Once you are in touch with them, maybe them can give you an update the status of that :wink:

This would give room to always start on ML, as well, wouldn’t it? That would be nice as well (for me, I say)!

Right now there’s no change, but I did submit a request after I found out the one click for ON was not implemented. So I’ll update if they decide to do that or not. :+1:

Probably they invented a new cell like this superb 1800mAh AAA https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/47013

Aw man, I also got trigger happy and have an SF10A on the mail... I should start waiting a few months before I get a recently released flashlight. Until 2018 lumintop tool AA (AAA on the mail xD)

Edited for many typos and missed words due to late night phone typing

Lol, “trigger happy” is a nice expression :smiley:
I’ll wait for a while to see if I go for this SP10B.
The SP10A and SF14 will arrive tomorrow, so I’ll check how they perform, compare them with the Tool AA and the other AA lights I have and discern if I should be “trigger happy” to get a SP10B.

Apart from the “click for ON” that k-wong mentioned, this light seems to be the more interesting AA/14500 light they launched so far. If they change that “click”, it will be better. If not, let’s see.

BTW, the SF10 will soon be changed, getting a nice driver and a different emitter! The host is awesome, but the driver… messes all up :person_facepalming:

I’m tempted by some of Sofirn’s lights, but those dishonestly labeled cells put me off. However, the cells HKJ tested don’t seem to be listed in Sofirn’s AliExpress store. Does anyone know what (if any) connection there is between the Sofirn flashlights and the mislabeled Sofirn AA and AAA cells?

As asked above, what’s the diff between the A and B?

I like the A quite a bit, so am curious about the B.

If I’m not mistaken, hardware is the same, but firmware changed to…

1) Reduce on/off press from .5 to .3 seconds.
2) Add moonlight mode (1 lumen) for a total of 4 light modes.
3) Two clicks to turbo .
4) Move strobe from two click to three click territory.
5) Four clicks to lock/unlock.

Personally, I think it would be better with three clicks to lock and four clicks for strobe. :slight_smile:

Looks like Sofirn is Taking suggestions to heart because I received a message regarding making firmware updates.

Ooh, nice!

Yup, they are indeed :wink: They changed the modes from their “first” AA lights (SF10, SF12) to the newest (SP10A and B, SF14), and they continue to improve.

k-wong gave valuable information here about the “click to ON” and yesterday I asked Cissy on AE store about that change, and she said they will make it, but it is yet to confirm when! She said she would send message to inform about that! I hope they make it!

Finally, a manufacturer, making budget but quite nice lights, “listens” to the costumers (even if those are flashaholics :smiling_imp: )!

Yup, I guess this is it :wink:

Ok, got a bit of an update regarding new drivers. As MascaratumB said, Sofirn agreed to update the drivers so it’ll be one click for ON instead of Hold 0.3 seconds for ON. Big improvement from my standpoint. :+1: I’m also hoping they will change it to always start on low and hold 0.3 seconds to go to last mode memory but that’s yet to be confirmed.

Unfortunately, they produced 2000 units of the SP10B drivers already, meaning they’ll need to sell through that before offering the new ones, so it might be after Christmas. It’ll be a while…

Ugh, that’s too bad about the delay in getting new firmware.

Personally, I’d be nearly as happy with no memory and always start on low. I might order a couple as they are now just because I like the mode spacing. I appreciated your review of the SP10A, btw.

Goood :slight_smile: If all those things were like you said, that UI would get a “perfect” from me (well, on a non ramping firmware)!

Baaaad :frowning: Well, I do understand their situation, it would be a waste of resources to throw the away, but…now I’m excited about the new UI and will have to wait longer :weary:

Anyway, those new lights from Sofirn are very nice. I’ve just reviewed the SP10A an SF14 and they are good lights, specially if we take in mind that they are “budget” lights and that they compete with “major” brands.

Thanks again for the info k-wong :wink:

I like the shorter turn on time but I feel this light will become too complicated to give as a gift light. Grandma will have no clue what i’m talking about when i try to explain all these special clicks. Starting on low sounds like a very bad idea. We have always liked last mode memory and now we have to do special clicks to find turbo? Why not make it with turbo that isn’t hidden. And now you want to throw in a .3 second hold for last mode memory? Sounds like we are on our way to ruining a good light and making it way too complicated for gifting. I’m ok with a 4 click lock out.

The shorter click time to switch ON will - for me - be a plus on this light, as we click and…it’s ON!

The lock-out mode (4 clicks) is also good because it is a side switch flashlight, that will have a “short click” to get ON, and that can easily get ON inside a pocket!

The no-memory and start on low or moonlight - for me - is good as I don’t like to blind myself or anyone if I forget in which mode I switched OFF the light!

The double click to access turbo - for me - is nice, as I normally have to pass through all the modes and have to get a burst of light without wanting or needing it. So double click from ON or OFF will give access to turbo when really needed, not all the time I’m passing through the modes. Juts like some Olight lights do (ex: S1R Baton)!

The strobe - for me - would be disposable as I don’t like it and have no use for it, but I admit that when walking it may be useful sometimes! BUT, as it is hidden by 3 fast clicks, I don’t mind it is there!

This said, and mentioning again my points of view about my preferences in a UI, I can tell that, from this manufacturer:

- Sofirn SP10A, that is being sold currently has 3 regular modes (L-M-H) with memory (saves the last used mode), and Strobe (2 clicks); it has a 0,5 second time to get the light ON or OFF; has no lock-out mode (just physical, unscrewing the tailcap or the head); and is a very nice budget flashlight that doesn’t have some things you mentioned above that you don’t like;

- Sofirn SF10 is a tail clicky flashlight, has 4 modes (H-M-L-ML) without memory (always starts on High), and strobe (double click, not so nice as you can click faster to advance the mode and enter strobe); full click for ON and for OFF, no lock-out mode; also a budget flashlight

- Sofirn SF14, also a tail clicky, with 3 modes (L-M-H) and can be said to have no memory, no strobe; full click for ON or OFF; also budget light.

All these take AA (alkaline or Ni-MH) and 14500 (Li-Ion) batteries.

Why did I write all this? To say that we all have preferences for types of lights, UIs, tints, battery types and so on.
The changes that k-wong mentioned - after being in conversation with a manufacturer that listens to its costumers - may be desired by some (I’m on those) and not appreciated for others. Perfectly fine and acceptable.
But if we don’t like this light or the way it is going to be released, we will probably have others to choose from.

You do have a point when saying that this may turn a complicated light to offer as a gift, but most of all here - flashlight enthusiasts - speak for the own taste, and that normally leads to preferences that may not please the others.

Right now there is a voting poll on the forum for a Kronos/Manker light! Check on that and see how many different preferences are there! All have reason, as you have and I have, and it is always legitimate to ask for changes.

Concerning SP10B that’s what some people here are doing, contacting the manufacturer to try to make a different light (not better or worse). They do some changes, others they don’t!

But…we will always have a plethora of choices around, for personal use and to offer :slight_smile: That’s what make this hobby great :slight_smile:

Thanks for the input but I’d have to disagree that this UI is complicated (and no, I’m not affiliated with Sofirn or any manufacturer). It’s actually simpler and easier to operate for most people while still retaining the some “enthusiast” functionality. You can’t satisfy everyone but one of the main goals for this UI is for ease of use for the general public. That means, one click and it goes on. Keep clicking to go brighter and last mode is OFF (I don’t have this to confirm but that’s what I’ve been told). It can’t get any easier than that without having to train a person! You may also hold 0.3 seconds to turn off so there’s 2 methods to off as far as I understand.

The reason why there is no turbo in the normal cycle is so grandma or a young child doesn’t burn themselves if left on at the highest mode as the driver does not have temperature regulation (and I wouldn’t expect it to on a $13 torch). I could go either way, leaving it in or out personally, but I understand this way is safer in general. It would be nice to have another group mode so you can have the option to include turbo/max as part of the main cycle and use this default mode for muggles.

With the newer UI we’ve suggested, from OFF you can have easy access to all 3 of:

- always start on lowest mode from a single click (so you don’t have to remember the exact mode you were on in the middle of the night or camping in pitch black thus blowing out your night vision; surely my own grandma would not remember)

- last mode used with 0.3 second hold

  • turbo with a double click

This method has been tried and trued (aside from double click for turbo) with the Utorch UT01 and Manker E11 as a direct comparison. Although this way might sound more complicated written out with all its functionalities, I’ve watched my young child operate quite a few of my flashlights and this style is the easiest for him to use (on the Utorch UT01) for multi-mode lights. There’s no twisting, no double clicking, half presses (which is more difficult than you would think for many people), or holding the button. It’s just click once for on and keep clicking to make it brighter. The only thing my he doesn’t remember to do on the UT01 is to hold the button to turn OFF so he just leaves it on whatever mode and tosses it aside. :slight_smile: The SP10B will not have this issue since OFF is part of the mode cycle as far as I know.

Because of the new UI and compatibility with AA, NimH or 14500, I think it’s one of the most budget & gift friendly lights available.

Hum, probably the “OFF” is the option of turning it OFF after cycling some times through the regular modes, right?
Like this:
OFF > (single click) ON > (single click or hold to advance the modes) ML > L > M > ML > L > … >… > (press 0.3 secs) OFF

For me, this would make sense, as we can adjust the brightness mode wanted/needed, and only when wanted/needed we would turn it OFF.

Going OFF just from cycling 1 time from MoonLight to Medium doesn’t make much sense, I confess. That would cut the possibility to adjust the brightness mode needed/wanted, and it would probably imply making a more complex driver to have 2 ways to shut it OFF.

Having only a way to shut it OFF (press and hold 0.3 seconds), from any “regular” or “special” mode, seems to be the more doable and interesting option! But again, this is me :slight_smile: