On its own the Thorfire S70s is a remarkable flashlight. Factor in the price ($59.00 when I purchased it) and the benefits to cost ratio explodes. I have quite a few flashlights, but only one that is in a similar category (to the Thorfire S70s). That other flashlight retails at a price that is slightly more than six times the price of the S70s, and it doesn’t have all the features that the S70s does.
Both flashlights have an excellent build quality, both are larger flashlights with the ability to put out a significant amount of light. The competitor’s flashlight puts out a maximum of 6,000 Lumens, while the S70s puts out a maximum of 3,960 Lumens – but in reality the difference, in output, isn’t really noticeable. What is noticeable is the big difference in the color of the light put out; the competitor’s light is noticeably cool, while the S70s puts out a beautiful, luxuriously warm light.
There are a lot of factors that come into play when choosing a flashlight; looks, style, build quality, warranty, etc… but it is the light put out (by the flashlight chosen) that matters most. The S70s puts out a magnificent beam of warm light; a wonderful mix of flood and throw that impresses me every single time I use the S70s. The hot-spot punches its way out to a maximum of 680 meters while the spill provides wonderful illumination over a broad area. This is the best of both worlds in my mind – long distance capabilities coupled with broad coverage.
In the Box
The S70s arrived in the expected brown cardboard packaging. The flashlight and included accessories were very well protected by thick foam that features cut-out areas to snugly hold the S70s and the included accessories.
S70s flashlight
Battery Tubes (for use with 18650 batteries)
Shoulder Strap
Spare Lens (glass)
Spare O-rings
Spare Switch covers
Tactical ring (for cigar grip)(I removed it, so it isn’t shown in my pictures)
Key-rings (for using the shoulder strap)
Owner’s manual
Batteries are NOT included. I purchased 26650 batteries for use with the S70s, but 18650 batteries can be used (with the included tubes).
The S70s
The build quality is excellent; on par with the major (well known) brands. The finish is of an equal quality; very well anodized with no defects and done in a black that is closer to gloss than it is flat. The battery tube features slight grooves that are cut in a thread pattern (like the threads on a screw) and give the user decent grip. The tube will hold 2 batteries (either 26650 or 18650).
The head features deep cooling fins with slight indentations cut out; providing decent ability to prevent rolling when placed on a surface that isn’t level. The orange-peel reflector is deep: close to 3 inches (on a flashlight that is roughly 10 inches in length). The bezel is smooth and removable (so you can replace the glass lens if it is broken) by hand. Inside the bezel are indentations for use with a tool (I think it is called a spanner wrench) if the bezel is too tight for hand removal.
The tail-cap has cut-outs for easy access to the tail-switch. On one of the “walls” there are two smaller holes for use with a lanyard (not included) or the key-ring (included) so the shoulder strap can be attached. The other attachment (for the shoulder strap) is located just in front of the side switch. I would prefer it elsewhere (on the head) if I used the should strap. Since I don’t, the location doesn’t bother me.
The tail-cap is removable (the rest of the flashlight looks as though it was milled out of one solid piece of aluminum). The threads are anodized, square cut, and nicely lubricated at the factory. The tail-cap screws on/off without a hint of obstruction. Inside the cap is a stout spring; with a similar stout spring located at the head.
It could be the batteries I purchased, but I do notice a slight bit of battery wobble (noise) when shaking the S70s somewhat vigorously.
Specs
Length – 9.875 inched
Head Diameter – 2.9375 inches
Weight - 1.3 lbs (excluding battery)
LED – Cree XHP70
Maximum Brightness – 3960 Lumens
Maximum Distance – 680 Meters
IPX-8 (waterproof to 2 meters)
Impact Resistant to 1 meter
Warranty – 2 years parts and labor. After 2 years, owner pays for parts.
User Interface & Modes
The S70s has two switches; the primary ON/OFF switch on the tail and a mode switch on the side (near the head). Press/release (full click) the tail switch to put the S70s into standby mode; the side switch will glow (green/good or orange/needs to be charged) to indicate battery status. I find the glowing side switch to be very useful for locating the side switch in darkness. It is very easy to find the tail switch (total darkness) and with the side switch lit, it is similarly easy to locate the side switch.
While in standby mode, the side switch is used to enter into the other modes. There are five regular modes and a strobe mode (hidden). The S70s does have mode memory for 4 of the regular modes (low, medium, high, turbo). The S70s also has thermal protection to prevent damage to the flashlight – it will step down (from turbo to high) after 5 minutes or so. The head will get fairly warm when using turbo mode for more than a few minutes, but I have not experienced it becoming uncomfortably warm.
Moonlight Mode – 1 Lumen and will run up to 480 hours (that is 20 days)
Low Mode - 65 Lumens and will run up to 72 hours (that is 3 full days of run time)
Medium Mode – 320 Lumens and will run up to 18 hours.
High Mode – 1800 Lumens and will run up to 3 hours and 45 minutes
Turbo Mode – 3960 Lumens and will run up to 55 minutes
Moonlight Mode is entered by pressing and holding the side switch (while the S70s is in standby mode) until the flashlight turns on. Press/release the side switch to turn light off (and go back into standby mode).
Low Mode is entered by pressing/releasing the side switch (while in standby mode). Press/hold the side switch to return to standby mode.
From Low mode, press/release the side switch to cycle through the modes: Low, Medium, High, Turbo, Low. Press/hold the side switch to go back into standby mode. Press/release the tail switch to shut flashlight off.
Mode memory works (Low mode through Turbo mode) even if the S70s is turned off (tail switch) – the next time the light is turned on, the flashlight will enter the last mode used (not moonlight or strobe).
Strobe is entered from the standby mode – double click the side switch to go into strobe mode. This works whether the flashlight is on or off – as long as it is in standby mode. (It doesn’t work when the flashlight is in moonlight mode) While in strobe mode, press/release the side switch to return to the previous mode used (including back to standby).
Beam
There’s a lot to really like about the S70s; for me the best thing about this flashlight is the spectacular beam. In high mode and turbo mode, it easily lights up the trees that are 251 meters away (see the included pictures). Medium mode makes it as well, but that’s a bit more difficult to discern (I can see it when the pictures are blown up on my computer).
That itself isn’t the whole story though, as the S70s also lights up a wide swath on either side of the center beam. And it does so with a pleasing warm light that makes distinguishing features (at a distance) much easier.
The S70s has a distinct hot-spot that gradually spreads into flood light; providing excellent throwing ability with excellent flood ability. I find this kind of beam to be superior to the narrow, tight throwing beams with very little spill – simply because the S70s does a superior job of illuminating a broad area while also covering a long distance.
Conclusions
With a build that easily rivals the major brands, the S70s would be a contender if the prices were equal. The prices aren’t equal though, as the S70s is a fraction of their prices (for a similar product). Add that advantage to the excellent beam, the warm light, and a warranty that is the equal of most competitors… and the Thorfire S70s is a clear winner.
The S70s is the perfect choice for night hunters, trappers, farmers, ranchers, and everyone else who needs a flashlight that can punch a huge hole in the darkness. It isn’t pocket-able, but it does come with a shoulder strap that makes it easy to carry – even if you’re walking long distances. It is fantastic for spotting raccoon up in a tree – using the outer edges of the beam to find eye reflections, and then the main beam to discern what kind of animal was spotted. Plus it’s a lot easier to carry than those old monsters I used to carry many years ago – and it’s probably 1,000 times brighter too (compared to the old 6 volt spotlights I used to hunt raccoon all those years ago).
The inclusion of a moonlight mode is a fantastic luxury; one that isn’t usually found on this type of flashlight. It’s surprising how often that mode is useful – and how well it works in complete darkness.
I think the S70s would make an excellent home use flashlight as well. It does tail-stand (fairly well) so it could be pressed into candle duty when the power goes out. On a full charge it will run up to 20 days in moonlight mode. It’s stout enough that it could be pressed into defensive use – should that need ever arise. And for those times when you need to investigate outside noises late at night – well, you can check out your yard, the neighbor’s yard, and a few beyond that too.