I bought a Sofirn SC31 several months ago, and recently saw that they have introduced an updated model SC31B. I mainly use flashlights in my work and wouldn’t consider myself anything close to an expert, so I’ll leave the in depth technical reviews to the people who know what they are doing. During an email discussion with Sofirn about another flashlight, they asked if I would provide a comparison of the SC31 and SC31B so here goes:
SIMILARTIES: Both flashlights are the same size, and both have the same basic UI. Both have a high quality black anodization, and the on / off switch includes a “breathing” function. If you hold the switch down while the light is off a blue light built into the switch will slowly pulse from on to off and back on again. This function is why I bought the SC31, as I travel a few times a year and it makes it easy to find the light in a dark hotel room.
CONSTRUCTION DIFFERENCES: The only differences I could see are in the design of the head. The SC31 has a round head that could allow the light to roll if the clip isn’t attached. The SC31B has been updated with flat spots machined on the part of the head that contains the switch and charging port, thus preventing the light from rolling. The method of holding the switch into the head has also been changed. The SC31 has a square plate that holds the switch in, with this plate being held in place with four small screws. The SC31B has a more familiar threaded circular piece that is screwed into threads on the head.
LIGHT DIFFERENCES: Sofirn has added a fourth brightness level to the SC31B. The specs I found online for the three level SC31 are 10, 200, and 610 lumens. The SC31B levels are a little different at 10, 150, 400, and 1,000 lumens. I’m not familiar with the different LED’s, but the SC31B I received has a whiter (I believe it would be called “cooler”) light. The beam patterns look about the same when shined on the side of my house at night.
I realize this write up isn’t to the technical level usually seen in this forum, but thought it would be useful to someone who was looking for the basic differences in the two lights.
The comparison is very useful. I have the original model SC31 and I did not know what are the differences with the new version of SC31B. Interesting is another distribution of power levels and increase the maximum power to 1000 lumens. I modified my flashlight slightly. He replaced the tube and now I have a Sofirn SC31 mini flashlight for 18350 battery.
Have both as well.
The older SC31 has a much rosier tint compared to new SC31B.
But the new tint is nice bright white.
Non scientific Quick ceiling bounce test in the small Toiletron test space using both factory supplied batteries at 4.10 volts yields approx this;
Please keep in mind cooler tint is giving more bounce back so it is no real surprise that the SC31 readings are a little low.
That exactly mirrors my observations. In informal testing, the B has a cooler tint, a more ‘standard’ looking power button, and for lack of a better term, a Turbo mode at the end of the standard brightness levels.
I wished that the new version would have reserved the long press from off to the lowest mode instead of switch-breathing. The breathing function is much less important to me and could be activated by a triple-click or so.
Also, I like the construction of the switch plate with 4 small screws, pity that they abandoned that.
Also, I liked the lower max of the old version that is sustainable without any thermal regulation.
Conclusion for me is that the SC31B, with all Sofirn’s good intentions, is moving towards what any other tube-style 18650 light is doing. For me that is a downgrade.
The UI is just fine for the intended user … your mom
Considering that it comes with usb charging and bat this light is cheaper than a convoy s2+ Or clones once you add in those costs
And is more user friendly overall when you consider they dont need to take out the bat and plug it into the charger
If the reliability holds up as well as sofirns CS then its fair to say that this light would be yardstick against which all simple sub $20 dollars 18650 lights should be judged against
Not to mention there no big purple halo around the beam like my s2+
Just thought I’d add that the SC31B lumens tested on High are no greater than 760 840 at turn on and 720 815 at 30 seconds. This is the cool white version. The 4000K version would be even lower
Modes are Eco, Low, Med, High
Measurements taken a a PVC lumen tube calibrated with maukka lights. Battery used was a Samsung 30Q
Has a firmware bug currently where turning off on Medium switches back on High
Yet again another overrated flashlight from Sofirn. They used to be almost spot on when they first began.
EDIT: cleaned, re-calibrated my equipment and used a new 30Q for the new lumen measurements above.
Very few know it’s 700 lumens. It’s good to actually know what you’re buying so you know a genuinely rated light at 1000 lumens is a better upgrade in the future.
I’m trying to do my best fighting a marketplace filled with fake ratings. I’m probably one of the few store owners in the world that sell lights at their true rating.
The thread you linked to has my video actually showing the test of the step down and lumens lol so that must mean I own one. I also sell them.
I love the Sofirn lights, I sell almost every model but I’m still going to test and post the results.
I’ve heard about that issue on the Convoy’s yet I’ve built and sold over a hundred flashlights using that driver and haven’t seen it myself. Just like ToyKeeper says that it happens randomly on some but not all.