Sofirn SD03 diving light, first thoughts

I don’t know of the validity of the video, but it was threaded that the pink may be a ‘neon’ colored marker cap (which btw are Crayola).

Have you been able to access the driver? I wonder how versatile the control ring is. I can’t imagine smooth ramping would be possible, maybe step ramping.

I have not looked at the driver yet, the light (with led-swap to Samsung LH351D 4000K 90CRI) is currently lended out to a colleague who will take it out diving one of these days and will give me his thoughts (nothing deep but it will give an impression).

Smooth ramping will require different components on the driver and may be more difficult/expensive to implement.

I was looking at the SD02, thanks to a heads up from LightBringer. But then I spotted the SD03 and came over here for the review. Spec wise the two flashlights don’t seem too far off in terms of temperature and throw. The SD03 ring control seems to be a more sensible design than the switch on the SD02, because you don’t have to rotate the body to find the switch.

Driver accessible? Any news on this? I’m very curious.

I gave my SD03 to a collegue who is a diver to check it out underwater and he was happy with it and he asked to keep it. So I do not have it anymore to check the driver :frowning:

I guess I’ll just have to buy one, then.
For $15.93, worth satisfying my curiosity.

P.S. — on reading the product description, does anyone know what “military level 3 stereoplasm anodic oxidation” refers to?

The extra double space in that string is correctly quoted; might be a missing comma or semicolon between two different items, or might be the whole string refers to a single 
. something.

There’s a separate line describing the black coating on the aluminum:
“Premium Military Spcⅱhard-anodized anti-abrasive finish and better heat exchange”

Meanwhile, what really captivates me is the UI:

PS: has anyone plans to review the SD05
It’s a 21700 light.

I avoid Sofirn’s dive lights as they have the annoying 3 minute step down to a ridiculously low Med setting. There’s not much use of it diving. You need a steady high output to illuminate your surroundings underwater

I just got an SD03 in today’s mail.

Bought it because (a) affordable, and (b) my first light with a magnetic control ring

Decent yellow spot, some flood around that, and a blue ring at the extreme outside edge of the illuminated area.

Looking from behind the light, turning the ring counterclockwise from Off it’s Low, Med, High, and off again.
Clockwise from off is High, Med, Low and back to Off.

Feels solid, like a potato masher grenade.

I don’t get a stepdown at three minutes (I was patient up to about five minute mark).
Maybe it’s a temperature rather than a time based change? it could just be I’m in a rather cold house 
.

@ hank:

Originally had my sight on the SD03 as it didn’t seem to have the timed step-down. Sofirn informed me of unavailability and offered the SD05 with discount.
The SD05 has timed throttling - quite stupid given it’s a watercooled light and in ambient air has thermal control.

Here are my results (using a phone’s light meter and my standard* for conversion);

First 3 minutes 316 lux -> 1150 lumens (steady output)-
at 3 1/2 mark 286 lux -> 1050 lm-
at 4 minutes 246 lux -> 900 lm-

Edited (⌃had not fully charged the battery⌃):

at start - 772 lux -> 2830 lumens
at 1 min - 765 lux -> 2800 lm
at 2 min - 684 lux -> 2500 lm
at 3 min - 542 lux -> 2000 lm
at 4 min - 318 lux -> 1150 lm
at 5 min - 264 lux -> 950 lm

Temps in the 40Âș to 44ÂșC. I was curious so I fetched it from the car, which is –10ÂșC (~25ÂșF). I added an open celled neoprene glove around the shank, too cold to handle bare hand.

  • Don’t have a Mauka calibrated light but a RayoVac alkaline stated 382 Lumen unit. Been my standard for some time as gives ballpark values.

But the ring switch is very practical - no fumbling about to turn on.

Since then, I purchased a Wurkkos WK20S (identical construction to the SD02) albeit an XHP35 HD emitter (the Sofirn’s using XPL - both at 5500ÂșK). The switch is soft and very enjoyable. The throw with spill is quite good.

Never took them apart, notoriously glued - using as is out of the box.

>unavailability

Eh? It’s still for sale:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Sofirn-SD03-Scuba-Diving-Flashlight-18650-Dive-Light-Torch-Underwater-Powerful-Cree-XM-L2-LED-Flashlight/32825380664.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.29454c4d9Voxy4

@ Hank:

Unavailable when I initially ordered some 5 months ago (Aug. 8th ’19). Came back in stock after a week but as I said, Sofirn made a good discount for the SD05

I have to confess, I like the 03 shape and simplicity.

If I get a few more of these, they could become my favored lending-out flashlight. Hard to lose, easy to recognize.

Tested the output at 30 seconds and Sofirn got it pretty accurate this time.

Low - 78
Med - 348
High - 832

The SD03 just went on sale (closing out old stock?) at Ali

$12.04 plus $1.16 shipping (which I guarantee will be slow, as I’ve had orders stuck somewhere between China and California for a long, long time)

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32825380664.html?mp=1

PS. it appears they don’t combine shipping if you order more than one. They do pop up what claims to be a discount coupon if you buy.
I couldn’t make that coupon thing work at all (Firefox). But if you want several, you might try buying one, and see if you get a $2 coupon “for your next order”

Better be quick as I’m grabbing 50 out of 60 left

The first 4 shipping options Ali offers for NL are free. Remember, you don’t have to be a diver to buy this light. I think these are great outdoor “all weather” lights. Something I would not say about a flimsy “tactical” zoomie. And the size and weight of this thing should be quite reassuring when walking the dog at night.