5k lumen lights: Sofirn BLF SP36 vs. Astrolux MF01 Mini

Both of these are now in the ~$50 range, and I’m wondering what people think of them. Both are USB-C rechargeable. Of particular interest for me, the Astrolux MF01 mini can use a single 26650 down to 18650 battery. The Sofirn SP36 uses three 18650 cells.

It seems like the Sofirn battery requirements are more complicated because it uses three cells? They recommend protected cells. Is it because when using three 18650’s, they aren’t using the cells independently, so they need to be well balanced? And when charging, it’s not charging the cells independent, so it can’t prevent over charging if the cells are not well balanced? Multi-18650 setups are kinda confusing and I’m concerned I don’t know how to use them safety.

The Astrolux can draw like 15A on turbo. So you just need a battery that’s capable of 15A continuous draw. With the Sofirn, are the 3 cells in parallel the turbo amp draw can be divided by three to figure out the max continuous current draw capability of the battery? I’m assuming the batteries are in parallel.

The cells that the SP36 normally comes with aren’t protected cells - the only crucial detail is that they have to be button-top cells.
I wonder if you saw that recommendation because protected cells are always button-top, since I haven’t heard much about the SP36 over-charging/discharging cells.

Both nice lights but I don’t think its fair to compare the two.

I have the BLF SP36, and the mini’s sister light, FireFly E07.
The MF01 mini is a fun OMG light, being a more pocket friendly wall of light flood, with TIR optics and cool aux lights.
The BLF SP36 with Anduril and high CRI Samsung LH351D, is a beer can light that is mid flood/mid throw compromise. There is also the BLF SP36 with Narsil, and the SP 36S, with a simple 4 mode UI.

The SP36 will run on a single 18650 if needed, can’t it? The 3 cells are run in parallel so the voltage remains the same whether you have 1, 2, or 3 cells, right?

I will choose Astrolux MF01 Mini Copper (XPL HI) its price is very good for only 45.06 $ (including shipping insurance)

Oh, I didn’t consider that. I didn’t see that mentioned in the reviews whether it can optionally run one 1, 2 or all 3 batteries. Maybe someone who has the SP36 can chime in.

Any of the soda-can lights that use cells in parallel can do this. The lights that can’t use cell carriers instead and some amount of series - I think a lot of the Astrolux lights are 2S2P, in which case you could use two or four cells (if you get the right two).

I checked a review for pics (this one, first Google result) and the SP36 uses 3P, so it will run on 1, 2, or 3 cells. You’ll probably lose top-end output and of course you’ll lose runtime on fewer than three cells, but there’s no reason it won’t work.

Unless you melt the spring. :laughing:

They look good, I like MINI and EDC flashlight, especially pen-light.

I've done beamshot comparisons of the SP36 with the MF01-Mini

(pardon the videos quality, sometimes the camera starts out de-focused (likely due to me starting the camera rolling with no light and the camera doesn't know what to focus), but will focus better after more light)

1) Left side: Sofirn SP36 BLF Anduril (4x Samsung LH351D 5000k) vs

Right side: Astrolux MF01-Mini (7x SST20 5000k)

2) Left: Astrolux MF01-Mini (7x XPL-Hi 5000k) vs

Right: Sofirn SP36 (4x XP-L2)

(note: this is a more special version of MF01-Mini that uses XPL-Hi instead of the regular SST20 LEDs; also the SP36 here uses different LEDs than the one in the video above)

That was really helpful, thank you. I think the MF01-Mini with the 5000k XPL-Hi that you used in the second video is the same one I’m looking to buy - copper head with aluminum body? To my eyes, the Samsung LH351D looked good for tint, but XPL-Hi 5000k looks really good too. On BangGood, the LED options for MF01 mini’s XPL HI are “1A” or “3B”. Is the 5000K XPL-HI you have equivalent to the “3B” option?

MF01 Mini

Yes, it’s called the XPL-Hi 5000k is the XPL-Hi “3B” tint.

On Mateminco’s website (AliExpress), you can purchase the MT07 all-aluminum (not copper+aluminum) with XPL-Hi 5000k option. (MT07 is the same flashlight as MF01-Mini). It’s a bit cheaper (due to not having a copper head) and also lighter in weight. Although depending on your area, it may be more difficult to order from AliExpress.

Banggood only has XPL-Hi on the MF01-Mini Cu+Al version, but XPL-Hi doesn’t appears as an option in the regular aluminum MF01-Mini.