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Updated Pics vs Microstream.
Both lights only the Microstream has the Soshine LiFePo4 10440 PF03 on High with an AAA
Moon vs one mode.
I recently received the ThorFire PF03 in consideration for my review. The light was provided directly from ThorFire, and came packaged in a nice brown box. The only additional item in the box was an extra O-ring and the instructions.
The PF03 is a single AAA light. I originally thought I would throw my hat into the ring for a review copy as I have a thing for single AAA lights. My original AAA light was the Streamlight Microstream, a good light on its own accord. When I opened the box and took out the PF03, it was a WOW moment. This light is small, shorter than most other single AAA lights I have handled. A little thicker than the new BLF 348 I had just received, but very light too. It felt better than the Microstream when I initially pulled it out of the box.
Construction is aluminum and the threads/machining are very well done. The switch is an exposed rubber button, and a reverse clicky. I had not researched this light prior to receiving the sample, so I was surprised to find three modes when I turned it on. The first is a moon mode, a true ~1lumen moon mode. So much lower than a normal low, I did not see it on until I turned it toward me. It is a look-into-it moon mode.
Moon
High
Mid
The next levels are High then Mid, in that order, Moon-Hi-Mid. The UI is nice and resets to Moon (no memory) so it should never blind you in the middle of the night. The best thing about the modes, no visible PWM. I am not a fan of visible PWM, and having bought a Thorfire KL03 a couple of months ago which had visible PWM, as well as seen the reviews of the PF01/02 stating bad visible PWM on the low modes, I expected it on the PF03. I did not find this on the PF03, as I could not detect visible PWM on either moon or mid, this is great, what every light should have.
Beam profile/color compared to BLF 348
Moon
High
Mid
Top profile on High
The emitter is a good cool white, not too blue at all, perhaps a “good” 1A. The light is billed as having the XP-G2 R5, so the bin is ok, but it would be nice to see how much better with a S4 2B bin XP-G2.
The light was so impressive to my wife, she claimed it…. I am now going to have to purchase one myself… She has free reign on picking from my collection and claimed this over a BLF 348 (nuts, right?) but liked the modes better. She has only laid claim to a C8 with an XPL-HI and one of my Xtar H2 headlamps, so she has a good “picker” in everything but men…
Her only complaint is the stiffness of the switch, I do not feel it is too stiff. Not a complaint, just what she said was the thing she would change if she could. I did not think it was too stiff and should break in fairly well.
Overall, a nice light for any single AAA advocates out there. I have been impressed with ThorFire quality so far, the KL03 being the only exception to this. I think that I will have to ask Neal about getting a code for this light….
Some comparison pics with my BLF 348 and Trustfire 01 clone triple. This light is small….
In conclusion, I would replace my Microstream with this light. The Streamlights are good lights, but for the same price this light gives you three modes and a smaller profile. While the clip doesn’t reverse for hat use, that would not be enough to dissuade me from this light over the Microstream.
UPDATE- Neal came through with a code. 35% off for the PF03
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NON Affiliated Link”:http://www.banggood.com/ThorFire-PF03-Cree-XP-G2-R5-110LM-AAA-Waterproof-Pen-LED-Flashlight-p-1014580.html
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