ThorFire PF03 a Streamlight Microstream killer? Now with a code for BLF discount.

Code at bottom of OP

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

NON Affiliated Link”:http://www.banggood.com/ThorFire-PF03-Cree-XP-G2-R5-110LM-AAA-Waterproof-Pen-LED-Flashlight-p-1014580.html

Code: af4ec3

Nice review but some pics I can’t view

Looks like a nice light! Sounds like a perfect penlight.

Great review. I’ve got the 2xAAA version of this light, the PF04. Sounds exactly like your light, only longer of course, right down to the kinda-stiff switch. Really nice little penlights. I might have to pick this version up as well.

Great review, thanks! I’m a big sucker for 1xAAA clicky lights. I use the microstream every day so its good to hear this is an alternative. Couple of questions:

1. Do you know if it will accept a 10440?
2. Hows the tension of the pocket clip? (i’ve lost many a small flashlight clipped to my pocket with weak clips)
3. Any idea where I can buy one?

Thanks for the review.

I’m not the OP so I can’t speak definitively on pts 1, 2, but I’d expect they use the same head on this light as the PF04, which is a 2xAAA light, so as to question 1, 10440 would probably be fine. That’s just a guess though.

I can definitely help with 3 though - Thorfire sells direct through Amazon. PF03 is here: http://amzn.com/B017B58N1Y

1- The book says no 3-3.7V batteries, it is plenty bright on a single AAA though. Brighter on high than the Microstream on a LiFePo4 10440… I have not tested it, I would not want to break my wife’s new light… :wink:

2- The clip is surprisingly good. The groove for it makes it stable, the tension is good enough for a shirt pocket with no problem. It seems stout enough for a jeans pocket as well. Better than the Microstream for pants pocket duty…

3- I contacted Neal about Banggood listing the light, and a code for it, I will post it if it comes through. Right now it is just Amazon carrying it.

Neal is fast already on stock :wink:

Looks appealing. I like the true sub-lumen moon mode. The clip does seem a little cheap and chincy from the images, however… I’d worry that the entire clip would pop off of the body of the light.

Is the lens glass or plastic? Any way to disassemble the head? Is the tailcap switch boot replaceable? Any actual lumens numbers calculated?

The clip is sturdier than it appears, and I thought the same initially. It is tight enough that I could not pull it off easily. The nice thing about the deep groove is it does provide an anchor point if you wanted to tie a lanyard or something on the light. Or an O-ring to hold a deep carry clip like below.

EDIT Updated OP with a code for 35% off… ~$12 for a great little light.

Looks like a nice light but the non reversible pocket clip kills it for me. I tend to use my aaa lights for ball cap duty.

nice review. can you guestimate runtime of low and high mode? thank you

No, the book states times of 240 hours on low, 3.5 hours on mid and 55 minutes on high. I will do runtimes on it when I get the one in I ordered. The confiscated one i got for review is off limits… Lol

Updated some pics vs the Microstream.