I bought a Sofirn SF14 flashlight and went to measure its NiMH runtime at High. It was a bit strange that nobody did it before (usually I check my results with others), now I understand why…
According to the specs I was expecting 230lumens for 1h 30min at High. Instead I got this
WTF? I re-read the manual and noticed the “Due to the protective setup, … “ line
OK. Then let’s measure the first 3 min period. Here it is
The beam starts above 200 lumen, then within the first 60 seconds drops to 82 lumens, then at 200 sec to 28 lumens (Medium) and stays there until you bring it back to High again.
I managed to bring it back to High 18 times before the battery (standard eneloop) ran out.
According to my measurements Sofirn SF14 can peak 230lum, but won’t stay there for more than a second. It can switch to High 18 times for an “accumulated” 65 minutes averaging 100lumens.
Suddenly Sofirn SF14 does not look as good as the specs would suggest…
Cheers,
AA Cycler
Cycle count tests of AA batteries - http://aacycler.com
No suprises, cheap flashlights(low quality drivers) usually behave like this…
If you want good (flat regulated) runtimes, you have to pay a bit more…
Thanks for your tests AA Cycler!!
I have and like a lot the SF14 (recently modded it), but never run a test on it!
But this is very useful and I guess that you should let Sofirn know about it for a correct advertisement and driver improvement, if that is the case!
Very useful information
REVIEWS : Amutorch S3 / AM S3 vs Neal 219c / Amutorch AM30 / Nitefox UT20 / Sofirn SF14 & SP10A / Sofirn SP32A / Sofirn SP10B / Odepro KL52 / Acebeam H20 / SS AAA / Wuben TO10R / BlitzWolf BW-ET1 / Odepro B018 / DQG Slim Ti / XTAR PB2 Charger / Nitefox ES10K / Nitefox K3 / Amutorch AX1 / Amutorch VG10 / Olight M2R Warrior
Mods and tricks: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 Convoy S2+ TIR Lenses: XML2 / XPL-HI Others: Convoy S2+ Mini (Biscotti 3 & 1*7135) Sofirn K6 Discussion: 1 / 2 / 3 Triple TIR & XP-G2 MY GIVEAWAY (FW3A) = ACTIVE
DB Custom said: "Hide your billfold, cut up your credit cards... you're a perfect candidate for full blown flashaholism and will soon need dedicated flashlight cabinets. [...] Have fun! Modding is next... :P"
Well dangit I just ordered one of these for my mom. Then again she will be happy as long as it’s small and turns on for a few minutes when the button is pushed.
Very nice tests and graphs AA Cycler!
Super well done and useful.
Ops wish I had seen this before purchasing it!
A gift it is then.
FYI, some of the advertized SP10B runtimes are heavily exaggerated as well:
http://budgetlightforum.com/comment/1269389#comment-1269389
Your expectations are understandable, but that is not how Lumen specs work
not correct
all flashlights drop from maximum very quickly, within seconds. That is even true for the D4.
the key weasel clause in the Ansi Lumens runtime measurement is, “runtime until the lumens drop to 10% of initial output”
there you have it
expecting 230lumens for 1h 30min is not how lumen specs work
that spec means that there was a moment when the light was making 230 lumens, but the runtime ended when the light dropped to 23 lumens
there is NO flashlight, anywhere, that can maintain its maximum initial lumens for the entire stated Ansi runtime
this is a common consumer misunderstanding, caused by the way the Ansi lumens runtime spec is calculated. You really need to see a runtime curve to know what is actually happening.
Ran into this extreme down-regulating when I did a runtime graph on my Coast Polysteel 600, advertised at 710 lumens on high. I knew it would throttle down, but didn't expect that much.
good example
I dont buy lights for their High Mode
I focus on their medium mode because it CAN be maintained in flat regulation for the stated runtime
An AA battery simply does not have enough power to produce a steady 230 lumens, but it can certainly do several hours at 30 lumens
If you need multi hour runtime at more than 100 lumens, you need more battery capacity than AA
An 18650 light, rated for 1000 lumen maximum, cannot maintain 1000 lumens either, but it can maintain 500 lumens for an hour
http://budgetlightforum.com/node/45540
When buying a flashlight, looking at runtime charts can be very helpful in determining the actual lumen levels a light can maintain for a desired number of hours.
Flat regulated output, is not the same as Ansi runtime specs at all, its good to learn the difference, and check runtime charts before buying a light based on expectations of maximum brightness runtime
newbies make this mistake all the time
they post things like
“my flashlight is defective, it wont hold turbo for more than a second but the box says it should last 72 minutes”
then someone has to explain the 10% Ansi lumen levels rule
certainly the advertising is misleading
runtime charts are the solution to this misinformation and misunderstanding
A low-ish medium mode is what I’m seeking out for a good travel headlamp. I hate lights that have “medium” modes around 80-100 lumens which is way too high and kills runtime. Give me a nice 20-30 lumens or so that I can easily tap into and know that I can get 8-9 hours out of.
here are some runtime options with 3 different battery types
aaa 4 hours 20 lumens, Lumintop Tool w Nichia (pocket clip works on a hat)
16340 Olight S1 Mini High Cri 50 lumens 6 hours (pocket clip works on a hat)
AA 21 hours 30 lumens, Zebra H53w
You have several SOFIRN torches, and I have a few of its torches to satisfy my usual needs. I'm really surprised to see your test data, thank you for sharing.
Thanks for this. The zebralight really does seem great, but the price is an ouchie. Also not a fan of how many damn modes they have! BTW any reason you recommended the H53w instead of the H53c?
The Zebralight SC52 and SC5 have been doing all that for years. It’s certainly possible, but you need to have a decent driver.
I dont own any zebras, but I hear many people cant tolerate the green tint of the C models, and that they prefer the Tint of the low cri of the W
I was just giving an example of a light with the ~30 lum mode and 8 hour runtime you wanted
afaik, the Zebra remembers 3 main modes, the others are selectable to suit your personal taste for extra modes, but you dont have to go through them all to make the light useful.
sounds good, maybe you can post a runtime chart showing flat regulated output @ ~200 lumens, so we can see the multi hour runtime
Interesting co-inky the subject of runtime graphs for single AA Zebralights has come up. Ran several runtime graphs on my SC53Fc last month. Was going to post these on CPF before things there went south. FYI, this floody version was a Zebralight custom build when I ordered it, but now it's on their regular list.
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Three different batteries were used:
(1) Energizer Lithium
(2) Panasonic Eneloop Pro
(3) Energizer Max alkaline
Make your own conclusions on how well regulated this model of Zebralight is.
This first graph is with an Energizer Ultimate Lithium. You get about an hour before brightness drops to 70% (or about 200 lumens). I can't explain the wonky rise in brightness during the first 35min. Anyone have thoughts on why there's a rise in brightness that didn't occur on the Eneloop or alkaline battery?
,
The wonky rise in brightness above made me repeat the test again, to see if it was duplicable with another lithium. It was.
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Panasonic Eneloop Pro. Here again, we get close to 200+ lumens for about an hour, assuming the Zebralight spec of 285 lumens is valid.
,
Finally, an Energizer Max alkaline. Even though ANSI FL-1 is only 30min, the bunny kept running for 5 days, a testament to how well the Zebralight can run at moonlight levels down to about .8V. Also, I suspect the alkaline's ability to recover at very low current draws, contributed to the 5-day runtime.
Yes, you definitely need to use an Eneloop to make the Zebralight give a regulated output. I think those SC53Fd graphs match what the SC52’s deliver, though I think the cool-white and neutral white “w” versions are more efficient than the Fd.
From my testing, the SC5w is better regulated than the SC52/SC52w, and also about 10-15% more efficient. I’m not sure if efficiency was improved with the latest MkII models of the SC5.
I think if output and runtime are your main concerns for a 1xAA light, then I don’t think you can beat the Zebralight SC5.
Very informative video, thank you!
Now I know ANSI FL1 Standard is pointless, because it can be so easily manipulated.
I will use my way of calculating runtimes – sampling every minute and waiting for the output to drop below 50% of the so-far averaged output.
This way Sofirn SF14 does 131 lumens for 3 minutes at High, and 27 lumens for 8h36min at Medium.
There actually are and it allows me to categorize manufacturers into two groups (based on the NiMH flashlights I tested so far and runtime graphs posted in this thread)
Cycle count tests of AA batteries - http://aacycler.com
I like to further categorize cheating into two categories:
1. Those that simply sag because of a drop in voltage under load. That is, they don’t have regulated drivers.
2. Those that intentionally abuse the FL-1 standard so they can advertise ridiculous output and runtime stats. Companies like maglite do that; they step-down not just because of an unregulated driver, but down to just over 10% initial output so it runs for a really long time.
I don’t really have an issue with #1. Any lithium-ion light that uses a FET driver for max output, does it. #2 annoys me.
well done!:-)
My Armytek Viking 2.5 has constant brightness for the run time. There are many others. Before FL-1 nonsense.
Thing about constant brightness , usually means sudden darkness.
Yep, my Polysteel 600 is the worst example I own of extreme down-regulating:
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Don't have that many Maglites, but that's a pretty close observation on one I do have (ML50LX);
yes, and no, Full stabilization does not work on all battery types, neither does STEP mode
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?366051
“FULL regulation is as you’d expect – perfectly flat regulation for as long as the battery can handle it, then an immediate drop to off (although in this case to an ultra-low output state, rather than off)”
“Current stabilization types are entirely changeable through the user menu: full stabilization (FULL), simple semi-stabilization (SEMI), stepped stabilization (STEP)”
It is always a good idea to check Runtime Charts, monitor Battery voltage, and have a spare battery.
Your getting closer to the Truth.
Full stabilization works for all battery types on the Viking Pro 2.5
Every step down on primary cells after the 1st step down is just a bonus.
All except the orange line:-)
Everything after the 1st step down, is a bonus.
The orange line is showing FULL Stabilization on primary cells for about 33 minutes. Then it is tailing off the remaining power from the cells. There is no need to protect primary cells. Every step give you little more light. I like it better then sudden darkness or a moonlight.
I think you’re right. It’s still quite a bit of energy left in the cells after regulation cuts out, but I like that it does that. I have an Armytek light, and I find the “extreme regulation” a bit annoying: it goes from full output to the lowest firefly mode, all of a sudden. I much prefer some step-downs in between, like that orange line is giving.
Is it full regulation on those primary cells? Well, yes, you get it for a half-hour. The cells must not be able to deliver the power necessary after that, which is fine. IMO, that’s still full regulation, since the light is doing the best it can with the power the cells can provide.
LOL, Why you only quote part of what I type? It has been explained to you.
You said this in post 8
“all flashlights drop from maximum very quickly, within seconds. That is even true for the D4.”
You have been given examples proving your statement is FALSE.
You quote my statement “The thing about constant brightness, usually means sudden darkness.”
Usually. Look it up.
I won’t even try to explain what is happening on the STEP regulation. Hint. It Works.
Thank you.
On unprotected 1865o I can restart the light for a few more minutes run. Or go to a lower level for longer. Last night went from 100% till shut down, then restarted it at 25% and got another 20ish minutes.
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