Sorry to hear that about your light But I guess that the frailties I mentioned above (driver’s constitution) seem to be more than just on my case!
Let me ask you: did you felt any “strange” smell from inside the flashlight after it stopped working with the 14500? It may be some damaged component.
Also, was it protected or unprotected 14500 cell?
My SP10A, after I “damaged” it, it only turns ON in 1 mode (don’t know which), and only with AA or Ni-MH cells. I click and hold the side switch and it turns ON.
With a 14500 cell, while I’m still screwing the tailcap, the light is already ON and can’t be turned OFF.
I assumed this was an issue derived from the damage it took, but seeing your report, it may be more than that, may be a faulty component on this batch.
Have you said anything to Sofirn? That situation is really weird…
No bad smell. My Keeppower 14500 cell is protected.
But today I finally unboxed my second SP10A (from the same order). She’s doing some tailstanding “burn-in” in high mode (NiMH cell) right now. Can get real hot to the touch after a few minutes on a fresh cell. Maybe hotter than my first SP10A (I really need to disassemble this one)
EDIT : the light has way better heat regulation when using 14500.
Thanks for your answer AgentSteel!
Hum, being a light that I’ll probably use with 14500 batteries, I guess that is a good new (for 14500 users, for sure)
The bad smell I asked about was because when I (un)soldered a component burnt, and I asked to check if yours could have had the same issue even without (un)soldering! Glad it didn’t
I’ll get a new driver for my SP10A to replace the damaged one and will get a SP10B in the recent version as well! I don’t mind the 0,3 seconds to turn it ON.
BTW, has anyone seem their 14500 batteries? 900mah, and seem protected. I would assume their are less than the 900mah, and maybe they are a rewrapped Sanyo 14500, for that capacity. I’ll probably include 2 of them in my next order.
After HKJ tests about their Ni-MH cells (those being sold in Sofirn Official Store), I believe the 14500s may be reliable!
It is, indeed And the higher output is really nice, and the tint it is really nice as well
On the SP10A (that I didn’t used much…) the blinkies seem to be well hidden but can’t confirm that so far. I have a driver for it on the way and when it arrives I’ll complete its review, and also add the SP10B that I also have on the way
11.11 festival made me do that :money_mouth_face:
I have the 3, but in my opinion there is not “much” to compare between them, they are very different lights, except in some details. Meanwhile I modded my SF10 so I don’t have the original setting, but I leave here my notes.
SF10 vs SF14 -
H-M-L-ML + Strobe vs L-M-H;
Higher output is almost the same;
The tint is the same (well, on the SF10 it has a slightly more pronounced tint shift);
The SF14 it has a narrower hotspot (the reflector is narrower than on SF10) and has a better throw
There is no “lag” when clicking to change modes on SF14;
The tailcap of the SF10 is more soft (on SF14 you have to press harder to click On/Off)
No PWM on the SF14, in any modes
SF14 is smaller, thinner and lighter than SF10.
My opinion is that SF14 is an excellent 3 mode light, with all that it has. For me, better than the SF10, better than the Lumintop Tool AA. I normally use it with 14500 battery, to get better output.
Hmm, I’m tempted, but I got pretty much all tail-clickies and only a few side-clickies, so one more tail-clicky seems redundant for now. Probably will be kicking myself if I miss the 20% off at the Sofirn site, but…
Hey, anyone know if Sofirn lights are second-sourced? Curious who’s Beamax, if they’re legit Sofirn lights. I noticed after I placed the order, wondering “Hmm? Who’s Beamax?”.
You can wait for the SP10A (or B) with renewed interface (fast click for On instead of 0.3 seconds) press!
K-wong made the review (complete, unlike mine :laughing: ) of the SP10A here: Review: Sofirn SP10A Best value AA/14500 for everyday carry? .
About Beamax, I noticed that store, and it seems to be like a “second” Sofirn store, maybe some authorized seller, although not official store
Current price for SP10B on AE is cheaper than buying from Amazon, even after that 10% discount that she offered, as long as you don’t mind waiting for the boat from China to arrive.
I had fun on this, I confess 
But I guess that the frailties I mentioned above (driver’s constitution) seem to be more than just on my case!
