Sofirn SP33 26650 e-switch flashlight

[JasonWW]

@Tom E

I ordered an SP33 on Nov 16th from the Sofirn Ali store and still haven’t received it. Sofirn says it was re-shipped (again) on Jan 6th, but tracking history starts on  Jan 17th and sent to the US on Jan 18th — oh boy. Had lots of problems with the Sofirn Ali store, but orders from other Ali stores came through fine in reasonable time. I have another order from Dec 15th from the Ali Sofirn store - tracking doesn’t work, no reply yet from Sofirn… Ugh

Why is the Sofirn Ali store the only place to buy this light? Weird…

Edit: Did’t realize the reviewed light in the OP is an XPL. So it’s the 3rd generation, XPL > XHP50> XHP50.2, if I understand this right.

Your just having bad luck with the Sofirn Ali store. You also ordered during the busiest season in China, which might also explain things.

They never offered it with a xhp50. I think they took some pictures of it, but it never got sold. I’ve not heard of a single person to get a xhp50 version.

[teacher]

Looks like you lost the shipping lottery this time Tom.

I ordered (2 x SP33, SP10V2.0, & SP31V2.0) on 2018-11-23 and that package arrived 2018-12-19.

Got it pretty quick once it hit the USA.

At one time or another I have had shipping delays with any AliExpress I have ever ordered from. But sooner or later I always received what I ordered.

………

2018-12-19 13:29

【GADSDEN,35903】Delivered, Front Door/Porch

………………

2018-12-19 09:54

【GADSDEN,35903】Out for Delivery

………………

2018-12-19 09:20

【GADSDEN,35903】Arrived at Unit

………………

2018-12-18 16:17

【BIRMINGHAM AL DISTRIBUTION CENTER ANNEX】Arrived at USPS Regional Destination Facility

………………

2018-12-17 00:00

In Transit to Next Facility

………………

2018-12-16 13:24

【OPA LOCKA FL DISTRIBUTION CENTER】Departed USPS Regional Facility

………………

2018-12-15 18:29

【OPA LOCKA FL DISTRIBUTION CENTER】Arrived at USPS Regional Facility

………………

2018-12-15 05:39

Inbound Out of Customs

………………

2018-12-13 13:16

【*ISC MIAMI FL (USPS)*】Processed Through Facility

………………

2018-12-01 05:15

【CHINA,GUANGZHOU EMS】Processed Through Facility

………………

US
Destination Country
2018-11-30 18:44

【CHINA】*Acceptance*

………………

Order Date:2018-11-23 09:20

………………

[Tom_E]

Say what you may about the season, etc., but I've made and received several orders in this time frame from China including Sofirn orders, delayed from usual times, but no major issues. The other order from Sofirn uses an unknown tracking # from every known shipping service, goin on 5 weeks now, no response from Sofirn for 10 days after saying they'd check into it and get back to me.

For example, ordered a B158 for $25 from an Ali store on Jan 9th, rcv'd it Jan 18th. Clearly there's some major differences in shipping services. Look at this Ali store's listings:

https://fireinthehand.aliexpress.com/store/group/Flashlights-Torches

Amazing that there's lots of junk, and they can ship a $25 light in 9 days. Why they have a quality light like the B158, no idea, but it's a decent price, and it arrive and looks fully legit, mint condition. The lens is actually super clear - like the best I've seen in a zoomie.

[Petr_J]

Smooth reflector for Sofirn SP33 version XHP50.2.

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Reflector-for-sofirn-SP33-smooth-reflector/2933049_32969061222.html

[JasonWW]

@Petr J.

Smooth reflector for Sofirn SP33 version XHP50.2.

Page Not Found - Aliexpress.com

This doesn’t make any sense. The stock reflector is already practically an SMO.

What we need is a reflector with a bit more OP to help blend in the yellow corona of the 50.2. This I would buy.

[timbo114]

@JasonWW

What we need is a reflector with a bit more OP to help blend in the yellow corona of the 50.2. This I would buy.

You could try stippling the original reflector.
Remove the reflector, get some clear spray paint …
hold it about 12-15” above the reflector and spritz a quick shot.
Let the paint rain down on the reflector in a mist.
It creates a stippling effect ala orange peel.
Each spritz will add more OP finish, so start slow and add to your liking.
I’ve done this more than a few times and it works perfectly.

• I realize my post count makes me look like a noob, but I promise you I spent many years learning and sharing over at CPF.

[JasonWW]

@timbo114

@JasonWW

What we need is a reflector with a bit more OP to help blend in the yellow corona of the 50.2. This I would buy.

You could try stippling the original reflector.
Remove the reflector, get some clear spray paint …
hold it about 12-15” above the reflector and spritz a quick shot.
Let the paint rain down on the reflector in a mist.
It creates a stippling effect ala orange peel.
Each spritz will add more OP finish, so start slow and add to your liking.
I’ve done this more than a few times and it works perfectly.

• I realize my post count makes me look like a noob, but I promise you I spent many years learning and sharing over at CPF.

I remember Old Lumens doing this. Once done, I don’t think you can go back to stock. This is why I’d rather buy a reflector with a heavier OP.

[teacher]

@JasonWW

@timbo114

@JasonWW

What we need is a reflector with a bit more OP to help blend in the yellow corona of the 50.2. This I would buy.

You could try stippling the original reflector.
Remove the reflector, get some clear spray paint …
hold it about 12-15” above the reflector and spritz a quick shot.
Let the paint rain down on the reflector in a mist.
It creates a stippling effect ala orange peel.
Each spritz will add more OP finish, so start slow and add to your liking.
I’ve done this more than a few times and it works perfectly.

• I realize my post count makes me look like a noob, but I promise you I spent many years learning and sharing over at CPF.

I remember Old Lumens doing this. Once done, I don’t think you can go back to stock. This is why I’d rather buy a reflector with a heavier OP.

Buy a smooth & try it on that one. If it doesn’t work out you still have the stock reflector.

[JasonWW]

@teacher

Buy a smooth & try it on that one. If it doesn’t work out you still have the stock reflector.

Hmmm, not a bad idea. :+1:

[teacher]

@JasonWW

@teacher

Buy a smooth & try it on that one. If it doesn’t work out you still have the stock reflector.

Hmmm, not a bad idea. :+1:

Thanks, I have one occasionally. Even a ’blind hog’ finds an acorn now & then.

Keep us posted if you do it please. :+1:

[DB_Custom (Dale)]

Or slice and dice the 50.2 to optimize it for a smooth reflector…

[JasonWW]

@DB Custom

Or slice and dice the 50.2 to optimize it for a smooth reflector…

Already did and didn’t like it.

@JasonWW

Just an update, I swapped a new domed 50.2 back in my light after one day of the sliced dome. I didn’t like it. My entire spill light was yellow. It made things look wierd. The stock domed emitter is not the prettiest (meaning all 50.2 and 70.2 leds), but it seems a better compromise.

I’m thinking Sofirn should do a real OP reflector instead of this very light, almost SMO reflector that is stock. Then it would mix the yellow corona with the white hotspot and get a nicer looking beam. You loose throw, but it should look nicer. I consider this a short range, walking around type of light anyway.

Short Review of Sofirn SP33 v2 with XHP50.2

Curiosity got the better of me, so I sliced and diced the stock emitter. Measurements before: 20.5Kcd, 286 meters (a bit higher than my previous measurement of 18.5Kcd) and 2,200 lumen at about 20 seconds. Measurements after: 27.5Kcd, 331 meters and 2,030 lumen at about 20 seconds. The tint definitely shifted. Stock the SP33 v2 was definitely cooler in temp compared to the C8F 21700. Now they have flip flopped. The C8F is definitely cooler in temp. The SP33 hot spot used to be slightly bigg…

[DB_Custom (Dale)]

You sliced it, but you didn’t dice it. Important step. By removing the extra phosphor that sits on the substrate and surrounds the die you lose all that yellow peripheral light.

Zozz did a neat photo documentary on doing this with an 70.2 emitter

[teacher]

@DB Custom

You sliced it, but you didn’t dice it. Important step. By removing the extra phosphor that sits on the substrate and surrounds the die you lose all that yellow peripheral light.

Zozz did a neat photo documentary on doing this with an 70.2 emitter

Here is the PHOTO DOCUMENTARY ZozzV6 did about XHP70.2 dedoming. “Slicing & Dicing”.

[DB_Custom (Dale)]

Uh, yeah, kinda forgot to mention that clicking on that photo takes you to Zozz’s thread… my bad…

[teacher]

That’s cool… I did not realize that when I posted the link.

[DB_Custom (Dale)]

I meant to come back in and declare it, got sidetracked. (happens so easily to a feeble mind…)

[teacher]

I understand & can relate.

[JasonWW]

@DB Custom

You sliced it, but you didn’t dice it.

I don’t really see how mine is different from this link. Did I not cut close enough to the edge of the die?

Here’s Zozz’s pic.

Here’s mine.

Maybe I’m not doing an important step? I’m not sure.

[teacher]

Hmmm…. The only differences I see are.

• His slice looks a bit smoother than yours
• His slice ’appears’ to be a tiny bit deeper than yours
• A couple of your sides could possibly be ‘diced’ a tiny bit more

But, these observations are just made from zoomed in pictures…… so who knows.