Sofirn SP36, impressions of a sample

That’s how I count it too. The two blinks at the beginning make it look to me like it goes 3, 4, 5 instead of 1, 2, 3. So it’s easier for me if I add 2 to everything.

Hi. I received my new SP36 with Narsilm some days ago. My first impression was good but after that I realized that maybe I received a defective unit. The issued is with the surface finish of anodized aluminium body. There are defect and signs like from long usage and protrusion but that is brand new device. Also I talked with Sofirn support in Aliexpress and they told me it was normal and that is from screwing :person_facepalming: Can someone confirm if you have the same issues with SP36. Also there are also signs under the edge where the cap touch it.


That can happen.

I would not worry about it too much, as it comes probably from shipping.

It must have been a one-off mistake.

Finally got around to taking the driver out and flashing anduril to the SP36 (and my D4S - nice to have same UI on lights).

It was worth the effort. There were a few things bugging me with the stock UI.

  1. Setting moonlight to lowest level did not affect the bottom of the ramp, so had to do the click-hold to get that lowest level.
  2. Button was way too bright with no apparent way to change, other than turning it off.
  3. Keeping track of different UI's for different lights can be frustrating.

I used the "solder a handle onto the driver" method using a flattened piece of small diameter copper tubing and large iron. First attempt was a bit conservative and the handle pulled off. Second attempt with more surface area and heat did the trick - came out surprisingly easy this time. I think the extra heat helped as well.

I must say lightning mode is quite impressive with this light. ;)

Thanks for all the hard work put into the firmware and the ideas for driver removal!

1. That’s normal. The lowest moonlight can only be achieved that way, and it’s insanely low.

2. Yeah. Would love multiple small, less bright LEDs that could be shut off, rather than 2 “large” LEDs.

It seems like a lot of people have had issues with the SP36 and returned it, but most of the time I don’t really see why. Tiny flecks missing from the anodizing where it didn’t stick during production? Maybe I’m not as picky about things, but I find it a little weird to return an item because of a surface-level flaw so small it’s hard to see without looking closely.

Functional issues are definitely worth returning an item, like if it doesn’t work right or isn’t safe to operate. But superficial issues are less straightforward.

I’ve got the Sofirn SP36 “BLF Anduril” edition with Samsung LH351D LEDs.

The button brightness can be changed to Low-High-Blinking-Off by doing 7-clicks from Off.

(I’ve flashed Anduril to my BLF Q8 and Sofirn Q8, which also has the same behavior for the button LED — Low-High-Blinking-Off, when doing 7 clicks from Off)

This is exactly why I flashed anduril on it - this was not possible with the stock UI - the only options were bright and off… :slight_smile:
How do you like the LH351D’s?

I like the BLF SP36 so much, I may have to buy another. The LH351D’s are perfect for my eyesight. It hits the middle ground for me, not too warm and not ice blue. Keep in mind I’m color blind and it’s more about performance. I can still spot the difference when I put beams side by side, and I do find that I prefer the 5000k range.

I just got the driver out of mine and flashed the latest version of Anduril. I soldered a loop of 14ga wire to the contact ring and just pulled it out by hand, wasn’t even difficult honestly. After seeing the photos of the giant metal bar stuck through the loop to get it out I was worried I’d have trouble.

The driver snaps back into place very securely without having to glue it back in.

What was the size of copper strip?

About the size that you see in the picture above :wink:
Must have it around still somewhere, I guess 1mm thick, a cm or so wide, 10 cm long?

Thank you.

I’ts important the usb charging port?
I prefer charge battery away from flashlight.
Does water can enter?
I really would buy one without this type C port,like the BLF Q8

*No, just convenient
*Many people prefer that
*It has a silicon cover, but it is not as waterproof as it would be without port, would not submerge it too long.
*It does not come without USB C port

So charging multi cell on the flashlight it’s dangerous?

Did I say that?

A week went by, since I received my SP36 BLF and I’m really liking it so far. Here are some observations.
It starts to get hot SUPER FAST when on turbo, which I’m not a big fan of. The overall light quality(meaning beam, tint, CRI) is just great, very neutral and pleasing to the eye. Given that this flashlight is quite floody, I do sometimes have wished for it to have been a tad brighter, maybe a 1000lm more or so, for better throw, but that’s just me. The Anduril firmware is just fantastic, the instructions were a little intimidating at first with all those options, but after you get the hang of it, you realize how awesome it is.

All in all, I was never a big fan of these soda can style lights, but this BLF one with its compact size, nice LEDs and Anduril, persuaded me to give it a try and I have no regrets. :slight_smile: :beer:

Yeah.

Anduril is superb, the and the LH351Ds 5000k 90CRI are great LEDs.

Looks like there is a new variant - SP36S:

Sofirn SP36S “simple edition”, also with 4x LH351D LEDs, rating max 5200 lumens, ramping & group modes - possibly similar to the SP32A, or C8F, or C8G, or SP70 — these flashlights also have a ramping an dgroups mode)
(the Sofirn SP36 BLF Anduril edition also uses 4x LH351D LEDs, rating max 5650 lumens, uses Anduril firmware)

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33055962936.html
or
https://www.amazon.com/Powerful-Flashlight-Rechargeable-Brightest-Batteries/dp/B07TXDV1ND

probably a typo - “uses 1x 3000mAh 18650”

based on specs: it appears to have this improvement (if really correct) on the charging: it supports 5v/3A or 9v/2A charging
(IIRC, SP36 and SP36 ‘BLF Anduril’ has 5v/2A charging current only)