New Sofirn SP33 V3 !!

Yeah Jason I’d have thought the same. But the white plastic gasket has two levels of raised circles so guess it’s made to adapt to either size XHP. And the square base of emitter itself is flat and flush with the star, only its round dome is significantly three dimensional. White plastic shell encapsulating the lens comes to the same height of the reflector minus the latter’s inner ridge that helps seat the silicone O-ring, which simply sits on top of the lens’ shell without that ridge, it all fits perfectly inside the lamp head itself so no worries. (Interestingly the aluminum reflector seems to have the same size hole at its base as the naked lens.) Anyway once dropped in and rotated under pressure until it clicks into place that lens will stay centered. Still needs the cover glass though to hold it down, but that’s just one more opportunity to apply some d-c-fix. :slight_smile:

Just as a heads up if you are interested in using 21700 cells in this SP33v3 or another compatible light the highly regarded Molicell 4200mAh P42A is the deal of the day at 18650batterystore dot com.They are being offered at $4.99 ea until Feb 4th

Does the SP33v3 take 21700 cells?

I tried a Brinyte 21700 cell and couldn’t close the cap. I was afraid I would damage the springs. Maybe that cell is extra long at 75-76mm since it is a protected cell with a built-in charger.

I checked the specifications for the SP33v3 and it states only 26650 and 18650. I thought it would also support 21700 since it seems nearly identical to the Astrolux EC01, and that one states support for 21700 or 18650 (but not 26650?). I do wonder what the differences are if any.

Takes unprotected cells only.

The Molicell I referenced is an unprotected flat top cell.

The SP33v3 user guide recommends the use of unprotected 26650 and 21700 while stating 18650 as not recommended.

The 21700 cells have a lot of wiggle room without a sleeve to hold them.

Without a device to measure lumens I observe by eye greater brightness shown on a wall in total darkness 5 feet away with my Sp33v3 and a fully charged Molicell 21700 over the SP33v3 with a with a fully charged ShockLI 26650 5500mAh.This is on the turbo setting.

As with some other lights the cell used matters.YMMV

Good point. I just confirmed this in the manual too.

I had previously done a quick check on the aliexpress listing which states: “Battery Options: One 18650 Li-ion battery or single 26650 battery” Interesting that they sell with 18650 despite not recommending it.

You can post links here. We like links to flashlight stuff :smiley:
1865batterystore.com

I think it will fit flat top 21700 just barely. I can fit 21700 cells in my v2 model, but the springs get fully compressed.

Protected 21700 is way too long. No way those will fit.

I had no problem putting the unprotected Molicell flat top 21700 in the SP33v3 and putting on the tail cap.Granted that it's a bit harder to start the threading than with a 26650.I see no dents or marks on either end of the cell after being in the light for several days.The springs recover when the 21700 is removed..

I'd like to see lumen measurements done using various high drain cells in this light.

Which ones can reach the Sofirn claimed 3500lm or exceed it?

I don't think the ShockLi 26650 5500mAh can do it but a 21700 has the potential.

What amp battery would I need to use to give the max output/light on Turbo ?

Probably any cell capable of doing 20A+ continuous. Such as:
Golisi 4300 Gold
Samsung 30T
Samsung 40T
Molicel P42A

You are drag racing someone I assume? Otherwise you don’t really need such an extreme battery.

A balance of good capacity and high current IMO would be the ShockLi 26650 5500mAh.

My discharge capacity tests show this cell in the 6000mAh range and having a 20A max continuous discharge rating.

For best turbo lumens the Golisi 26650 4300mAh and the high current 21700 from Samsung and Molicell will probably test as best turbo brightness with fully charged cellls.

The Golisi Gold 26650 may be harder to find and get shipped to many locations.

Thanks for the battery information.

Just as a side note for anyone interested,the 2 Molicell 21700 P42A I have had a discharge capacity of 4294mAH and 4291mAh.

The tests began with both cells fully charged and measuring at 4.19V.The tests ended with the cells measuring 2.62V.

Both cells are new and only fully charged twice including the charging done before the capacity testing.

Again the question of a higher capacity using a Samsung 50E 5000mAh 9.8A and Efest 5000mAh 10A vs less capacity of the Molicell P42A or Samsung 40T but with higher continuous current.

I have solved the biggest issue with the SP33v3 for me, the cursed ring of pee, with some diffusion film (#4A from DC-Fix Diffusion Film Sale for smoothest beam profile which is my preference, or #2C for more hotspot/throw).

Without that ugly corona, and with drastically reduced tint shift, this flashlight’s brightness is now useful without distractions. Really happy with the result and this flashlight!

@ phouton:

Yup.

These 5-Degree-PMMA-Optical-Lens-for-CREE-XHP70 will also fit the Sofirn SP33, as I posted about earlier. As they require the inclusion of the original glass cover lens to fit properly, offer the opportunity to apply a layer of d-c-fix inside as well. New copper reflective shields I fabbed for them warm up the tint too, at least in the foreground.

Indoor beam shot taken on Low, Outdoor on Mid (as that’s all the camera on my iPad could handle.)

Have you considered using a flashlight meant for bicycles that have a sharp cutoff so as not to glare in cars drivers eyes? I think it would put more light in front of you compared to adapting a conventional light.

I was thinking about the Lumintop B01. It’s only 850lm, but maybe the light pattern makes it bright enough?

Thanks for your concern, Jason, and your link to the B01.

But I’m confused, what exactly do you think is wrong with the beams from my modded SP33 flashlights? They very photo you selected shows them basically illuminating the ground only; just a little light bounces upward from there but that would be true for any lamp. Also the beams are continuous, with a modest amount of illumination in the foreground. With the Sofirns set to mid level — 450lumens each — mounted only 16” high and aimed low, the extended reflecting shields and TIR lenses (further modified with d-c-fix diffusing film) reduce glare to oncoming traffic as effectively as any bike-specific headlight would, if not more so. (Am rural, so pedestrians do not enter into the equation at all.) Not to mention, my setup allows the lights to be angled individually, with the port side pointing straight ahead and starboard further right into the road’s shoulder. Plus their larger 26650 Li-ion cells allow for longer runtime, vital on my 3 hour ride home at night.

OTOH the Lumintop to which you refer has no diffusion, but simply points the emitter down onto a reflector which is still clearly visible when viewed from the front, despite the cutoff. Furthermore it’s beam is discontinuous, delivering some spill directly in front of the bike and a flattened hotspot farther afield, with a dark patch in between the two. Can’t imagine riding with such a distracting/dangerous setup and sincerely doubt such a pattern would be lawful for any motor vehicle. On top of that, it’s current banded mount garners excoriating reviews; videos reveal the light continually bobbing up and down. Dunno why Lumintop dropped the previous mount they’d used on the C01, that one looked a lot more robust.

Probably the best bike lamps currently available are the ones from Outbound Lighting. Unfortunately, for various reasons they don’t work well on recumbent bikes, which are what I ride. So feel incredibly lucky to have found Sofirn’s reasonably priced SP33 V3.0, which is just slim enough to fit into the only decent swivel clamps that can mount to my LWB bike’s fork. Light up the road ahead and not the cockpit, whew!

Am loving them. :slight_smile:

I was thinking it might light up the area between the handle bars and the trees a bit more. Plus maybe use less power.

Well Jason the XHP50.2 emitter in Sofirn’s SP33 V3.0 is supposedly more efficient than the Nichia 219CT in the Lumintop B01, trade off being 6800K 65 CRI rather than the latter’s lovely NW bin.

Anyway, since deciding to forgo the useless WindWrap fairing purchased for my bike, was able to raise the Sofirns two or three inches farther up the fork. From that superior position they manage to shine over the grassy knoll all the way to the catalpas.

For this shot turned them up to High (1600lm each) and lowered the exposure to compensate for glare. Could probably ride with just these two little flashlights at this setting; plugged into 4-cell power banks they should run several hours. Hope to test out Sunday when the current cold spell is forecast to pass.