Sofirn Warning! *Shipping Now Take Many Moons*

6 one way 1/2 a dozen the other… I’ve had some Sofirn store stuff come in three weeks and other stuff come in two months. WHEN I was buying from the Sofirn AliExpress store, everything took 5-7 weeks and today… other ALiExpress sellers are also taking about that same time using China post (usually).

If I wanted it fast lately, I asked for an Amazon code from Barry/Lan Lee at the Sofirn.com store and pricing was pretty close using the codes. But lately, Amazon isn’t stocking some of Sofirn’s items like they were last month? Like the LT1: I had a code for it I was going to use, but waited too long and it’s stocked out today with “no known stock on the way.”

One thing I will say though is ALL orders have eventually come in (about 6 total this year) and one came yesterday that I ordered on Match 17th. But the seller (I bought from before) kept in touch and worked with me until it got here.

My strategy is… I just plan for what I need 4 months out. And I have one more (out of four) LT1s on the way here in a few weeks (maybe?) for my September fishing trip that starts my 6 months of hunting/fishing. I AM looking forward to not pumping up my Coleman lanterns for the first time since I bought them back in the 80s. :stuck_out_tongue:

:person_facepalming:

Origin - Cached time: 2020-07-01 12:17:04 (GMT+00:00)
2020-06-30 15:04

纽约, 到达寄达地处理中心
2020-05-21 22:40

上海市, 已交航空公司运输
2020-05-19 07:54

上海市, 离开【国际邮件处理中心】,下一站【上海国际邮件交换站】(经转)
2020-05-19 04:35

SHANGHAI,CHINA, Processed Through Facility
2020-05-19 04:35

上海市, 【国际邮件处理中心】已出口直封
2020-05-19 03:04

SHANGHAI,CHINA, Processed Through Facility
2020-05-18 19:00

上海市, 到达【国际邮件处理中心】(经转)
2020-05-18 17:19

上海市, 离开【邮政广商局国际小包业务收寄点】,下一站【上海国际】
2020-05-18 15:30

上海市, 【邮政广商局国际小包业务收寄点】已收件,揽投员:p杨新龙
2020-05-17 16:32

Last mile=> Destination country post, number RV432058317CN
2020-05-17 14:32

Departed from Yanwen Facility
2020-05-16 11:33

Process completed in Yanwen Facility
2020-05-15 21:49

I think there are a lot of flashlights stuck in Jamaica, NY.

If Sofirn hit the 7000 lumen mark by removing the protection circuit, they need not have bothered for me. If there is not a protection circuit built into the light, I will not use unprotected batteries in a single battery light. I would have to seriously question the sanity of someone who does so with stacked batteries. Even if the light has protections built in on a stacked battery configuration, it can only do so by treating the stacked batteries as if it were 1 large 7.4 volt battery, instead of 2 x 3.7 volt batteries. That is not ideal for a lithium ion battery. As a long time user of lithium ion batteries in vape devices I might have watched too many videos demonstrating a thermal runaway of a lithium ion battery, but I care much more about the safety of these batteries than I do about an added 1500 lumens. I will not even use the cheap re-wrapped batteries that ship with some cheap lights that lie about the mah ratings and current ratings of their batteries. The added cost of high quality protected batteries is a small price to pay for the added peace of mind it provides. Consider this, almost everyone has had alkaline batteries rupture if left in a device that is unused for an extended period. If the same happens with a lithium ion battery, it can result in a fire as opposed to battery acid just ruining the device. I love the added power and run time made possible with lithium ion batteries, but I have a healthy respect for the added danger of using these batteries. Unfortunately, too many businesses print elevated claims on battery wraps, and too many consumers assume that these companies would not be selling unsafe batteries. Battery safety is essential for lithium ion batteries in my opinion. I cringe when I see people using these batteries with torn wraps. These wraps are dirt cheap, and are easily replaced using the wrap and a hair dryer. I urge everyone to watch a youtube video of a lithium ion battery thermal runaway just to be aware of the danger here.

As a follow up, I received the sp70 with the button top batteries today. They are indeed unprotected cells. Having another identical sp70, I compared the 2 lights on turbo. One had 5500 mah orbtronic protected cells. The other had the supplied unprotected cells. I shined them both on turbo against various surfaces, and could not see any discernible difference between the 2 lights. It makes no sense to me why series connected batteries would ever not be able to supply the needed current while fully charged. It might not be able to do so once the voltage drops below 3.7 volts, so perhaps there might be more lumens in the latter stages of discharge cycle. It certainly makes no sense at all to give up the added safety the protected cell provides, especially in a stacked cell configuration. The big issue with stacked cells on unprotected batteries comes into play when one battery degrades. That in turn can increase the discharge rate on the good battery to exceed the safe discharge rate. The protection circuit would prevent a dangerous over current by disconnecting the battery until it cools. In unprotected lights it might result in the light cutting off a few minutes after running a while on high. It will happen more frequently as the voltage drops in the charge cycle. The light will have increased amperage to maintain the current needed. If unprotected the light can be discharged below the recommended minimum voltage which can ruin the battery or even cause it to vent. In theory, you can use unprotected cells in single cell lights if great care is used to maintain adequate voltage. That can cause the light to dim, and that is a sure sign that it needs re-charging before continuing use. A single cell light can, and many do, build the protection into the light itself, eliminating the need for protected cells. I will use these cells provided in a single cell light with the built in protection. The Orbtronic protected cells will be used in this light. I am not willing to sacrifice the added safety of the protected cells, for the slight, if any, gain in lumens near the end of the discharge cycle. Having been an electro-mechanical engineer at a tire manufacturer has provided me with the training to know better. It is just not worth the risk involved…period.

@sarge12

Did you charge the newly received cells before testing? In my experience cells typically arrive charged to around 3.6v

Of course I fully charged both sets of batteries used…always. I have no idea how low the charge in newly received batteries ever are, because as soon as they drop to room temperature they go on the charger…an xtar dragon vp4 plus.

It was for me…ordered a sp70 from Sofirn, and two weeks later ordered from aliexpress, and received the aliexpress order 4 days before the Sofirn order. Banggood however has been fairly close to the same as Sofirn on items not already in the USA.

just recieved LT1 with batteries and case ordered 5/16 arrived 7/1. Washington State, USA - direct from Sofirn.

Cheers :beer: to Barry at Sofirnlight.com! I ordered the SP70 Kit with HD 26650 batteries and charger and I received exactly as ordered, pictured below. I placed my order June 18 and received perfectly at my door via USPS on July 2. Really excellent turnaround/ delivery time for something coming from overseas. Thank you Barry at Sofirn!

Here are some examples of tracking information to USA. It takes about 3 days to arrive the logistic compamy after your order, then it takes about a week to arrive in US and hand it over to USPS, you will have your package several days after that.
Please know that if you buy non-standard product such as leds, leds soldered on DTP MCPCB, host, or some models with new leds, group buy preorders, it takes longer to get prepared.
In most cases, packages arrive in about 2 weeks.
Case1
2020-07-03 12:54:00SUNNYVALE, CA 94087, Delivered, Parcel Locker -> Your item was delivered to a parcel locker at 12:54 pm on July 3, 2020 in SUNNYVALE, CA 94087.
2020-07-03 07:10:00SUNNYVALE, CA 94087, Out for Delivery
2020-07-02 12:11:00SUNNYVALE, CA 94089, Arrived at Post Office
2020-07-02 10:56:00SUNNYVALE, CA 94089, Accepted at USPS Destination Facility
2020-07-01 19:35:00UNION CITY, CA 94587, Arrived Shipping Partner Facility, USPS Awaiting Item
2020-07-01 01:40:00COMPTON, CA 90220, Departed Shipping Partner Facility, USPS Awaiting Item
2020-06-22 11:14:00COMPTON, CA 90220, Shipping Label Created, USPS Awaiting Item
Case 2
2020-07-02 09:19:00YUCAIPA, CA 92399, Delivered, Front Door/Porch -> Your item was delivered at the front door or porch at 9:19 am on July 2, 2020 in YUCAIPA, CA 92399.
2020-07-02 07:10:00YUCAIPA, CA 92399, Out for Delivery
2020-07-01 11:16:00YUCAIPA, CA 92399, Arrived at Post Office
2020-07-01 10:01:00YUCAIPA, CA 92399, Accepted at USPS Destination Facility
2020-06-22 11:14:00COMPTON, CA 90220, Shipping Label Created, USPS Awaiting Item
Case 3
2020-07-08 16:54:00TUCSON, AZ 85746, Delivered, In/At Mailbox -> Your item was delivered in or at the mailbox at 4:54 pm on July 8, 2020 in TUCSON, AZ 85746.
2020-07-08 09:06:00TUCSON, AZ 85757, Out for Delivery
2020-07-08 08:55:00TUCSON, AZ 85757, Arrived at Post Office
2020-07-08 07:06:00TUCSON, AZ 85757, Arrived at USPS Facility
2020-07-08 06:54:00TUCSON AZ DISTRIBUTION CENTER, Departed USPS Regional Facility
2020-07-08 04:59:00TUCSON AZ DISTRIBUTION CENTER, Arrived at USPS Regional Destination Facility
2020-07-07 04:46:00TUCSON, AZ , Forwarded
2020-07-07 04:46:00TUCSON, AZ 85737, Arrived at Post Office
2020-07-07 03:31:00TUCSON, AZ 85757, Accepted at USPS Destination Facility
2020-07-03 13:59:00PHOENIX, AZ 85043, Arrived Shipping Partner Facility, USPS Awaiting Item
2020-07-02 23:31:00COMPTON, CA 90220, Departed Shipping Partner Facility, USPS Awaiting Item
2020-06-24 14:39:00COMPTON, CA 90220, Shipping Label Created, USPS Awaiting Item
Case 4
2020-07-07 13:34:00SOUTH HAMILTON, MA 01982, Delivered, In/At Mailbox -> Your item was delivered in or at the mailbox at 1:34 pm on July 7, 2020 in SOUTH HAMILTON, MA 01982.
2020-07-07 07:41:00SOUTH HAMILTON, MA 01982, Out for Delivery
2020-07-07 07:30:00SOUTH HAMILTON, MA 01982, Arrived at Post Office
2020-07-07 06:15:00SOUTH HAMILTON, MA 01982, Accepted at USPS Destination Facility
2020-07-06 19:31:00WESTBOROUGH, MA 01581, Arrived Shipping Partner Facility, USPS Awaiting Item
2020-07-03 01:18:00COMPTON, CA 90220, Departed Shipping Partner Facility, USPS Awaiting Item
2020-06-24 14:39:00COMPTON, CA 90220, Shipping Label Created, USPS Awaiting Item
Case 5
2020-07-08 01:10:00Awaiting Delivery Scan -> The delivery status of your item has not been updated as of July 8, 2020, 1:10 am. We apologize that it may arrive later than expected.
2020-07-07 07:10:00SACRAMENTO, CA 95864, Out for Delivery
2020-07-06 20:27:00SACRAMENTO, CA 95825, Arrived at Post Office
2020-07-06 19:12:00SACRAMENTO, CA 95825, Accepted at USPS Destination Facility
2020-07-03 18:19:00UNION CITY, CA 94587, Arrived Shipping Partner Facility, USPS Awaiting Item
2020-07-03 03:11:00COMPTON, CA 90220, Departed Shipping Partner Facility, USPS Awaiting Item
2020-06-24 14:39:00COMPTON, CA 90220, Shipping Label Created, USPS Awaiting Item
Case 6
2020-07-09 14:17:00ARCADIA, CA 91007, Delivered, Front Door/Porch -> Your item was delivered at the front door or porch at 2:17 pm on July 9, 2020 in ARCADIA, CA 91007.
2020-07-09 07:10:00ARCADIA, CA 91007, Out for Delivery
2020-07-09 06:08:00ARCADIA, CA 91006, Arrived at Post Office
2020-07-09 04:53:00ARCADIA, CA 91006, Accepted at USPS Destination Facility
2020-07-01 15:14:00COMPTON, CA 90220, Shipping Label Created, USPS Awaiting Item

On the two week statement, we will have to agree to disagree. My orders are taking about a month or longer, and the tracking is not working well either. Like Sofirn lights, but shipping is lacking.

I agree the former shipping to USA takes really looong. But please know that we use new shipping service for orders to USA since June 20th.

What is my flashlight order doing…order date May 31, I live in South Carolina. Was scanned at JFK, New York on June 15, went 2000 miles further away to be scanned in Bloomington CA on JUN 26. It then was scanned in Atlanta Georgia on July 10…and I am thinking it is getting close now. Imagine my shock, when tracking showed it arriving back in Bloomington CA on July 11. So it went from NY to California to Atlanta where it was sent back to California, can anyone explain a possible reason for this order to go from the East Coast, to the West Coast, back nearly to the East Coast, back to the same City it had once visited on the West Coast again. Who runs these shipping companies?

@sarge12

Check your tracking info for Pitney Bowes. They have some really lousy routing. For my package 16 days from Jamaica, NY to Greenwood IN. It departed Greenwood, IN two days ago headed who knows where.

This was an order from May 12th sofirnlight sat on with no notification of a problem. After waiting a month for shipping notification I inquired via email and was told one of the items was out of stock though the website showed it in stock. I was given the options of cancelling the item or waiting another month for restocking. I cancelled that item. If there’s a problem at the very least contact the buyer and inform them that there’s a problem.

17TRACK

In transit
China
YANWEN
United States

2020-07-12 11:59Your item departed a shipping partner facility at 11:59 am on July 12, 2020 in GREENWOOD, IN 46143. This does not indicate receipt by the USPS or the actual mailing date.

Destination

Origin - Tracking consuming: 144 ms
2020-07-12 11:59

Your item departed a shipping partner facility at 11:59 am on July 12, 2020 in GREENWOOD, IN 46143. This does not indicate receipt by the USPS or the actual mailing date.
2020-07-09 00:06

Arrived Shipping Partner Facility, USPS Awaiting Item, July 9, 2020, 12:06 am, GREENWOOD, IN 46143
2020-07-09 00:06

Your item arrived at a shipping partner facility at 12:06 am on July 9, 2020 in GREENWOOD, IN 46143. This does not indicate receipt by the USPS or the actual mailing date.
2020-06-24 08:32

Your item was picked up by a shipping partner at 8:32 am on June 24, 2020 in JAMAICA, NY 11434. This does not indicate receipt by the USPS or the actual mailing date.
2020-06-24 07:32

Jamaica, Electronic Shipping Info Received
2020-06-20 05:06

LAX-LOS ANGELES, Arrive at destination airport
2020-06-14 08:26

Last mile=> Destination country post, number 4204412592612927005303010008947477
2020-06-14 06:26

Departed from Yanwen Facility
2020-06-13 02:29

Process completed in Yanwen Facility
2020-06-12 15:54

Picked up

After 6 weeks of bouncing back and forth between the East and West coast this order finally bounced into my mailbox….still I am mighty curious as to why it went to Atlanta from California, just to turn around and go back to California. I will likely never know the answer to this strange odyssey.

Maybe it just wanted to run. But after helping a guy in the bumper sticker business and another guy in the t-shirt business, it got pretty tired, and went home.

I placed an order through Sofirn’s EBay store on July 3rd. I received my parcel 17 days later. Thank you, Barry for making the changes for your U.S. customers. It seems to be working.

I’ve made five orders this year from Sofirn— ALL but this last order took at LEAST 6 weeks to Kansas USA. My last order made July 17th got here TODAY… July 29th.

NINE days!!!

Dayam! :+1: :+1: :+1:

I have made 3 orders from sofirnlight.com

I only received the only one in which I did not use a discount coupon.

The other two, one using the 15% coupon (account opening) and the other a 5% coupon, could not be sent because “not ship parcel to your area”. Coincidence…?