On checking Sofirn flashlights that use AA/14500 battery, I notice that only the SP10S (LH351D) is still available.
The SP10v2.0 (XP-G2), which is an update to the SP10B; or the tail-button SF14v2.0 (update of the SF14, which use XP-G2) doesn’t seem to be listed anymore — are these XP-G2 AA/14500 flashlights or tail-button-operated AA/14500 flashlights now undergoing a revamp or just plain discontinued?
When someone asks me looking for a tail-button operated AA/14500 flashlight, I used to suggest the SF14v2.0 (along with the Lumintop Tool AA). The Thorfire TG06S is very similar to the SF14/SF14v2.0, but seems to be hard to find now too, so that only leaves the Tool AA 2.0 as the currently-available (budget-priced and acceptably good quality) option for tail-button operated AA/14500 flashlight.
So, would there be any development from Sofirn for an updated tail-button operated (AA/14500) flashlight?
One of my favorite flashlights is the recently discontinued L11C. I have a 3-mode neutral white with Nichia 219 and a modded 2700K with SST-20. They are fantastic pocket lights.
One of my favourites also. I have the 4-mode 219C. It’s so slim and has perfect mode spacing. I don’t use it as much as I should due to all the reported durability/reliability issues (might only be for the L10/L10C but can’t remember).
I just noticed there is a new update (it may or may not be new...) for the Convoy T2 -- I ordered the Nichia 219C 4000k & 5700k to check (previous Convoy T2 only use XP-G2).
Whereas:
previous T2
- only supported AA officially (14500 not officially)
- uses slow PWM (likely visible to people sensitive to PWM) on non-max brightness levels
I notice the new T2 now:
- doesn't have PWM in all brightness levels when using AA batteries,
- it uses "fast PWM" (likely not visible) when on lower modes while using 14500 battery (max brightness has NoPWM).
This is a tail-clicky AA/14500 flashlight and the Nichia 219C (at least the sample I got looks good tint -- not as good as my rosy 219B, but appears better than some 'greenish' 219C I've previously experienced from some Convoy flashlights).
I think Sofirn has not used Nichia LEDs yet on any of their flashlights (instead going for LH351D and SST20 for their high-CRI series)... although there is talk about the C01S or is it the SP10 series to use Nichia EA-series LEDs for good high-CRI?
I'm happy to see so much response on the idea of a Sofirn AA headlamp. It seems Sofirn is also interested. I quickly drew a design how it could look like in my imagination. As always, any feedback is highly appreciated. :-)
There are plenty of possibilities, like using a dual-optic design or a single-optic design (with a multi-emitter setup underneath like Armytek's Wizard WR). Since 300lm should be fine for a AA-sized and driven headlamp, maybe Nichia's E21A 98CRI could be a viable option (provided that Sofirn can get ahold of this LED). The driver should support a constant current regulation where both red and white light is fully regulated throughout the entire battery runtime. The USB-C port is probably disputable as these rubber boots get lost too easily. OTOH, I don't think magnetic charging (like Armytek/Olight) or a port inside the threads will be better options.
I am definitely interested if the finished product is similar to the sketch here. However, if it is not as light or lighter than my SKILHUNT H04 (46 g excluding battery) then there’s not much point for me; and Sofirn hasn’t really made any truly small lights. Most of their lights seem to be a tiny bit larger than most of their competitors.
That’s likely a manual process, also error-prone (slicing crooked, taking part of the phosphor with it, killing the LED itself, etc.), so I’d seriously doubt it.
Slicing is a manual process, but not necessarily error-prone. It should be fairly straightforward with the right tools and a bit of practice.
Many of us care more about tint than output, offering sliced LH351D could be an easy and inexpensive way for Sofirn to make their flashlights more desirable.
This would be great with the dual emitters. The E21A would be fantastic, and the 660nm deep red would be the best. Fixed modes are good for this on the initial UI, that way we have a means to guess runtime. I like ramping, but it does not give you a good idea of runtime for the level you are on. I know TK is working on the UI improvements, so this is something to think about during this process.
If the emitters are simply not able to be done in a dual format, then I hope the price is right so we can get both color emitters! Thanks on this LP!
Does anyone know what LED(s) Armytek uses for their Wizard WR? It seems to be an emitter with four dies, where two are used for red light and two for white light.
I’m not sure since I’m not Sofirn, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we see more lights with Anduril. I’ve got Anduril 2 virtually complete, and mostly just need to finish making documentation for it… so it should be a lot easier for new users soon.