For sub $30, Wowtac A2S would be the a good choice solid performance for the price I have one as my backup.

Cheapest probably Sofirn Sp40 and Convoy H1

raccoon city wrote:

Quadrupel wrote:

Cheapest probably Sofirn Sp40 and Convoy H1

Both of those look good, but the Sofirn SP40 looks best for me (of the two.)

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Yeah and green + brown are nice looking colors. Black SP40 with DC-fix here. I tried to swap led, but bezel just wont budge so made it into my close-up working light with very much flood. Also little knocks and dings wont matter because its basically just tool right now.

Sofirn SP40 is awesome

SP40 in one of the warmer CCTs would fit the bill. I don’t know about the tint though.

After using diffusion film for a smoother floody beam profile and to get rid of the hotspot and corona, the lack of high CRI is my only complaint. If you don’t care about CRI, it’s hard to find fault with the SP40, certainly for its price point.

It’s a great workhorse. Mine got a couple of scratches and dents from being dropped on concrete floors. No problems so far.

MoreLumens wrote:

I tried to swap led, but bezel just wont budge

phouton wrote:

MoreLumens wrote:

I tried to swap led, but bezel just wont budge

Did you try using a rubber band over the bezel to provide more grip? I got mine off without too much trouble this way, and didn’t cause any damage. If it’s really stuck, maybe turn on the light to heat things up a bit.

Yeah tried about everything except special bezel tools. Mouse mats, silicone stuff, sandals etc. but no roll.
Now I just dont bother anymore, because its nice 4000k tint already and works well in my current use. Also because I have gotten some new headlamps after that too.

I got my sp40 bezel off pushing down with my thumb on rubber jar opener. Put some dc fix on.

15000 posts.. no sp40? The horror

i also been looking at the sp40, havent pulled the trigger yet..how far does it throw?

jp9mm wrote:

I got my sp40 bezel off pushing down with my thumb on rubber jar opener. Put some dc fix on.

Well decided to give it a final try. Did something different this time. Used duct tape which I taped over bezel and twisted it like a candy wrap and that did it. Makes me wonder though, it screwed off so easily when all other methods were failures and it just didnt move at all. Maybe it has gotten loose when I been using it hmm maybe over year?

I even have an extra LH351D 5000k high cri so I think that will be the new led for my SP40.

niajef wrote:

i also been looking at the sp40, havent pulled the trigger yet..how far does it throw?

136 m is calculated I think. Useful throw maybe half of that. Just like with my Acebeam H30 which claims over 200 m, but useful throw is about 100 m.

Just swap SST20 or XP-L HI in and it should throw much better.

MoreLumens wrote:

niajef wrote:

i also been looking at the sp40, havent pulled the trigger yet..how far does it throw?

136 m is calculated I think. Useful throw maybe half of that. Just like with my Acebeam H30 which claims over 200 m, but useful throw is about 100 m.

Just swap SST20 or XP-L HI in and it should throw much better.

lol im nowhere near as technical as you guys to swap emitters. i probably CAN do it if i really wanted to, but way too lazy

but 60m useful throw is still pretty damn good, i can use that to walk my dog

catch sp40 on sale, and buy it twice lolol

raccoon city wrote:

I’m hoping that the Lumintop HL3A goes on sale again.

Right now it costs about twice as much as the Sofirn SP40, so it’s over my budget, but it does appeal to me.

If the Lumintop HL3A doesn’t go on sale soon, I might order the Sofirn SP40 for 11/11 (on AliExpress.)

…

EDIT:

I’ve increased my budget to $40, so if you have a recommendation for a bit more expensive headlamp, that’d be welcome.  

I would recommend Nitecore HC30W which has warm tint, good modes and overall excellent light. No real moonlight though. I been using my HC30 for years now and its still very useful. Should be with coupons, sales and other little bit under 40 €/$.

EDIT: Too bad it wont work with flat tops, but there is a lot of solutions to make them work.

niajef wrote:

MoreLumens wrote:

niajef wrote:

i also been looking at the sp40, havent pulled the trigger yet..how far does it throw?

136 m is calculated I think. Useful throw maybe half of that. Just like with my Acebeam H30 which claims over 200 m, but useful throw is about 100 m.

Just swap SST20 or XP-L HI in and it should throw much better.

lol im nowhere near as technical as you guys to swap emitters. i probably CAN do it if i really wanted to, but way too lazy

but 60m useful throw is still pretty damn good, i can use that to walk my dog

I started doing swaps last year. Was easier than I thought and great tutorials around here. Best way to start is with cheap lights if something goes wrong.
Just swapped SP40’s led into 5000k LH351D and here is the results.

From left to right: SP40 4000k with dc-fix, SP36 5000k and HC30 with swapped SST40 5000k:

And same lineup, but SP40 dc-fix has now same led as in SP36.

hm, that sst40 looks good…where do you buy emitters, and how much can i expect to pay for one?

niajef wrote:

hm, that sst40 looks good…where do you buy emitters, and how much can i expect to pay for one?

I ordered mine from Kaidomain. Something like 3.49 $ for bare led right now. You can also order then with 16mm or 20mm DTP Copper MCPCB where the led is already in place for 1.4-1.6 $ extra cost.
It seems a bit green compared to high cri’s, but outside and without comparison atleast I just see it as “pure white” which aint bad. If this would be 3535 footprint this wouldnt be my first choice, but because its 5050 that changes the game because there just aint so many good leds in that size.

MoreLumens wrote:

niajef wrote:

hm, that sst40 looks good…where do you buy emitters, and how much can i expect to pay for one?

I ordered mine from Kaidomain. Something like 3.49 $ for bare led right now. You can also order then with 16mm or 20mm DTP Copper MCPCB where the led is already in place for 1.4-1.6 $ extra cost.
It seems a bit green compared to high cri’s, but outside and without comparison atleast I just see it as “pure white” which aint bad. If this would be 3535 footprint this wouldnt be my first choice, but because its 5050 that changes the game because there just aint so many good leds in that size.

this is getting a bit too overwhelming for me lol…lemme slowly ease into this world

I just reviewed the Wuben H1. It’s worth looking into. The primary LED isn’t warm, though I wouldn’t call it cool… perhaps just north of 5000K? Also has a floody, warm aux (high CRI) white LED for those times when you really need a gentle, warm light. “Sale” (?) price is $33

Review

Wuben webpage

It ranks right up there with my customized Convoy H1

As a dog walking light I am pretty happy with the SP40. Mine is 4000k which is a really nice tint to my eye anyway. I think it is the warmest light I have. Seems to me it will light everything up to 50 yards very well. Mid mode is more than enough for city dog walking and separating the poop from the same color leaves. Occasionally I might go to High. Turbo is mostly novelty use for me.

Low is a mixed bag. Way too bright for a moonlight. Adequate for dog walking but if I am concerned about ice I will go up to medium as the low is a bit dimmer that what I would prefer. I prefer mid (actually low as it has a true moonlight) on my Ti3 V2 as the absolute best dog walking headlamp (bump to high for pickup;-). However, now that we are past cap season and into stocking hat season the SP40 serves that role. Clearly I don’t care about throw. Always have another light in my pocket for that if needed.

how crazy is this wrote:

As a dog walking light I am pretty happy with the SP40. Mine is 4000k which is a really nice tint to my eye anyway. I think it is the warmest light I have. Seems to me it will light everything up to 50 yards very well. Mid mode is more than enough for city dog walking and separating the poop from the same color leaves. Occasionally I might go to High. Turbo is mostly novelty use for me.

Low is a mixed bag. Way too bright for a moonlight. Adequate for dog walking but if I am concerned about ice I will go up to medium as the low is a bit dimmer that what I would prefer. I prefer mid (actually low as it has a true moonlight) on my Ti3 V2 as the absolute best dog walking headlamp (bump to high for pickup;-). However, now that we are past cap season and into stocking hat season the SP40 serves that role. Clearly I don’t care about throw. Always have another light in my pocket for that if needed.

this is exactly what i needed to know…im also contemplating sp40 for dog walking purposes, esp in the winter when u wanna keep ur hands in ur pocket instead of holding a flashlight. 50 yards is nice, but i do wish it could have a dedicated throw mode to go maybe 100, thats all i need.

can i ask about the run time? like how long do u use it every day and how often do u charge it?

I’d recommend the Sofirn SP40 with dc-fix.

I had one for a few hours before returning it. The driver was faulty on turbo (strobed). But it was a nice headlamp. The headband was comfortable too.

TimMc wrote:

I’d recommend the Sofirn SP40 with dc-fix.

I had one for a few hours before returning it. The driver was faulty on turbo (strobed). But it was a nice headlamp. The headband was comfortable too.

whats dc-fix

niajef wrote:

TimMc wrote:

I’d recommend the Sofirn SP40 with dc-fix.

I had one for a few hours before returning it. The driver was faulty on turbo (strobed). But it was a nice headlamp. The headband was comfortable too.

whats dc-fix

DC-Fix is your “fix” for:

• Disgusting Cree
• Diabolical Corona
• ‘Dat Coloration
• Disproportionate Candelas
• …. gimme a minute, I’m sure there are plenty more

so basically just a tint upgrade

SP40 unboxing:

Sofirn SP40

I’m tempted to get the SP40 again. The green version looks nice. I liked the beam of the black SP40 on Amazon (5500K?).

niajef wrote:

so basically just a tint upgrade

It smoothes out the beam. It’s a diffusion film. The tint might still look a little green on lower modes.