REVIEW: Sofirn SD05 Scuba Diving Flashlight

The new one using fet driver?
And I guess the new one have pwm?

Yes, FET driver. I can’t see pwm but I am not sensitive to it.

Pretty sure yes to both (fet/pwm). With that said, this is one of my favorite winter outdoor 21700 lights (in the rev2 with the XHP-50.2; no step down). It THROWS for it’s size and doesn’t heat up as fast as my IF25a. Beam isn’t too bad color-wise either.

I WAS going to do an actual diving review for the (XHP 50.2) SD-05 last August for Sofirn, but Covid “effed” those plans up. We tried again for this X-mas in Cozumel and had to cancel again when Covid got “hot” again this fall.

I have an old SD-02 that worked well for a night dive taken back a few years ago. What was cool is our dive-master was using a small dive light to “strobe” so our group didn’t get mixed up with several other groups on the same reef that night. This was the FIRST time I though of a strobe being VERY useful.

Time will tell on the SST70 and I do hope it’s not too narrow in output. I typically “hang” a few feet off the coral and like turning under for cave or shelf views from between 3 ft. away to 15 ft. I want a nice wide beam but some “punch” on high if I need to see further. From what I can tell on land so far- the SD-05 XHP-50.2 will do good when I get it down (one day) :sunglasses:

What I understand, the old 6V 50.2 is regulated.
The newer 50.2 3V is not regulated.
And the newest sst70 is not regulated.
Am I correct?

The SST70 is 6V which means they must be using the old driver

So the sst70 should probably be regulated?

Waiting for review of the new sd05 with sst70

I doubt there’ll be a review when Sofirn are changing back to the XHP50.2 version once they’re available again, there’s a supply issue.

That’s unfortunate. So what do you think the differences in the sst70 and xhp50.2 do you think are there?

And somewhat related will they again use xhp35 for c8g again?

So For non diving use do you think someone who already have IF25A need to get the SD05 or it’s very similar?

I probably get the SD05 anyway. :smiley: Just waiting for SST70 review.

All bets are off as the SST70 is an unknown (kinda, in this light anyway). But generally speaking… the SD-05 has more MASS than the IF25a and so it CAN run longer given basic physics. I WAS waiting for the 5k forever and now I see only the 6.5k SST70 and so… I’ll “stay on the fence like you and wait for the review” :smiley:

Would it be safer to use a protected battery in the SD05 just in case water does creep in and creates a short? I've always been using protected in my Sofirn SD02 diving light just in case.

Hum… I’m not sure protected Vs. unprotected would matter much if water were a factor. I’d guess the protection circuit would be “bi-passed” by the water itself- but not sure. I have dove with the SD-02 and didn’t think twice about it :smiley:

You’ll be limited to finding a charger that takes protected 21700’s though

True. I don't have a charger that would fit them either. Would be interesting if someone did a test to see what would happen if the flashlight leaks underwater with protected and unprotected

batteries

That someone could be you if you want to see the result :slight_smile:

I'd prefer those Ukranian battery guys that enjoy stuff like that!

Well… I’d never use bolt cutters underwater :confounded:

60-70m than you are talking some serious tech diving, not really related to this forum but really curious about your setup, being a novice diver myself (just got my nitrox certification)

I have the older version (xhp50 with step down). I ordered it about a year ago, and have gone diving with it 4 times. It worked great every time. I have not used it out of water much as I fear it might overheat over time.

I am new to diving, though, and want to ask those who are experienced divers if this light could be used as both a primary and secondary light for night diving when I get to doing that. If not, what budget light (under $100) would you recommend for the primary light and/or what characteristics should I be looking for in the light?

Sofirn is using the 3V xhp50.2 again now in 6500k.

Anyone compared with SST70 and is the SST70 green at lower level? I have seen YouTube review that says the sst70 is brighter and throwier.

Also, any graph of lumen vs time for the newer xhp50.2 3V?