[Review] Sofirn SP35 - SST40 21700 Buck Driver

[phantom23]

@gchart

So the ED’s PCB is held in place by the reflector pushing it down?

[gchart]

Yes. That screw keeps it from spinning. Pressure from the reflector holds it down. This is very common: many Sofirn’s, Convoy’s, etc all employ this design.

[id30209]

@gchart

Ok, and now for the modding crowd out there: * After running the light on turbo for a few minutes, the glue was easy to break loose. Using channel-locks and leather gloves for protection and it came open without any damage. I might not have even needed the channel-locks, it opened so easy after running on turbo. * Reflector is screwed in * The LED is on a copper 16mm MCPCB * Centering gasket is 1.15mm thick * Including threads, the reflector outer diameter is 25.8mm * The business-end of the reflector reduces in diameter after the threads a bit. Where it’s seated in the bezel (the top 2.5mm or so of the reflector), the diameter is 24.0 mm. * Reflector height: 16.0mm * Reflector (LED) opening: 7.2mm This thing may end up with a 5000K LH351D or maybe a 3V XHP50.2 or something like that

Thx for measurements.

Now i need to find OP refelector...

[TheIntruder]

@gchart

• As for the beam, like I said… I’m either not sensitive to it or mine has the newer reflector. Here’s a couple beamshots on my white ceiling.

Note: if there is any coloration in the beam, take it with a grain of salt. I’m colorblind and can’t confirm if the tint matches reality.

Beamshot 1: ~18 inches away (~46cm) using Low mode, ISO 80, 1/200 second exposure, 6000K white balance

Beamshot 2: ~8 feet away (~244cm) using Low mode, ISO 80, 1/50 second exposure, 5000K white balance

That looks much better than this one, from this review.

I like Sofirn, and have a few of their lights, but TBH these kinds of things are frustrating, and can be avoided. If the light isn’t done, then don’t start to produce and then ship them, instead of laying traps for customers who have to wonder whether their will unit fall within the batch with the bad reflector, the buggy driver, or whatever.

[Barry0892]

SP35 without stepdown version is availble on amazon.com now!

Grap a 10% off coupon to save money!

LINK

[merlot]

Any idea if the new version of SP35 with ATR is out yet?

[Lightbringer]

I was wondering the same thing.

Hope I find out soon, ’cause I can’t wait!

[Serlite]

Yeah, if only we could get an official announcement on its status.
Maybe even a few times, since I’m worried about missing it!

[Lightbringer]

I know that Der Enderman was looking for one, so I hope he could find out some information, too.

[TIFisher]

@merlot

Any idea if the new version of SP35 with ATR is out yet?

I pre-ordered mine direct from Sofirn last month, received ship notification on 3/8, and according to tracking, should have it by Friday.

[Lux-Perpetua]

I have ordered the new SP35 with ATR a couple of days ago. It seems to arrive within the next days already. I try to do a comparison between the first and second revision with emphasis on the runtime/thermal analysis.

[gchart]

My new SP35 with ATR has arrived!

The short of it:

• ATR now works to keep the temperatures at a safe level (54°C on mine)
• The kit is now upgraded to a 5000 mAh battery (vs 4000 mAh originally)
• This light has around 6% higher output than my first (non-ATR) SP35
• The ATR over-reacts a bit. It’s actually fairly smooth (not jumpy) and each up-and-down cycle takes around 1 1/2 minutes so it’s somewhat gradual. You could probably tell if you stared at the beam on a white wall, but if you’re actually using the light as ya know, a flashlight, then you probably wouldn’t notice anything.

[pennzy]

So on high the ATR version gains an ~ hour but at a lower average output. Seems like a good tradeoff.

[gchart]

Yup. And Sofirn is now sending out 5000 mAh batteries with the SP35 (both versions I think), so runtime will be even longer. I have a lot of lights, but this one ranks up towards the top as far as value and overall usability go. I just wish the 5000K was an option when I got my lights. I see they added that recently. I might have to pick up some bare 5000K LEDs to swap in.

[Tendou]

@gchart

Yup. And Sofirn is now sending out 5000 mAh batteries with the SP35 (both versions I think), so runtime will be even longer. I have a lot of lights, but this one ranks up towards the top as far as value and overall usability go. I just wish the 5000K was an option when I got my lights. I see they added that recently. I might have to pick up some bare 5000K LEDs to swap in.

Would you say the longer runtime is mostly because the bigger capacity batteries and not the flashlight?

And between the two, which one you like more?

[gchart]

Nope, it is unrelated to the battery. Even though the new one came with a 5000 mAh battery, I used the original 4000 mAh battery in testing so that it wouldn’t be a factor. I feel the the longer runtime is largely due to the lower output (on average, over the course of the test).

From a safety standpoint, I think the one with ATR is better. If you feel comfortable monitoring temperatures on your own, the non-ATR version will give you more stable and predictable output.

[Tendou]

@gchart

Nope, it is unrelated to the battery. Even though the new one came with a 5000 mAh battery, I used the original 4000 mAh battery in testing so that it wouldn’t be a factor. I feel the the longer runtime is largely due to the lower output (on average, over the course of the test).

From a safety standpoint, I think the one with ATR is better. If you feel comfortable monitoring temperatures on your own, the non-ATR version will give you more stable and predictable output.

The non atr version graph looks much nicer. If only the oscillation range is much smaller. It’s nearly 350 450 lumen fluctuations.

[TheIntruder]

@gchart

Yup. And Sofirn is now sending out 5000 mAh batteries with the SP35 (both versions I think), so runtime will be even longer. I have a lot of lights, but this one ranks up towards the top as far as value and overall usability go. I just wish the 5000K was an option when I got my lights. I see they added that recently. I might have to pick up some bare 5000K LEDs to swap in.

My non-ATR unit from Amazon, the last of that version’s stock, came with the 5000mAh cell.

If there is to be a v2.0, I’d make the reflector OP, and change to a flat tail cap. Offer tint and body color options as well. And, better (or no) ATR, of course. I also think that the button can feel kind of not great, like noted on TLF, but that might be asking too much.

However, I’ve never gotten the sense that this is a popular light, at least from the level of buzz surrounding it. But, perhaps, that is due to it being more of a tool, rather than something to show off (for short bursts), like the pocket rockets.

[TIFisher]

My non-ATR unit from Amazon, the last of that version’s stock, came with the 5000mAh cell. If there is to be a v2.0, I’d make the reflector OP, and change to a flat tail cap. Offer tint and body color options as well. And, better (or no) ATR, of course. I also think that the button can feel kind of not great, like noted on TLF, but that might be asking too much. However, I’ve never gotten the sense that this is a popular light, at least from the level of buzz surrounding it. But, perhaps, that is due to it being more of a tool, rather than something to show off (for short bursts), like the pocket rockets.

I agree, the scalloped profile tail cap sucks, and serves no purpose other than to chafe the palm of my hand. Could also be improved with a rubber switch button a la SC31 Pro/IF25A, etc.. Hate to be nitpicky with such a budget value light, but it's the small things that detract from the overall satisfaction for me. Still love me some Sofirns though.

[zoulas]

The more I use this light the more I like it. Its a very simple no-nonsense design.