Sofirn TF84 - Kit 2 - Tactical Flashlight Review - 3 Switches, remote control, USB-C rechargeable (Plus Coupon Code)

25% off Coupon Code Available (bottom of page)

(Flashlight has been offered for review by Sofirn, I was not urged or asked to review in any specific way. This is my thoughts after carrying this light for almost 2 weeks).

Here we go!

So, to be quote honest this is one of the first true tactical flashlights i have carried for more than a couple of hours.

Once I received this light I realized I that when the word "tactical" had been thrown into the description of any of my EDC lights, that it really did not apply. THIS is a tactical flashlight. Upon opening the package it became clear that the thoughtful design, engineering and execution on this light was meant to take Abuse! It is solid, it feels very well built, and its function is purpose driven.

The light comes in standard brown cardboard box, and here is what you get with the "Kit-2 + Battery"

USB-c to A charger, 2amp.

And, The Light...

The Tail Switches (two) - The button controls instant access turbo and On / Off, the Paddle Controls Strobe and switched modes

Side view of the Side Switch button, this is a Tactical light folks, no tucked away switch for EDC here

The UI

So, the first thing I really noticed and liked about this light after carrying it for a couple of days, beside the great feel in hand, is the Straight Forward and purpose built User Interface.

Sideswitch

It is a click for On, short hold for hold.

Clicking while on cycles through the Modes - L-M-H-Turbo

Hold from Off to access moon mode, then click through modes

Double click while on accesses Blinkies - Strobe, SOS, and Beacon. Then hold for off

Five Clicks from off - lockout (accessed when green/red switch light blinks)

Five more clicks unlocks the light

Tail and Paddle Switches

(Forward clicky button)

Push button for instant Turbo / Half press for Momentary Turbo

Push Paddle for Instant Access Strobe

Full push button for turbo On

Switch modes with paddle with paddle while on

While Switching modes, hold paddle for Strobe

The UI feels natural and smooth and took about 3 minutes to understand. There are more modes like that I have not investigated yet like three and four clicks from off, but the essentials are right there were you need them for a light of this nature.

Performance

My light has a Samsung LH351d LED in a neutral tint (i'd say 5000k). The lumen output in Turbo i believe is 1200 lumens, and with the Constant Current Buck Driver Sofirn has made for this a few others coming, the turbo runs uninterrupted for a good while. The ATR temperature regulation will kick it down after 5-10 minutes depending on ambient factors like Temperature and Humidity, but the out put is reliable and useful. This is not a 5,000 lumen EDC pocket rocket, but with the 35mm diameter head size (think KR1 size) and a almost 27mm reflector opening, along with the small yet throwey Samsung LED this TF84 has a nice defined hot spot that has both useful range and output. The beam, with its nice smooth reflector, is actually very nice - with a large hotspot, nice large corona, and useful spill.

Other Info, battery..

The design uses an inner sleeve seen in a few other popular light nowadays that carries the electrical signal form the tail to the driver, so that a 18650 battery is the largest available for this TF84 despite its 25mm external diameter battery tube. When I first picked the light up i would've thought it was 21700 capable, but the extra couple of millimeters in thickness comes from the signal sleeve for the tail switch inside the battery tube.

Sofirn's black wrapped 3000mah 18650 provides good runtime and longevity, and is a welcome addition for this kit. I have several of their batteries and they all charge and run to their claimed 3000mah when i have tested them on my Xtar VC4s charger.

The threads are all square cut and nicely lubricated, making a quality feel when taking the tail cap off (head does not come off of the battery tube) very smooth and it parallels the quality feel of much more expensive lights.

The Remote

I debated whether or not it was acceptable or even allowed to show pictures of the usefulness of this very nice remote switch in action while mounted on "its appropriate interface" (ahem..), so i will just show the pictures of the included remote switch.

It has predrilled holes and a flat back that could be used to mount this switch to.. well, whatever you would like. The Remote switch has dual control, which function exactly like the push button and paddle switch at the tail of this light. it has a prominent clicky feel to it which just feels durable and reliable. I like this remote control a lot!

Overall

This light feels great. The TF84 has a solid feel in hand. It has a substantial build quality that instills confidence in this piece of equipment, and that is exactly my impression form this torch. The TF84 is a piece of equipment. Whether you have it in your truck's center console, your bugout bag, or attached to your hunting gear, this light feels ready for the job. It is NOT your edc light. Sure, if you are wearing cargo shorts in the summer and want to have this along fo rth eride it would be fine, but with the Intentional multiple switch locations and easy access to On/Strobe/Turbo, this light will be coming on in your pocket throughout the day, because not everything with a clip was meant for your pocket. It is not the lights fault, it is an intentional design element it comes on with ease so when you need it, it is ready to go.

Pros

Constant Current Buck Driver - very nice to see Sofirn purpose building one of these for reliable output and battery life!

Great feel in-hand, quality machining, thoughtful design

3 Switches for instant access to whatever mode you'll need in the field

Battery life indicator switch

Straight forward UI, easy access Turbo , Strobe, and Lockout. Even a nice Moonlight!

Included (with Kit-2) Remote Control

Criticisms

Ive read criticisms on the button feel being "flimsy" or wobbly, i can see that. I am not worried by their feel, and I actually really like the feel of the Metal (FireFlies, anyone?) Side Switch.

The LED, although throwey and neutral (both pluses), could be a little larger for more output. there is always a question of what is enough, and 1200 lumens is surely enough for 95% of activities, but I wouldn't mind seeing the 5000K Neutral white sst40 LED in this light too for a little more output and throw. Im just a fan of that LED, and how well it does in the Sofirn SC31 Pro.

Thanks for stopping by!

If your interested in a TF84, Sofirn has given us a coupon code which is :

XCZLLCQR

Its for 25% off, until June 30th, 2021.

Thanks for your working for this, I just found it, lol. Nice pic, is it in trubo mode?

Code does not exist according to Sofirn website.

Hi there, sorry let me contact sofirn. Thank you for heads up.

It was turbo but hard tonget good picture. I’ll try again.

Is the strobe constant frequency or alternating frequency?

I spoke to Sofirn Rep, Looks like the code is for Amazon US. Please let me know if it works for you, thank you!

Hi, sorry i meant to mention that in the review. The Strobe is alternating frequency.

Thanks, but I don’t use Amazon.

Sorry about that. I’ll see if they have a sofirn website coupon.

Much appreciated. Thank You, Mark

:+1: you’re welcome! I’m waiting for a response

Thanks for the info.
Sadly, as a light painting photographer who requires constant frequency strobes, then this light is crossed off the shopping list.

Waiting for a SST-40 ‘pro’ version :smiley:

Thank you for looking into it Stephenk!

:wink:

Just a Heads up to anyone interested, looks like there may be a good sale on this TF84 this weekend, check out Sofirn's thread here (https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/66824/21)