I think Sofirn should find a way to make accidental activation harder on the SP10, it’s a good light but I don’t EDC mine often because it turns on too easily in my pocket, or maybe I should just unscrew the tailcap a bit… but still I think making accidental activation a bit harder would improve the quality as product.
Seems easier said than done,
Eg, make the button flush or even recessed to prevent accidental activations… “It’s hard to find the switch by feel!!”.
Make the switch protrude for easier activation by feel… “My light turns itself on in my pocket all the time!!”.
Make the switch stiffer… “It’s too hard to press!!”.
And back and forth, back and forth…
E21A and Optisolis only work on Virence.com mcpcbs. The SF14 was a perfect host, which was very easy to swap in these board/emitters, but unfortunately SF14v2 is not.
AFAIK there will be no SP40A and SP40B headlamp. Instead Sofirn decided to launch the “SP40” which is more or less the SP40B (XP-L, 18650 size). But I don’t know when it’s about to happen.
AFAIK there will be no SP40A and SP40B headlamp. Instead Sofirn decided to launch the “SP40” which is more or less the SP40B (XP-L, 18650 size). But I don’t know when it’s about to happen.
didn't you have to mill out your X1R? That isn't too mod friendly for most of us :)
Should have said "moddable for me" -- only used a rotary tool and wasn't really difficult or time consuming much. All done by hand, free style. There's a lot of mods posted I can't get even close to accomplishing, most of which are mechanical, needing a milling machine, lathe, or way better hand tool skills than I have.
For the X1R, the cutting away of materials didn't have to be done precisely - just had to make room for a driver mount.
Even before Dale got a lathe, he was doin things with hand tools that were amaz'n that I still can't do.
AFAIK there will be no SP40A and SP40B headlamp. Instead Sofirn decided to launch the “SP40” which is more or less the SP40B (XP-L, 18650 size). But I don’t know when it’s about to happen.
I don’t think the H03 has built in charging. Plus I don’t like that the H03 and X1R both have single click on and press/hold for off. That’s so irritating to me.
—
Texas Ace Lumen Tube and JoshK Sphere calibrated with Maukka lights
AFAIK there will be no SP40A and SP40B headlamp. Instead Sofirn decided to launch the “SP40” which is more or less the SP40B (XP-L, 18650 size). But I don’t know when it’s about to happen.
I don’t think the H03 has built in charging. Plus I don’t like that the H03 and X1R both have single click on and press/hold for off. That’s so irritating to me.
The two things Jason said makes a HUGE difference to many buyers making the SP40 the better headlamp for most people:THUMBS-UP:
Single click for off and 18350 tube is a huge win for the SP40 IMO. If the emitter is easy to get at for a reflow/board swap that’s even better.
Some people won’t like the USB charging but I think the average buyer would rather have it than not and it’s hard to argue with the price and size of the light when its included. Much better option than the USB-equipped battery of the Wowtac A2S IMO since you can charge any cell in it.
I got the very neat little D25S headlamp today. The special purchase price offered at Amazon is really amazing, this is an SST-40 light (times two) and has built in USB micro charging that is cleverly concealed under a fast thread sleeve. The switch/driver is behind a threaded plug style end cap and the fast thread sleeve (square threads even!) surrounds the switch. Nicely done!
There are ridges in the back of the tube that correspond to a plastic tooth on the holder such that swiveling the light in the holder is easy and held in place in a wide range of motion. Also quite clever. And the light is easily popped into and out of the holder. Sofirn includes a 2800 mAh protected cell with the light as well. All in all an exceptional deal with a price point that is difficult to best ($20 and change with the coupon code)
The downside is that it doesn’t make the claimed 1200 lumens from the twin SST-40’s. It only draws 2.55A at the tail on a Molicel P26A, so the 850 lumens it does make is understandable and at this level it takes quite a while for it to warm up. The unibody construction means the entire light absorbs the heat, also pretty cool. Even internal fins behind the emitters to help spread heat throughout.
Cool small headlamp, cell supplied and internal charging (cord also supplied) and the head band itself is also decent. Would make great gifts for Christmas….
SP32a series of lights should have XPL HI led option.
SP10 needs lighted side switch for battery level check and ramping UI.
Keep the lights as short as possible.
No micro usb charging on any light, but If charging is a must, use type C to save time.
Source excellent cells and have them re-wrapped with Sofirn labels. Publish true performance specs. Never exaggerate, build battery trust and everyone will buy 14500, 18650, 21700, 26650 from you always. Customer Loyalty is valuable.
Re: microUSB and C – micro is still highly prevalent in China; if the majority of their sales are within China, it makes sense to stick with the more common connector in their major market.
That’d require a bit of a breakdown and stats summary though…
Not saying you don’t have a point, but US/Europe may actually be a smaller market for them.
Does it mean there will be completely new flashlight from Sofirn? Source: [...]
I just learned it comes with following emitters:
Samsung LH351D 5.000K 90CRI
Cree XP-E2 red 620nm (XPEBRD-L1-R20 P3)
LG LEUVA33U70UL00 395nm UV-LED
Just wondering why they didn’t use the entire space for a wider triple reflector. There’s a lot of space left unused making it less „throwy“ as it could be.
Yes I agree micro is more common right now and it does a good job. I was adding possible improvements for future developments that could make their already nice products better.
I just don’t like how micro you have to insert the cable one way only and there’s more friction so the port doesn’t last as long if you use it often. With the USB-C, you can insert cable in either way and less friction so the port is more durable.
USB-C is the physically superior connector but it is functionally a dumpster fire since there are loads of devices using the connector and not conforming the published specification.
Both sides of a micro usb “wear”. But I also have devices with “worn” full size usb ports/plugs where the fit is sloppy and unreliable.
Tbh these days if I’m buying something that charges USB and doesn’t need data, I’m all about 20AWG cabling for it None of this 28AWG nonsense. Portapow made great power-only cables, don’t seem to really sell them anymore.
That triple reflector looks like a waste of space, with those tiny diameters Sofirn could have made the flashlight with a much leaner head.
Totally agree, the triple reflector is designed very poorly. They could have maximized the size of the individual reflectors or reduce the head size. Very wasteful.
That triple reflector looks like a waste of space, with those tiny diameters Sofirn could have made the flashlight with a much leaner head.
Totally agree, the triple reflector is designed very poorly. They could have maximized the size of the individual reflectors or reduce the head size. Very wasteful.
Are you two taking into consideration the depth? A larger diameter reflector typically needs a deeper head. Maybe they did not want to make the light longer for some reason. They might have converted an existing flashlight design, maybe one that originally used TIR lenses. There are a lot of potential reasons they did this. Maybe they want larger hot spots? Who knows.
—
Texas Ace Lumen Tube and JoshK Sphere calibrated with Maukka lights
I guess the issue is that they’re not all running at the same time, so you need to seperate things out… would like to see under the reflector though; Barry or Jackie, do you have images of what it looks like under that?
Reflector: As mentioned before Sofirn is more a less either wasting space (= smaller head with a TIR 10507-10511 optic) or they are wasting potential for more throw/range by not using the full reflector diameter for an interleaved triple reflector.
LED: While it’s a smart move to use those LH351D they recently purchased in large quantities I would have preferred a 365nm UV LED (LG LEUVA33W70RL00 or Nichia 276A). Instead of the XP-E2 red 620nm I would have appreciated the new XP-E2 deep red 660nm with a more intense and darker red. Unfortunately, this LED is more difficult to source (e.g. Arrow, Cutter)
They could also relaunch their C8F 18650 light with these three independently running LEDs or even use the C8F 21700 host. All it takes is an appropriate driver and an adapted LED MCPCB.
I wonder what UI this one will have and if there will be only one or multiple brightness levels (at least for the white and red LED).
That triple reflector looks like a waste of space, with those tiny diameters Sofirn could have made the flashlight with a much leaner head.
Totally agree, the triple reflector is designed very poorly. They could have maximized the size of the individual reflectors or reduce the head size. Very wasteful.
Are you two taking into consideration the depth? A larger diameter reflector typically needs a deeper head. Maybe they did not want to make the light longer for some reason. They might have converted an existing flashlight design, maybe one that originally used TIR lenses. There are a lot of potential reasons they did this. Maybe they want larger hot spots? Who knows.
Well, to satisfy most BLFers, a wider reflector should be deeper too, to maintain an ideal ratio. But, in reality, it isn’t necessary to do so. It is quite possible to make a deep reflector that is not wide or a wide reflector that is not deep. As long as it is a paraboloid and the die is positioned properly at the focal point of it, it will work to collimate light.
—
The Cycle of Goodness: “No one prospers without rendering benefit to others”
- The YKK Philosophy
E21A and Optisolis only work on Virence.com mcpcbs. The SF14 was a perfect host, which was very easy to swap in these board/emitters, but unfortunately SF14v2 is not.
It happened.
Sofirn SP40 LED Headlamp
Thank you! I took the liberty to post another link as yours does not work unfortunately.
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Sofirn-SP40-LED-Headlamp-Cree-X...
Happened what? Another bulky dumb H03 replica?
Well it does have an 18350 tube but I agree with your points otherwise. lol
Also I find it hard to compete with the EE X1R w/choice of color and LED tint, proven moddable, and on a deal at $16 - I got 3, 1 in each color

didn’t you have to mill out your X1R? That isn’t too mod friendly for most of us
Should have said "moddable for me" -- only used a rotary tool and wasn't really difficult or time consuming much. All done by hand, free style. There's a lot of mods posted I can't get even close to accomplishing, most of which are mechanical, needing a milling machine, lathe, or way better hand tool skills than I have.
For the X1R, the cutting away of materials didn't have to be done precisely - just had to make room for a driver mount.
Even before Dale got a lathe, he was doin things with hand tools that were amaz'n that I still can't do.
Except the money from this one goes to Sofirn.
I don’t think the H03 has built in charging. Plus I don’t like that the H03 and X1R both have single click on and press/hold for off. That’s so irritating to me.
Texas Ace Lumen Tube and JoshK Sphere calibrated with Maukka lights
Click this to go to signature links. I'm still around, just not reading many new threads.
The two things Jason said makes a HUGE difference to many buyers making the SP40 the better headlamp for most people:THUMBS-UP:
Single click for off and 18350 tube is a huge win for the SP40 IMO. If the emitter is easy to get at for a reflow/board swap that’s even better.
Some people won’t like the USB charging but I think the average buyer would rather have it than not and it’s hard to argue with the price and size of the light when its included. Much better option than the USB-equipped battery of the Wowtac A2S IMO since you can charge any cell in it.
I got the very neat little D25S headlamp today. The special purchase price offered at Amazon is really amazing, this is an SST-40 light (times two) and has built in USB micro charging that is cleverly concealed under a fast thread sleeve. The switch/driver is behind a threaded plug style end cap and the fast thread sleeve (square threads even!) surrounds the switch. Nicely done!
There are ridges in the back of the tube that correspond to a plastic tooth on the holder such that swiveling the light in the holder is easy and held in place in a wide range of motion. Also quite clever. And the light is easily popped into and out of the holder. Sofirn includes a 2800 mAh protected cell with the light as well. All in all an exceptional deal with a price point that is difficult to best ($20 and change with the coupon code)
The downside is that it doesn’t make the claimed 1200 lumens from the twin SST-40’s. It only draws 2.55A at the tail on a Molicel P26A, so the 850 lumens it does make is understandable and at this level it takes quite a while for it to warm up. The unibody construction means the entire light absorbs the heat, also pretty cool. Even internal fins behind the emitters to help spread heat throughout.
Cool small headlamp, cell supplied and internal charging (cord also supplied) and the head band itself is also decent. Would make great gifts for Christmas….
Does it mean there will be completely new flashlight from Sofirn?
Source: https://www.facebook.com/sofirn.cn/posts/2079638482335875
Offer no glue option.
SP32a series of lights should have XPL HI led option.
SP10 needs lighted side switch for battery level check and ramping UI.
Keep the lights as short as possible.
No micro usb charging on any light, but If charging is a must, use type C to save time.
Source excellent cells and have them re-wrapped with Sofirn labels. Publish true performance specs. Never exaggerate, build battery trust and everyone will buy 14500, 18650, 21700, 26650 from you always. Customer Loyalty is valuable.
Give me thrower or give me pizza.
Re: microUSB and C – micro is still highly prevalent in China; if the majority of their sales are within China, it makes sense to stick with the more common connector in their major market.
That’d require a bit of a breakdown and stats summary though…
Not saying you don’t have a point, but US/Europe may actually be a smaller market for them.
List of my reviews over at 1lumen.com
~~~~~~~~~
oweban.org
I just learned it comes with following emitters:
Samsung LH351D 5.000K 90CRI
Cree XP-E2 red 620nm (XPEBRD-L1-R20 P3)
LG LEUVA33U70UL00 395nm UV-LED
Just wondering why they didn’t use the entire space for a wider triple reflector. There’s a lot of space left unused making it less „throwy“ as it could be.
dogfarts (hopefully), red, UV… interesting!
List of my reviews over at 1lumen.com
~~~~~~~~~
oweban.org
Yes I agree micro is more common right now and it does a good job. I was adding possible improvements for future developments that could make their already nice products better.
Give me thrower or give me pizza.
I just don’t like how micro you have to insert the cable one way only and there’s more friction so the port doesn’t last as long if you use it often. With the USB-C, you can insert cable in either way and less friction so the port is more durable.
Surely you mean it’s wearing out the cable, not the port.
USB-C is the physically superior connector but it is functionally a dumpster fire since there are loads of devices using the connector and not conforming the published specification.
Both sides of a micro usb “wear”. But I also have devices with “worn” full size usb ports/plugs where the fit is sloppy and unreliable.
That triple reflector looks like a waste of space, with those tiny diameters Sofirn could have made the flashlight with a much leaner head.
link to djozz tests
Tbh these days if I’m buying something that charges USB and doesn’t need data, I’m all about 20AWG cabling for it
None of this 28AWG nonsense. Portapow made great power-only cables, don’t seem to really sell them anymore.
List of my reviews over at 1lumen.com
~~~~~~~~~
oweban.org
Totally agree, the triple reflector is designed very poorly. They could have maximized the size of the individual reflectors or reduce the head size. Very wasteful.
They prob did it cause the mcpcb is a mess of wires. Obviously they have the c8f and didn’t use it
Are you two taking into consideration the depth? A larger diameter reflector typically needs a deeper head. Maybe they did not want to make the light longer for some reason. They might have converted an existing flashlight design, maybe one that originally used TIR lenses. There are a lot of potential reasons they did this. Maybe they want larger hot spots? Who knows.
Texas Ace Lumen Tube and JoshK Sphere calibrated with Maukka lights
Click this to go to signature links. I'm still around, just not reading many new threads.
I guess the issue is that they’re not all running at the same time, so you need to seperate things out… would like to see under the reflector though; Barry or Jackie, do you have images of what it looks like under that?
List of my reviews over at 1lumen.com
~~~~~~~~~
oweban.org
My personal thoughts about this new light:
They could also relaunch their C8F 18650 light with these three independently running LEDs or even use the C8F 21700 host. All it takes is an appropriate driver and an adapted LED MCPCB.
I wonder what UI this one will have and if there will be only one or multiple brightness levels (at least for the white and red LED).
Well, to satisfy most BLFers, a wider reflector should be deeper too, to maintain an ideal ratio. But, in reality, it isn’t necessary to do so. It is quite possible to make a deep reflector that is not wide or a wide reflector that is not deep. As long as it is a paraboloid and the die is positioned properly at the focal point of it, it will work to collimate light.
The Cycle of Goodness: “No one prospers without rendering benefit to others”
- The YKK Philosophy
Sofirn’s New Tech: variable temperature of light
source: https://www.facebook.com/sofirn.cn/videos/2433434716679238/
Is it from one LED?
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