Because of the optic and small-die SST-20, the 2.5 lumen from the C01S is brighter than the 8 lumen C01, I find it not dim but plenty for all things that just needs some lighting up, good for reading too. And the 87 lumen feels very bright, good for searching stuff around the house (likely my #1 use for my EDC ).
I (or someone else) have to do a runtime test still btw, and I suspect that for most of the runtime, with Eneloop and certainly with an alkaline cell (btw alkalines are not really suitable for this light when primary used on high, not enough capacity for the current that is drawn), the high setting is considerably lower than 87 lumen (87 lumen 95CRI would be probably 150 lumen with a low CRI led, so more than 400 mA is going through the led, more than an amp from the battery; it is a pretty good boost driver that is used here).
In fact, that’s weird to ask for a photo ID, a photo of your CC and a statement from your CC company. They must be nuts! But I’m sure it’s not Sofirn to put the blame on but AliExpress and their payment system that seems to have issues with some cards.
I know it was AliExpress’s problem. Outfits like Sofirn use AliExpress the same way a lot of US sellers use Amazon. They handle the payments & shipping, usually at far less than the seller could do by themselves.
—
You don't really need a parachute to skydive. But you DO need one if you want to skydive twice!
I did a not accurate runtime test with the C01S with alkaline on low, checking after one day and after two days. After one day it put out the same 2.7 lumen, after two days the light was off and the battery completely empty.
In an efficient flashlight I expect 2.7 lumen of 95 CRI light to be caused by about 10 mA, plus 2.5mA for powering the MCU, but that is at over 3V, before boosting that would be 32 mA . An alkaline at low drain is about 1000mAh, so that would be a bit over a day. This is with a lot of approximations but it seems about right.
That looks a new type of diffusor, and it seems like not silicone but another plastic. The length makes for a more even light distribution, more to the side than the short types. Except the Q8 diffusor, that will still direct a lot of light upwards.
3.77 dollar for two tiny pieces of plastic (worth a few cents it looks like) is too expensive. I want to hear of some pretty awesome features before I buy those.
Is sofirn going to make a C01S with Low as firtst mode and High as second mode ?
Yes, there will be a limited run with that especially for BLF. Should be ready one of these days btw.
nice
I was going to get 2 C01s along with a few other lights during the big AX sale.
But in that case wil hold off on the 2 C01S untill we can get the BLF edition
Hi Barry, they look good and look like they will diffuse well. Looks like they are not made of silicone but a harder plastic, right?
I think the price is too high, especially the small ones may not sell well because of the price.
Hi Barry, they look good and look like they will diffuse well. Looks like they are not made of silicone but a harder plastic, right?
I think the price is too high, especially the small ones may not sell well because of the price.
Espeially when there are “free” alternatives out there like Chapstick and Vick’s nasal inhaler caps that work pretty nicely.
Some of my impressions about the Sofirn C01S in comparison to the Sofirn C01
Both flashlights were bought by myself at Sofirn’s shop on AliExpress.
Date ordered: 03/08/2019
Date received: 03/28/2019
Close-up of the C01
Close-up of the C01S
Comparison of size and light source
Comparison of beamshots/whitewall shots (WB: 4.000K)
Some final words:
The C01S is a very nice and useful keychain light that comes in 3 different colours you can choose from. Sofirn managed to use another HighCRI emitter with much more power than the Yuji BC in the C01, the Luminus SST.20 4.000K 95CRI. Both flashlights arrived well packed and without any obvious defects in build quality. In fact, the quality of both lights is very good, the chosen tint in combination with the lens in the C01S is very appealing. While the C01 with its low output und floody beam is more or less good for reading purposes at night or for close-distance orientation the C01S can also be used in situations when you need more than just “a blink of an LED” . 100 lumens is very useful even when outside with the need to look farther than just before your feet. Since there’s a special lens in the C01S you get a nice spot with useful throw. On the later/new batches of Sofirn’s C01 they must have reworked the reflector coating as the first samples had a very smooth beam profile while later ones show a distinct spot with more intensity.
What could be improved?
I would have preferred a reversed mode order (low-high instead of high-low)…don’t miss the chance to get the BLF edition that should come with a reversed mode order
The front end of those clips look somehow bent a bit leftwards when attached onto the lights, see picture above. They also come off too easily when you pull on them. It’s nothing serious but maybe worth to mention.
Threads are totally dry. A small bit of silicon grease would be the icing of the cake, if there’s anything left to complain about.
Cheers,
Thomas
it seems XPG3 real has ugly beam. I can see purple blue green in the beam of lumintop aaa
@Barry, acetal/POM plastic is actually perfect for a diffuser, as it can resist to high temperature, is extremely tough(meaning it won’t get destroyed like acrylic), and most importantly, has extremely good light distribution properties since its thickness is usually very uniform.
[…]
it seems XPG3 real has ugly beam. I can see purple blue green in the beam of lumintop aaa
I’ve seen worse to be honest. The XP-G3 is known for it’s ugly beam / tintshift but Lumintop used a pebble-design TIR lens on the EDC01, so the beam is both floodier and more smoothed. But I agree that C01S’ beam looks much more appealing in comparison to any other AAA light I have tried out so far.
I just got my C01s in. I really like it, the high and low are both very usable and the tint and CRI is nice.. I don’t notice ugly green on low like this led is supposed to have. It does get warm on high with extended use and that’s expected. This will be a great backup light for me. Debating on adding a magnet to this.
I’m absolutely in for a BLF version with low- high.
I have been using this light for a few days. The low is really useful and brighter than the lumens number suggests. I have been mostly using the low mode but the high is very bright as well. I like this led/optic combination. I paired this up with my lumintop IYP365 head on an aaa tool body. The low on the C01s appears about the same as the medium on the lumintop combo.
Is there any updates for the BLF version?
Low/high would be much better for daily use.
I got mine and love it. The hotspot is really tight with little spill. Its very throwy. Tint is very nice. I overall like more the C01 for emergency situations and love the 3200k tint and wide floody beam. But the C01S is super nice too. I got 4 more on the way.
I suppose it’s too late to ask for Firefly mode (FF -> Low -> High).
It is not a matter of too late (production has not started yet) but if a discussion would start on which and how many modes it should have, this would be never ending and consensus never reached (as BLF history proves). It is quite a miracle already that BLF agrees pretty clearly on the mode order (low first) for a BLF C01S, but there consensus very likely stops.
Personally, and I know many others think that too, I think that a twisty flashlight should not have more than 2 modes. I adviced that to Sofirn, but also added that 3 modes could be ok too, and Sofirn still went for the 2 modes. The 3/100 lumen I think is a good choice of Sofirn because I hear both that the 3 lumen low is too low and too high.
Another argument against 3 modes could be that Barry told me that the C01S does not use PWM for the low mode, which implies I think that adding an extra mode requires a hardware change: more and different components on the driver.
Fair enough. With only 200 being made it doesn’t make sense to go through all that trouble. I really like the body design of this light, the UI not so much. Now if only we could see a modding scene for this light
Because of the optic and small-die SST-20, the 2.5 lumen from the C01S is brighter than the 8 lumen C01, I find it not dim but plenty for all things that just needs some lighting up, good for reading too. And the 87 lumen feels very bright, good for searching stuff around the house (likely my #1 use for my EDC
).
I (or someone else) have to do a runtime test still btw, and I suspect that for most of the runtime, with Eneloop and certainly with an alkaline cell (btw alkalines are not really suitable for this light when primary used on high, not enough capacity for the current that is drawn), the high setting is considerably lower than 87 lumen (87 lumen 95CRI would be probably 150 lumen with a low CRI led, so more than 400 mA is going through the led, more than an amp from the battery; it is a pretty good boost driver that is used here).
link to djozz tests
I know it was AliExpress’s problem. Outfits like Sofirn use AliExpress the same way a lot of US sellers use Amazon. They handle the payments & shipping, usually at far less than the seller could do by themselves.
You don't really need a parachute to skydive. But you DO need one if you want to skydive twice!
I did a not accurate runtime test with the C01S with alkaline on low, checking after one day and after two days. After one day it put out the same 2.7 lumen, after two days the light was off and the battery completely empty.
In an efficient flashlight I expect 2.7 lumen of 95 CRI light to be caused by about 10 mA, plus 2.5mA for powering the MCU, but that is at over 3V, before boosting that would be 32 mA . An alkaline at low drain is about 1000mAh, so that would be a bit over a day. This is with a lot of approximations but it seems about right.
link to djozz tests
Got mine today:
It would be nice if low was lower, but it’s fine, and that’s as close as I can come to a complaint. Beautiful beam. These lights are awesome.
Can anybody link some tritium vials that will fit easily?
Updated OP: Link to buy diffuser caps for C01S
That looks a new type of diffusor, and it seems like not silicone but another plastic. The length makes for a more even light distribution, more to the side than the short types. Except the Q8 diffusor, that will still direct a lot of light upwards.
3.77 dollar for two tiny pieces of plastic (worth a few cents it looks like) is too expensive. I want to hear of some pretty awesome features before I buy those.
link to djozz tests
Is sofirn going to make a C01S with Low as firtst mode and High as second mode ?
Yes, there will be a limited run with that especially for BLF. Should be ready one of these days btw.
link to djozz tests
they should make a run of these in copper
...where Frugal meets with Flashlight!
つ ◕_◕ ༽つ
nice
I was going to get 2 C01s along with a few other lights during the big AX sale.
But in that case wil hold off on the 2 C01S untill we can get the BLF edition
Will you like these diffuser?
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/2pcs-lot-White-diffuser-for-sof...
My new Facebook account: https://www.facebook.com/barry.dong.9250
Great news djozz! So wait for long!
Hi Barry, they look good and look like they will diffuse well. Looks like they are not made of silicone but a harder plastic, right?
I think the price is too high, especially the small ones may not sell well because of the price.
link to djozz tests
Espeially when there are “free” alternatives out there like Chapstick and Vick’s nasal inhaler caps that work pretty nicely.
Thanks!
I would say their prices looks pretty good, especially since they are offering 2pcs/package.
They are a better value anyway than the Fenix diffusers.
My very own high current Beryllium Copper springs Gen 3:
http://budgetlightforum.com/node/67401
Liitokala Aliexpress Stores Battery Fraud: http://budgetlightforum.com/node/60547
Updated post #2 with my impressions of the C01S in comparison to the C01.
http://budgetlightforum.com/comment/1472619#comment-1472619
Why it's not potted?
Nichia 219B
The diffuser is made of POM, I know nothing about it but I was told it can survive in 100℃
Does it really can replace metal sometimes?
My new Facebook account: https://www.facebook.com/barry.dong.9250
it seems XPG3 real has ugly beam. I can see purple blue green in the beam of lumintop aaa
My new Facebook account: https://www.facebook.com/barry.dong.9250
@Barry, acetal/POM plastic is actually perfect for a diffuser, as it can resist to high temperature, is extremely tough(meaning it won’t get destroyed like acrylic), and most importantly, has extremely good light distribution properties since its thickness is usually very uniform.
My very own high current Beryllium Copper springs Gen 3:
http://budgetlightforum.com/node/67401
Liitokala Aliexpress Stores Battery Fraud: http://budgetlightforum.com/node/60547
Cool, sounds like a good material.
link to djozz tests
I’ve seen worse to be honest. The XP-G3 is known for it’s ugly beam / tintshift but Lumintop used a pebble-design TIR lens on the EDC01, so the beam is both floodier and more smoothed. But I agree that C01S’ beam looks much more appealing in comparison to any other AAA light I have tried out so far.
I just got my C01s in. I really like it, the high and low are both very usable and the tint and CRI is nice.. I don’t notice ugly green on low like this led is supposed to have. It does get warm on high with extended use and that’s expected. This will be a great backup light for me. Debating on adding a magnet to this.
I’m absolutely in for a BLF version with low- high.
I have been using this light for a few days. The low is really useful and brighter than the lumens number suggests. I have been mostly using the low mode but the high is very bright as well. I like this led/optic combination. I paired this up with my lumintop IYP365 head on an aaa tool body. The low on the C01s appears about the same as the medium on the lumintop combo.
Is there any updates for the BLF version?
Low/high would be much better for daily use.
No updates atm
link to djozz tests
Thank you!
I got mine and love it. The hotspot is really tight with little spill. Its very throwy. Tint is very nice. I overall like more the C01 for emergency situations and love the 3200k tint and wide floody beam. But the C01S is super nice too. I got 4 more on the way.
Fair enough. With only 200 being made it doesn’t make sense to go through all that trouble. I really like the body design of this light, the UI not so much. Now if only we could see a modding scene for this light
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