1) Disclaimer
2) Premise
3) Introduction
4) Packaging
5) Materials, assembly, processing, finishes, anodizing
6) Specifications
7) User interface
8) User experience
9) LEDs, light output and beamshots
10) Conclusions
11) Aspects positive
12) Negative aspects
13) Neutral aspects
14) Final grade
1) Disclaimer
If my English is good, you can congratulate me. If my english is bad, you can blame google translate
Mine is a review focused on usage impressions, for measurements and other technical data I refer to other reviews and other sites.
The flashlight was sent to me by the 77 Outdoor store: the Sofirn store on Amazon Italy:
Sofirn C8L 77 Outdoor store
More and more often I find myself using flashlights during my excursions or in daily life, therefore I define myself as a user who has also become passionate over time.
In addition to indicating objective data and measurements, I will always try to be very clear in highlighting strengths and weaknesses, in explaining the impressions during use and what I would like to see or obtain.
All photos, info, measurements, unless otherwise indicated, are my own flour.
I do all this because I enjoy it, mine is a hobby and a pleasure, in life I do anything else, so I apologize in advance to the professionals of the sector, to the enthusiasts and to the simple users for the mistakes that surely are and will be present in mine pages.
If you notice errors, typos or have other reports to make, please let us know, I will be happy to update my pages with your reports.
2) Premise
The medium format is one of the most aggressive sectors in the world of torches, there are in fact many models, declined according to the most varied preferences, and it is possible to choose without problems the model that best suits your needs.
This time we are faced with an average with a decent sized reflector that immediately suggest a good shot, a decupulated LED with 4 dies in the classic cold color temperature as often happens for these torches, a 21700 and double switch.
The ingredients for an interesting recipe are all there. Let's see how this torch will go on the field.
3) Introduction
I have known the Sofirn brand for some time and one of their torches the IF25A is one of the tools I use most frequently.
The brand has grown over time, updating and adding models to the line-up.
With the designation C8 we have 5 models of flashlights, which can be classified into two groups according to some characteristics.
To get an overview of these units I decided to create the following infographic:
4) Packaging:
The Sofirn comes in a single-wave brown hardcover where on the outside we find white labels indicating the model, while on the inside we find
-torch
- bubble wrap
-instruction manual
- sachet with 2 spare o-rings
- lanyard
- usb-a / usb-c cable
- 21700 to 18650 battery reducer tube
- 5000mAh 21700 battery
The manual contains instructions in two languages: English and Chinese.
Below is a scan of the one in English.
5) Materials, assembly, processing, finishes, anodizing:
The torch is made of aluminum in the classic black anodization.
The manual shows a type III type of anti-abrasive finish.
There are small imperfections on the milling of the body: small signs, small aesthetic defects that do not compromise the functioning of the flashlight in the least but which I prefer to point out.
Honestly, I would have expected a more resistant treatment, given the specifications.
Well the threads that run smoothly without uncertainty.
But immediately I find myself pointing out something I don't like, namely the lack of symmetry of the graphics.
A purely aesthetic defect that does not affect the proper functioning of the flashlight, but which gives the impression of a poorly maintained product.
Those who pay attention to the substance will not even notice this asymmetry, but as the saying goes, the eye also wants its part, so I describe this situation and then everyone will draw their own conclusions.
Below is an image to describe the painting.
Bezel:
in aluminum, embattled, it has a fairly generous height that partially wraps the head.
We find a print with the word "HOT" and a serial number. It has no molding imperfections.
The Bezel is glued, very difficult to unscrew and as per the manual, proceeding with the disassembly risks compromising the waterproofing and voiding the warranty.
Lens:
tempered mineral glass.
Reflector:
orange peel.
Head:
Below the bezel, we find well-made milled fins that increase the heat exchange surface. The particular longitudinal processing prevents it from twisting rolls.
Next we find the switch with solid cover, surrounded by a small gray ring, the feedback provided during use is good.
Inside the switch we have a status LED that lights up for a few seconds when the flashlight is in operation and during charging:
-green: battery over 70% charged
- flashing green: battery charged between 40% and 70%
-red: battery charged between 30% 40%
- flashing red: battery with less than 30% charge.
Still below we find the print with the brand and the name of the model.
Finally, the silicone plug that waterproofs the usb-c port and below this another print which this time is aligned with the rest of the structures.
Body:
Six columns with transversal grooves characterize the body and increase its grip. This is a solution that I like and prefer to completely smooth structures.
Tail:
wide, there are longitudinal millings that improve the grip and grip.
We find the printed battery symbol and 2 holes for the passage of the lanyard.
Present a mechanical switch surmounted by a large silicone cap that reminds me of a small marshmallow, unfortunately being very high does not allow you to position the flashlight vertically.
Threads:
All of good workmanship, there are no burrs or machining defects, the segments screw very smoothly and easily. There is a uniform layer of fat.
O-ring:
The bezel is glued so it is difficult to tell if there are 1 or 2 o-rings in the head, but between the head and body and the body and the tail there are 2 o-rings.
Lanyard:
classic black lanyard.
Battery:
In support of the flashlight a 21700 battery branded sofirn from 5000mAh declared. In the capacity test, however, with a discharge current of 1A after 3 measurements an average value of 4700 mAh came out, therefore a variation of 6%.
6) Specifications:
• LED: Cree XPH50.3D HI
K6500
• Material: aluminum alloy
• Low voltage warning: yes
• Reverse polarity protection: yes
• Lens type: mineral with hardening treatment
• Reflector: orange peel
• Switch position: head and tail
• Memory: yes
• Tail stand: no
• Luminous flux: 3100LM
• Battery: Sofirn 21700 5000mAh
• Head and Body Diameter: 46.5mm and 25.8mm
• Length: 156mm
• Weight of the flashlight without battery: 151g
• Water resistance: IPX8
Below are the data provided by the manufacturer on the official Sofirn website.
7) User Interface:
We have two groups
Group 1:
• Head Switch:
- single click for ON or OFF
- when the flashlight OFF:
double click to activate the turbo
• Overhead switch:
- when the flashlight ON:
single click for Eco-Low-Medium-High-Turbo
double click to activate the Turbo
triple click to activate the Strobe -> inside the Strobe double click for Strobe-SOS-Beacon
- when the flashlight OFF:
press the top and rear switches at the same time to activate Eco mode.
Group 2:
• Switch in the queue:
With the torch off:
double click for Strobe
• Overhead switch:
- when the flashlight ON:
double click for Strobe
Switching between Groups:
• Overhead switch:
- when the flashlight ON:
press for 3 seconds
8) Experience of use:
Medium torch but with dimensions at the limit to consider it an EDC. If you are looking for an EDC to carry with you every day it may not be the best choice.
The handle is good, the grip is excellent, the switch on the head in an ergonomic position, the click is sincere even if "soft".
The mechanical switch in the tail gives excellent feedback, but as already written it does not allow you to position the flashlight vertically because it is too pronounced: on the tail I would have preferred the shoulders with the higher eyelets to avoid this problem.
It cannot be used while charging.
On this flashlight I would have liked a nice steel bezel.
I left the flashlight on, immersed in 25cm of water for about 30 minutes: the glass did not mist up and the interior was free of humidity.
Immersion test passed with flying colors.
During use, the flashlight, even at very high levels of light output, always behaved very well, generating little heat and managing to dissipate well. It is possible to maintain excellent emission levels for a long time to the advantage of usability.
9) Led, light output and beamshots:
Last but not least we come to the crucial aspect of each flashlight: LED and light emitted.
The led is a Cree XHP50.3 HI
Some measurements with 100% light on 18% gray card.
The flashlight reports specifications for 3100lm, but when measuring the bounce light it does worse than the IF25A and M21F.
We will probably be around 2100-2400lm. A variation of about 30% from the declared.
I liked the runtime, the first 4.5 minutes are kept at constant power and then slowly stabilizes around 1000-1300lm for about an hour and a half.
Light beam
The light beam is characterized by a wide but not very bright spill and a concentrated and very bright spot.
I would say the right balance between throw and flood in a torch that is prone to shooting.
The white is cold and around the spot there is a greenish crown that becomes less and less evident as the brightness is increased.
There is a slight green cast in the crown, but on the tint side I find this CREE from the C8L much nicer than the Samsung mounted on the Sofirn SD02B.
During the real use of the flashlight and LEDs I liked them, because the performances are good and constant, with the only sore point of the peak lumens that deviate from the declared. The beam is well optimized with respect to the intended use and the color, albeit cold, is pleasant to use, with little color variation.
Here are some shots at night, in a natural environment.
Although I prefer neutral / warm LEDs and more flood lights, I must say that this C8L performs quite well in the natural environment and during general use.
26mm
f1.6
ISO 6400
1 / 15s
WB 5000k
Shooting test, with target at 125m (measured with Google Earth)
26mm
f1.6
ISO 8000
1 / 15s
WB 5000k
Great lighting at this distance.
Shooting test, with target at 210m (measured with Google Earth)
26mm
f1.6
ISO 8000
1 / 15s
WB 5000k
The impression is that the flashlight still has a lot of shooting to offer.
Shooting test, with target at 160m (measured with Google Earth)
26mm
f1.6
ISO 8000
1 / 15s
WB 5000k
The bell tower at exactly 160 meters is illuminated perfectly and without difficulty.
Shooting test, with target at 260m (measured with Google Earth)
26mm
f1.6
ISO 8000
1 / 15s
WB 5000k
Increasing the distance we see that it is possible to easily illuminate the building close to the trees positioned at about 260m.
Also promoted to shooting tests.
10) Conclusions
The C8L is a thrower with a good good LED and light beam sold at a decent attack price.
If on paper there are no striking specifications that make you cry a miracle, during use you end up appreciating it a lot.
11) Positive aspects:
1) Although I am not a lover of cold LEDs, I liked both the LED, the color, and the light beam.
2) Good balance between throw and flood
3) Constant performance over time
4) Little heat emitted
12) Negative aspects:
1) The light emission specifications are not true: the peak lumens, in my case, vary by 30% from the declared.
2) Switch on the very prominent tail, impossible to position the flashlight vertically
13) Neutral aspects:
1) Misaligned graph: the overall result gives the flashlight an uncared for appearance
2) Manual present only in English and Chinese
3) Unable to recharge during use
4) Bezel in aluminum (I would have preferred it in steel)
14) Final rating:
8/10
.. since Sofirn improved the UI on this C8L.