Hello. I’ve been researching lights over the last week or so, and I’m still woefully ignorant - prior to this I knew next to nothing.
I have quite a few cheap lights that are all flooders and low range (aa mostly). They suit my meagre needs for walking in the bush or working on something at night.
I’d like one reasonable thrower because I have nothing to cover any sort of distance.
I’m not particularly interested in turbo that drops down quickly - I’d rather have something that doesn’t get hot and remain stable. I don’t need a mega lumen count - I assume more lumens = more heat?
I’d prefer not to have onboard charging just to keep it simple.
I have 21700 batteries, so that’s what I’d like to use (bought for a project that never eventuated).
I’d like a spring at both ends of the battery
I don’t want too big. For example I’d be OK with sofirn c8g and convoy m21b - they are two that I thought could suit me but I just don’t know enough.
I’m more interested in eficiency and keeping heat low (reliable) - if it was a choice between high cri and stronger light, I’d rather have the stronger light.
Thank you for your attention. Whether you can help or not I appreciate your time and expertise
Also, if I’m posting in the wrong place for such a question, please let me know.
I think I came across a review of two of the same lights but one was using sft40, the other sst40. The sft40 got much hotter than the sst40. That’s what pointed me toward the convoy m21b with sst40.
this is where I am ignorant - I don’t have that experience. I understand the logic from what I’ve read - easy to find in tough situations. I can actually relate to that, fumbling around in sub zero temps (<0C) with cameras - I was all thumbs and no fine motor skill.
Based on logic (but not experience) a tail switch? It does get cold here (Tasmania) so I imagine tail switch is better with gloves.
It’s great that you can make a statement like that re the sft40. Great review.
Re the drivers, do I understand correctly that 6a and 8a are the amps? If so how would sft40 with 6a compare to sst40 with 6a regards heat? I can see that the sft40 is definitely the better beam but the comparisons I’ve seen are with different drivers - this is where I lack knowledge.
I suppose for me a priority is reliability and stability. I’d rather have a cooler more stable light than a higher performance light that runs hot. I’m often at altitude and isolated. I always carry a backup, but it’s only 5 lumens if I have to walk all night.
yes, I’ve probably misunderstood re the heat; perhaps not all things were equal?
I think it was this video, although I’ve listened to many videos while I’ve been working so I don’t know. He mentions hot a few times with the sft40.
I think it was this video that led me to the sofirn c8g. Although I think I saw that early on; looking at it now there is no mention of what leds were used with the other lights.
Sofirn IF22A or Sofirn C8L. The C8L handles heat really well.
Here’s my review that shows night comparisons between the IF22A, C8L, C8G
I’d also recommend the Convoy M21A with Osram CSLNM1 with 3 amp driver. At 3 amps this thing runs for 15+ minutes on 100% mode before hitting 50°C and provides 930+ meters. It is a narrow beam though so it may not suit. You’d have to ask Simon to make this up as a special order. The SFT40 achieves 820m at 8 amps in the same model and only 3-4 minutes at 100%.
For my hunting customers I use the Ramping Driver that has 34 brightness steps you can program it to. This way they can set up the brightness to where it suits best
Btw, I hated the S16, the stainless steel bezels create a ring around the outside of the beam and it ruins it for me. Most of Convoy’s that use an SS bezel have the same issue, which is why I steer clear of them.
Edit: missed the no onboard charging, so that rules out the IF22A and C8L
I’ve just been trying to find the heat related info re sft40 vs sst40. I think it was remarks from various reviews, but this review in particular ; if you watch from about 13 minutes 45 seconds in. He’s a funny dude so it’s an easy video to watch
Earlier on in the video he measures the amp draw for each led; everything else is equal except for the leds. The sft40 draws more power - that may explain the heat and performance gain.
I would prefer something without onboard charging - one less system to worry about.
gee, that sounds awesome re the m21a and osram cslnm1 with 3 amp driver.
I did look at the C8L - it seems widely liked by the light community; a compromise between thrower and flood but it has to pump out a lot more lumens to achieve that. I’ve already seen your review, and quite a few others that you’ve done
the sft40 was stable at over 9amp draw, the sst was 7.5amp draw - both on their maximum. Everything was the same except for the emitters and colour temp.
There was a Gen 2 SST40 with stronger bond wires that could handle 9+ amps. Early on there were a few cases of them burning out at 8 amps, but this is no longer the case. Some of my flashlights use a FET driver, bypassed springs, and have been doing well for a couple years at 9 amps max draw
I’m guessing the lower draw is responsible for the lower temperature of the light. I’ve still been researching - I think I’m going with the sofirn c8g; it seems to be the coolest. There are smaller form factors like the s21b and convoy m21b. The s21b gets hot according to reviews, so I’m guessing the m21b won’t be as cool as the c8g. I can’t find much in the way of reviews for the m21b with sst40 - lots of reviews of this light but with different emitters. I also like the battery meter on the c8g - switch light indicates power when the light is turned on. I also found some reviews of convoys leaking when submerged; apparently it’s not uncommon for them. I often spend hours in the rain hiking etc.
Thankyou all for your help and your patience with yet another newby :) I feel more sure of my choice now.
Raining is a lot different than submersion, is it a possibility that it could end up in a pool of water for awhile?. I’ve sold hundreds of the S2, C8, L21B, L21A and not once had a return for one leaking. The issues I’ve seen are caused by the factory not tightening the bezel or pill enough. I do the most thorough QC check in the world, for a flashlight retailer, before flashlights are sold to my customers and I’ve only had two failures in 4-5 years, while Sofirn have been fairly bad. With Sofirn I’ve even had their factory go a far as covering scratches with black anodizing repair marker. Heaps of Sofirn’s dive models leak or corrode that I no longer want to sell them.
In saying the above, Sofirn are still great value, just the QC is sometimes a hit and miss. It’s always good to check everything is tight and orings are in place
