Will Sofirn SC21 have longer runtime compared to SC21 Pro under "normal" use?

[Yurii101]

Hi, after reading this SC21 Pro review Sofirn SC21 Pro Flashlight Review - ZeroAir Reviews and especially this comment

You might like to see my original SC21 review. On those tests, the highest output looks similar to the one above, but the two second highest outputs are basically flat. That could be a reasonable deciding factor between these two lights. Between having Andúril and having flat output, I might personally pick a flat output.

Is is correct that “regular” SC21 will have longer runtimes if I don’t care about Andúril features?

Thanks!

[jon_slider]

yes SC21 on High of 300 lumens lasts 54 minutes, that is 40% longer, 15 minutes longer, than SC21 Pro that lasts 39 minutes at that output

note zeroair mentions that on the SC21 there is no LVP:

“I did not observe low voltage protection.”

this means the light will not turn itself off if the battery goes below 2.7V…

as long as you do not let that happen, SC21 is a better choice than SC21 Pro, in terms of runtime.
just pay attention to the battery level indicator on the button of the SC21, and do not fall asleep w the light On.

And if you use a lower mode than 300 lumens this greatly increases runtime, for example SC21 medium of 80 lumens lasts almost 4 hours

I do think the SC21 is a better choice for someone in Ukraine, that prioritizes longer battery life. Also the SC21 offers warmer LEDs than SC21 Pro.

I hope you continue to stay safe in Kiev.

[Yurii101]

Thanks! I think that LVP absence should be fine while I’m using protected 16340?

I have a years old Nitecore Smart PD 10 and all AW RCR123 cells that I’ve bought with the light long ago are now at ~20% capacity left.
Got Keeppower 16340 from the local dealer as a replacement and found it to be a way too big (length wise) to fit into my Nitecore

So I’m looking to buy both 16340 cells and probably a new 16340 light from Sofirn Now when I have everyday need to use flashlights I’ve decided to replenish my collection a little bit

Already have Convoy S21D on the way and looking probably to try Wurkkos TS10 and maybe some 18650 light…

Actually I didn’t have plans for new 16340 lights until Keeppower failed me

Kyiv sometimes is under (massive) rocket attaks but most of the rockets were being destroyed so far! Anyway we often have 4-5 hours long “blackouts”. Overall city is leaving as normal life as possible. Many businesses adopted already. Of course situation stays very tense and unpredictable.

[jon_slider]

@Yurii101

I think that LVP absence should be fine while I’m using protected 16340?

Yes, IF they fit. Sometimes protected batteries are longer than UnProtected.

I do not know which battery Sofirn sells with the SC21 “kit”
I do not know if it is protected
I do not know how long it is

the SC21 Pro comes with a button top battery that is 33.9mm long
I do not know if it is protected
my guess is the SC21 Mini comes w the same battery, but I have no direct experiece

Because of all the unknowns, I would buy the SC21 With the Battery Sofirn sells…

or, if you buy some other battery, stay as close as possible to the 33.9mm dimension… +2mm could work… but +3mm might not…

[Yurii101]

My idea was to buy these 4 Pcs 16340 Battery with Button-Top

They should fit my Nitecore too because my AW is 34mm long. But You’re right there is no info whether there Sofirn batteries have protection or not…

By the way Keeppower states their battery to be 15.7mm long…

[jon_slider]

those black button top batteries are the same as shown in the zeroair review of the SC21, where he says there was no LVP

even though the info sheet for those batteries says there is discharge cutoff voltage of 2.75V in the description of the batteries in your link

it is difficult to get accurate info sometimes…

my guess is the batteries are UnProtected but INR Chemistry, which is much safer, and more tolerant of overdischarge, than the old ICR chemistry

[Yurii101]

This is the response I’ve got from Sofirn

The 16340 is an unprotection circuit
Our flashlight is both with low voltage protection, please rest assured.
According to the length of battery we are not sure, it is recommended that you directly purchase a flashlight with batteries.

[jon_slider]

[quote=Yurii101]

The 16340 is an unprotection circuit
Our flashlight is both with low voltage protection

Thanks!

It makes sense that the battery is UnProtected,
That is appropriate for Anduril lights.
The SC21 Pro, has Anduril LVP

the SC21 per zeroair, has no LVP, and I trust him.
I cannot explain why Sofirn claims otherwise.

[Yurii101]

So this means that SC21 Pro is a bad choice because of runtimes and SC21 is a bad choice because of the lack of LVP if protected 16340 will not fit in. What is the next affordable quality option that accepts 16430? Olight Baton?

[jon_slider]

@Yurii101

SC21 is a bad choice because of the lack of LVP if protected 16340 will not fit in.

I would not assume that unprotected do not fit… some are quite short… for example this one seems likely to fit,

16340 KeepPower 800mAh ICR16340 Protected Button Top RCR123A

though I have not tried… it is only 0.2mm longer than the stock battery.

> Olight Baton?

they have excellent runtime, they just have no High CRI option, and the batteries are proprietary… do not work with standard batteries. fwiw, they have magnetic charging, no need to remove the battery to charge.