Anyone have the "clear" Sofirn SP32Av2?

LED Flashlights – General Info 18650 Flashlights
1

I know it doesn’t have a fancy UI, the latest emitter, and is probably considered old news, but I have two examples of the SP32Av2, and found it to be a very good light that still offers a versatile UI, without complexity.

It doesn’t boast gaudy numbers, but what it can provide is consistent, with a regulated driver and heat characteristics that don’t compromise its role as a tool, as opposed to a toy to show off for brief periods, or actually outputs a fraction of rated lumens when used for prolonged periods.

No doubt those are fun, but don’t fit the intended role here, for an all-rounder that can even be fitted with a couple CR123s and forgotten in a drawer.

I’m gonna pass one of them on and will get another as a replacement, but I’m curious about the “clear” finish, and experiences with it.

It’s described as non-anodized, so I’m assuming it’s bare aluminum, and more likely to show dings and scratches, versus the old silver anodized version, or Convoy’s clear, which supposedly does have a coating.

Can anyone comment on whether it’s bare, or does have some kind of coating?

I think it’s a shame that the model hasn’t been given more love, with a more current emitter option, since the XP-L2 is really its only objective weakness.

2

I’ve got two gold(ish) and one silver, but I don’t go juggling with them or anything. I’m nice to my lights. :laughing:

Even the gold one that I keep in on my bag is holstered, and not on a keychain or shoved in with a pile o’ keys or anything.

That said, I haven’t seen anything to indicate it’s finish is “fragile”, but that doesn’t mean much.

3

I’ve got one - it’s bare alu, no clear coat. Got it for $13USD on their flash sale, and will swap out the emitter soon. Swap to ramp mode and it’s pretty nice.

Tailcap has a bit more “pitting” than the body though but at that price I don’t really care.

4

I bought four on the same flash sale a few weeks back- still waiting on them. They have been “stuck” in Indiana for 6 days now :neutral_face:

I like that they are regulated and HAVE ramping. I plan to gift a pair out to a good friend who I know will use them. And I’ll gift him a two port 18650 charger for them so he can charge the batteries (with a few to spare).

I figured ramping for muggles is a “cool” feature (they all like when they handle a ramping light). And he’s the kinda’ guy who takes care of his stuff and knows how to charge batteries (and no children, so zero worries).

My wife also has absconded with my SC31 Pro and so I’m hoping to “gift” her this one and get my light back! I can dream anyway :stuck_out_tongue:

5

The non-ramping UI is click to change mode and hold-to-off. God I hate that. Ramping is far more sensible (click on/off, hold to ramp, double click for turbo)

6

I also got a Wuben C5 when they were on sale for about $15 last month (Amazon code deal). I WAS excited for it’s “ramping” claim- BUT when you stop ramping (up only), there is no continue/reverse option. Cool looking light and all, but if it doesn’t STAY in ramp mode- it sucks to me.

I was hoping for better with a very cool looking 14500 light. But the USB charging is built into the battery (not the light) and ramping ONLY works from on going up. Then it reverts to step mode after your ONE ramp opportunity.

I’m VERY close to the point where if it doesn’t have Anduril or maybe Narsil (or at least a REAL ramp MODE Vs. “the one shot feature”) AND USB charging built into the light- I’m not buying it in an EDC sized light. But for $13 USD, the SP32a-V2 was too good to pass up :person_facepalming:

7

Thanks, just what I was looking for.

What kind of swap is going in? I wish Sofirn wouldn’t glue their lights together.

8

Was actually pretty easy to open it, but did require some tools. (Used a GoPro handlebar grip, and a shifter)

Unsure yet, but probably a 5000K XPL HI.

9

Got my “Flash Sale” bare aluminum SP32a V2s in today… and I am digging them! :+1:

The finish is really sweet on the head and body tube that are looking more “stainless” along with the clip which matches the look nicely; but the tail cap really is kinda rough (where un-lathed… there is some finer pitting on the outer/unworked surface). But really it’s barely noticeable and doesn’t look bad at all- kinda looks “industrial” Vs “tactical” (and yes… the change is nice)! All lathe work is very well done and flawless on unit #1 tonight as I look it over.

The head has all the standard markings, but they are very translucent. The heat icon/text is not easy to read for me without a magnifying glass- damn my eyes :neutral_face: The head also has some sharper heat sinks “notched” into it but they are very shallow and not a problem for me in any way.

I like the look over-all and the cross-hatched diamond knurling feels a bit more “grippy” in the hand than my other black Sofirns with the anodized coating over what I am sure is the same pattern (as my C8F for example).

Probably an optical illusion, but it feels lighter in weight than my other black flashlights it’s size. But then I put a battery in just now and it feels perfect in the hand for an EDC light. But Sofirn forgot the lube on the o-rings- which I remedied right away after opening this first unit.

Looks like it was moved back to the standard 18650 light page and priced back up at $18 each now. It was $13 last month (plus 10% off my larger order) when on Sofirnlight.com’s “Flash Sale” page then… so I bought FOUR. :smiley:

Ramping on this light is SOLID with memory- I REALLY love this ramping almost as much as I do Anduril’s. It doesn’t come on in moonlight with a press/hold like Anduril (another intuitive Anduril feature I love), but the range is great from 5 to 1300 lumens (according to Sofirn) and that seems about right.

I have an older version of the original SF31 in the drawer I pulled out and loaded with a matching battery. I also pulled out my new SC31 Pro. SURPRISINGLY, the led in the SP32a V2 was a NICE 5k(ish) tint! :+1: (I wonder if they all are? I’ll have to check them all later). Compared to the SF 31 and SC 31Pro I just liked the 5k tint of this light WAY better than the 6.5k of those other two models. I believe the 1300 lumen rating is right on as it out-threw the SF31- but only by a hair. Ironically, my SC 31Pro’s ramp max limit I have set was ALSO a dead tie throw wise (with the SP32a V2 still better looking at 5k!).

I have come to get over running turbo shows, and am mostly into good run-times, led color, and good throw for outdoor use- where I use these guys. I am delighted with this OLD (but redesigned) light as I almost now MUST have ramping to enjoy a light. Anduril is very cool and I’m moving that way more and more with lights running it now including the: LT1 lantern, SP36, Q8, SC 31Pro, IF25a and a few other non-Sofirn brands. But if you have a charger handy (as I do always at the USB plug station in the kitchen- with several lights always tail standing there too), these SP31a V2s are really great lights for the features. If they go on sale again, I’ll probably grab a few more and heck… I might pony-up and snag one of the “desert tan” colored models at $19 too. :stuck_out_tongue:

I read where the driver is regulated (rare from Sofirn) and figured a RAMPING 18650 sized light for mostly non-turbo use was something I didn’t have— and wanted! I also have some gifting to do with these over deer season where any guide I show my lights to ends up getting one in trade (or gifted in the tip if they are good). All my hunting buddies also expect me to bring something new to the hunt camps so I’ll have these to show along with the LT1 (to those who don’t already have one!).

A poor man’s SC 31Pro with ramping (evil grin), a better 5k LED (than the standard 6.5k models in similar lights) and regulated output— ya! I’m a very happy dude tonight. :beer:

10

I too am starting to appreciate regulated outputs. The battery eating turbos of DD lights are losing their appeal. I have been using my Sofirn SP33 V2 lately on high for walks and it doesn’t get hot, last a long time on a 26650 and a quick double click for short bursts is all the turbo I need. I would like the charging of the V3 but would miss the regulated output of the V2.