[Available again! - BLF special edition light] new Sofirn AAA twisty high CRI 5mm LED

BLF Special Edition Products
1

Focus of this thread
The Sofirn C01: a single 1.5V cell AAA twisty with 5mm high CRI Yuji LED (one version in 3200K, other version in 5600K); co-creation between BLF community and Sofirn; commemorative clone of Fenix E01 and Arc AAA; cockroach light.

Update (2020-10-27)
YES! Available again, perfectly in time for bringing light in days of darkness :slight_smile:
Sofirn website: https://sofirnlight.com/c01-aaa-flashlight-5mm-3400k-led-95-cri-p0152.html
Sofirn AliExpress store: https://www.aliexpress.com/i/32967363356.html

Specific for the C01-2020 version:

- no potting

- Sophia 3400K 5mm LED instead of Yuji 3200K LED

- new 5mm deep red LED (670nm) option with red body coloy

- new body colors Orange, Brown, Dark Green in addition to Black, Blue

- no non-anodized/grey version

  • no 5600K version anymore

Update (2019-04-22)
The Sofirn AliExpress Store states: “Sorry, this item is no longer available!”
That means that the special edition limited run of the Sofirn C01 is sold out.

Update (2019-04-19)
Sofirn announced they sell the final 30 C01 flashlights (5mm Yuji, red body color, 5600K) on Amazon.com for 6.50 USD.

Status (2019-04-15)
Link to order RED and BLUE Sofirn C01 at AliExpress

The black version is sold out. The old link now refers to another Sofirn flashlight, the Sofirn C01*S* with a completely different LED (SST-20). More info in the Sofirn C01S thread.

Price
If you are on the BLF interest list you can get the special BLF discount price mentioned by Sofirn as 6.50 USD.

Explanation how to get the special BLF group buy discount
Please read this step-by-step visual explanation by BlueSwordM.

Availability
Sofirns announced they produced a limited set of only 2000 lights with the high-CRI Yuji leds.
1000 pieces 3200K; 1000 pieces 5600K.

Body colors
Black, red, blue.


Note: Sepcial is not a spelling mistake, but an acronym. :wink:

Interest list
Interest list (maintained by iamlucky13)

Sofirn C01 on CPF
Sofirn C01 thread on Candlepowerforums.com.
Compare and Contrast the Sofirn C01 to the Fenix E01

Videos
Deanodisation of a trit-hole and glueing in a trit in a C01 (by djozz)
C01 corrosion (underwater) (by djozz)
Bare circuit board underwater (by djozz)
Drop test (by djozz)
Third floor drop test (by Sofirn)
Truck crush test (by Sofirn)
Ice cold test (by Sofirn)
Underwater test (by Sofirn)

Update 2018-12-30
The Red and blue versions have finally become available.

Update 2018-11-25
People are starting to receive Sofirn C01s from the first production run.

Update 2018-11-21
The black 3200K and 5600K are back in stock in the Sofirn store at AliExpress.

Update 2018-11-11
First batch of 300 lights are sold out at the Sofirn store at AliExpress.
The second batch is announced to be in three colors: black, red and blue.

Update 2018-11-10 (update from Sofirn)

Update 2018-10-29 (Update from djozz)

Update 2018-07-24
Thanks to Djozz Sofirn is willing to produce a AAA twisty flashlight with high CRI Yuji 5mm LEDs, in two versions, 3200K and 5600K.
Titel of this thread is changed to reflect the new focus.

Update 2018-07-03
jon_slider contacted Fenix USA and their answer was that Fenix could produce such a light; however the minimum order quantity is 1000 pieces. He also tried to start a Kickstarter page, however that was rejected.

Update 2018-06-23
vinhn sells a modded version of the E01 on CandlePowerForum for USD 48. His modded light is unpotted however.

Background
The quality of light output of the 97 CRI Yuji high-cri 5mm LEDs is simply incredibly good. Unfortunately there are no commercially available flashlights with this fantastic 5mm LED installed at the factory. Thanks to Djozz Sofirn is willing to fill this specific niche.
We also asked Fenix to produce a special Yuji edition of the Fenix E01, however their minimum order quantity was 1000 pieces. This is too big of a hurdle to take at his moment.

Design goals for a high CRI 5mm twisty AAA flashlight

- true unicorn light: fantastic value because of high quality and low price

- high reliability based on robust design (design goal: as bomb-proof and torture-proof as Fenix E01)

- preferably “fully potted electronics driver board” (similar to Fenix E01:https://i.imgur.com/qyFo1JM.jpg )

- high-CRI output (thanks to the Yuji 5mm LEDs)

- small (71 mm x 14.2 mm)

- light-weight

- cheap (Sofirn stated 6 USD)

- constant-current

- no (visible) pwm flickering

- simple operation (single mode

- preferably true battery vampire which also works with on a drained battery with a voltage lower that 0.9 Volts

- long runtime (first regulated, and with depleted battery also long unregulated runtime) (design goal is at least the runtime of a Fenix E01)

- waterproof (IPX8)

- tailstand capability

- runs on plain AAA batteries (alkaline, NiMH, or L92 lithium primaries)

  • preferably a polished aluminum reflector for at least some throw to increase to usefulness of the <10 lumen light output

What would be good use cases for such a low-lumen light (around 10 lumen)?

- gift light suiteable for non-flashaholics or children

- reliable back-up light (for scenario’s where you want the Fenix E01 as a second backup for your first backup light)

- stash-away light (coupled with a lithium primary for stashing away in your car, survival bag, medical kit)

  • keychain light for people prioritizing robustness over lumens output.

Why not a do-it-yourself mod of the Fenix E01?
Because of the potting of the electronics, a do-it-yourself mod of the Fenix E01 is quite a hassle.
And after modding, the light will be less reliable because of removing the potting. There is also a chance of damaging the electronics when removing the potting. There is a real chance of damaging a Fenix E01 if you try to mod it yourself. Modding would also result in lower reliability afterwards.

2

So what do others think of the Sofirn C01?

zeroair review (2019-01-18)

djozz on BLF (2018-11-11)

parametrek on /r/flashlight (2018-11-27)

slowtechstef on BLF (2018-11-27)

Henk4U2 on BLF (2018-11-30)

3

Specifications (partly tongue-in-cheek)

User Manual


Model:

  • Sofirn C01

Light source:

  • 1 Yuji 5 mm through hole LED (YJ-BC-F5-G01) (Datasheet)
  • 60 degrees LED for floody beam

LED life:

  • unbreakable bulb (encapsulant material epoxy resin)
  • over 100.000 hours on high setting
  • bulb never needs replacing

CCT (color temperature):

  • 3200K
  • 5600K
  • 4400K when combining 3200K and 5600K models

CRI (color rendering):

  • Ra > 93
  • R9 > 60
  • superior color rendering
  • highest CRI values in a traditional 5mm LED form factor

Driver:

  • 25 mA current at LED in order not to decrease LED lifetime by overdriving it
  • graceful degradation with empty battery, no sudden unexpected darkness
  • approximately 60 mA current at battery when it is full
  • no PWM; no visible flickering
  • no parasitic drain when flashlight is off
  • driver board potted with thermal epoxy for increased resilience and waterproofness
  • joule thief / battery vampire circuit will suck every last Joule out of a battery

Power source:

  • single 1.5 Volt AAA sized cell
  • alkaline primary (LR03)
  • zinc-carbon, zinc chloride primary (R03)
  • lithium-iron-disulfide (LiFeS2) primary (FR03)
  • nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) rechargeable (low self discharge version such as Eneloop recommended) (KR03)
  • nickel-cadmium (NiCd) rechargeable (sale banned in European Union) (HR03)
  • AAAA sized or cylindrical cells from alkaline 9 Volt (6LR61) batteries with do-it-yourself aluminum foil piece adapter
  • CAUTION: do NOT use 10440 Li-Ion (3.7 Volt) or 10440 LiFePO4 (3.2 Volt) cells; they will destroy the driver and LED of your flashlight

Battery-flashlight combination shelf life:

  • 20 years with 95 percent of original capacity (Energizer Lithium LiFeS2 AAA primaries)
  • 10 years with 70 percent of original capacity (Eneloop NiMH BK-4MCC A/E AAA rechargeables)
  • CAUTION: do NOT store alkaline cells in your flashlight; they will start leaking and destroy your flashlight

Runtime with full AAA alkaline cell:

  • low (3200K 6 lumens / 5600K 8 lumens): 20 hours (battery voltage > 1.0 Volt)
  • moonlight low (<1 lumen): 13+ hours (battery voltage < 1.0 Volt )
  • desired output setting can be selected by switching between full or empty battery
  • runtime depends on temperature; lower temperature means lower runtime

User interface:

  • twist head to left for on while holding battery tube
  • twist head to right for off while holding battery tube

Waterproofness:

  • IPX8 at 2 meter

Operation temperature range:

  • depends on battery chemistry
  • lithium primaries are rated for -40 to +60 degrees Celcius

Weight flashlight:

  • 13 g (0.21oz) without battery

Weight battery:

  • alkaline AAA primary: 11.5g (0.41oz)
  • lithium AAA primary: 7.6g (0.27oz)
  • NiMH AAA rechargeable: 14-15g (0.49-0.53oz)
  • alkaline AAAA primary: 6.5g (0.23oz)

Dimensions:

  • 71.1mm (length) by 14.5mm (head diameter)

Material:

  • T6061 aluminium

Color:

  • black
  • blue (limited edition)
  • red (limited edition)

Options:

  • center-hanging split ring (included)
  • reversable pocket clip for use as hat light (included)
  • user-installable tritium vial (diameter 1.5mm; length 6mm; available from e.g. mixglo.com, banggood.com, ebay, fishing supply stores)
  • user-installable magnet (diameter 5mm; height 3mm; N52 is highest magnetic strength; available from e.g. Convoy store at AliExpress; supermagnete.de; fasttech.com; banggood.com)
  • user-installable diffuser (create DIY-cap from small lip balm) or buy one from Sofirn.

CAUTION

  • The areas where the PCB comes in contact with the body tube are small, they might need some cleaning now and then. There might be a potential issue where after thousands of on/off cycles the areas get worn out; djozz developed "a fix while it ain’t broken".
  • The Sofirn C01 is a flashlight with a potted driver, that means it is NOT mod-friendly; trying to open up its head might destroy the driver.
  • The Sofirn C01 has no low voltage protection by design; remove rechargeable NiMH cell when flashlight starts to dim to moonlight level if you want to prevent accelerated ageing of the NiMH cell.
  • The Sofirn C01 is not tested and not certified for use as intrinsically safe light.
  • The included pocket clip is made from metal that is painted black, some people have reported the black paint to come off.
  • Remove the included pocket clip at the point where it is attached to the flashlight, otherwise you might break it.
  • .
4

I wish you luck on this one. If you manage to get Fenix to do this, I will certainly get a few.

5

+1. And it’s a very big if, IMHO. But I’m a sucker for tiny shiny lights.

6

I’d be interested. Good luck!

7

I’d buy one, nice!, but I will admire you if you get Fenix to do special editions on request! (never heard of that)

8

It is always good to have dreams. :innocent:

In case Fenix would not be interested in such an innovative special edition, then perhaps another good candidate manufacturer for high CRI 5mm Yuji twisty AAA could perhaps be Reylight?

I think the combination of high CRI, high reliablity due to fully potted electronics, high runtime (15+ hours on single AAA battery) at a low price point (sweet point >15 USD) is currently not available commercially. Therefore such a light could be an interesting commercial niche.
Also because it could be attractive to both “flashaholics” as well as “muggles”. Key to selling however, would be explaining to people the benefits of high CRI. And why a potted flashlight at this price point is so special.

I can already imagine a video with torture tests
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dRppPINZfo.

9

I would absolutely be in.

10

I am in! I’d probably get 2-3 if the price is reasonable. Warm preferred, but will order either way.

As far as E01 torture tests:

5 Story Drop Test

5mm LED AAA Abuse Testing

Edited to add, I have a picture of what we’re going for, but the Sunwayman I previously modded will NOT withstand a 5 story drop. Mine died from a 5’ drop.

2nd Edit - not sure the picture is actually showing up. It will have to wait until after work.

11

Vinh at Skylumen has been modding E01’s with Yujis. They’ve been quite well received on the other forum; I have one myself and it’s an amazing little light.

I’d be in for 2, at least.

12

I am waiting for Vihn to ship my EO1, so I’m am in. Vinhs are $48 and he doesn’t repot them.

13

Nice! When did this happen?

Last I heard, he had done warm LED mods in the past, but then Fenix changed their potting compound and he could no longer get the driver clean.

And now I see he did a batch of Inova X5vn, too.

I appreciate you bringing this up, although I will first hold out hope for Fenix doing a run. They should be able to afford to sell them at lower cost than Vinh modding them by hand.

Also, the fact that there is interest in this light even at custom prices is more evidence Fenix should do a batch of Yuji E01’s.

14

Plus they would still be fully potted. Being cheaper would also make it easier to give them away as gifts. :wink:

If Fenix was to sell them at $15, they would be my favorite budget AAA light on the market.

I definitely appreciate Vinh’s work modding these though. They seem tough to crack open and mod, but it also gave me a chance to try a Yuji for the first time.

@richnpc: Nice! What CCT did you get? I got the 3200k variant.

15

Interested!

Even if Fenix doesn’t take it on, I’d be interested in something comparable.

16

I’d buy one!

17

I would be in.

18

In for 2 or 3

19

Normally I would be interested but I already have a Yuji GIU and imho a Yuji E01 would not be an improvement.

I highly recommend the Gerber Infinity Ultra as a Yuji host. Easy to mod with low temperature white threadlocker and only the inductor coil is potted. Lots of o-rings. Decent clip for hatlight use. Can use AA or AAA batteries. The “tail switch” is great. Kind of tailstands :slight_smile:

20

Thanks for your suggestion for the Gerber Infinity Ultra (AA/AAA) as a “cockroach” light with high CRI emitter.
That one is certainly an attractive light as well :slight_smile: