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

slowtechstef · 2018-11-25T12:59:51.000Z

Geuzzz:

Nice light! Great tint and enough output for a cockroach.

Not to keen on the labeling on the light, but I am thinking of deanodizing it.

Great to read that the first orders are arriving.
Don’t hesitate to share your experience and opinion.

By the way: please be careful with the pocket clip, as it seems to be rather fragile.
I accidentally broke the clips of the prototypes when moving them from back to front to test the C01s as hat light.
Hopefully Sofirn included better quality ones on their production model.

Tally-ho · 2018-11-25T21:50:49.000Z

I received mine yesterday but only checked my mail box 30 minutes ago.

Sorry for the over-exposed potato-quality picture.

I’m more and more disliking Sofirn for being gradually less “modder friendly” but as I didn’t plan to modify my C01, I’m really pleased by the quality (don’t know about the driver traces durability and potting quality, time will tell).
Colors rendition of the 3200K is warm but

Thank you Djozz and all people involved !

bulbed · 2018-11-25T21:19:14.000Z

Just placed my order as per instructions.Now waiting for the price adjustment.This is my first GB in BLF or any other forums.I am sure all the hard work you guys are put in here will “shine” out very well.As of my order 29/31 left

willc68 · 2018-11-26T01:23:42.000Z

After a couple tries I figured it out and Sorfirn just got back to me with the discount.
I went with one of each tint.

slowtechstef · 2018-11-26T17:35:45.000Z

Just arrived home after work, and I found a nice surprise at the doormat, a little package from Sofirn ;-)

The production models include the same fragile pocket clip as the prototype models.

Please be careful when removing the clip in order not to break it. In my flashlight drawer I found another clip (I do not remember from which AAA flashlight, which is much more robust); Sofirn production pocket clip on the right.

The Sofirn manual states 35 hours runtime with an Alkaline battery. This weekend I measured the following runtime with brand new IKEA Alkalisk alkaline batteries: 4500K PROTOTYPE model 33 hours, and 3200K PROTOTYPE model 34 hours runtime.

Really funny by the way how you can "lego" Sofirn C01 and Fenix E01. This is the way to go if you want to add a magnet or a tritium vial to your Fenix E01 ;-)

Finally, I noticed a difference with the production model versus the prototype model: my 5600K production run C01 had a slightly bright hotspot at the center, which the prototype model had not. The 3200K production was evenly floody. I am not sure if this has slight hotspot has to do with alignment differences of the LED in the reflector during production.

I am super happy with the Sofirn C01 as new member of my 5mm LED flashlight family :-)

I posted some more pictures in this imgr album: https://imgur.com/a/u9RksCp

slowtechstef · 2018-11-26T21:05:26.000Z

This weekend I did a little runtime test with some 1AAA 5mm flashlights running them on IKEA Alkalisk batteries(1.79 Euro for 10).
Results as following from LED on to completely dark:

1. Varta/Rayovac Indestructable 1AAA: 43 hours (of which the last 36 hours really dim)
2. Sofirn C01 3200K (PROTOTYPE): 34 hours (approx. 20 hours of regulated output)
3. Sofirn C01 5600K (PROTOTYPE): 33 hours
4. Fenix E01: 26.5 hours
5. GP Discovery CLE202: 24 hours
6. Gerber Infinity Ultra task light: 7:15 hours (much lower than expected)

0. Control: Zebralight H53Fc on AAA alkaline: 45 hours on 3.5 lumen (lowest M). After that 5 more hours on highest Low. Then it started to flicker. When removed battery measured 0.85 Volts. Still good enough to light a Sofirn C01.

Edit 1: added prototype clarification
Edit 2: added Zebralight result

Tally-ho · 2018-11-26T18:50:02.000Z

slowtechstef:

Finally, I noticed a difference with the production model versus the prototype model: my 5600K production run C01 had a slightly bright hotspot at the center, which the prototype model had not. The 3200K production was evenly floody. I am not sure if this has slight hotspot has to do with alignment differences of the LED in the reflector during production.

I noticed exactly the same with my 5600K vs 3200K. If you are looking at the photophor die area, the one of the 5600K seems smaller and better defined as the one of the 3200K. Don’t know if there is a die area difference with same dome or a dome difference with same die area between them. Anyway, I really don’t care.

slowtechstef · 2018-11-26T20:59:44.000Z

Somewhere earlier djozz mentioned that there were differences between the Yuji LEDs. I noticed this as well.

Left is the protoype C01; middle and right are two production run C01s from the same batch; the one on the left and right are more "rosy"; the one in the middle is more "yellow".

Still I like both better than my Zebralight H53Fc (high-CRI, 4000K, however with green tint). I guess I lost the Zebralight tint lottery :-(

Please bear in mind that these tints somehow look much more dramatic in this picture than in real life.

When using outside in real life even the Zebralight is actually quite good.

defloyd77 · 2018-11-27T00:06:41.000Z

slowtechstef:

This weekend I did a little runtime test with some 1AAA 5mm flashlights running them on IKEA Alkalisk batteries(1.79 Euro for 10).
Results as following from LED on to completely dark:

1. Varta/Rayovac Indestructable 1AAA: 43 hours (of which the last 36 hours really dim)
2. Sofirn C01 3200K (PROTOTYPE): 34 hours (approx. 20 hours of regulated output)
3. Sofirn C01 5600K (PROTOTYPE): 33 hours
4. Fenix E01: 26.5 hours
5. GP Discovery CLE202: 24 hours
6. Gerber Infinity Ultra task light: 7:15 hours (much lower than expected)

0. Control: Zebralight H53Fc on AAA alkaline: 45 hours on 3.5 lumen (lowest M). After that 5 more hours on highest Low. Then it started to flicker. When removed battery measured 0.85 Volts. Still good enough to light a Sofirn C01.

Edit 1: added prototype clarification
Edit 2: added Zebralight result

7:15 for a Gerber Infinity Ultra? That sounds awfully low, even if it’s with a AAA battery.

slowtechstef · 2018-11-27T15:01:36.000Z

defloyd77:

7:15 for a Gerber Infinity Ultra? That sounds awfully low, even if it’s with a AAA battery.

My GIU was recently ordered on Amazon.com. My goal was to experience this light as an AA form factor for a 5 mm flashlight, as according to Parametrek the GIU is the ultimate host for a Yuji LED. Perhaps my particular GIU is malfunctioning, or perhaps Gerber changed something to its driver recently in production, who knows?

The cause for the low runtime was not the IKEA AAA Alkalisk battery. After the GIU went dark, I transplanted the AAA alkaline battery into a Fenix E01 which run for 17:30 hours on moonlight. In the future I will try to repeat this test with the GIU, but first I have to acquire some new alkaleaks. Usually I only use NiMH cells.

Although I am disappointed by the low runtime of the GIU, I do like the sturdiness of the form factor, and the option to run both AAA (without adapter) as well as AA cells in this light. Perhaps it is possible to do some surgery on it and transplant a Sofirn C01 driver into it

dealgrabber2002 · 2018-11-27T15:17:57.000Z

slowtechstef:

Although I am disappointed by the low runtime of the GIU, I do like the sturdiness of the form factor, and the option to run both AAA (without adapter) as well as AA cells in this light. Perhaps it is possible to do some surgery on it and transplant a Sofirn C01 driver into it

Why? Just have Sofirn make an AA version of the C01.

Henk4U2 · 2018-11-27T15:44:08.000Z

dealgrabber2002:

slowtechstef:

Although I am disappointed by the low runtime of the GIU, I do like the sturdiness of the form factor, and the option to run both AAA (without adapter) as well as AA cells in this light. Perhaps it is possible to do some surgery on it and transplant a Sofirn C01 driver into it

Why? Just have Sofirn make an AA version of the C01.

That would be great!

Except in TV-remotes we don’t have many AAA batteries in our household, but we do have lots of AA’s.
Because the missus put new ones in her electric toothbrush as soon as she thinks the thing misses a beat.
The old batteries go into “the drawer”. That has almost the hallmarks of creating a new ecosystem.
I would feel safer if we could put the more virulent ones down after they were totally drained.

Edit: and with an AAA to AA adapter you would have your own Gerbivore for a fraction of the price.

gottawearshades · 2018-11-27T16:07:03.000Z

Thanks for the numbers, slowtechstef.

I was also considering putting these emitters in my two Gerber Infinity U’s. Love that light. Carried one everywhere whien I was in the army. Lost at least two of them somewhere around the globe.

But with that runtime, I’m not sure it’s worth it.

defloyd77:

slowtechstef:

This weekend I did a little runtime test with some 1AAA 5mm flashlights running them on IKEA Alkalisk batteries(1.79 Euro for 10).
Results as following from LED on to completely dark:

1. Varta/Rayovac Indestructable 1AAA: 43 hours (of which the last 36 hours really dim)
2. Sofirn C01 3200K (PROTOTYPE): 34 hours (approx. 20 hours of regulated output)
3. Sofirn C01 5600K (PROTOTYPE): 33 hours
4. Fenix E01: 26.5 hours
5. GP Discovery CLE202: 24 hours
6. Gerber Infinity Ultra task light: 7:15 hours (much lower than expected)

0. Control: Zebralight H53Fc on AAA alkaline: 45 hours on 3.5 lumen (lowest M). After that 5 more hours on highest Low. Then it started to flicker. When removed battery measured 0.85 Volts. Still good enough to light a Sofirn C01.

Edit 1: added prototype clarification
Edit 2: added Zebralight result

7:15 for a Gerber Infinity Ultra? That sounds awfully low, even if it’s with a AAA battery.

TheOnlyDocc · 2018-11-27T16:26:22.000Z

Any information on the Colored ones? I want to wait and order them together.

slowtechstef · 2018-11-27T19:16:20.000Z

I cleaned up the Opening Post a bit and I added a tongue-in-cheek specifications page.

slowtechstef · 2018-11-27T19:22:19.000Z

TheOnlyDocc:

Any information on the Colored ones? I want to wait and order them together.

I sent Sofirn a message asking if they have a target date for availability of the red/blue version of the C01.
If/when I receive an answer, I will update.

slowtechstef · 2018-11-27T19:46:41.000Z

I guess most people already know this little trick, but the cap of a (bees wax) lip balm fits nicely as diffuser for use as small (camping) lantern.

Yellow cap recommended for 5600K version of the C01.

MascaratumB · 2018-11-27T19:55:16.000Z

slowtechstef:

I guess most people already know this little trick, but the cap of a (bees wax) lip balm fits nicely as diffuser for use as small (camping) lantern.

Yellow cap recommended for 5600K version of the C01.

Perfect Great idea! I guess I was on the those that “asked” for a diffuser, but this seen…I will withdraw my “wantings”
Thanks for the idea!

BTW, I guess my lights are still in China… I ordered them on 11/11 :person_facepalming:

djozz · 2018-11-27T23:35:45.000Z

I received the two 3200K C01’s that I ordered today. Nice little lights, both 5 lumen flood, both 97CRI but one slightly rosier than the other.

The differences from the prototypes from what I can see sofar:
*unlike what slowtechstef mentioned, the clip is a bit different from the prototypes, less stiff, fits better around the light and is easier to remove and click into the groove again, I use a small screwdriver like this:

*the leds seem just a littlebit more protruded
*a magnet is perfect fit now but does not clamp, you need glue to fix one.
*the trit hole seems a bit smaller,(it was too large in the prototypes), but I can’t compare because Stef still has my prototypes.
*the switching on feels more firm than in the prototypes (circuitboard sits better in place)
*I have not opened up the driver/led cavity yet so have not checked the potting.

The C01 will have to proof itself over time but the signs are good sofar: we got all that the Fenix E01 already had, plus the Yuji leds, reversable clip, tailstanding, included splitring from which it hangs straight down, and a space for a magnet and tritium vial, for a better price.
And I think it looks better

hank · 2018-11-28T01:08:37.000Z

I ordered mine Nov. 10 and Nov. 11th. They’re still circling the China postal system.