SOFIRN SF26:
I am by no means a professional reviewer, but I’ve been around flashlights long enough to know what I am searching for in my lights and I love to share my passion.
Ah man, if you like TIR beam patterns and are on a budget, this is a good one!
Main features and insights:
- “big” ~52mm TIR optic
- Luminus SFT-40 6500K
- Almost 1000m of ANSI throw
- Dual tailswitch design
- USB-C port hidden behind a gasketed collar on the neck.
- USB C to C charging
Updated packaging, which includes soft foam inserts and a magnetic closure.
This set included the 5000mAh Sofirn 21700.
The dual tailswitches are proud and very tactile. Easy to distinguish in the dark too.
It uses dual springs instead of the much too common spring-and-post design. This is good for shock resistance, protecting the fragile positive battery contact. I prefer dual springs for any tac light
Square cut threads add to the ruggedness.
Staring into the Abyss. There is a very soft, pinkish AR-coating on the lens it seems:
I am either very weak or the bezel is glued on tightly. I can’t for the love of god get it off.
I noticed something quirky on the box:
A stainless steel bezel. Maybe an earlier prototype render. All of the production SF26’s come with an anodized aluminium bezel.
The main forward clicky switch has memory momentary (including turbo). The smaller momentary switch is used to:
- access momentary strobe when off
- single click to cycle modes when on
- double click to access and cycle through flashing modes (strobe, SOS and beacon). Advancing every mode with a double tap.
It is a perfect combination except for my one gripe: I would prefer instant turbo instead of strobe from off! It’s 2023, does anyone still use a tactical strobe?
Stepped modes are standard and memorized:
- ultra low* - 5 to 10 lumens
- low - 75 lumens
- medium - 300 lumens
- high - 800 lumens
- turbo - 1600 lumens - 940m of throw!
There is no ramping mode.
The mode spacing is fine. It lacks a true moonlight* mode, which I don’t mind for a dedicated big TIR thrower.
Skyshot:
The measured output is also pretty standard for a 6500K SFT-40 behind a TIR. Take my numbers with a grain of salt, as I am no professional.
Here is a comparison on the lowest mode compared to a Sofirn IF22A (its little brother):
The SF26 is a lot brighter!
There is a very defined, narrow ring around the spill:
It is an artifact of the large TIR that is used here. It is very noticeable indoors but barely when used outdoors and at longer ranges.
I have tried to lessen the ring by adding an o-ring on top of the TIR but had no success.
I wil have to do some more tests to see if I can get rid of it.
Runtime chart for turbo mode for the first couple of minutes (cooled with a 120mm fan):
There is no thermal regulation that I can find. Only timed stepdown.
I reactivated turbo immediately after the timed stepdown, and it ramps back up to maximum output for 30sec and restarts the 3min stepdown timer.
The light never got exceedingly hot, so for a tactical thrower this could make sense. I’m not sure why Sofirn made this decision as they have shown that they can implement thermal regulation.
Turbo is useable - I don’t expect to use turbo for longer periods than what the chart allows. At ANSI, it is still at full output. It drops down gradually and stabilizes at around 30% after another 3 minutes. It is actually quite handy being able to “override” the regulation if you know what you are doing.
The High chart:
It holds it for 4 minutes, It shows the same timed stepdown behavior as turbo, with a more harsh ramp to the lower mode. You can reactivate at will. If the light isn’t too hot to hold, my best bet is that it is fine.
Timed stepdown is polarizing. Its programming has to err on the safe side of things, which Sofirn did pull off. None of the modes or even reactivating turbo (after the timer) felt hot.
They mention this in their listing:
“10. Advanced Temperature Regulation(ATR) technology: As the temperature rises, SF26 is programmed to automatically step down and step up the brightness to prevent over-heating.”
Which is weird. Maybe it does have ATR if the light gets exceedingly hot?
Once out in the real world, I forget about all the quirks and it just clicks. I was “wowed” by the IF22A a couple of years ago as my first TIR thrower ever, and the SF26 feels as a natural progression to that line. Bigger, badder and bolder.
Once you get to know a bit of the flashlight world, you start to understand that 1km ANSI throw does not mean your flashlight will meanfully Illuminate objects up to 1km. Most people halve that number for actual useable, visible light that will Illuminate an object or strutcture, and the SF26 does get up to 500m nicely. I’m impressed.
My conclusion:
Positive:
- Price 30$ (sale) ~ 40$
- Hidden USB collar in this price range
- Dual tailswitches in this price range
- Throws as advertised, almost 1km!
- High quality to price ratio
- Hotspot is very defined and tight
Negative:
- FET driver
- Timed stepdown
- Instant strobe instead of instant turbo
- Ring around spill, seems to be a shared issue between some large TIR’s
How to improve version 2.0 (if one follows):
- Buck driver
- Thermal regulation
- Instant turbo access
All in all, it has a lot of premium features for the price! It would be unfair to compare it with throwers 3 to 4 times the price, but it holds it own once you get to actually hold it an use it.
I’m very excited about all the features that are slipping in to these “budget oriented” lights, which we haven’t seen before at this price.
If you love tight TIR profiles, you should definitely consider the SF26. And, if you pair it with a Sofirn Q8 plus, you are set on both sides of the spectrum (flood and throw).
Let me know if you have any specific questions, I will do my best to answer them!
. Turbo is awesome and the throw is astounding.
this Sofirn SP26 … 