I was contacted by Sofirn to do a review on the latest version of the SC13 in exchange for a free flashlight. This will not impact my conclusions.
This will be more an impressions review as there have been several good review on BLF of this light. See these links.
And an offer for a nice discount: SC13 519A : SC13BLF (30%off)
To start I should mention that I had purchased the first version of the Sc13 with the SST 40 emitter a few months ago. I am always looking for a nice easily pocketable flashlight and that one seemed like it would fit the bill. So I have carried and used an Sc13 for a while.
Packaged in a small brown cardboard box with a label flashlight’s color, the emitter type, and CCT.
Inside the box: Flashlight, spare O-Rings (2), pocket clip, lanyard, charging cable. Sofirn button top 18350 1100 mAh cell (inside the light there is a tag reminding you to remove the insulator), a small manual.
Form factor
Small pocket light. It is about 28.5mm x 64.5mm. The weight is right about 40g without the cell installed.
Usability
For such a small light it is easy to handle. The side switch is relatively easy to locate because of its raised rubber button. The rings around the body an tapered design help promote good grip. I actually like the clip style. It is plenty strong and with they way it attaches to the light it provides a deep pocket carry. Though I prefer to not have two way clips, it seems like a light like this one would be a good candidate for one. It could make a handy light to attach to a hat brim to use as a headlight.
It is curious to me that the lanyard hole is placed as it is. It prevents stable tail standing and can interfere with the magnets ability to hold the light horizontally… One does have the option of attaching the lanyard to the clip. Which should work much better.
UI
The light has basically 5 levels. Which is right in the range that I like for this kind of flashlight. There is Moonlight which is accessed by a long hold from off. This is a nice low level of around 1 lumen. A single click from off gets to low. Holding the button down from on cycles through low, medium, and high. A double click get to the max level (turbo). This is a nice simple UI that even users with not much experience with E-Switch lights should be able to master quickly.
Beam profile and quality
The Fresnel lens gives a decent beam. It has sufficient throw for the kinds of things such a small light would likely be used for. There is enough spill to light up a hallway well enough on moonlight mode to safely navigate around the house. Though I will say that it produces some rings if one is white wall hunting. Nothing distracting in actual use.
SC13 Nichia 519A vs SST40
Compared to the SST40 light the 519A has a much more pleasant tint. Colors are more accurate. I like the beam pattern more as well. You lose some brightness, but the 5K 519A is just much nicer to use.
Features
Charge indicator:
Green: 70-100% power
Red: 30-70% power
Red flashing: 0-30% power
USB Type C charging.
It charges at around 1A initially. When I charged a cell that showed the flashing red light on the charge indicator it took right at an hour and a half to top off the 1100 mAh cell. The cut out is on the small side for the USB connector. Some of my cables would not fit. Of course the included cable worked fine. The rubber cover seems to be sufficient.
Magnetic Tail Cap. While not the strongest that I have seen it is quite sufficient to hold the light in a horizontal position securely to a ferrous metal surface. In some ways the lower magnetic force is an advantage. It is less likely to fish your keys or knife out with it when you go to use the light.
Battery
Sofirn Branded 18350 1100 mAh button top is included with the light, at least in the package I received. I think it is an additional ~ $1.50 when buying the light. Well worth the extra charge… I like this option. While it does make for a thicker (but shorter) light than the 14500 cell that is typically used in similarly sized lights, it adds a decent amount of capacity. I bought some Vapcell F16 cells to use in mine. I tested them at right at 1600 mAh. A nice bump from the highest capacity 14500 cells.
Conclusions
Pros
Small size
Good grip
18350 battery
USB Charging
Nice CCT and RA numbers
Easy to learn UI
Cons
Lanyard hole: It can’t stably tail stand with lanyard attached.
Ringy beam when white wall hunting.
Clip only allows head up carry. It will probably be hard on pockets.
Bottom line is that I would recommend this light for anyone looking for a small pocket light. It is inexpensive, but well-built and has most of the features that I look for in this kind of light. It would be great to send to family or friends. The UI is easy to learn and to use. It has USB charging so they will not have to worry about external chargers or replacing cells.