Review -Sofirn C8f 21700 version.(Pic heavy!!)Versatile EDC/Tactical flashlight with  ramping operating mode added

jjp888 · 2019-01-27T17:32:16.000Z

Hi, everyone, this is a review on a very versatile flashlight.It got my attention because of its ability to have different working modes,of which the ramping feature is what I love the most.Before beginning let me put the manufacturer specs first.

※ 3* CREE XP-L LED with a lifespan of 50,000 hours

※ Working Voltage: 2.8V-4.2V

※ Battery Options: One 21700 Li-ion battery or One 18650 Li-ion battery

※ Dimension: 149mm (length)*44.6mm (head diameter)

※ Weight: 200±2 gram (without battery)

※ Flashlight body: Aerospace grade 6061 grade aluminum alloy, CNC manufactured to hard-anodized anti-abrasive finish to get solid built body, anti-crash geometry and better heat exchange.

※ Toughened mineral glass lens with AR coating

※ IPX8 Waterproof (submersion up to a maximum depth of 1.5 m underwater for up to 30 minutes).

※ Reverse polarity protection from improper battery installation.

※ Advanced Temperature Regulation (ATR) technology: ATR will adjust the brightness level automatically when the driver temperature reaches 50℃ (122 °F) to prevent overheating.

Sofirn C8F (21700) is a powerful, versatile flashlight designed for home, EDC or outdoor activities like camping, hiking, fishing or hunting. It utilizes a single 21700 Li-ion rechargeable battery or single 18650 Li-ion rechargeable battery. It features four mode groups: Group 1 with 1 mode; Group 2 with 3 modes; Group 3 with 4 modes and Group 4 with ramping mode; and all with hidden Moonlight; hidden Strobe.

Sofirn C8F (21700) delivers maximum output of 3,500 lumens, throws maximum range of 299 meters (327 yards). Tail switch controls Power on / off; Side switch controls other functions: changing brightness levels or mode groups. It provides an improved, user friendly interface and simple one-hand operation.

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Sofirn , flashlights have been around for a while and they really know how to put together a desirable product.I am happy to state that the manufactures are now moving towards the 21700 batteries,which has similar runtimes as a 26650 battery and is still more compact than it.
The flashlight comes in a very basic box.It comes as a kit including the battery and charger.It also contains an 18650 battery coverter, to use 18650 batteries, in the flashlight.

The flashlight is built like a tank.It has a good heft to it, even without the battery in it.The head contains ,three
xpl leds, having separate reflectors.
The reflector is made out of a solid aluminum block and has a smooth reflecive profile.The reflector glass is a mineral glass having an anti-reflective coating.

The head contains an aggressive bezel, which can be unscrewed easily .No thread locker is applied, which makes any later on mods easier.The fins on the head are thick and carry away the heat efficiently.The knurling on the flashlight is very gripy and is very beautiful.

The flashlight has a glossy anodization finish.The anodization seems to be good quality has an even finish.The lettering are crisp and well aligned.

The flashlight can easily roll on flat surface ,so I prefer keeping it heads down on the floor.

The flashlight can also , tailstand thanks to its good tail cap design.This is particularly useful to fill a room with light by ceiling bounce.

The threads are square cut and well lubricated.

The tail cap threads are anodised to give provide mechanical lockout , even though it has a mechnical forward clicky rear switch.
The flashlight has a two switch setup , of which the rear one is a forward clicky mechanical switch.The other is an electronic side switch, which helps to select modes.Long pressing the electronic switch at all user modes except ramping mode switches the flashlight off.In ramping mode single click to switch off.I particularly like this ramping mode setup.I usually keep the output at middle and turn the flashlight off using the rear forward clicky, that way i can use it for momentary activations.
The flashlight provides different options as to how you want to turn it on and off, which helps to use this as a tactical flashlight or as a normal household edc.To be crazy ,you can even use it in a twisty setup to turn it on /off.
The flashlight battery tube is thick ,which gives it more ruggedness.But , because of it cannot take a thick protected 21700 cell.

The supplied 21700 is a sofirn branded 21700, un protected cell with a 40 A , 4000 mah rating.The flashlight has an over discharge protection built into it ,so its not a big problem having unprotected cell, eventhough a protected cell was more preferable.
The flashlight doesn't have a built in charger, so you have to charge it with an external charger.A generic usb battery charger is provide with the flashlight kit, which gets the job done.The charger charges the battery at .80 A.

The flashlight has battery voltage warning setup.

-The side switch indicator shows steady green light for 5 sec if the battery voltage is between 3.4 and 4.2 volt.

-The side switch indicator shows flashing red light the battery voltage is between 3 and 3.4 volt.

-The side switch indicator rapidly flashes red light if the battery voltage is between 2.8 and 3 volt.
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The flashlight turns itself off , if the voltage reaches below 2.8 volt to prevent over discharge of battery.

This flashlight is having an Advanced Temperature Regulation function, which step down the flashlight out put if the head temperature reaches 50°c.This is
But in my testing I found the flashlight out put to drop , when the head temperature reached 60°c .
This feature is very well designed and protects the flashlight against overheating and doesnot works on normal timed step down method.This helps to use it on high for extended time in cold weather conditions.

Due to three reflector setup , the beam pattern is a smooth one .This provides a bright spill area with good throw.The beam colour is towards neutral white.
The turbo mode is very bright at ~3500 lumens.

The flashlight has a very good user interface which provide direct access to moonlight and turbo.It has mode memory and different operating modes.

This flashlight has 3 operating modes, which can be changed by 4 quick short clicks.2 blinks confirms the change.
Group 1 consists of only one mode ,the medium mode .
Group 2 consists of low ,medium and high mode.
Group 3 consists of eco, low,medium and high mode.
Group 4 is the ramping mode.
Press and hold side switch to ramp up or down Ramping changes direction when pressed again within 1.5 seconds,continues in the same direction when pressed after 1.5 seconds.

In all four modes, long press side switch from stand by to go to moonlight mode.
Double click the side switch from off/on to reach turbo.

Summarising with the relevant pro's and con's

pro's

1.Well made flashlight with good knurling and anodization.
2.Three reflector setup provides a strong beam with good spill and throw.
3.ATR technology which controls the flashlight from overheating.
4.Have different operating mode groups which can be configured as per the users requirement.
5.Ramping mode selection to precisely control the light out put.
6. Intelligently designed user interface.Provides direct access to moonlight mode and turbo mode.
7.Battery indicator feature to warn the user about the battery voltage.
8.Dual switch interface , helps to configure the way you want to turn on and off the light.
9.Forward clicky ,tail cap switch ,which helps in momentary activation.
10. Flashlight can tailstand easily on its tail cap.
11. Good quality square thread , which ensures smooth operation and longlife .
12. Antireflective coated mineral glass.
13. Neutral white beam colour.
14. Good water proofing and impact resistance.
15.Good quality lanyard provided.
16.Bigger fins on head to facilitate good heat transfer.
17.Hight quality reflector made from single block of aluminium.
18.Can run on an 18650 ,with the provided converter.

19.Good runtimes figures by the supplied 4000mah battery.

Con's

1.No inbuilt charging option.
2.Provided battery is an unprotected cell
3.No carrying pouch/holster provided in the kit.
4.Inadequate battery voltage indicator,could have provided a better voltage indicator which gives exact battery voltage and not green or red lights.
5.Thick battery tube ,which makes it difficult to insert protected 21700 cells.
6.PWM used in modes.
7.Provided charger is an unbranded generic one.

8.Easily rolls on flat surface.

jjp888 · 2019-01-28T16:07:42.000Z

Is there anyone like me who really likes this ramping output selection.??I hope more manufactures bring this ramping mode -selection to theirs.
For me this is the most perfect mode selecting method.
Direct access to moonlight and turbo,and precise control over the entire general mode.
Please share your opinions.

BurningPlayd0h · 2019-01-28T17:17:55.000Z

jjp888:

Is there anyone like me who really likes this ramping output selection.??I hope more manufactures bring this ramping mode -selection to theirs.
For me this is the most perfect mode selecting method.
Direct access to moonlight and turbo,and precise control over the entire general mode.
Please share your opinions.

I agree, their have just been some poor applications of it in the past. I love everything about the Thrunite Neutron V3 UI… except how sssllllooowww the ramping is. Narsil and Anduril are much better in that regard, and I like how after a slight pause you know that the light will be ramping up, vs opposite whatever direction you last used on the Neutron.

jjp888 · 2019-01-28T17:21:51.000Z

I think ,sofirn got it spot on interms of ramping speed and ability to quickly reverse the direction.Direct access to turbo is really the icing on the cake.