REVIEW: Sofirn SD05 Scuba Diving Flashlight

pennzy · 2020-12-15T13:56:26.000Z

The old was regulated and the new is not . Old emitter was 6 v and new is 3 v. There are differing opinions as to which is better. I have the new and the one good thing is it does not have a timed stepdown, only thermal stepdown. This could be a huge difference in actual use, especially in water.

Tendou · 2020-12-15T14:52:09.000Z

The new one using fet driver?
And I guess the new one have pwm?

pennzy · 2020-12-15T15:19:38.000Z

Yes, FET driver. I can’t see pwm but I am not sensitive to it.

Zappaman · 2020-12-15T15:22:37.000Z

Pretty sure yes to both (fet/pwm). With that said, this is one of my favorite winter outdoor 21700 lights (in the rev2 with the XHP-50.2; no step down). It THROWS for it’s size and doesn’t heat up as fast as my IF25a. Beam isn’t too bad color-wise either.

I WAS going to do an actual diving review for the (XHP 50.2) SD-05 last August for Sofirn, but Covid “effed” those plans up. We tried again for this X-mas in Cozumel and had to cancel again when Covid got “hot” again this fall.

I have an old SD-02 that worked well for a night dive taken back a few years ago. What was cool is our dive-master was using a small dive light to “strobe” so our group didn’t get mixed up with several other groups on the same reef that night. This was the FIRST time I though of a strobe being VERY useful.

Time will tell on the SST70 and I do hope it’s not too narrow in output. I typically “hang” a few feet off the coral and like turning under for cave or shelf views from between 3 ft. away to 15 ft. I want a nice wide beam but some “punch” on high if I need to see further. From what I can tell on land so far- the SD-05 XHP-50.2 will do good when I get it down (one day)

Tendou · 2020-12-20T11:33:39.000Z

What I understand, the old 6V 50.2 is regulated.
The newer 50.2 3V is not regulated.
And the newest sst70 is not regulated.
Am I correct?

PiercingTheDarkness · 2020-12-20T08:52:04.000Z

Tendou:

What I understand, the old 6V 50.2 is regulated.
The newer 50.2 3V is not regulated.
And the newest sst70 is not related.
Am I correct?

The SST70 is 6V which means they must be using the old driver

Tendou · 2020-12-20T11:34:58.000Z

Funtastic:

Tendou:

What I understand, the old 6V 50.2 is regulated.
The newer 50.2 3V is not regulated.
And the newest sst70 is not related.
Am I correct?

The SST70 is 6V which means they must be using the old driver

So the sst70 should probably be regulated?

Waiting for review of the new sd05 with sst70

PiercingTheDarkness · 2020-12-20T11:41:04.000Z

Tendou:

Funtastic:

Tendou:

What I understand, the old 6V 50.2 is regulated.
The newer 50.2 3V is not regulated.
And the newest sst70 is not related.
Am I correct?

The SST70 is 6V which means they must be using the old driver

So the sst70 should probably be regulated?

Waiting for review of the new sd05 with sst70

I doubt there’ll be a review when Sofirn are changing back to the XHP50.2 version once they’re available again, there’s a supply issue.

Tendou · 2020-12-20T12:36:06.000Z

Funtastic:

Tendou:

Funtastic:

Tendou:

What I understand, the old 6V 50.2 is regulated.
The newer 50.2 3V is not regulated.
And the newest sst70 is not related.
Am I correct?

The SST70 is 6V which means they must be using the old driver

So the sst70 should probably be regulated?

Waiting for review of the new sd05 with sst70

I doubt there’ll be a review when Sofirn are changing back to the XHP50.2 version once they’re available again, there’s a supply issue.

That’s unfortunate. So what do you think the differences in the sst70 and xhp50.2 do you think are there?

And somewhat related will they again use xhp35 for c8g again?

Tendou · 2020-12-26T17:27:10.000Z

Zappaman:

The SD-05 can use ANY 21700, but for my personal preference I’ll take the 50G or another good HIGHER capacity battery (Vs. higher current batteries as turandot lists above).

The SD-05 is quite a good light above water too. I have been using one the last few months by the back door. It really throws better than I thought it would too. And the 21700 is a real plus. I like both the new IF25a and this “dive” light the most lately and the SD-05 doesn’t heat up as fast as the IF25a, but gets VERY close in beam-width and throw with one emitter (Vs the four in the IF25a).

I AM a real fan of this light and as a diver I am looking forward to “taking her down” this winter in Cozumel IF covid doesn’t *@$! that trip up like it did last month (when I got my SD-05 for THAT dive we canceled).

So For non diving use do you think someone who already have IF25A need to get the SD05 or it’s very similar?

I probably get the SD05 anyway. Just waiting for SST70 review.

Zappaman · 2020-12-26T18:29:06.000Z

All bets are off as the SST70 is an unknown (kinda, in this light anyway). But generally speaking… the SD-05 has more MASS than the IF25a and so it CAN run longer given basic physics. I WAS waiting for the 5k forever and now I see only the 6.5k SST70 and so… I’ll “stay on the fence like you and wait for the review”

klrman · 2020-12-26T22:37:06.000Z

Would it be safer to use a protected battery in the SD05 just in case water does creep in and creates a short? I've always been using protected in my Sofirn SD02 diving light just in case.

Zappaman · 2020-12-27T02:34:09.000Z

Hum… I’m not sure protected Vs. unprotected would matter much if water were a factor. I’d guess the protection circuit would be “bi-passed” by the water itself- but not sure. I have dove with the SD-02 and didn’t think twice about it

PiercingTheDarkness · 2020-12-27T02:42:24.000Z

klrman:

Would it be safer to use a protected battery in the SD05 just in case water does creep in and creates a short? I’ve always been using protected in my Sofirn SD02 diving light just in case.

You’ll be limited to finding a charger that takes protected 21700’s though

klrman · 2020-12-27T04:09:44.000Z

Funtastic:

klrman:

Would it be safer to use a protected battery in the SD05 just in case water does creep in and creates a short? I've always been using protected in my Sofirn SD02 diving light just in case.

You’ll be limited to finding a charger that takes protected 21700’s though

True. I don't have a charger that would fit them either. Would be interesting if someone did a test to see what would happen if the flashlight leaks underwater with protected and unprotected

batteries

PiercingTheDarkness · 2020-12-27T04:11:34.000Z

klrman:

Funtastic:

klrman:

Would it be safer to use a protected battery in the SD05 just in case water does creep in and creates a short? I’ve always been using protected in my Sofirn SD02 diving light just in case.

You’ll be limited to finding a charger that takes protected 21700’s though

True. I don’t have a charger that would fit them either. Would be interesting if someone did a test to see what would happen if the flashlight leaks underwater with protected and unprotected

batteries

That someone could be you if you want to see the result

klrman · 2020-12-27T04:23:31.000Z

Funtastic:

That someone could be you if you want to see the result

I'd prefer those Ukranian battery guys that enjoy stuff like that!

Zappaman · 2020-12-27T04:27:31.000Z

Well… I’d never use bolt cutters underwater

WindyCity · 2020-12-29T13:05:13.000Z

Mieciu:

Nachtfeuerzeug:

gamezawy:

how far deep can this light tolerate under water ?

I don’t think anyone has confirmed the 100m specification but this is the deepest I’ve seen the light in use: Video Review

I have just ordered the light
Will try it down to 60-70m just like I did here:
https://youtu.be/7kliQGweYXg?t=91

Too bad the turbo mode is going to high after 3 minutes…

60-70m than you are talking some serious tech diving, not really related to this forum but really curious about your setup, being a novice diver myself (just got my nitrox certification)

SoCalAB · 2021-01-10T06:36:45.000Z

I have the older version (xhp50 with step down). I ordered it about a year ago, and have gone diving with it 4 times. It worked great every time. I have not used it out of water much as I fear it might overheat over time.

I am new to diving, though, and want to ask those who are experienced divers if this light could be used as both a primary and secondary light for night diving when I get to doing that. If not, what budget light (under $100) would you recommend for the primary light and/or what characteristics should I be looking for in the light?