REVIEW: Sofirn SD05 Scuba Diving Flashlight

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?

Tendou · 2021-05-21T09:25:36.000Z

Sofirn is using the 3V xhp50.2 again now in 6500k.

Anyone compared with SST70 and is the SST70 green at lower level? I have seen YouTube review that says the sst70 is brighter and throwier.

Also, any graph of lumen vs time for the newer xhp50.2 3V?

markito · 2021-06-24T19:33:36.000Z

Can I use flat top or button top 21700 batteries?

The_Last_Katun · 2021-06-24T19:53:27.000Z

The flat top; the button top if it is longer can give problems for the closure of the cap

Zappaman · 2021-06-24T20:29:05.000Z

Flat top Molicel P42A’s ran perfect last month in Belize. Didn’t have a camera though, so so pics. Sofirn had a 5k version for a while (earlier last year) which I think I’d prefer. Still the 6.2k or so (estimated against other lights) version really looks great. Even on some daytime dives we used it in some caves and the colors “popped” nicely with a light at 70-90 ft. down (where everything looses color that deep). We also had the old SD-02 which was great too!

The lanyards are the weak point: have to get pro-level lanyards if you don’t want to loose the light (*AND have to stow it on the safety stop so you don’t tangle yourself coming out in rough water (*which Belize IS compared to other places we’ve dove). But it’s worth it for sure to ride the nurse sharks at Esmeralda, and spear hunt barracuda and lion fish- which are BOTH super tasty!