POST #1: General Specs
POST #2: Beamshot Comparison
Hi BLF,
This is my review of the Sofirn SP10B. The flashlight was bought on Sofirn Official Store @ AliExpress, on this link (non-affiliate): https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Sofirn-SP10B-Mini-Led-Flashlight-AA-14500-Pocket-Light-600lm-Cree-XP-G2-5-Modes-Portable/32839159321.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.VX0cnF
There are other threads where this flashlight has been reviewed and talked about:
https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/48824 (RobertB review)
https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/47936 (mixed info since the release of the SP10B)
On this review I will try to show some specs about the Sofirn SP10B (Post #1), also some night beamshots, and its comparison with other lights (Post #2)!
DISCLOSURE: in the name of flashlight science, I admit I didn’t test runtimes, nor “brightness” stepdown on this light
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GENERAL SPECS (for both flashlights)
Body Material: Aircraft 6061 grade-aluminum alloy, Premium type III hard-anodized anti-abrasive finish, anti-crash and better heat exchange
Body Colour : Black
Reflector : Orange Peel
Lens : Toughened glass lens, not AR Coated
LED : XP-G2 (5350-5700K) / Neutral White
Switch : Electronic switch, on the side (head).
Batteries used : AA Alkaline (1.2 / 1.5V) / 14500 (3.7V) AA Ni-MH batteries are not mentioned as supported…
Reverse Polarity Protection : Yes
Battery reminder : Battery level below 2.8V – blinks 2 times per second, on 14500 3.7V batteries. No indication for AA batteries.
Brightness stepdown : After 3 minutes on High light steps down to Medium, when using 14500 Li-Ion battery
Distance throw of luminosity : 80 meters
+Beam Intensity: 3500 candela
Impact resistance : 1 meter
Waterproofness : IP68 (can be used in “rainstorm”)
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THE PACKAGE
Inside the package we find: the flashlight, the user manual, the accessories (1 lanyard, 2 o-rings, 1 keyring clasp). We also find a manufacturer card and a silica gel bag
The pocket clip was already attached to the flashlight.
The Manual is written in English and Deutsch, clear and simple, explains the functions and general specifications of the Sofirn SP10B.
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THE FLASHLIGHT
The Sofirn SP10B is small flashlight, well designed body, and feels nice to the touch!
It is equal to the SP10A, and it is similar to the Sofirn SP32 / SP32A models, only smaller.
The flashlight is composed by 3 different parts: head, battery tube and tailcap.
The battery tube, like the on the SP10A and the SF14 is not reversible, nor is the pocket clip.
The SP10B is the second smallest AA/14500 flashlight, only surpassed by the Manker E11.
L to R – Nitefox UT20 > Zanflare F1 > Sofirn SP32A > Convoy S2+ > Sofirn SF10 > Sofirn SF14 > Emisar D4 > Lumintop Tool AA > Amutorch S3 > Sofirn SP10B > Manker E11 > Convoy S2+ Mini > Olight S1R Baton > Nitecore TIP
Some comparisons with it’s “A” sister:
SP10B vs SP10A (The only visible difference is inside the tailcap)
SP10B vs SP10A (modded with XPL-HI)
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WEIGHT AND DIMMENSIONS
Weight without battery and with a Sofirn 14500 battery inside.
LENS, REFLECTOR and TUBE
Lens is not AR coated, is Clear glass lens.
Reflector is Orange Peel reflector, and on the bottom as a small groove to sit well on the gasket.
The tube threads arrived slightly lubbed, and are, at least it seems, “squarish”. The knurling is well machined and with no visible imperfections.
It can take 14500 (unprotected), AA Akaline, and Ni-MH batteries (maybe not all…)
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USER INTERFACE
TURN ON: Press the side switch for 0.3 seconds. Turns ON in the last used mode (except High and Strobe).
TURN OFF: Press the side switch for 0.3 seconds.
CHANGE MODES: When ON, single click to change from ML > L > M > ML > L > M…
DOUBLE CLICK: Access High mode, from ON or OFF (except when locked out). When High is accessed from ON, a single click will take the output back to the previous used mode.
TRIPLE CLICK: Access Strobe (Double frequency), from ON or OFF (except when locked out).
4 FAST CLICKS when OFF: electronic lock/unlock (the light blinks 2 times on the latest regular used output, and then locks/unlocks out; it will turn ON in the last used mode, except for High and Strobe).
Physical Lockout: unscrew the tailcap or the head.
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BRIGHTNESS LEVELS & RUNTIME (AA Alkaline ||| 14500) :
Moonlight >>>>> 1lm / 180h ||| 2lm / 330h
Low >>>>>>>>> 20lm / 11h40m ||| 60 lm / 12h02m
Medium >>>>>>>70lm/ 3h13m ||| 224lm / 3h19m
High >>>>>>>>>270lm / 1h42m ||| 573lm / 1h15m
Strobe >>>>>>>>270lm/ 1h42m ||| 573lm / 2h31m
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THE GOOD
1 – The moonlight mode is excellent! It is really low, even with 14500 Li-Ion battery!
2 – The tint is a very nice Neutral White, with no significant “yellowish” shift! I like it a lot!
3 – Having the shortcut to highest level, from ON or OFF is top for me!
4 – It has a nice beam and provides illumination in a range up to 45/50 meters, with good visibility.
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THE THINGS TO IMPROVE
1 – Make the battery tube reversible, or make a groove to revert the pocket clip, as it would be very useful.
2 – Always start on the lowest mode, meaning, not have memory to always start on the last used mode.
3 – To have and intermediate mode between Moonlight and Low.
4 – To increase the output of High, making it brighter.
5 – The “long” click for ON could be just a fast click. I know this was improved, meanwhile and that mine is not one of the revised. Still, this is a suggestion.
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OVERALL APPRECIATION
This is a very nice budget AA/14500 flashlight, with nice UI, tint and price. Despite the changes or improvements I suggested, I will probably be carrying it on my backpack on the next times
Thanks for reading!
Next post: Beamshot comparison 8^)
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