[Review] Sofirn SP31 V2.0 1200 lm

MrBrown · 2018-09-18T03:05:15.000Z

SKV89:

I really like the SP31. The dual switch and the tint was really nice. It is also very modder friendly. I might buy more if they fix the tail standing.

I recently bought the SP30A, which is basically the SP31 with usb recharge. It has an improved UI where it goes from L>M>H>L>M>H instead of L>M>H>M>L. I wish it used USB 3.0 instead of micro USB though. Sofirn disappointingly applied glue to the thread of the SP30A but if you have the tools to twist it open, it is also very easy to swap out the 16mm mcpcb.

Apparently the tail stand issue is something they will be correcting soon.

Lightbringer · 2018-09-18T03:39:24.000Z

MrBrown:

It’s a forward clicky.

Niiiice!

ActiveAl · 2018-09-18T06:07:26.000Z

ActiveAl:

I believe that the Sofirn SP31 V2.0 is going to be in a Lightening Deal Tommorrow at 6:05 PM EDT on Amazon.com. The silver ones looks nice.

Sorry, but it appears that this item dropped out of the Amazon Lightening Deal line up for tomorrow. This is not unusual. Deals often get moved in and taken out - especially if they are further down the pipeline.

MrBrown · 2018-09-18T13:36:21.000Z

ActiveAl:

ActiveAl:

I believe that the Sofirn SP31 V2.0 is going to be in a Lightening Deal Tommorrow at 6:05 PM EDT on Amazon.com. The silver ones looks nice.

Sorry, but it appears that this item dropped out of the Amazon Lightening Deal line up for tomorrow. This is not unusual. Deals often get moved in and taken out - especially if they are further down the pipeline.

No problem at all, the SP32 looks like a good light and would be worth picking up in a deal.

PBWilson · 2018-09-19T16:22:04.000Z

I too was given a Sofirn SP31 v2.0 to share my thoughts and feedback.

I agree with Mr. Brown in his thorough review. It’s a solid light and honestly, it is a really great choice both for someone interested in getting into li-ion lights (mine came with a Sofirn 3000mAh cell and a single slot charger) and for someone looking for an affordable but quality light.

Some thoughts to add to this review:

I like the all-in-one package and am considering buying some for family who like my collection of flashlights, don’t want to spend a bunch and don’t want the hassle of sourcing their own cell and charger. I do wonder what the cell is under the wrapper though…

It seems to be of similar quality as the Astrolux S1 or Convoy S2+ lights I own but Sofirn offers a few more choices to suit different people’s needs or wants. I have a Sofirn SP32 and an SP32A and use both of them pretty often. I wasn’t sure about the tail switch for on/off but I’m seeing the usefulness of the forward clicky switch to quickly turn it on and off or to play signal games with my son in the woods. I prefer a single switch so I use my SP32 a bit more. I thought I’d like the ramping feature of the SP32A but as it was reported in other threads, it’s a bit on the slow side with a pause in the middle somewhere. I switched it to modes and it works better for me. If someone likes ramping, Sofirn updated it to a quicker setup. It’s also nice that Sofirn offers different emitters. The XPL-HI of the SP31 v2.0 is throwier and more focused than my other Sofirn lights and has a nice tint between neutral and cool. I’ve got three other lights with HI emitters and I can see why it’s so popular. The anodizing is very nice and that sweet spot between glossy (which I hate) and chalky/matte (which is fine).

I like how Sofirn seems to pay attention to feedback. The side switches on my three Sofirn lights have appeared to be increasing in quality as the new lights have been released. The SP32 switch is fine, but the SP32A and SP31 switches are a good deal more tactile and it’s nice to have the battery indicator on the SP31. Like I said before, they worked on the ramping of the SP32A and the little touches like grease on the SP31 threads were applied with more care than on the earlier lights. Sofirn also seems to pay attention to their competition. Their pocket clip (while not a deep carry model) is more refined than the ones I have on my Convoy and Astrolux. It fits the tube well and has a nice tension. No tweaking was necessary to get it to grab well.

I don’t like that it’s a bit longer than a number of my other 18650 lights and the tail switch makes it about a 1/2” longer than my S1, S2+ and other Sofirn lights. It’s considerably longer than my Zebralights and my Emisar D4 too. Not being able to tailstand isn’t a deal breaker for me but it’s nice to know that they are working to fix that.

Overall, it’s a solid choice. I appreciate the chance to review it.

MrBrown · 2018-09-20T02:48:44.000Z

PBWilson:

I too was given a Sofirn SP31 v2.0 to share my thoughts and feedback.

Some thoughts to add to this review:

I like the all-in-one package and am considering buying some for family who like my collection of flashlights, don’t want to spend a bunch and don’t want the hassle of sourcing their own cell and charger. I do wonder what the cell is under the wrapper though…

The battery that came in the package is a 3000mAH button top18650. I tested the battery and it came in as a 3123 mAH battery. So it is quality on some level.

Matt1357 · 2019-02-08T05:07:10.000Z

Can anyone tell me is it normal for the S.O.S. to flash at 50 lumens and the strobe to flash at 1200 lumens?

Matt1357 · 2019-02-08T05:16:37.000Z

Mine doesnt tailstand either, just came in the mail 3 days ago

peg_matite · 2019-02-08T05:25:53.000Z

Yes normal behavior for strobe and sos.

More like tailwobble.

Still a solid light for $20 or so.

Matt1357 · 2019-02-08T05:48:27.000Z

Thanks for quick reply, I just checked the manual and indead its says 1200 lumen strobe 50 lumen sos. Tailwobble is what mine seems to have as well. A bit of a bummer, I was hoping it would tailstand like the sp32 v2.0

ggf31416 · 2019-02-14T15:04:42.000Z

My SP31 v1, purchased on Sep 2018 (both the flashlight and the invoice say SP31 without v2), has the same UI with 5 modes like the SP31 v2 but a XP-L2 HD led (the dome is quite noticeable). Runtime in medium is very high with a 3500mA Sanyo NCR18650GA. I had to stop the test after 11 hours because of a call, but the output (from ceilingbounce app) was at the same level as when started and the battery was still at 3.25V, impressive. In fact it even has the battery indicator. I guess at least a batch of the SP31 v1 was made with the v2 driver and battery indicator.

Serlite · 2019-02-14T15:38:11.000Z

Matt1357:

Thanks for quick reply, I just checked the manual and indead its says 1200 lumen strobe 50 lumen sos. Tailwobble is what mine seems to have as well. A bit of a bummer, I was hoping it would tailstand like the sp32 v2.0

Mine seems to tailstand stably after the tail switch is switched on, though just barely.
It’s a bit annoying but in most use cases that’s adequate.

Matt1357 · 2019-02-17T21:25:55.000Z

Haha, thank you for posting this. I never tried to tailstand with the light on yet, works perfect.

hiuintahs · 2019-02-18T05:02:09.000Z

I like the SP31A. It’s very similar to the Fenix PD32, PD35, Nitcore P12, Nitecore TN12, etc with forward clicky tail cap power switch and electronic side switch for mode selection. It’s a popular format that has been around for years…………one of my favorites. However the SP31A is a lot less money.

I do have a question for you guys that have one. If you turn the light off in the lowest level and then let it sit off for awhile; when you turn it back on, do you get a momentary preflash of higher brightness? This happens on mine quite often. I know its not a reliability issue and tends to be an issue with feedback stability with a driver circuit regulation. But just curious if anyone else has seen it on this model.

Amazon has a Lightning deal tonight and thinking of getting another one.

PiercingTheDarkness · 2019-08-13T03:03:47.000Z

hiuintahs:

I do have a question for you guys that have one. If you turn the light off in the lowest level and then let it sit off for awhile; when you turn it back on, do you get a momentary preflash of higher brightness? This happens on mine quite often. I know its not a reliability issue and tends to be an issue with feedback stability with a driver circuit regulation. But just curious if anyone else has seen it on this model

I know this is old but yes, it happens on every single SP31 v2.0

hiuintahs · 2019-08-15T23:11:46.000Z

Thanks for answering that. I have two SP31 V2.0 and it does it on both so must be the way it was (probably unintentionally) designed. Luckily not a deal breaker for me.

hiuintahs · 2019-10-10T06:37:50.000Z

I just got another SP31V2.0 which makes a total of 4 of these lights that I have purchased. With the latest one, it does not have that preflash on level 1, that I mentioned earlier. Maybe I got lucky with this one or maybe the newer ones Sofirn addressed it………….not sure.

Unheard · 2019-10-10T08:09:51.000Z

hiuintahs:

With the latest one, it does not have that preflash on level 1, that I mentioned earlier. Maybe I got lucky with this one or maybe the newer ones Sofirn addressed it………….not sure.

You’re not the first one to report this.

However, Sofirn changed the threads in recent models. My SP31 V2.0 (sold) didn’t take the short SP40 18350 tube while newer models do.

Swabs · 2020-07-16T16:24:12.000Z

Received one a couple of days ago. It’s perfect for EDC duty. Nice slim, pocketable size. Very bright and throwy. Simple UI. Really like the two button setup, and it can still tail stand.

Will probably give it to a lady friend who asked about a really good bright light she can easily use, and carry in a purse. Love Sofirn lights.

WriterCJ · 2020-07-29T15:23:31.000Z

Just spotted this thread. My SP31V2.0, bought in November 2019, tail-stands without an issue... so guess they fixed that. I bought it as a stop-gap to replace a Fenix PD35 that stopped working, and was blown away by the quality and performance for the price. Just received the latest Fenix PD35V2.0 to review on Ireland's Wildlife, and see very little between the Sofirn SP31 and the much more expensive Fenix model in terms of build quality and performance.

And my SP31V2.0 tail-stands perfectly... while the Fenix doesn't .