sofirn aa lights (sf10/sf12/sf14/etc.)

Zappaman · 2018-03-28T16:45:06.000Z

pennzy:

Can anyone confirm their SP10a or b has short press instant access to firefly now as mine has? Also the Fenix 800mah 14500 protected has worked great in mine.

Pennzy, that looks like a nice battery, but these Soshines (at $14 shipped) were reviewed well here at BLF and are also shipping within the US. I’ll probably grab a pack of these for my personal stash, and then get a few packs of the Ikea (enloops) for my mugs I’ll be giving some lights to here in a few months.

I just remembered I have a retired mother-in-law who likes to shop and lives nearby an Ikea so I’ll have her pick me up a few packs. She needs something to do (daily) so I’m doing a “good deed” keeping her busy

On the SP10A… timing is a little tricky on the memory function. If you hold it off, then hold it on— it comes back to the last setting (except Turbo). But if you turn it off then fast click- it starts at the bottom (on FF). I need to play with it more, and I am wondering if the memory is holding over-night right now. But with both my wife and I playing with it these last few days, I’ve not had enough time to test that suspicion.

pennzy · 2018-03-28T17:25:01.000Z

Zappaman:

pennzy:

Can anyone confirm their SP10a or b has short press instant access to firefly now as mine has? Also the Fenix 800mah 14500 protected has worked great in mine.

Pennzy, that looks like a nice battery, but these Soshines (at $14 shipped) were reviewed well here at BLF and are also shipping within the US. I’ll probably grab a pack of these for my personal stash, and then get a few packs of the Ikea (enloops) for my mugs I’ll be giving some lights to here in a few months.

I just remembered I have a retired mother-in-law who likes to shop and lives nearby an Ikea so I’ll have her pick me up a few packs. She needs something to do (daily) so I’m doing a “good deed” keeping her busy

On the SP10A… timing is a little tricky on the memory function. If you hold it off, then hold it on— it comes back to the last setting (except Turbo). But if you turn it off then fast click- it starts at the bottom (on FF). I need to play with it more, and I am wondering if the memory is holding over-night right now. But with both my wife and I playing with it these last few days, I’ve not had enough time to test that suspicion.

I would look into that store before buying . Only 96.6% positive feedback. This ebay seller has been recommended :
http://stores.ebay.com/GenuineCells?\_dmd=1&\_nkw=14500

Tactman · 2018-03-28T17:51:57.000Z

Zappaman:

Dang… my wife is going to kill me. Maybe I’ll let her keep that SP10A after-all… since I ordered THREE more today! :sunglasses:

Now I HAVE to go to Ikea- need batteries for all these lights! :person_facepalming:

i have over 60 ikea ladda so far…not all them are for flashlights of course, i am using them among other things for sound recorder which is using 4xAA and all around house…they are one of the main reasons why i am avoiding lion batteries, too much hassle for my taste, do this, don’t do this, take care of this and that, nah…nimh rules

Tyzmon · 2018-03-28T18:14:48.000Z

pennzy:

Can anyone confirm their SP10a or b has short press instant access to firefly now as mine has? Also the Fenix 800mah 14500 protected has worked great in mine. If you live in the US , it ships free from a US warehouse so also comes fast.

Batteries (21700, 18650, 16340, 14500 & CR123A) – Fenix Store

I received a SP10a from the Sofirn Official Ali Store yesterday and can confirm that new lights seem to have the „new“ firmware with a single shortclick to moonlight mode.

pennzy · 2018-03-28T18:21:00.000Z

Tyzmon:

pennzy:

Can anyone confirm their SP10a or b has short press instant access to firefly now as mine has? Also the Fenix 800mah 14500 protected has worked great in mine. If you live in the US , it ships free from a US warehouse so also comes fast.

Batteries (21700, 18650, 16340, 14500 & CR123A) – Fenix Store

I received a SP10a from the Sofirn Official Ali Store yesterday and can confirm that new lights seem to have the „new“ firmware with a single shortclick to moonlight mode.

Thanks. I have 2 , purchased about a month apart . One has this and one doesn’t. One has a true firefly and one has a moonlight.

Zappaman · 2018-03-29T17:45:11.000Z

pennzy:

One has a true firefly and one has a moonlight.

Of course, IF using a 14500, the FF lumen output on mine goes from 1 to 2 (as all mode levels increase).

Tactman:

i have over 60 ikea ladda so far…not all them are for flashlights of course, i am using them among other things for sound recorder which is using 4xAA and all around house…they are one of the main reasons why i am avoiding lion batteries, too much hassle for my taste, do this, don’t do this, take care of this and that, nah…nimh rules

Ya, as I am gifting to some family muggles AND I have the surplus NiMH chargers in the hand (and these Ladda’s cost about 1/4 of the better 14500s)… I have to agree on the NiMH as a standard load for gifting to some family. My mom-in-law already has her mission outlined for an Ikea run

But I will be using the 14500 for my personal AA lights because I like the idea of using one charger for all my lights— a lithium ion multi-sized charger- and call it good enough. So I did order the SoShine 14500 set this am (I’ll report back on them when I get and test them). I did snake my one UR14500P off eBay on an auction (for $2.50 shipped- poor guy didn’t make anything on that sell :cry: ).

Tactman · 2018-03-28T19:39:02.000Z

it is interesting, but in this exact case there is not much difference between nimh and 145000 with sp10…brightness and beam are almost the same…

beam0 · 2018-03-28T19:53:00.000Z

MascaratumB:

beam0:

Anyone know the dimensions length/diameter of the Sofirn SF14?

Not sure why that isn’t shown on their listing, unless I’m not seeing it.

In my review I made some measurements and weighting of the SP10A and Sf14: DOUBLE 1 AND ½ "REVIEW": Sofirn SP10A and Sofirn SF14 *[added night / distance shots]

Yes I read that, great review thanks, however I only saw the length measurement - not the diameters, unless I missed that? :nerd_face:

MascaratumB · 2018-03-28T20:57:12.000Z

beam0:

MascaratumB:

beam0:

Anyone know the dimensions length/diameter of the Sofirn SF14?

Not sure why that isn’t shown on their listing, unless I’m not seeing it.

In my review I made some measurements and weighting of the SP10A and Sf14: DOUBLE 1 AND ½ "REVIEW": Sofirn SP10A and Sofirn SF14 *[added night / distance shots]

Yes I read that, great review thanks, however I only saw the length measurement - not the diameters, unless I missed that? :nerd_face:

Sorry, you’re right :person_facepalming: I just read the length part!
Here it is: tail and head diameter = 19.8mm ; “base of the head” = 20.4mm

Hope this helps! And thanks for your words

pennzy:

Tyzmon:

pennzy:

Can anyone confirm their SP10a or b has short press instant access to firefly now as mine has? Also the Fenix 800mah 14500 protected has worked great in mine. If you live in the US , it ships free from a US warehouse so also comes fast.

Batteries (21700, 18650, 16340, 14500 & CR123A) – Fenix Store

I received a SP10a from the Sofirn Official Ali Store yesterday and can confirm that new lights seem to have the „new“ firmware with a single shortclick to moonlight mode.

Thanks. I have 2 , purchased about a month apart . One has this and one doesn’t. One has a true firefly and one has a moonlight.

Hum…now I don’t know what to expect from mine! I’ll tell something when mine arrives!
And… I guess lots of people here will be saying too :money_mouth_face:

Lightbringer · 2018-03-28T21:00:37.000Z

Zappaman:

But I will be using the 14500 for my personal AA lights because I like the idea of using one charger for all my lights— a lithium ion multi-sized charger- and call it good enough. So I did order the SoShine 14500 set this am (I’ll report back on them when I get and test them). I did snake my one U14500P off eBay on an auction (for $2.50 shipped- poor guy didn’t make anything on that sell :cry: ).

Nice compromise would be LFP cells. 3.2V, charges from a LK-100B, but you have to remember to always press Da Button when starting it up. Otherwise it’ll assume it’s a Li-ion cell and try charging it to 4.2V vs 3.6V. That would be a Bad Thing. But at least you’re playing with 3.2V pretty much flat over its whole discharge curve, vs 1.2V.

Zappaman · 2018-03-28T21:08:36.000Z

So dumb newbie question #146… is there a down side to the 14500 (besides cost) performance wise? I mean, yes I know a 14500 will be brighter (in this light) but run shorter. So just wondering about any other issues re. the 14500.

Zappaman · 2018-03-28T21:17:29.000Z

Lightbringer:

Zappaman:

But I will be using the 14500 for my personal AA lights because I like the idea of using one charger for all my lights— a lithium ion multi-sized charger- and call it good enough.

Nice compromise would be LFP cells. 3.2V, charges from a LK-100B, but you have to remember to always press Da Button when starting it up. Otherwise it’ll assume it’s a Li-ion cell and try charging it to 4.2V vs 3.6V. That would be a Bad Thing. But at least you’re playing with 3.2V pretty much flat over its whole discharge curve, vs 1.2V.

Myah… I saw those and I admit: I thought to myself (which ones are worth buying? - damn, this is going to take another 10 hours of research to find out!)

They seem to be pricey looking around too. Is there an “Ikea” version somewhere I might want to know about?

beam0 · 2018-03-28T21:40:43.000Z

Links: (Tail switch models - flashlight only)

SF14: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Sofirn-New-SP14-Mini-Portable-LED-Flashlight-AA-Cree-XP-G2-EDC-Pocket-Light-Torch-Portable/32829677829.html

SF10: https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Powerful-LED-flashlight-EDC-pocket-torcia-lamp-with-Cree-R5-400lm-3-Modes-waterproof-LED-torch/2933049_32796820396.html?spm=2114.12010612.0.0.41db5da8DYgr1Z
SF10: https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Sofirn-Mini-LED-Flashlight-AA-14500-Pocket-Light-Torch-Cree-XPG-R5-Keychain-flashlight-5-Modes/2933049_32813801364.html?spm=2114.12010615.0.0.34bca823BJBdsG

SF12: https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/SF12-LED-Flashlight-Cree-XPG2-400LM-Powerful-Flashlight-LED-Waterproof-Mini-Penlight-with-Clip-3-modes/2933049_32800935007.html?spm=2114.12010615.0.0.4ae81ae9wnHGvR
SF12: https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Sofirn-SF12-Mini-LED-Flashlight-AA-14500-Cree-XPG2-EDC-Pocket-light-Lamp-Portable-Penlight-Waterproof/2933049_32840132241.html?spm=2114.12010615.0.0.4ae81ae9wnHGvR

(not sure why there’s 2 different listings for SF10/SF12? with different prices!)

.

Link to all Sofirn 14500/AA & AAA: EDC Flashlight - Shop Cheap EDC Flashlight from China EDC Flashlight Suppliers at Sofirn Official Store on Aliexpress.com

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Sofirn 14500 batteries 900mAh: https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Sofirn-2-Pieces-set-14500-900mAh-Li-ion-Rechargeable-Battery-Batteries-Baterias-Bateria-For-LED-Flashlight/2933049_32840564123.html?spm=2114.12010615.0.0.34bca823BJBdsG

Lightbringer · 2018-03-28T23:54:39.000Z

Zappaman:

They seem to be pricey looking around too. Is there an “Ikea” version somewhere I might want to know about?

I got some Baseline cells from Amazon. Rated 600mAH, but seem to consistently rate just a shade under 500mAH (480-490) on my almighty Miboxer.

Seem to be pretty decent otherwise.

Also, keep in mind to compare energy, not current. So 500mAH at 3.2V is 1600mWH. The equivalent of a NiMH would be 1600mWH / 1.2V or around 1300mAH (vs 2000mAH for eneloops).

So NiMH has higher energy density (and so has longer runtime), but LFPs can be (sometimes lots) cheaper.

Thing is, NiMH cells always have to work harder, converting 1.2V to the 3.whatever the LED requires. So 1A to an LED means like 2.7A minimum from the cell. With LFPs, the voltages are almost equal, so a “mild boost” is all that’s needed. 1A to the LED means only 1.1A or so from the cell.

Cheaper lights with cheaper boost drivers drive the LED proportionally from the input voltage, so what’s decent with an alkie or NiMH will be on constant turbo with an LFP cell.

I like both, so… Just pick whatever you want, or better yet, just try some of each.

Macka17 · 2018-03-29T00:15:18.000Z

Second the Soshine 14500.
Bought 4 on that review. use in 3 different torches.
Triple the output of AA. with lot’s of life.
Wife had one in a cheapie AA . Left on desk for 20 mins face down NO scallops round rim.

Cooked her hand when she picked it up.
Soshine OUT. AA back in. For that one hey.
Apart from that. My single and a double are fine.

Lightbringer · 2018-03-29T01:10:13.000Z

Macka17:

Second the Soshine 14500.
Bought 4 on that review. use in 3 different torches.
Triple the output of AA. with lot’s of life.
Wife had one in a cheapie AA . Left on desk for 20 mins face down NO scallops round rim.

Cooked her hand when she picked it up.
Soshine OUT. AA back in. For that one hey.
Apart from that. My single and a double are fine.

Yeah, that’s why muggles shouldn’t be let near Li cells.

NiMH (eneloops) are usually best. Don’t leak and ruin whole lights like alkaleaks, and don’t set fire to things like Li cells.

Zappaman · 2018-03-29T01:23:03.000Z

Lightbringer:

Yeah, that’s why muggles shouldn’t be let near Li cells.

NiMH (eneloops) are usually best. Don’t leak and ruin whole lights like alkaleaks, and don’t set fire to things like Li cells.

Ya, I’m going to have to educate my wife (muggle graduate school time) about the Li cells mo’ better for sure. Because if ANYTHING gets burned— it will be my (or her father’s) fault :cowboy_hat_face:

Zappaman · 2018-03-29T01:28:44.000Z

With LFPs, the voltages are almost equal, so a “mild boost” is all that’s needed. 1A to the LED means only 1.1A or so from the cell.

Ah… I see now why you suggest them! They are an efficiency match due to the matching voltage/current— makes sense!

Lightbringer · 2018-03-29T04:21:03.000Z

Zappaman:

With LFPs, the voltages are almost equal, so a “mild boost” is all that’s needed. 1A to the LED means only 1.1A or so from the cell.

Ah… I see now why you suggest them! They are an efficiency match due to the matching voltage/current— makes sense!

Wellp, those “solar lights” you plant in the ground, used to take 1/more NiCd/NiMH cells, and a step-up converter. Now, lots of them just take a nice simple LFP cell and small resistor.

Ie, you’re running those dinky little LEDs at maybe 20mA, not 1A/2A/5A or more, so the V_f will be quite a bit lower.

Persechini · 2018-05-05T23:02:26.000Z

I recently got another SF12 that I decided to buy, for some reason.

This unit is quite different than my last one. PWM is not as bad, as the driver is different, came with a reverse clicky instead of forward, and machining and anodizing is MUCH better than my first SF12