Sofirn - new purchases/first time serious light

LED Flashlights – General Info 18650 Flashlights
1

Hi all

First post on here!

I have always been interested in flashlights/torches, but have restricted myself to the ultrafire/spiderfire/etc ones up until now. I used to own maglights, back when they were incandescent :slight_smile:

Yesterday, after much research, I bought some Sofirns — 2 x SP36 Pro rechargable (one at 5000K, one at 6500K), the ‘original’ BLF Q8 remake (5000K), and half a dozen SC31 Pro (5000K) for general purpose/gifts.

I hope that these are some solid choices, as it is REALLY hard to get consensus on what is good. There are so many opinions!! — I’m happy to hear what you guys think of this selection

I was wondering if anyone had thoughts on batteries. I currently own a decent collection of ultrafire protected 18650s (2400mAh and 3000mAh), but I was thinking that it was time to upgrade to some Samsung cells.

Specifically, I was looking at the 30Qs (protected button top), but I have also been offered the 35Es at the same price. Are these both suitable batteries for the various Sofirns? Will the reduced ampage be an issue, particularly in the Q8 and SP36s?

Grateful for any guidance, as batteries are a significant investment!

2

Please don’t use ultra fire cells!

The SP36Pro needs 30Q button top cells while the Q8 can work with both 30Q button top cells or 35E button tops. SC31Pros will work pretty well with either. At the end of the day if those 30Qs and 35Es don’t come with button tops, sofirn’s cells on their website are pretty cheap and decent enough but you’ll be waiting a while to get them

3

I hope you enjoy your stay, n00b-light!

That's a good username now, but in the distant future maybe you'll want to change it?

4

Welcome!
And a second vote to pass on the ultrafires. At best they will be crappy cells. At worst, a hazard.
All the Best,
Jeff

5

Well, you did ask…

I’m probably in the minority here, but I think gifting a light with andy as a UI to a n00b is like giving a monkey a gun. It ain’t gonna end well.

The clicky interface is a minefield to a n00b, and it’s just too easy to click yourself into a corner and not even know wtf happened.

X from on vs X from off can do 2 completely different things. One errant click (extra or missing), and Bad Things can happen.

Andy is really best for a flasholic that can at minimum do a factory reset to unstick weirdo modes.

And yeah, ditch the crapfire cells. 30Qs are good.

6

Good choice of lights . Welcome. 30Q is a good all round cell. 35E for less lumens but more run time.

7

Thanks to everyone for their welcome and advice on cells.

I might look for/write some basic instructions for the SC31 to ensure that the monkeys, while armed, at least know how to avoid friendly fire.

8

Maybe set them to muggle mode before giving them out. Those who want to take the time to learn can exit muggle mode

9

That sounds like a good plan Sunny.

They will likely never need 2k lumen. I would have bought a lower lumen (say 500) option if it had been available.

As far as I can tell, it is 6 clicks while ‘off’. Is that right?

Once it is in muggle mode, do they have to factory reset to get it out?

10

6 to get in - 6 out

11

Thanks!