Sofirn SC13 First Impressions

LED Flashlights – General Info
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Sofirn SC13 First Impressions

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Sofirn provided me this Review Sample free of charge.

User Interface:

My Lumen Meter, which is not exact, gives some idea of the modes.

Hold from off: 1 lumen (not memorised)

from On, hold cycles 3 main modes (will memorize at turn off)
8 lumens
122 lumens
330 lumens

double clic (from off and from on) 800 lumens (not memorized)
from 800 lumens, double clic strobe (not memorized)

Features:

When first turned ON the button LED glows Green for 5 seconds with a full battery

has tailmagnet
weight 62 grams w stock 18350 and clip

switch button is on a raised platform that protrudes from the head
the USB-C charge port cover is also on a raised platform, on the opposite side of the switch.
I can find the button by feel in the dark, it is not illuminated.

stock battery is button top,
there is physical reverse polarity protection
my flat top keeppower 18350 also works, which means the light can serve as a travel charger and backup battery carrier for my 18350 and 16340 lights

During Charging the button LED is Red. Charge rate starts at 0.74A and drops to 0.42A as the battery nears full charge.
The button light turns green and charging shuts off, when the battery reaches 4.2V.

Opple 3 data for the SST-40 6000K:

CCT 5700K
CRI 61
DUV 0.0127

1 lumen mode has very low PFM, (Pulse Frequency Modulation), about 2% fluctuation, that produces a very Low Flicker Index of 0.0040.

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8 lumens mode has 96% fluctuation and produces a High Flicker Index of 0.5838.

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No visible PWM because the frequency of the pulses is very fast, about 40KHz

Modability: not easy to open without damage.

There is a press fit bezel and it would need to be pried out to remove the lens and access the LED.
I can get my fingernail under the bezel lip, but was unable to lift it using automotive plastic tools for door panel removal. A blade or small screwdriver might work, but will probably leave marks in the anodising.

What I like:
Nice small form factor with a contoured waist that works well for cigar grip.
Easy UI and useful beam w large floody hotspot.
Built in charging works for both 16340 and 18350

What I would change:
The LED is Low CRI

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Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Think a method like this would work to remove the bezel? Seems like a razor blade would fit under there and using two at once would do it evenly.

Imgur

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Mine has 20 kHz. Maybe the Opple isn’t able to measure such high frequencies.

Indeed, it works great for cigar grip. But to get the most out of it, there should have been a tail switch.

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maybe yes :wink:
I think you may have success by using 1, then 2 then 3 stacked blades, in order to lift the bezel away from the head

the SC13 bezel does not pop out easily with just the thickness of one blsde, the way the Olight bezel does. The SC13 bezel has a deeper shoulder.

thank you
w 519a 4500K:

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its a trade off, then there would be no magnet :wink:

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Weird, if you search for it on AE the listings all have a pic with just text saying it’s out of stock until February.

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Yuck. I agree the form factor is appealing, but Sofirn continues to miss the mark with sh!tty emitter choices. Mode spacing seems to be fairly well distributed, but why could they not have deployed Anduril in this model? If this model could have mimicked the SC21 PRO in basic configuration with a better diode, it would be much more attractive.
Not sure where Sofirn is headed lately. Seems like they are on a downhill slide innovation wise, while their competitors (a.k.a. Wurkkos) are actively pursuing both hardware and software progression geared towards a higher level product.

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fwiw the SC13 is on the Sofirn site, with a 30% discount code SOFIRNNEW

SC13 is differen than the SC21 Pro in that the SC13 uses a higher capacity battery (18350), a much simpler UI and the host has a waistline that is very comfortable to hold in cigar grip.

I do also highly recommend the SC21 Pro, it is one of my favorite little 16340 Anduril lights, for aficionados

  1. it can be reflashed to have lower lows, and
  2. for people who have the ability to swap LEDs it is easy to open, and
  3. it also accepts Tir lenses, and
  4. it has an illuminated button that Im very fond of

afaict, the SC21 Pro is being discontinued, only Black remain… If you want one grab it now. There is a discount code: SOFIRN15

And for people that like the SC21 form factor but want a simpler UI with a Regulated driver, there is also the SC21 Mini. Still available on Aliex in Blue, for under $20 with battery and free shipping… imo it is a best buy for a regulated, non Anduril option.