Sofirn SF11 Tail cap lock out feature, does it work?

klrman · 2018-09-14T06:17:25.000Z

Read a comment on aliexpress that the tail cap lock out feature doesn't work unless you screw the cap out all the way until it just about falls off. Is that true?

eas · 2018-09-23T01:12:07.000Z

I don’t see how it would work. Assuming it’s like its identical thorfire twin, the current path doesn’t go through the tailcap or body. The MCPCB just connects up the cells in series, with the positive and negative terminals on the driver itself.

Maybe if you put some firm foam rings so the positive terminals wouldn’t make contact without the cap being cinched down.

klrman · 2018-09-22T23:43:24.000Z

You're right. I just read all the info I could on the SF11 and nowhere does it even state that is has a mechanical lockout feature. I assumed it did after reading from one of the buyers on ali said it didn't work.

Lightbringer · 2018-09-23T02:29:46.000Z

Yeah, the body has the 4 troughs for each cell, cap is keyed to line up the springs, both ends of the 4-cell chain are already making contact at the driver board. No electrical path through the cap/body.

klrman · 2018-09-23T06:03:25.000Z

That is how my Nitecore EA81 is set up too. Two pins in the cap that you have to line up to the body before screwing it in. Ordered the SF11 from Sofirn almost a month ago but still not shipped. Next time I will message them which lights they have in stock before ordering.

Alen · 2018-09-25T15:23:54.000Z

klrman:

That is how my Nitecore EA81 is set up too. Two pins in the cap that you have to line up to the body before screwing it in. Ordered the SF11 from Sofirn almost a month ago but still not shipped. Next time I will message them which lights they have in stock before ordering.

Sent message on Sofirn for the SF11,answer that is in stock now

klrman · 2018-09-25T17:53:09.000Z

They've been saying that for weeks and mine still not shipped.

Alen · 2018-09-25T17:52:56.000Z

Wich type of shipping method you have choise? Maybe it don’t have marked as shipped or you can ask to resend

klrman · 2018-09-25T17:56:59.000Z

epacket.

klrman · 2018-09-25T17:57:44.000Z

Had to go back to my messages with them. Looks like they did send it 3 days ago with a new tracking #.

Alen · 2018-09-25T17:59:13.000Z

I also wanted choise Epacket a bit more faster than others slow.I hope you will solve

eas · 2018-09-25T18:50:02.000Z

I will say that even though I don’t use it much, I really like my Thorfire TK4a (the SF11’s twin).

Part of it is I just like it’s stout stability and also its heft when loaded with NiMH cells. I also like that it is a AA light that performs like an 18650 light in terms of output when used with NiMh cells. Being able to use AA alkaline in a pinch (even with a cut in output) is nice.

I recently put a 90CRI LH351D in mine. The warmer CCT and improved CRI make it more attractive for frequent use.

Also, the SF11 should really be called the SP11, shouldn’t it? Aren’t all the other SF lights tail-switch lights, and all the other SP lights side switch (with or without a tail switch)?

klrman · 2018-10-03T18:05:03.000Z

Reason I got it was that if I liked it, will order many more for friends as some of them won't even look at a light that runs lithiums.

klrman · 2018-10-03T18:10:54.000Z

Got my SF11 today. Nice and compact. It's much smaller than I thought it would be, I really like that. With fully charged eneloops it ran about 15 seconds on high and then the green battery indicator changed to orange (60%). Stayed on high a little longer and then stepped down, but it can be clicked back to high again.

eas · 2018-10-03T19:50:07.000Z

That sounds like a problem.

klrman · 2018-10-03T21:49:58.000Z

Yeah, I'm a little concerned, so will test it more tonight.

klrman · 2018-10-06T08:00:54.000Z

Seems the battery indicator is indeed faulty. Turns from green to orange fairly rapidly but if I unscrew the cap and screw it on again, green light comes back on and stays on for a lengthy time. I'll use my standard virtual battery regulator for all my flashlights, which is......... to charge the cells once turbo doesn't work anymore.