So Good I Carried it Anyway - Sofirn SP31V3 Flashlight Review

[@gearedforward]

What do you think of the Sofirn SP31 V3? Do you want to see any other Sofirn lights?

[@StratmanII]

I think I will buy the V3 after watching your presentation! 🙂 The SP31 V3's TIR optics is reminiscent of the TD02, which is surprisingly a solid performer despite its quirky mode cycling UI. I also have a TD04 which I ordered together with an SP35T - the latter for some reason doesn't have a hidden Moonlight mode and lacks anti-reflective glass which the TD04 is endowed with. There's always a flashlight in front of my keyboard and as I type this, it's the SC31T. I just realized that the SC31T is the tailswitch version of the SC31 Pro as they both have the same SST40 in a medium deep smooth reflector. The SC31T doesn't seem to have a momentary Turbo either, unlike my FC12. I share your views on the USB-C rubber cover; although one can buy replacement covers in bulk (they're very cheap) the water resistance properties of a flashlight depends on how tight that cover is at the time of water immersion. Rubber does deteriorate over time and prolonged opening of the cover can lead it to it getting loose. For this reason I don't use USB-C charging unless I have to. On an unrelated note, I'm still trying to figure out why Wurkkos chose the Nichia 519a emitter for its FC11c, as it uses a 18650 cell instead of a 14500 and advertising 1300 lumens or less. Does this mean Wurkkos is getting more truthful with its lumen claims or is that Nichia LED not as bright as a Luminus SFT40 or SST40? 1900-2100 lumens is the typical advertised output range for most 18650 tube lights. 🔦🤔

[@gearedforward]

@@StratmanII I hope you enjoy it! It's proved a great grab and go light on my desk, similar to the TD04, they both do that job well, though the button on the SP31V3 is a much nicer experience. I like the convenience of USB C charging, but for a combination of practicality and convenience I do enjoy Olights magnetic system. The most lauded complaint of it being a proprietary cable becomes quickly irrelevant if you own more than one, or in my cause an omino charging station. For USB C charging, it's a lot less convenient but there's a lot to say about an included cell with a charging port. You have to unscrew the light to charge, but it doesn't affect water resistance at all and doesn't add any length to the overall light body. For the FC11C's emitter, I can only assume it's a combination of tint and price. Neutral and warmer tints throw lower lumen numbers, and many flashlight enthusiasts are often also particular about preferring a neutral or warm tint. Though, I personally prefer a colder tint for brightness reasons, CRI and eye comfort don't really matter to me unless it's a lantern.

[@StratmanII]

@@gearedforward Thank you sir, I will eventually get the SP31 V3 when the Sofirn Direct Store tempts me with the lowest price that I've seen! Currently its SC31 Pro is heavily discounted and I think I might find a blue 5000K one pair up nicely with my existing 6500K green SC31 Pro. I'm not really penny pinching, but I feel much less guilty whenever I snag a flashlight as the lowest price it's ever been sold at! 🔦☺ I guess I'll cross off the FC11c from my list. While it does come with a 5000K Nichia 391a emitter but so does the SC31 Pro with the 5000K SST40. Having Anduril is always a plus for me. 😀👍 Colder temperature lights are technically more efficient at the emitter level. I once read a technical write-up, that warmer tint LEDs simply have thicker phosphor coatings which make their CCT lower (warmer), but they also lose some lumens in the process. Even Armytek's website says the cooler emitter option is 7% brighter than the warmer one. For tactical self defense, colder white light is more dazzling than a warmer one while for close up work and reading, warmer temps is more comfortable. I agree with you that LED lanterns are best with warmer tints as they give that campfire sort of feel. Some of them have variable CCTs, which make them very versatile.