Similar deals have been posted:
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/658283
This is from the Sofirn Flashlight AU group.
Torches:
SP40 kit 5000K: $36.74
25% off with promo code 9L2T5MEW Out of stock
BLF LT1 kit with power bank feature: $82.64
5% coupon and $38 off with promo code DJFUMM2I
CamelCamelCamel.
Olight is like consumer while Sofirn is more of enthusiast stuff.
I would argue Sofirn make better lights then Olight.
Zebralight have been doing these 90 degree headlamps longer than olight
I think that style of light goes back to at least WWII https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulton_MX991/U_Flashlight
Sofirn are more of an enthusiast/budget torch company while Olight markets toward a slightly higher end.
Anodising and the build quality of Olight torches is pretty good. They seem durable and reliable. I've got a few Olight i3T's and an Obulb.
Olight have a fancy Array 2S headlamp with some kind of sensor where you can wave your hand in front of the headlamp to change modes.
SP40 looks similar to the Olight H2R (discontinued) but it has a reflector and built-in micro USB charging instead of a pebble TIR optic and magnetic charging. It looks like they both throw a beam to around 150m.
You have a bigger selection of LEDs and tints with companies like Sofirn and Convoy. I.e. You can order a torch with a LED that has a 2700K (warm), 4000K, 5000K or 6500K (cool white) tint. Convoy has even more options.
lmaooo you gotta be kidding me
The only olight with better bang for buck than SP40 is the one they give away for free.
no idea which company used this form factor first. but I prefer sofirn primarily due to nonproprietary charger.
I say it's more like the Nitecore HC33 https://www.wildearth.com.au/assets/full/HC33.jpg
I own both, i paid about $120 for the Nitecore which is a great torch but it's not 3 times better then the Sofirn. For $36 you absolutely cannot go wrong with the Sofirn.
Good price for LT1 - exact same price with Sofirn TAOBAO store's
https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.8.337474832W…
SP40 price is even better
https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z10.3-c-s.w4002-23009…
SP40 is a great headlamp
My blf lt1 doesn't have power bank function. Must be an old one
Did you order it recently? Sofirn released a newer version a few months ago.
Has been cheaper before from their Aliexpress store.
The SP40 is a fantastic headtorch for the price though.
It's definitely worth keeping an eye out on BLF for coupons to use on the Sofirn Official Store on AliExpress during promo days like 11.11, Black Friday, Cyber Monday.
Any diving torch recommendation?
Sofirn SD05? I'm not a diver, sorry.
http://flashlights.parametrek.com/index.html?brand=Sofirn&ty…
There are over a hundred listed here:
Very useful thank you
Do you have any UV / Black light torches?
There are some UV torches on sofirnlight.com. I'm just a torch enthusiast posting some promo codes shared on the Sofirn Flashlight AU group.
So I'll mention some other UV lights that might be better. :-P
RovyVon and XTAR have some keychain torches with a UV LED. These may be useful for checking stuff or playing around.
Convoy S2+ UV has a filter and takes an 18650 cell. It has one UV LED.
Convoy S12 UV has a filter and takes a 21700 cell. It has three UV LEDs.
I'd highly recommend the Convoy S12 UV for giggles… it makes keychain UV torches look like a toy. That said, it's definitely not a toy. You should wear some protective glasses and avoid prolonged skin exposure.
Thanks so much for sharing. My question was going to be is this comparable to a Convoy. I am using a Convoy C8 and a S2+ and they've been pretty faultless but this headpiece Sofirn Flashlight SP40 is mighty tempting! I think the headpiece + torch looks very handy. Is it best to buy a Panasonic cell (18650) separate?
The SP40 comes with a cell, but is sold out for now.
You could probably buy two Sanyo NCR18650GA cells from techaroundyou.com for $8.48 each. They're $12.99 individually. techaroundyou's packaging is horrible (usually a padded envelope with loose cells and no Lithium Battery warning). I've ordered from them a few times lol. They're based in Melbourne. supersports600 on ebay is based in NSW.
SP40 brown or green without a battery might be AU$21 + tax delivered from the Sofirn Official store on AliExpress during special days like 11.11, Black Friday etc. Jackie and Sofirn sometimes post codes on budgetlightforum.com. Only downside is shipping and dealing with AE if a shipment gets lost or returned by Customs.
I've got a Convoy C8+ red, L21B CSLNM1, S2+ Nichia 219B sw30, and an S12 UV. The build quality of the Sofirn SP40 seems similar to Convoy.
eBay and Amazon can be super shady for Lithium cells… techaroundyou and supersports600 are two eBay stores in VIC and NSW that appear to sell legit stock and are fairly trusted by the Australian torch enthusiast community.
There are some threads over on budgetlightforum.com and r/flashlight with recommended stores by country.
I own and love the BLF LT1 lantern. It's fantastic for camping, it works well with a mini tripod, just sit it on a picnic table while having dinner or hang it from the top of your tent, it literally lasts for days. My only issue is that it tries to do too many lighting options, strobe, lightning, high, low, warm/cool white. Fortunately it has a "muggles" mode so I set it to warm white then a long press increases/decreases brightness, which is all I need. It's also a fantastic night light for the kids. I kid you not, leave it on low mode and it stays on for several days, even high mode lasts for about 24 hours. The quality of the build feels like it's something that will be part of your camping kit for years to come.
Is there any warm white high CRI headlamps around?
sofirnlight.com has more LED options for their headlamps and torches compared to their Amazon listings where they don't stock everything in the Amazon Australia warehouse.
SP40 with a LH351D 4000K 90 CRI LED. It might look a little green on a white wall. Okay outdoors.
https://www.sofirnlight.com/products/sofirn-sp40-headlamp-wi…
You could also consider a Convoy headlamp. Simon might be able to put a high CRI Nichia 219B LED in it.
Zebralight H600Fc MK IV Cree XHP50.2 4000K 93 CRI is nice and floody but ZL are only shipping to US addresses now. It's a bit more expensive. ShopMate is closing soon.
Skilhunt H04 RC is another headlamp option.
Thank you for creating a shopping list for me. :)
SP40 - Currently unavailable
Updated the post to OOS. I'll check with the store rep (Vivi) to see what they've got. They might be able to add some more stock and fulfil from Shenzhen instead of the Amazon Australia warehouse.
…
Would be great if you could call it a torch in the title instead of a flashlight. Even google has localised android from what used to be flashlight to torch :-)
I'll see if Sofirn are up for the Sofirn Flashlight AU Group on Facebook being renamed too lol
Thanks :-)
@Tim Mc: Ha ha ha ha ha that's the best. I notice that you pretty much called them torches in everything you wrote anyway. I'll have to keep my eyes out for new deals.
@Punkboy: Yeah, it's a little bit weird for me to type flashlight. I usually say torch. My two-year-old was looking at Christmas lights in town this evening and said "torch torch" to indicate that she wanted me to hand her a torch to shine at the Christmas tree. I pulled out a keychain torch and handed it to her to play. My wife reacted with "Who carries a torch with them?!". :-D
Than you get used to flashlight change the a to an e and it’s a whole new ‘ball’ game
Flashlight is for Americans. Torch means something different in their vernacular.
When I was in American I was talking about a head torch and locals thought I was a maniac for using a flaming torch attached to my head!
What's with these 18650 type of batteries - are they just a larger standard form of AA battery but rechargeable?
Why can't they make it a torch feature rather than just a lantern type or am I missing something?
18650 are much more dangerous compared to alkaline AA batteries.
They have more capacity and last longer. Certain types of 18650 cells are suitable for high drain devices like drills, vacuum cleaners etc.
Some companies create customised battery packs with one or more 18650 cells to try to make their product safer.
18650 cells need to be handled with care. I wouldn't give a child a torch with an 18650 cell.
I guess that's why they don't sell them just by themselves…
The BLF LT1 kit comes with four Sofirn 18650 cells. You can take them out by unscrewing the tube and use different 18650 cells. Button top 18650 cells work best because there's a ring at the top that rubs against the cells to make contact.
The LT1 is designed to work with one to four 18650 cells so you could use it as a power bank for other devices or take some cells out and use them in another device (e.g. a headlamp or radio).
Is this the best price ever for the new version LT1?
Cracking price! I paid ~$89 for my first one a few months ago.
May we have a repeat of this deal for the LT1?
Olight knock off ?