Preface
The Sofirn C8F 21700 with the Samsung LH351D High CRI LEDs is the latest version from Sofirn.
There are several iterations of the C8F with various LEDs. However, the first generation had 18650 battery compatibility and subsequently the current generation has both 18650 & 21700 battery compatibility.
Let’s check out the merits and demerits of this Sofirn C8F 21700 model.
Notes:
- This review is based on the KIT version which comes with the 21700 battery, charger and Micro-USB charging cable.
- Information provided is correct at time of review.
Packaging & First Impressions
This is what the light will come with as shown below.
- The flashlight box has minimalist cardboard design with a simple sticker to state the model and LED chosen.
- The threads and o-rings were lightly lubricated. Threads were rather smooth and clean (no gritty feeling at all).
- The side electronic and mechanical tail switches require a fairly firm and deliberate press to activate, and helps in preventing any unwanted activation/mode changes of the light.
- Anodizing of the light is uniform without any missing specs.
- The provided lanyard is able to support the full weight of the light and should hold up to the test of time.
- There is no clip and/or holster provided.
- Battery compartment holds the provided non-proprietary Nitecore 21700 5000mAh (NL2150) battery with more than sufficient room for a slightly thicker and/or longer battery width.
- When using the 18650 Battery Magazine, there is battery magazine rattle when the 18650 Battery Magazine is used.
Notes:
- Before using the flashlight for the first time, remove the Insulation Film from the battery compartment.
- The 18650 battery showcased with the 18650 Battery Magazine below are not included with the C8F.
Front:
Sides:
Contents:
18650 Battery Magazine:
Battery Charger with Micro-USB Input:
Remove Insulation Film:
Quick Overview (Manufacturer Specifications)
- Body Material: Black HA Aluminium
- LED Options:
- 3* Samsung LH351D 2700K @ 90CRI
- 3* Samsung LH351D 4000K @ 90CRI
- 3* Samsung LH351D 5000K @ 90CRI (This review is based on these LEDs)
- 3* Cree XP-L 5500K
- Battery Format: 1 x 21700 OR 1 x 18650 ONLY
- Output & Runtime (with 21700 3.7V 4000mAh battery):
- Group 1
- Moonlight (1 lumen / 22days 22h)
- Mid (500 lumens / 5h 15min)
- Turbo (3500 lumens / 45min) – there is a temperature-based output step down
- Group 2
- Moonlight (1 lumen / 22days 22h)
- Low (100 lumens / 1day 6h)
- Mid (700 lumens / 4h 15min)
- High (1800 lumens / 1h 30min)
- Turbo (3500 lumens / 45min) – there is a temperature-based output step down
- Group 3
- Moonlight (1 lumen / 22days 22h)
- Eco (10 lumens / 8day 18h)
- Low (100 lumens / 1day 6h)
- Mid (500 lumens / 5h 15min)
- High (1800 lumens / 1h 30min)
- Turbo (3500 lumens / 45min) – there is a temperature-based output step down
- Group 4 (Full Ramping from MOONLIGHT to TURBO)
- Strobe (1800 lumens)
- Group 1
- Max Beam Distance: 299m
- Beam intensity: 22,400cd
- Waterproofness: IPX8 (2m)
- Impact Resistance: 1m
- Dimension: 149mm (length) x 44.6mm (head diameter)
- Weight: ~200g (excluding batteries)
- Battery reverse polarity protection
- Accessories Included:
- 1*Lanyard
- 1*18650 Battery Magazine
- 2*Spare O-rings
- Optional Accessory (included in KIT version):
- 1*Sofirn 3.7V 21700 Battery (4000mAh) OR Sofirn 3.7V 21700 Battery (4800mAh)
- 1*Battery Charger with Micro-USB Input
- 1*Micro-USB Charging Cable
- MSRP: ~$51 (prices varies with various LED combinations, with and without KIT)
UI (User Interface)
UI for this light is suitable for both Every Day Carry (EDC) as it is fairly straightforward to use, after the initial learning curve.
Switching ON and OFF is done by the mechanical switch on the TAIL of the flashlight, so momentary activation is possible.
There is a total of 2 switches on the flashlight – TAIL mechanical switch & SIDE electronic switch.
This light has a total of 4 Groups.
Normal Operation (GROUP 1 to 3)
From OFF:
- 1 Click (TAIL) – Light will switch ON to last used mode (last mode memory).
- 1/2 Press (TAIL) – Light will switch ON to MOMENTARY last used mode (last mode memory).
From ON:
- 1 Click (TAIL) – Light will switch OFF.
- 1 Click (SIDE) – Mode change (light cycles through ECO, LOW, MID & HIGH → ECO, LOW, MID & HIGH), mode changes are dependent on the current Group’s mode(s) availability.
- 2 Clicks (SIDE) – Direct access to TURBO.
- 3 Clicks (SIDE) – Direct access to STROBE.
- HOLD (SIDE) – Light will switch to STANDBY mode. HOLD (SIDE) again to access MOONLIGHT mode.
Normal Operation (GROUP 4)
From OFF:
- 1 Click (TAIL) – Light will switch ON to last used mode (last mode memory).
- 1/2 Press (TAIL) – Light will switch ON to MOMENTARY last used mode (last mode memory).
From ON:
- 1 Click (TAIL) – Light will switch OFF.
- 1 Click (SIDE) – Light will switch to STANDBY mode. HOLD (SIDE) again to access MOONLIGHT mode.
- 2 Clicks (SIDE) – Direct access to TURBO.
- 3 Clicks (SIDE) – Direct access to STROBE.
- HOLD (SIDE) – Mode ramping (light ramps from MOONLIGHT to TURBO). Release & HOLD (SIDE) again to reverse ramping (light ramps from TURBO to MOONLIGHT). There is a blink when MOONLIGHT or TURBO has been reached during ramping.
Switching Groups (GROUP 1 to 4)
From ON:
- 4 Clicks (SIDE) – LEDs will flash 2 times to confirm that the Group has been switched to next available Group.
- Repeat step 1 till desired Group is activated. Group Modes will cycle through GROUP 1, GROUP 2, GROUP 3 & GROUP 4 → GROUP 1, GROUP 2, GROUP 3 & GROUP 4.
Power Indicator
There is 1 type of Power Indicator for this flashlight.
From ON:
- The switch indicator will light up one of the following colors for ~5 seconds before switching off:
- GREEN – Battery Voltage is between 3.4V to 4.2V (as shown in the photo below).
- RED – Battery Voltage is between 3.0V to 3.4V.
- FLASHING RED – Battery Voltage is between 2.8V to 3.0V.
Do recharge the battery once it starts to show RED.
Form Factor
For flashlights that are intended to use on a daily basis (EDC) and for possibly a longer period of time, form factor is extremely important.
This light feels relatively well balanced in a medium sized hand (not head/tail-heavy). Switching between overhand and underhand holding method is easy with its form factor. The knurling & grooves on the light enable it to be sufficiently “grippy”, even with wet hands/gloves.
This flashlight is able to tail-stand without any issue. However, if the lanyard is attached to the tailcap, the flashlight will not be able to tail-stand stably.
Due to its size (not feasible to fit in one’s pocket), it would be nice if Sofirn has included the holster as part of the base model (or at least in the KIT version).
Charging Process (with KIT version only)
With the provided Battery Charger with Micro-USB Cable, the battery was charging at ~0.82A.
The Solid RED indicator depicts charging in progress and Solid GREEN indicator depicts charging has completed.
Beam Style/Beamshots
For this light, the spill, corona and hotspot is somewhat predictable due to the 3 overlapping Smooth Reflectors. With the LEDs used, the beam is “throwy” for recognizing items in the near to mid-range distance.
The above beam profile is a rough interpretation of what is seen when white wall hunting.
The beam has a somewhat distinct hotspot with some slight corona and a fairly wide usable (flower petal style) spill. It also helps that the LEDs are perfectly centred in this sample. There are some rings in the beam when white wall hunting but not visible in real world usage.
All of the beamshots taken below are done so with the following camera settings (MOONLIGHT: 3.2 sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB, ECO: 2 sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB, LOW: 0.5 sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB, MID: 1/8 sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB, HIGH: 1/15 sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB and TURBO:1/25 sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB).
Some pictures have been adjusted slightly to depict as close as to what is seen in real life. The distance of the light from the door is 4.6m.
Control shot:
MOONLIGHT (1 lumen):
ECO (10 lumens):
LOW (100 lumens):
MID (500 lumens):
HIGH (1800 lumens):
TURBO (3500 lumens):
Mode (Output) Spacing
Mode spacing appears to be progressively brighter to the eye and the modes are well spaced enough to be able to know which mode one is currently in. With that in mind, TLR tend to view mode spacing as battery life indicators (amount of runtime left) rather than the specific output (lumens).
The MOONLIGHT mode of 1 lumen which is what most would call a moonlight mode and is perfect for night-adjusted eyes and midnight snack runs.
With the GROUP 4 option, it effectively solves the Mode Spacing issues by providing the option to ramp from any output from MOONLIGHT to TURBO.
Tint & CRI
Sofirn disclosed the tint (color temperature) is 5000K and/or the CRI (Color Rendering Index) is at least 90CRI for the LEDs used in their light.
There are some slight tint shifts throughout the beam profile. The hotspot is neutral white whilst the corona possess a hint of yellowish-green tint; and the spill having a slight purple tint.
This is however, not as noticeable in real life.
Waterproofness
The light was subjected to warm water submersion, followed by cold water submersion and left under room temperature running water tap whilst running on TURBO.
No signs of water intrusion in the head, body or switch was seen.
Lockout Capability
No electronic lockout but mechanical lockout is possible when needed, like during transportation in a bag.
A quarter turn (anti-clockwise) of the tailcap or body will enable mechanical LOCKOUT.
Scale Comparison (Ruler)
Summary
To sum up, we believe that the most important part of any review is if given the chance to purchase the same light for our own usage or to gift to our loved ones out from one’s pocket (wallet), would we still do it?
For this light, it is a YES, if the tint shift and lack of tail-stand option are not an issue for your usage.
The battery capacity indicator, fairly straightforward UI with direct access to STROBE or TURBO from ON, option to switch between different GROUPs, availability of ramping from MOONLIGHT to TURBO, included 18650 Battery Magazine (to suit a wider range of battery compatibility options) and the option for KIT version (comes with 21700 battery, battery charger and Micro-USB charging cable) are all plus points for this flashlight.
That said, it would be nice if Sofirn had included a holster with the C8F.
Here is a bonus size comparison picture with other 21700 flashlights.
From Left to Right: Nitecore E4K, Olight Seeker 2 Pro, Olight M2R Pro, Sofirn C8F 21700, Olight Warrior X Pro, Nitecore MH12 V2 and Nitecore i4000R.
As with all gears, two is one and one is none.
Stay safe,
The Lite Review
Disclaimer: Light was provided for by Sofirn (manufacturer) for this review. No other compensation was provided.
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Sofirn C8F 21700
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