Flashlight of the year? (Sofirn IF23 is almost as good as it gets)
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- čas přidán 16. 06. 2024
- Sofirn IF23 (way cheaper than I realized!)
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On Sofirn Website:
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Maxlvledc is a channel dedicated to exploring the tools we carry every day. I will be discussing bags, flashlights, knives, multitools, pen, wallets, key organizers, pry tools, functional clothing, watches, electronics, and much more. Because I also love to modify these items, there will be videos on tools such as screwdrivers, pliers, scissor, wrenches, and power tools.
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#everydaycarry #edc #maxlvledc - Věda a technologie
As a photographer the colored side light is actually super useful for creative work!
It's not very bright, though.
@@FLASHAHOLIC_TVnot an issue if you can do longer exposures.
I use it when there are bugs (yellow/orange) and set it to flash while stuck on the side of my truck when I’m putting the dog back in after a walk. (Busy road)
500 lumens out the front is more than enough for an evening forest dog walk and I use the sidelight at the viewpoint. 😀🇦🇺
The red light is good for saving night vision and the blue is good for finding blood (hunting or someone injured that left a car crash). And the pocket clip means you could attach it to a tac vest or bag straps for hands free lighting.
My "duhhh". The pocket clip in combination with the flood means you don't have to clip it to your hat to get useful hands free. Muchos gracias for pointing to what should have been obvious to me, but wasn't.
@nasaboy87 No. Regular blue light is not used for finding blood. Ultra Violet UV light is used for finding blood. Ordinary blue light does not do it.
@@robertwilliamson922 Incorrect yet correct. Ultraviolet helps locate body fluids, even if they have been washed away. Blue light is absolutely used to find blood by hunters and trackers. Blood stands out more on the ground, leaves etc while using a blue light. While not as good as a red light, it is also better than white or yellow to preserve night vision.
@@breedlofami concur
I have used it as a flooder on trail having clipped it to my belt. I went nuts and ordered a second one so I could illuminate both sides while hiking; and I like symmetry. It's excessive but you know how it is when you develop a serious flashlight fetish.
I love what Sofirn is doing lately 👍
Hybrid (multi angle emitter) flashlights have the perfect flexibility for different tasks.
As soon as you change the brightness on the flashlight. The camera changes its brightness too and everything looks the same brightness. In your camera, you can always use a fixed shutter, exposure, iris whatever so that the different brightnesses translate better into the video. All that being said, I love this review! I am considering a new light and this one is so cool. That little diffuse side light is really neat.
A strategy I've liked in demonstrating brightness is lighting up something on the other side of the back yard at night, and compare it to other lights, especially something familiar, like headlights, a bare household bulb, or a pair of 48" fluorescent bulbs.
And of course, as others have said, turn off the auto exposure setting. Good review!
The build quality is nice. I unscrewed the face plate and noticed a seal around the diffuser. Even the button has an o-ring to help improve water resistance!
I took the Sofirn IF23 with me while checking on cats for a friend. Rather than turn the lights on in the house, I could use the flood light and mount it to a metal cat fence or a door jam while changing kitty litter.
I'm comfortable handing this flashlight to my toddler to carry around while supervised. The UI is a bit complicated but it can be simple if you don't try to use all the features.
I EDC it as an HVAC tech. Fits in my baggy front pocket pretty well. You know it’s there, but I don’t mind because I know I didn’t leave it behind like my other lost lights. The functionality is outstanding. Need to see a duct run 50’ feet away, boom bright ass front emitter. Need to work up close in a furnace, boom high CRI side emitters flooding evenly across the wiring. The only thing I can think for the RGB is if you had multiple lights, you could tell who’s who from a distance in the night. Just use different colors. Also, it works pretty well as the red light for night vision.
Hidden mode time. If you triple click to the RGB, and triple click again, both front and side emitters come on. Talk about coverage. It’s the sun in you pocket.
same job, same use (:
Yeah, that's why I cringed hard when he said it's not an edc light "by any stretch of the imagination." maybe he has a weak imagination?
@@alvarez321 As an auto tech, photographer and hiker this definitely looks like a perfect EDC flashlight to me!
Pop the clip off, reverse it, now because of the reversible clip, you have a hook you can hang it from. Very useful under the hood or as a tent light that way.
Wow! I must admit, I never really considered that I would buy a Sofirn before (I tend to go for established names) but that sidelight makes this is an amazing emergency light. I'm so impressed that I went on Amazon and bought one before the video had even completed.
I have one (I may buy another), and I agree that this is a great all-around flashlight. It's also good for someone like a HVAC technician. I sent an email to Sofirn saying that this one is too heavy for EDC, but if they made one like it that takes a 14500, it might be the perfect EDC flashlight. I got a response saying they would pass my comment on to their engineers, so....(!!)
That would be great . i'd actually love to see it in a 16650.
I'd love to see a 14500 version of this, that's my favourite type of cell/flashlight because they can run off an AA battery too, real handy if you are caught out/can't recharge the thing.
I would love this light in 14500!
@@atomicsmith Same here, I hope that the engineers make it happen, hope that he gets an email one day saying that they are available to buy.
That is a fantastic idea! It would be super practical.
Use a green hue light to attact fewer bugs when outside. Purple/Blue for fishing line other UV reactive purposes. If you have multiple units, you can set them to different colors for managing charge cycles. If you are using the light for videos, having color options is pretty nice as well. Lots of options for that RGB feature.
If you double click during RGB strip is on you get blinking. And triple click will give you front and side strip on at the same time. You can also change it from stepped low medium hi to smooth ramp up and ramp down by 4 click during main light is on.
YES! I purchased two of these on the strength of this video..One for me and one for my son....we both work in the crane and lifting industry and occasionally need a good reliable lamp/torch....yes we're British. I can categorically state "this unit is second to none in its own and above price brackets". A fantastic piece of kit and absolutely belongs in every mans (and womans) EDC pocket. Many thanks for a superb rundown on a superb Torch.
I love my Sofirn mini headlamp, usb c, stepless dimming, 3 colour temps to choose from when ordering, magnetic end, full metal, waterproof, turbo all the strobes etc. Great for reading. I might get the big vs too but this also looks nice!
We had power out a few times last year for 6+ hours at a time and all the flashlights came in clutch . It was great . I would have used this one for the kitchen table to light up an area , otherwise just pointed one at the ceiling and hoped he battery lasts . Which most of them did and it also came in handy to have a charger .
I appreciate this review a ton. U mentioned it was a bit heavy for everyday carry and the clip was useless because of that but I’m gonna be using it with my power wheelchair and honestly the weight will never be an issue and the extra battery capacity is chefs kiss for me.
Sounds perfect!
What is it with most flashlight makers and not just adding another button or toggle for the secondary lights? I understand for smaller lights that will add too much bulk, but this one already has a side light bulge. IMO it would improve a lot if they could have managed to either 1. have a button each for the front and side emitters, 2. A ring toggle like the arkfeld or 3. A slider switch to choose between front or side emitter.
After much belly aching though, I still definitely will get this though lol.
One button means less chance for water to get in the device. But I hear you … each flashlight I have, has a different user interface. I am always fiddling around for a while before I find the option I need. It is annoying.
I bought one of these back in June and it has come in very handy. I like the colored lights on the side table around the fire pit.
What price did you pay?
@@eo8513 $42
These are great lights. I've had mine fora couple of months and have found no flaws.
This is exactly what I was looking for! thank you. Was looking for something to have at home for power outages.
I bought it. It's exactly like you said. Awesome flashlight, lantern, everycolors blinking light, moonlight on both side, magnet, ... I love the Orange Lantern mode for my patio by night when I'm smoking my joint alone. ;)
Just bought one based on your recommendation. Build quality seems decent. LOVE the way it operates. Hopefully she holds up over the long run. It’s my new EDC. The flood function & magnetic tail cap are perfect for wiring Audio/Video racks in dark locations. Thanks!
Great review 👍 got one of these after last Sofirn I tried SC32 - both impressive
Another potential use for the multicolored side light would be to replace a broken navigation light on a small boat in a pinch. Might be enough to make it safe to get across a piece of water that otherwise wouldn't be safe without a working navigation light.
I own a couple Sofirn lights, found out about them through Torque Test Channel when they did a flashlight comparison test. I have the SC18 and SC31T (which is essentially a tactical version of the SC18). I honestly am impressed with how much light they put out being just 18650 batteries, I very rarely use turbo mode on them. I also picked up their D25L head lamp which is really nice and not super heavy. I've been sticking to 18650 lights because I had a nearly new drill battery that went bad on me, so I harvested the good cells from it so they wouldn't die too.
Another really nice little light is the Nicron N7. It's not nearly as bright as some of its larger brethren, but it's a dual battery light that uses 14500 batteries or standard AA batteries. Makes a nice option of you suddenly find yourself with dead batteries and you have some AA's around, though you lose some lumens since they don't output that much power. The swivel head is really smooth and feels satisfying to move.
I wish they had an 18650 version. That'd be the perfect edc work light
I don't think I'll ever understand people attempting to demo a light's brightness on an auto exposure camera.
That why I don't try, I mention it and move on. These lights are usually within 2-10% of stated value based on independent reviews so I find doing actual brightness testing somewhat moot.
I use this on a daily for work. My pants have a loop which makes the belt clip a necessity for when I use it. I found a mode you didn't mention! When the side bar is displaying colored light, double tap the button and it will mimic a car's hazard lights in the color that you have it set on.- Double press again to go back.
Got one a few days ago to live in my Jeep, very impressed.
I’m definitely buying this to attach to my back pack. Will be great for that.
Thank you for taking the time on makinh this video. Very informative.
Got this lil dude and I really like it. I’m usually an olight or stream light guy. This thing just has a lot of useful features packed in.
Boruit V3 Power EDC flashlight is a true contender in this scenario excluding reverse change capabilities.
Only one thing missing, a fitting to convert into a head lamp.
Theres many great lights out there that can be worn on the head or in the hand.
A great light , Sofirn thought of almost everything .
thanks for a great review. I use the side clip on my jackets front pocket so the side light faces forward. Works great
Ohhh boy, your videos are fantastic! And your collection amaizing!
Just ordered this with your link. I have an old Galaxy S10 thats gotten to the place that the battery is crashing a lot, so Im goung to carry this to work with me in my jacket for emergency recharges. Pretty sure I have a couple C-C cables around here. Thanks for the review.
Beautiful Detailed Review. Thank you 🙏. It’s well worth the $40 just for the power bank option. Fascinating light
Bought this light because of this video and can confirm it’s a great light. It’s design could use some work but functionality is great.
It is a great flashlight but the UI can get confusing if you don't use the IF23 often. The OLIGHT Seeker 4 Pro and WUBEN Falcon X-1 are also good shouts for light of the year.
Such a great torch.. thank you so much for your review, so in detail wicked 👍
This might actually be perfect for a bike. If you can mount it on a bike, you can use it as normal day presence, night front light, and then all the other options are really great for working on your bike. The side light and the magnet would probably be great for working on a bike. If your ride is longer and your phone is dying (GPS), it might be a better idea to charge your phone instead of having a day light for example
In amazon (europe) its 62 euros, a lot more expensive :/
Just bought it from sofirns own website, 35€ with a battery and free shipping from DE. Black friday offer.
You know you have influence when amazon increases the price of the item you are reviewing just hours after you drop the video.
It's up to $55 as of the time of my post. Just wait a bit... it'll go back down
Did Amazon increase the price or did sofirn? The sofirn store is cstboke and they have it right now for $55 with a 20% off coupon right now.
Which instantly makes me not want it lol
It's over $60 now
@@ewakingwood
$59.99 right now.
Seriously cool flashlight. Thanks for sharing this!
Great torch , only thing I’ve found is it gets quite hot when on full power
And it’s not the battery but the led . Guess it will be useful when it’s frosty 🥶
Nice light, but I have really grown weary of complicated user interfaces, since every light is different. I've gotten rid of some very good lights because of it, and never use some functions because I can't remember the button sequence to get there without the manual. I also really get tired of poking the light over and over to get to a function I want, and then in some cases, over and over just to shut it off. Anyway, I have a whole box full of great lights that eventually wore out my patience.
Agreed, the only kind of light I buy now, are lights that have a tail switch that’s on and off, and a button upfront that controls the mode. No more single button lights for me. I just want one button that turns it on and off
@@narutobrokenYes. It's surprising how many of these "tactical"lights have such silly buttons. The primary demand on a tactical vs EDC light is that it respond immediately to the switch. The difference between turning the light off in 20mS versus 250mS is the difference between hiding and drawing fire.
Been trying to use it as my EDC light for work but it's a bit too heavy. I'm a dialysis nurse and I like the reverse charge feature but weighs more than my work EDC kit. I bought it with battery shipped for $26 dollars about a month ago and it was a steal at that price. I keep it in the car nowadays.
The Wurkkos HD20 and HS15 also offer powerbank function
PLUS you can wear them as a headlamp or in the shirt pocket
PLUS have both spot and flood projectors
yep! and sofirn is coming out with something similar too. big fan of both of those.
Just bought it for £26.
Thanks for this great video!
I started to use headlamps. Having my hands free is great. Fenix headlamp.
informative, nice presentation, thx. would have been nice to hear a bit more on the battery? how fast does it recharge and projected lifecycle (rated number of recharges), how long will the flashlight stay on when the light is left on continuously, can you buy extra batteries as backup, and the cost of that...
Maybe the red/green option on the torch could may be of use at sea/aircraft to show portside and starboard sides just as is used on alrcraft an all ships etc ?
As an electrician, I really wish more flashlights incorporated a small laser pointer in the build. I’ve found that their use in pointing things out in the field is so handy that I don’t even consider a flashlight anymore unless it has one. So much easier and more accurate than using your tape measure to point things out to guys. I would absolutely get this light if it had a laser pointer.
as an electrician that works nights, I agree. You don't realize how useful a pointer is until you carry one.
Check out the monstrum tactical tracer, just got mine in and its awesome
Currently carrying the olight arkfeld. Seems real similar to the monstrum you mentioned. Only beef with the arkfeld is that you can have the laser and light on at the same time, which becomes more a hindrance as time passes. Trying to point something out in a dark drop ceiling from the floor with the laser is hard when you can’t see what you’re pointing at.
Did you see olight Arkfeld pro? I think it does what you want it to do.
Arkfeld vs Tracer? Arkfeld every time, way more reliable, quick and simple to use. I charge my Tracer almost twice as much as my Arkfeld and I use the Arkfeld more often lol
I purchased one based off this review. Thank you so much. Great video! I gave a like and subscribe. :)
I have Sofirn SP10B as my always-carry and it's amazing (waterproof, durable), except the button, which tend to turn flashlight on occasionally and you have to turn it of by long-press…
I was looking for a nitecore edc 27 for my flashlight edc, but this one is really neat. Might consider this and have both flashlight and fill light when out for video recording.
I use the double sided pocket clip for attaching to the shoulder strap of my bag or my chestrig
Nice light to have around the house and garage. The magnet is a great add too. I like that it allows you to switch colors on the side light, but i wish it only allowed for green, red and maybe blue.
yea, its almost toooo many colors lol.
It is nice and bright and versatile for the price for sure. Few in this price range have power bank ability, like the Wuben C2. Gripes: 1) it gets over 110ºF, the whole body, not just the emitter 2) only flat top 21700s fit easily, button top barely get in there and whatever waterproofing is likely gone 3) the USB port is recessed a bit too much, limiting some of the cords that will work. The build quality is a bit iffy. Definitely wouldn't trust its water rating. But it comes with a 21700 and is VERY bright, even the side light. And I don't think this is close to the claimed 4,000 lumens.
4000 lumens would be pretty hard with just one emitter.
0:50 Stainless steel is minimally or sometimes not magnetic at all depending on the heat treatment. Putting the base of the flashlight on mild steel would be a huge difference.
You should have mentioned that the one press for on only works if it is not locked out , you should mention this because this light has an auto lock out that occurs after being unused for two minutes..... Then you must double click for on... 5hen all other features are as you mentioned..... The light is fantastic and it was a great review...
I understand why they have auto lock functionality, but I wish there's a way to turn that feature off. It happens too fast and too often for my taste
I actually just bought this light thinking that it would be smaller for every day pocket carry. Oops! But the multiple modes is quite cool! I found out that double pressing cycles through all the modes for each light. Then triple pressing will cycle through all the lights, and the last mode turns both the forward facing and rail lights on at the same time!
Cool light but If you can remember the cryptic, complex user interface on this light, over time, you're a better man than I. Great light to loan out. Nobody will ever know how to turn it on. Crazy button push combos and lock sequences.
It's a piece of cake. Ive already got it sussed and I just got it tonight
Sofirn is killing the game with their whole line!
8:06 The colors are useful for many applications. For example, red is good for preserving night vision. A blinking red light is universally recognized as an emergency call. Different colors can also be used for attract different insects. I've also used the lights for distance messaging when there's no cell service. For example, I can display a white light as I swim or boat across the lake, but switch to green at my destination to tell someone on the other side that I've arrived safely.
I bought the I 23 I have not regrets that thing is blinding.
They also sent me two other flashlights when I ordered more baterries.
It’s a shame not many of these come with a red lite feature. We used that a lot back on the ship to keep our night vision.
It does he forgot to show it
The basic function are same as the nextool flashlight. Only it has a clicky only, but, the extra is the magnetic part, its not fix on the body, its rotating around the body, therefore i can stick it anywhere metal, and turn the light to point to my work area. Very usefull, wish it as small as this sofirn u showing, mine was as big as 100ml wd40 can (almost). Oh it has flashing siren, deafening.
Green light is very useful for the holidays
Another great find Dom. I went to the website only to find a lot more. My only concern, and it's likely only me, is if it's a light I only use occasionally, I won't remember how to access all the features. I am considering this for travel use. However, I also have a Wuben x3 for travel as well. I looked but didn't find a review of the Wuben x3 by you. What would be very helpful is a travel review of light systems. Similar to your recent video from Italy. I would have liked to have you demonstrate how you used the light in red mode.
I do a quarter turn on the battery cap for lock out
Trying to remember the button press combinations would be a nightmare
I have a few sofirn lights around the house and cars, the power bank function is very good. I dont understand why all brands don't copy this. I've put specific low temp cells in the, and it's the only powerbank that keeps working in the Norwegian cold.
100% agree with the reverse charge.
I received mine a few days ago going on the recommendation of this video. It's awesome and I like it (even my gf likes it and stole it from me).
The hate it gets for it's UI is unjustified. it's not that hard to learn, what's maybe lacking is a proper graph to display its functions like most manufacturers have these days.
Got this few months ago for $27. Awesome light and great features.
I wonder where is it made in.
It's an impossible price.
Just checked today Amazon wants $56 now.
@@kahvac Looking at the price history it hit under $45 only a couple times briefly in the last six months or so. Most of the time it's at $55.99 (as of Nov 17 there is a 10% coupon as well)
Strobe should be a separate button
This is interesting. I’ve been EDCing an inexpensive flashlight from Duluth Trading that has a side light and I find it very useful, but it uses 3 AAA batteries and is nowhere near as bright as this. I’ll have to compare the weight of the two. This one definitely has a longer body but might be slightly thinner.
Lithium batteries provide WAAYYY more juice, which is why this can be so much brighter
I have this one for 2 months ....ui is a pain but !!! The rest is amazing !!!! this flashlight needs dual switch and a more powerful magnet
And at 40 € I would buy an another with those improvements because that light is so VERSATILE AT HOME YOU CANNOT IMAGINE !!!!
Look closer, it's a 2 way clip, the SP35 page shows the 2 way clip used to secure it to the bill of a cap. With the extra extra weight and size, I agree probably impractical, but a 2 way clip none the less.
It’s a great light! I like the coloured side light, I’ll use it for music videos and such, I do like the option to have stepless ramping of the brightness, but forgot how to switch it over from stepped to stepless.
While the flashlight is on, quickly press the button 4 times.
I got that flashlight a couple of weeks ago. It’s cool.
Great video but May I add. This Torch has an XHP50 V2. the Cree XHP50b is capable of a maximum output of 2546 lumens, The 21700 at max capacity can be 5Ah "5000mah" But many companies ship with ones around 1500~2000Mah.
Usually if a flashlight that has a clip on, it is too large to fit in a pocket, it will usually fit better in a utility belt..
Good review, but the fact that it's also a power bank definitely makes it worthy of being edc.
Also you kind of sounded like it would be crazy to use the clip or something, lol. But I could see the clip being useful for a belt or backpack strap.
Fantastic, I’ll be ordering one for work. I often have to light an area to work in and don’t want to carry multiple torches. Fair price to, seems this manufacturer is always well priced. Would like to see the emitter(s) properly tested, and most cheaper brands very much overstate their actual output. Also I think it’s ugly as hell though, they could atleast try and make it look nice like other torch makers do, but I guess that’s not as important.
Excellent presentation!
Sofirn generally has a good UI - you just have to learn it. Looks like a great light, thank you for the thorough review. I've got the BLF Q8, which is made by Sofirn once the original BLF batch was released. I think I will pick up this light, however.
Wish you would have specified whether the battery is button or flat top, and protected or not. Hard to tell from the video but looks like a protected cell flat top.
Complex UI, who wants to bother to learn. I hate them personally.
Are you able to find the best penlight USB C or pen laser? A video on either of those would be awesome
If you double-click while in the color mode, it will blink the color on and off. This would be great if you broke down... You could stick the light to your car to warn other drivers.
Would this be good as an Inspection Light perhaps? For checking equipment/machinery?
Looks nice
Thank you for the review!
You convinced me to buy the most frustrating POS I think I have ever purchased!!
It does ALL the things you described, AFTER f’n around with it for 20 minutes. It is COMPLETELY unreliable for immediate use. To put another way totally useless. Thanks again for your pump and dump.
I love it. I want one. Also, why can't every flashlight have beacon mode?
Sofirn sale on their website now 20% until Oct. 4th. You can get this less than the $40 on the sale.
$42.99 on Amazon as of 11/10/23. Should drop to around $35 on Black Friday
I would say average size and weight, palm held flashlight. I have a Olight M2R Pro Warrior and it fits in the same pouch and weights about the same. You left out a mode, the final mode is spotlight and floodlight on at the same time and you can even put them on turbo, it get's hot very fast. I hang it to my chest pocket from the clip or to my backpack strap and use the floodlight, very useful. The anodizing on the body is not so great. I tried to patch it up with a Sharpie but no dice. The silicone flap on the usb port has this little nipple which snags. Since all the modes are under the same button and the floodlight is capable of 500 lumen you blind yourself every once in a while trying to remember how to turn to each mode and you will hit strobe and turbo when cycling them. The button is on the same side as the emitter so it's facing directly at you when using your thumb to actuate the button. This is the only flashlight to have a side floodlight and color on it, I wish you could moonlight mode the colors but you can't. If something like this would come out from Olight for example I would definitely get it. I wouldn't mind more buttons if I could get a moonlight color and more functionality or to not having to cycle through each mode to get the desired one.
I have my eye on this light. I missed the $35 sale. It’s like $45-$55 now. Waiting for it to go down again and I’m gonna pull the trigger. If it doesn’t oh well. I have like 5 pocket lights.
And blue light could be good tactical use in finding blood. Exceedingly COOL light...
Finally, the flashlight I didn't know I needed! $60, not a bad price.
buy on their website and save a lot more. it went up a lot in price.
Just got mine today. Surprisingly, the battery had almost zero charge.