Another Sofirn light! This is one there are already many reviews of, but I still hope you’ll find my thoughts (and more likely, data) on the light to be useful. It’s a XHP50.2, 26650 light – a fairly uncomplicated light.

Official Specs and Features

Here’s a link to a fairly official product page on aliexpress.

Versions

This should be version 2 of the SP33. The old version had a Cree XP-L emitter, and lower lumen outputs.

As for the SP33 V2, there’s only this one version. But it’s available three ways – bare light, light with charger and 18650, and light with charger and 26650. I have the light with 26650 option.

Price

This light looks to be going for $28.87 for the package as reviewed here, but just the light can be had for $22.13.

Short Review

This is a neat light, and puts out a ton of lumens! I do like that it’s generally uncomplicated, and for the price is hard to beat.

Long Review

The Big Table

* Standard measurement disclaimer: I am an amateur flashlight reviewer. I don’t have $10,000 or even $1,000 worth of testing equipment. I test output and such in PVC tubes!! Please consider claims within 10% of what I measure to be perfectly reasonable (accurate, even).

Yet another update to try to make the table more comprehensive. Every table (from now) should include quiescent current if applicable, and charge data only if applicable. Let me know what you think of the update!

What’s Included

Sofirn SP33 V2 Flashlight

Sofirn 5500mAh 26650

Single bay charger

Lanyard

Spare o-rings (2)

26650 to 18650 adapter

Charge cable (USB to micro-USB)

Manual

Package and Manual

Standard Sofirn box!

Build Quality and Disassembly

The build quality of the SP33 V2 is adequate, per its price point. I won’t opine and say it’s built like a $100 light, but it’s certainly perfectly well built at $23.

There are springs on the head and tail. Fairly stiff springs, too.

The tailcap gets a bit of … grip, but I’m not sure what to call it. It’s plenty grippy for easy cell swapping, though.

The cell tube is a little different on either end, but the parts that make it work are the same; the cell tube is reversible. That’d be nice if there was a pocket clip – easy reversible clip, but there isn’t a pocket clip, so it doesn’t really matter.

Size and Comps

Officially:

※ Dimension:128mm (length)*37mm (head diameter)

※ Weight: 150±2 gram (without batteries)

For a 26650 light, it’s really not all that big.

Retention and Carry

The only real way to carry the SP33 is with the included lanyard, which attaches to the tailcap. There are these two holes on only one side of the tailcap.

There is no pocket clip, no magnet, and no pouch.

Power and Runtime

Sofirn included a 5500mAh 26650 cell with my copy of this light. This is a flat top cell. Other cell sizes will work, though. It’ll work with an 18650, and I had plenty of luck with 21700 cells, too. There are no qualifiers; if it makes contact, it’ll work. The light does draw over 6A on turbo, though, so you’ll need a fairly capable cell.

Here’s the adapter for using an 18650 cell.

Here’s a runtime with the included cell, on Turbo. Output is quite good, and holds for a reasonable time. It looks like the stepdown is probably temperature based, since the temp is spiking right when the stepdown occurs. 2 minutes at near full output isn’t the worst we’ve seen!

High is essentially the same exact runtime, just without the Turbo, and with a much more controlled temperature.

At 2.8V, the switch begins a fast red blink. At 2.5V, the light shuts off. Also, when the power is >50%, the indicating switch is green. If it’s between 20 and 50%, the light is orange. Below 20%, the indicator is red. I measure the quiescent current at 0.012A.

There’s a charger included, but it’s one I’ve tested before. If you’re really inclined for that data, you may see it here.

PWM

No PWM detected on any mode! Even on two different timescales. Nice!

For reference, here’s a baseline shot, with all the room lights off and almost nothing hitting the sensor. And here’s the worst PWM light I have ever owned. Also one of the very first lights I ordered directly from China!

User Interface and Operation

There’s a single, indicating e-switch, and it’s on the side of the head of the SP33.

Here’s a UI table!

State Action Result Off Click On (Mode Memory) On (Except Eco) Hold Mode Advance (LMH) Off Hold Eco On Double Click Turbo Turbo Double Click Strobe Strobe Click Previous mode Strobe Double Click Turbo On Click Off Off 4x Click Lockout Lockout 4x Click Unlock

Modes and Currents

Mode Mode Claimed Output (lm) Claimed Runtime (for 26650) Measured Lumens Tailcap Amps Turbo 2500 52m 2548 6.11 High 1000 1h17m 1065 1.80 Medium 400 4h55m 458 0.64 Low 150 16h37m 155 0.22 Moonlight 15 111h 12 0.04

LED and Beam

The emitter on this updated SP33 is Cree XHP50.2. The reflector is lightly orange peel, and there’s a white centering ring.

I don’t have a ton of experience with this emitter (just the Acebeam X80), and no experience with it as a single emitter light.

These beamshots are always with the following settings: f8, ISO100, 0.3s shutter, and manual 5000K exposure.

Tint vs BLF-348 (Killzone 219b version)

I compare everything to the Killzone 219b BLF-348, because it’s inexpensive and has the best tint!

Random Comparisons and Competitive Options….

Here’s a link to a relevantly filtered page on parametrek.com. I use that site a lot!

There are one similar light, but it’s really not the same type of light. It’s more of a thrower (or even “wall of light” type thrower), but still looks to be a neat little light!

Conclusion

What I like

Complete package for under $30.

Simple UI

Indicating switch

Ability to run off multiple cell sizes (with or without the adapter, really)

What I don’t like

I’d prefer a NW XHP50.2

A belt clip or nylon pouch would be a nice addition to the package

Notes

This light was provided by Sofirn for review. I was not paid to write this review.

This content originally appeared at zeroair.org. Please visit there for the best experience!

Whether or not I have a coupon for this light, I do have a bunch of coupons!! Have a look at my spreadsheet for those coupons. It’s possible to subscribe and get notifications when the sheet is edited!!