Sofrin has a big light out – a 2×26650 “wall o’ light” light. This is the SP70, and it’s quite a light! Read on for more info and testing.

Official Specs and Features

Here’s a link to the official product page.

Versions

There’s just one version of the SP70, but it’s available 3 ways. Light only, kit with cells, and kit with “HD [high discharge] cells.”

Short Review

This is a seriously impressive light, pumping out a ridiculous 5600 lumens and stepping down to around 3000 lumens for over 30 minutes. The kit is a good setup, too!

Long Review

The Big Table

* 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).

What’s Included

Sofirn SP70 Flashlight

Sofirn 5500mAh 26650 (2)

Lanyard

2-bay charger

Charge cable (USB to micro-USB)

Cell adapters (26650 to 18650)

Split rings (2)

O-rings (2)

Manual

Package and Manual

The SP70 ships in a standard non-discrete cardboard box.

The manual is a long paper, has 4 languages, and seems to describe the light very well.

Build Quality and Disassembly

Astute observers will note that this is one of the more expensive Sofirns. Much of that increase in price is more due to this being a package light (you’ll really want to just buy the kit, so that it’ll come with the cells – unless you have a line on inexpensive 26650s.) So generally this light is not all that expensive. But does the build quality match that price, or is it built to higher standards?

This light is in line with other modern Sofirns. The build quality is very nice. The knurling is good, the threads are good – I have absolutely no complaints about the quality.

The head is full of (not too deep) fins for cooling (something that the light will need, since it’s pulling ~10A on Turbo!).

The threads are long, square cut, and not overly lubed.

Both the head and tail have thick double wound springs. Very high quality, and quite stiff springs.

Despite having the same diameter on the head and tail, the threads are longer on the tail end, and so the tube isn’t reversible. This does mean that the tactical ring is only for the tail end (which is fine, of course).

The provided cells don’t protrude when installed.

Size and Comps

Officially:

Dimension: 250mm (length)× 90mm (head diameter)

Weight: 625 grams (without batteries)

It’s not at all a small light, but it’s ideal sized for what it is.

Retention and Carry

The main way to carry this light will be the shoulder strap. It’s a nice shoulder strap, and connects on the tailcap or tactical ring, and a hole in the head.

The shoulder strap doesn’t fit without using a split ring in both ends, though. The hook is too thick. But a small split ring for both head and tail are included.

Power and Runtime

The SP70 runs on two cells, so has a running voltage of 8.4V. My kit included two cells, 5500mAh 26650 cells. These are good cells, and as such I recommend just buying the kit.

An adapter is also included for using 2×18650. The adapter is just an open ended plastic tube.

I tested the light on Turbo and High. Here’s turbo, with the included cells. The head gets warm, especially considering how big it is, and how far the heat is moving to get to my probe.

In both tests I performed, on cell gets discharged deeper than the other. It still stays in the safe zone though, so it’s fine, but it could be a good practice to rotate the cells.

The High runtime is essentially the same as Turbo, just without the blip of Turbo.

Here are the 18650 adapters.

The kit also includes a 2-bay charger, which is powered by a USB to micro-USB plug.

The charger holds both cells at one time. I didn’t test the charger.

Modes and Currents

Mode Mode Claimed Output (lm) Claimed Runtime Measured Lumens Tailcap Amps Turbo 5500 1h 42m 5468 9.31 High 3000 2h 28m 3513 5.28 Mid 1200 5h 12m 1358 1.54 Low 400 15h 37m 495 0.40 Eco 60 64h 45m 72 0.03 Moon 2 955h ~ ~

PWM

The middle modes of the SP70 do in fact display a bit of PWM, but to my eye it’s not bad at all.

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

The SP70 has a dual switch interface, with a mechanical tail clicky, and an e-switch (with indicator function) on the side.

The side switch is clear/white and has some useful green indicators.

The side switch is a little proud, and easy to locate without looking.

In standby, the light will have a green indicator. It also indicates for 5 seconds after turning on what the battery level is. Green means the power is good. Orange means “half power.” Red means low power, and flashing red means to charge immediately.

The UI actually has two mode groups. One has discrete modes, and the other has ramping. Of course I always test with the discrete modes, but ramping is all the rage and quite a nice addition. Switching between the groups is easy – with the mechanical switch on (indicated by the green e-switch being lit), but the light off (controlled by the e-switch), quickly click the side switch 6 times. The light will blink twice to indicate the group change, and enter the last used output.

Here’s a UI table! The table will refer to the Mechanical switch off as “Off” and the Mechanical switch “on” as “Standby” (since the light can be “on” but not have output – just an active e-switch.)

State Action Result Off Click Tail Switch (TS) Standby Off Click Side Switch (SS) No Action Standby Click TS Off Standby Double Click SS Turbo Off Half Press TS Momentary Mode Memory Turbo Click SS Return to previous mode Standby Click SS 6x Mode Group switch Standby, Both Groups Hold SS Moonlight Moonlight Click SS Standby Moonlight Hold SS No action Standby, Both Groups Click SS On (Mode Memory) On, Both Groups Click SS Standby On, Group 1 Hold SS Mode Advance (LMH direction, excluding Turbo and Moonlight) On, Group 2 Hold SS Infinite ramp Up or Down (stops at Turbo or Moonlight) Standby Click SS 4x Lockout Lockout Click SS Two flashes Lockout Cycle TS Lockout off Lockout Click SS 4x Unlock Standby Click SS 8x Beacon Beacon Click SS Beacon off

It’s possible there’s something missing here – there’s a lot happening in the UI. Still, it’s pretty simple overall.

LED and Beam

The emitter is a Cree XHP70.2. It’s a pretty good choice for this light, but suffers from the normal 70.2 maladies. It does offer a ton of output though, which is appreciated in such a light. The reflector is big and deep and orange peeled.

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! So far as I can tell, there’s really nothing else like this light! Particularly as a full kit light, this one offers a lot!

Conclusion

What I like

Full kit includes everything you’ll need, including good cells

Output is just ridiculous

Even after stepdown, ~3000 lumens is very good

Meets specs for both throw and output

Dual switch UI

What I don’t like

Cree XHP70.2 has the usual tint shift

High standby drain

Notes

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

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