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I review the Sofirn SC03 – one of the best 2-in-1 flashlights in my collection. It has an inbuilt lantern and a long-distance beam.
Sofirn provided me with a sample of the SC03 for this review. I was not paid to make this video and have not held back on any negative opinions of this light.
Sofirn SC03 – Best Value Lantern-Hybrid Light?
General thoughts after a week of usage/size comparison/practicality/interesting things:
• I really like it when light companies go out of their way to design something different. It’s risky but can often pay off. This is the Sofirn SC03, a two-in-one flashlight with long-range spot beam and a built-in flooder/lantern. When I first saw this light, I thought it was a gimmick, probably thrown together quickly. But a closer look has made me think the opposite.
• What do you get in the box?
• Comparison with other side switch lights.
Overall Construction, LED, lens, bezel and reflector
• Simple, sleek design with simple with no knurling. The tailcap has some details and a lanyard hole. The anodizing is surprisingly grippy. I like that Sofirn has been adopting this new matt black finish. It also looks better and seems more scratch resistant too.
• The head features a white plastic diffuser that screws onto the light. It houses an OP reflector. Aluminium bezel/ring + glass lens. It’s a clever design that allows you to use two very different beams. SST40 in head, 8x CSP1313 LEDs for flood light. Clever design, all spaced apart and heatsinked well – the diffuser and reflector are completely separate.
• Takes a 21700 cell + onboard USB-C charging. Single recessed rubber switch that functions as battery indicator too.
UI – modes
• Light locks out after 1 minute. Click twice to unlock/lock. Normally, you need to press and hold to turn on and off.
• When the light is on, double press to switch between spot/flood.
• Single click to cycle between LMH/Turbo
• Triple click for strobe.
Performance – total output, beam profile, longevity, practicality
• Ceiling bounce test, CRI, CCT
• Best of both worlds – flood + throw.
Considerations
• UI – takes a few minutes to figure it out. Might have been more user-friendly with two switches for each light source. Auto-lockout confused me initially as the press and hold function would only go to moonlight mode. Gets easier as you use the light.
• The diffuser works well and feels durable but would have been nice if made of a stronger or thicker material. Not as durable as aluminum if dropped. Would probably crack if you dropped it on a sharp surface.
Verdict
If you’re looking for the perfect camping/walking light, this is it! This is my first lantern-style light and I am really impressed with how Sofirn designed and implemented this one. You don’t even need to sacrifice on the range, as the spot-beam makes easy work of most long-range targets. The quality is impressive, especially for this price point. It’s the perfect light for an outdoors adventure, walking, camping, or everyday use. Also comes with everything you need right out of the box.
