The Sofirn HS43 headlamp is a USB-C rechargeable gentle that includes three modes with three TN-3535 emitters and one purple mode. The rotary interface could be very easy!
Official Specs and Options
Right here’s a hyperlink to the Sofirn HS43 headlamp product web page.
Variations
Just one model of the Sofirn HS43 headlamp is on the market.
Worth
The Sofirn HS43 headlamp lists for $62.99, however the road value is 40% off, at $37.99.
What’s Included
- Sofirn HS43 headlamp
- Sofirn 21700
- Charging cable
- Headband
- Lanyard
- Spare O-rings
- Pocket clip
- Handbook
Package deal and Handbook
Construct High quality and Disassembly
The Sofirn HS43 headlamp has advantageous construct high quality, however I’ve by no means beloved headlamps designed this fashion. For the HS43, it is smart as a result of the highest finish that stands out above the right-angle emitter space (at left, above) is the rotary management. Thus, I don’t just like the look, but it surely’s functionally acceptable.
Once more, the construct high quality is ok. Threads on the tailcap are unanodized, and there’s a magnet held in place by the beefy spring. Nothing in any respect uncommon.
The constructive terminal has a spring, too. The top just isn’t detachable.
Measurement and Comps
Measurement: 28.3 × 29.4 × 121.5 mm (≈ 1.11 × 1.16 × 4.78 inches)
Weight: 81g (≈2.86 oz) with out battery
Right here’s the sunshine in hand:
Right here’s the take a look at gentle with the venerable Convoy S2+. The model under is a customized laser-engraved Convoy S2+ host by GadgetConnections.com. I did a full submit on an engraved orange host proper right here! Or go straight to GadgetConnections.com to purchase your Convoy S2+ now!
Additionally within the picture above, my Customary Reference Materials (SRM) flashlight is the Hanko Machine Works Trident, an 18350 gentle. Whereas I’ve not reviewed or examined the Gunner Grip model seen right here, I’ve examined a Hanko Machine Works Trident Complete Tesseract in brass. I really like the Trident, and it’s a hanging distinction to the cheap Convoy S2+, one other nice SRM.
Retention and Carry
The Sofirn HS43 headlamp has a pocket clip. As you may see under, fitment on to the sunshine isn’t unbelievable. There’s a little bit of play alongside the physique of the sunshine. It’s a two-way clip, however the gentle can settle for the clip on the top or tail finish.
I promptly eliminated this pocket clip due to how poorly it connects.
A lanyard can also be included, however sadly attaches to the pocket clip. So I might not name attachment by way of a lanyard in any respect safe.
However crucial carry side is that the Sofirn HS43 is a headlamp. A comfortable headband is included, and it has an over-the-head strap, too.
The sunshine matches into this difficult plastic mount by merely clicking in. This appears lots safe.
The sunshine can rotate within the mount, however the pocket clip cannot be used on the identical time.
Energy and Runtime
The Sofirn HS43 headlamp runs on a single 21700 lithium-ion cell, and a 5000mAh cell is included. It’s commonplace, however principally flat high (very very tiny bump).
The cell goes into the Sofirn HS43 headlamp with the constructive finish towards the top. In case you neglect that, there’s slightly printed icon on the tailcap as a reminder.
There are solely three white LED outputs, and you’ll see runtime assessments on all of these under.
The temperature strains in these charts are included as normal context, not exact measurements. The values symbolize the vary (min to max) throughout testing, however shouldn’t be taken as actual readings. A temperature sensor just isn’t all the time hooked up to the bezel (and even the most well liked spot, assuming that could possibly be outlined). Even with perfect placement, too many variables have an effect on temperature to definitively state a particular max worth.
An indicator on the top finish shows the ability degree for five seconds after powering the sunshine on.
Inexperienced: Ample energy
Orange: Medium energy
Purple: Low energy
Purple flashing: Critically low energy
Charging
The Sofirn HS43 headlamp gives onboard charging by the use of a USB-C charging port within the head.
Sofirn features a USB-C to USB-C charging cable.
Charging from A or C to C works simply advantageous and requires over three hours.
Modes and Currents
| Mode | Mode Claimed Output (lm) | Claimed Runtime | Measured Lumens | Tailcap Amps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excessive | 3200-1000 | 1m+2.5h | 2523 (0s) 2378 (30s) |
9.51 |
| Medium | 900-650 | 13m+3.5h | 741 (0s) 738 (30s) |
1.71 |
| Low | 310 | 6h | 266 | 0.52 |
| Purple | 120-65 | 3m+7h | – | 1.62 |
Pulse Width Modulation
The three white modes don’t use PWM, however the purple mode has sluggish PWM. Nonetheless, I couldn’t observe the PWM on purple, so possibly it’s okay.
Click on right here to see a “baseline” – a chart with virtually no gentle hitting the sensor.
Then there’s the Ultrafire WF-602C flashlight, which has among the worst PWM I’ve seen. It’s so unhealthy that I used a submit about it to clarify PWM! Listed here are a number of timescales (10ms, 5ms, 2ms, 1ms, 0.5ms, 0.2ms) to make evaluating this “worst” PWM gentle to the take a look at gentle simpler. That submit additionally explains why I didn’t take a look at the WF-602C on the typical 50us scale.
Consumer Interface and Operation
The consumer interface on this Sofirn HS43 headlamp is sort of fascinating. There aren’t any buttons to press (which might scratch an itch for some particular market on the market). The top rotary selects between the modes. Purple and white are separated by the Off setting. It’s a neat setup.
Right here’s a consumer interface desk!
| State | Motion | End result |
|---|---|---|
| Off | Rotate clockwise | Low |
| Low | Rotate clockwise | Medium |
| Medium | Rotate clockwise | Excessive |
| Excessive | Rotate counterclockwise | Medium |
| Medium | Rotate counterclockwise | Low |
| Low | Rotate counterclockwise | Off |
| Off | Rotate counterclockwise | Purple |
| Purple | Rotate clockwise | Off |
It’s actually quite simple.
LED and Beam
The Sofirn HS43 headlamp makes use of three TN-3535 emitters and one SST20R purple emitter, and a quad optic.
The beams are advantageous, even when the white emitters aren’t organized precisely symmetrically.
LED Coloration Report (CRI and CCT)
The white LED emitters are said as 6000-6500K, however that’s optimistic. They’re positively cool white, and I measure them within the 6600-7700K vary. Stark chilly white! CRI is low.
CCT (Correlated Coloration Temperature) refers back to the measurement of the colour look of sunshine, expressed in Kelvins (Okay), which signifies whether or not the sunshine is heat (yellowish) or cool (bluish). A decrease CCT (under 3000K) is taken into account heat gentle, whereas a better CCT (above 5000K) offers cooler, bluish gentle.
CRI (Coloration Rendering Index) is a measure of how precisely a lightweight supply renders colours compared to pure daylight. Scored on a scale from 0 to 100, larger CRI values point out that colours seem extra true to life and vibrant, just like how they’d look beneath the solar.
Beamshots
These beamshots all the time have the next settings: f8, ISO100, 0.3s shutter, and guide 5000K publicity. These pictures are taken at flooring degree, and the beam hits the ceiling round 9 toes away.
Tint vs BLF-348 (KillzoneFlashlights.com 219b model) (affiliate hyperlink)
I preserve the take a look at flashlight on the left and the BLF-348 reference flashlight on the correct. These pictures are taken round 18 inches from the door.
I evaluate every little thing to the KillzoneFlashlights.com 219b BLF-348 as a result of it’s cheap and has the perfect tint!
Abstract and Conclusion
I recognize the novel on/off that the Sofirn HS43 headlamp gives. I miss having a decrease mode (for each white and purple, actually). The output falls a bit wanting the declare, however with the huge stepdown a lightweight like this may have anyway, that’s not a big downside for me. I might like to have a greater (not chilly white) emitter possibility. For $38, the Sofirn HS43 headlamp is an efficient gentle to think about if you wish to keep away from clicky switches!
The Massive Desk
| Sofirn HS43 Headlamp | |
|---|---|
| Emitter: | TN3535 (3) (Cool white) |
| Worth in USD at publication time: | $37.99 |
| Cell: | 1×21700 |
| Runtime Graphs | |
| LVP? | ? |
| Swap Sort: | E-switch |
| Quiescent Present (mA): | ? |
| On-Board Charging? | Sure |
| Cost Port Sort: | USB-C |
| Cost Graph | |
| Energy off Cost Port | “with cell: all modes with out cell and/or tailcap: no modes” |
| Claimed Lumens (lm) | 3200 |
| Measured Lumens (at 30s) | 2378 (74.3% of declare)^ |
| Candela per Lumen | 2.8 |
| Claimed Throw (m) | 184 |
| Candela (Calculated) in cd (at 30s) | 299lux @ 5.208m = 8110cd |
| Throw (Calculated) (m) | 180.1 (97.9% of declare)^ |
| Claimed CCT | 6000-6500 |
| Measured CCT Vary (Okay) | 6700-7700 Kelvin |
| Merchandise supplied for overview by: | Sofirn |
| All my Sofirn critiques! | |
^ Measurement disclaimer: Testing flashlights is my interest. I exploit hobbyist-level gear for testing, together with some I made myself. Strive to not get buried within the particulars of producer specs versus measurements recorded right here; A certain quantity of distinction (say, 10 or 15%) is completely affordable.
