Review: Sofirn LT1s Lantern

[NT2C]

Holy crap, this thing has more ways to get turned on than my third wife! 

I may have to buy a few more of these.  Even my (current) wife likes it.

Until then, here's the website: Sofirn LT1s USB-C Rechargeable Lantern, Output 500 Lumens with Red Light and White Light

Wow!  Okay, I've still got spots before my eyes but I think I can knock this review out.  Let's start with just how solid this thing feels the first time you pick it up.  This is not some wimpy plastic, this is aircraft-grade aluminum that's been Type III hard anodized.  Powered by a 5,000 mAh flat top 21700 battery it boasts an impressive range of lighting modes and features.  2700K or 6000K lighting temps are selectable with just a couple of button presses, an awesome solid red mode with three levels of brightness, and either a slow strobe or SOS blink mode (in red) rounds out the color choices.  You also get the choice of stepped or ramped power levels and you can even turn off the LEDs on one side or the other, which would be great for not disturbing a nearby sleeper in close quarters.  On turbo (500lm) you get 2 hours and 20 minutes of runtime but drop it down to the 1lm moonlight mode and you're good for a whopping 555 hours (23+ days).  In red strobe mode, you're good for 20 hours, and 30 hours for SOS mode.  And if those runtimes aren't long enough for you, spare charged batteries can easily be carried and replaced as needed.

Did I mention that it has an IPX8 waterproof rating and 1-meter drop rating?

One heckuva nice light, especially given it's smaller than a typical coffee mug.

You cannot view this attachment.

[NT2C]

Okay, the moonlight mode/level on this thing is freaking awesome.  Not only is it bright enough to light a bedroom, you can also choose the tint of the light (2700K to 6000K).  And that runtime...23 days 

[majorhavoc]

And I thought my Black Diamond Apollo was well built.  By the looks of this Sofrin, the Black Diamond is a flimsy piece of plastic in comparison.   

[EBuff75]

Yeah, I've got the Sofirn BLF LT1 (it's sort of like the regular LT1, but double the size because it holds 4 18650 batteries in the base/grip).  It fits in your hand, but weighs 1lb 6.4oz!  (635g for the folks outside the US)  It's a chonky light!

[NT2C]

Yeah, I've got the Sofirn BLF LT1 (it's sort of like the regular LT1, but double the size because it holds 4 18650 batteries in the base/grip).  It fits in your hand, but weighs 1lb 6.4oz!  (635g for the folks outside the US)  It's a chonky light!

The BLF LT1 can also be used as a power bank, but lacks the red light of the LT1s.  We'll probably give one away as part of our 2nd Year Anniversary Celebration over the next few months, complete with batteries and carrying case.

[NT2C]

By the looks of this Sofrin, the Black Diamond is a flimsy piece of plastic in comparison.   

Well... yes. 

Yours can run on AAs though.

[NT2C]

Turns out Sofirn makes a pretty nice travel case for these.  I ordered three of them ($5.99 ea +s/h) so I have one for each of the three that I now own.

You cannot view this attachment.

You cannot view this attachment.
The case is nicely padded and well fitting to the light, but doesn't give much room for the cord.  The handstrap on the outside is also rather flimsy and I probably would not depend on it for much more than to hang the case up somewhere.

[EBuff75]

My Sofirin BLF LT1 got a lot of use here with the recent power outage.  It was my go-to for taking into the bathroom for general use (including to light up the whole room while showering), for refueling the generator at night, lighting up a room while I was looking for things, etc.  I would usually leave it on the 2nd or 3rd level and only turn it all the way up if I needed more light.  Then, when I wasn't using it, I'd pop it back onto the usb-c cord that was powered by the generator and top it back off.  Never even came close to running the batteries all the way down.

Oh, and when I got it, it was part of a package with a storage case.  I think that the case is actually meant for a portable speaker, but it fits really well and has enough space left over for the cord, o-rings, instructions, etc.

[NT2C]

My Sofirin BLF LT1 got a lot of use here with the recent power outage.  It was my go-to for taking into the bathroom for general use (including to light up the whole room while showering), for refueling the generator at night, lighting up a room while I was looking for things, etc.  I would usually leave it on the 2nd or 3rd level and only turn it all the way up if I needed more light.  Then, when I wasn't using it, I'd pop it back onto the usb-c cord that was powered by the generator and top it back off.  Never even came close to running the batteries all the way down.

Oh, and when I got it, it was part of a package with a storage case.  I think that the case is actually meant for a portable speaker, but it fits really well and has enough space left over for the cord, o-rings, instructions, etc.

Wait, what?

You were actually showering?  In Michigan.  In an ice storm/blizzard.  With no hot water.

You're either Russian or just made of hardier stock than I am.   

[EBuff75]

My Sofirin BLF LT1 got a lot of use here with the recent power outage.  It was my go-to for taking into the bathroom for general use (including to light up the whole room while showering), for refueling the generator at night, lighting up a room while I was looking for things, etc.  I would usually leave it on the 2nd or 3rd level and only turn it all the way up if I needed more light.  Then, when I wasn't using it, I'd pop it back onto the usb-c cord that was powered by the generator and top it back off.  Never even came close to running the batteries all the way down.

Oh, and when I got it, it was part of a package with a storage case.  I think that the case is actually meant for a portable speaker, but it fits really well and has enough space left over for the cord, o-rings, instructions, etc.

Wait, what?

You were actually showering?  In Michigan.  In an ice storm/blizzard.  With no hot water.

You're either Russian or just made of hardier stock than I am. 

Gas water heater, so still had hot water the whole time!  I'm not that hard-core! 

[NT2C]

We will be giving away two of these as prizes in our 2nd Anniversary contests!

This product gets the "UFoZS Official Prepperware™" seal of approval.

[NT2C]

Before purchasing ANY Sofirn product from any source, please read this message regarding their refusal to honor their warranty.

[majorhavoc]

I'm reanimating this thread because it's on sale for $28.99.  It's a flash sale in the black color option and includes the 21700 lithium battery.  It's direct from Sofirn, which apparently would avoid the warranty issues NT2C had when he purchased another Sofirn product from Aliexpress.  Did I get that right, NT2C?

That's one cent ($0.01) below their $29 free shipping threshold.  Root around the Sofirn website for a low cost filler item.  I added the optional travel case ($6.99), but there are sub $1 items on their site as well.  There's also a FEB10 discount code, but it apparently doesn't apply to sale items.  It knocked $0.70 off the carrying case.  Finally, be warned, a $3.53 duty charge was assessed to my order. 

To justify getting this (the most I've ever paid for a battery powered light source of any type), I've made a vow to get rid of at least 3 of the approximately 12 other battery powered lanterns I've accumulated over the years.   

[NT2C]

I'm reanimating this thread because it's on sale for $28.99.  It's a flash sale in the black color option and includes the 21700 lithium battery.  It's direct from Sofirn, which apparently would avoid the warranty issues NT2C had when he purchased another Sofirn product from Aliexpress.  Did I get that right, NT2C?

That's one cent ($0.01) below their $29 free shipping threshold.  Root around the Sofirn website for a low cost filler item.  I added the optional travel case ($6.99), but there are sub $1 items on their site as well.  There's also a FEB10 discount code, but it apparently doesn't apply to sale items.  It knocked $0.70 off the carrying case.  Finally, be warned, a $3.53 duty charge was assessed to my order. 

To justify getting this (the most I've ever paid for a battery powered light source of any type), I've made a vow to get rid of at least 3 of the approximately 12 other battery powered lanterns I've accumulated over the years.   

Blasphemy! 

Two is one and one is none, but a dozen or more is a better core!

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

I think I've only got like 3 lanterns, one Sofirn and two cheapos I picked up a few years back from Tractor Supply.

Thankfully I haven't had to pull them from their slumber amongst my preps, though.

[majorhavoc]

To justify getting this (the most I've ever paid for a battery powered light source of any type), I've made a vow to get rid of at least 3 of the approximately 12 other battery powered lanterns I've accumulated over the years.   

Blasphemy! 

Two is one and one is none, but a dozen or more is a better core!

I-I don't know what I was thinking <sob!>  It was a momentary lapse, I swear!  Please don't make me surrender my Junior Prepper Club^TM membership card and secret decoder ring!

[NT2C]

I think I've only got like 3 lanterns, one Sofirn and two cheapos I picked up a few years back from Tractor Supply.

Thankfully I haven't had to pull them from their slumber amongst my preps, though.

You've seen in person what a light junkie I am, now imagine what I left home with my wife in case power went out while I was gallivanting around Texas.  I tell you though, when power goes out we just reach for the dozen or so Olight ball lights we have stuck to an old-fashioned metal thermometer, the kind that used to be mounted on an outside wall of a store.  Even dimmed down to make them last they give a surprising amount of light for a long duration, and are easy to recharge from any USB power source.

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

I think I've only got like 3 lanterns, one Sofirn and two cheapos I picked up a few years back from Tractor Supply.

Thankfully I haven't had to pull them from their slumber amongst my preps, though.

You've seen in person what a light junkie I am, now imagine what I left home with my wife in case power went out while I was gallivanting around Texas.  I tell you though, when power goes out we just reach for the dozen or so Olight ball lights we have stuck to an old-fashioned metal thermometer, the kind that used to be mounted on an outside wall of a store.  Even dimmed down to make them last they give a surprising amount of light for a long duration, and are easy to recharge from any USB power source.

I think I lost count after like the fifth or sixth light you showed me.

[NT2C]

I think I've only got like 3 lanterns, one Sofirn and two cheapos I picked up a few years back from Tractor Supply.

Thankfully I haven't had to pull them from their slumber amongst my preps, though.

You've seen in person what a light junkie I am, now imagine what I left home with my wife in case power went out while I was gallivanting around Texas.  I tell you though, when power goes out we just reach for the dozen or so Olight ball lights we have stuck to an old-fashioned metal thermometer, the kind that used to be mounted on an outside wall of a store.  Even dimmed down to make them last they give a surprising amount of light for a long duration, and are easy to recharge from any USB power source.

I think I lost count after like the fifth or sixth light you showed me.

No, not the ones just in my pockets, the stuff in the bags and cases in the Jeep.   

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

I think I've only got like 3 lanterns, one Sofirn and two cheapos I picked up a few years back from Tractor Supply.

Thankfully I haven't had to pull them from their slumber amongst my preps, though.

You've seen in person what a light junkie I am, now imagine what I left home with my wife in case power went out while I was gallivanting around Texas.  I tell you though, when power goes out we just reach for the dozen or so Olight ball lights we have stuck to an old-fashioned metal thermometer, the kind that used to be mounted on an outside wall of a store.  Even dimmed down to make them last they give a surprising amount of light for a long duration, and are easy to recharge from any USB power source.

I think I lost count after like the fifth or sixth light you showed me.

No, not the ones just in my pockets, the stuff in the bags and cases in the Jeep.   

Oh, yeah. I remember standing in the parking lot at the Staybridge hotel with you and seeing it go from night time to day time with a couple of those lights.