Sofirn SD01 Budget Dive Light - How to prepare it for technical diving?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ค. 2024
- #divegue #globalunderwaterexplorers #DoktorBEN
If you buy a scuba dive torch, you'll most likely recognize the fast shrinking of your wallet. Usually a dive light is quite expensive, especially when it is suitable for technical diving, like the Halcyon Flare EXP, Scaleo Infinity, Orcatorch and so on. Still there are some maufacturers out there who are able to offer a low budget dive light - but is that really an alternative to a diving flashlight from one of the premium manufacturers? Or can you make it a nice low budget dive light by some small adjustments? I got my hands on the Sofirn SD01 and made it a nice dive light even for technical dives!
Just for info: I made a mistake in the video. 4 cells with 3.7 V add up to 14.8 V instead of 11.1 V. However, this makes not really a difference in the end.
Links with * are affiliate links:
*The Sofirn SD01:
doktorben.benjaminott.de/SD01
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Sofirn gave me this discount code today, so if you like to order the light, use this:
SofirnSD01
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The Halcyon Flare EXP (which is my goto handheld dive light):
*The luxmeter I used:
doktorben.benjaminott.de/Luxm...
The Goodman Handle I used:
doktorben.benjaminott.de/FocT...
00:00 Intro
02:03 A first look
03:57 Necessary adjustments
05:50 Balancing
07:02 LED's
11:06 Power Source
15:31 Price
16:50 Do I like the SD01?
For course inquiries email me: ben@gue.com - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
![หมานแต่ผัวเขา - แสตมป์ โตเกียวมิวสิค [ OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/m0g1TSBJPgo/mqdefault.jpg)
Sofirn gave me this Amazon discount code today, so feel free to use it:
YDW32ALZ
So what areyour thoughts on this light?
valuable!
Thanks!
Sorry, they created the code incorrectly. They gave me a new one. It’s “SofirnSD01” and valid from today 10:00 (CEST)
Yes group codes are valid only a very short time.
Since the codes expire fast, you can just email me (ben@gue.com) and Sofirn will send me a single-use code.
For the price of one Halcyon Flare you can build a weight belt of Sofirn SD01 😆 Amazing review man, cheers!
Well that’s true! 😁😁
loving these budget-friendly videos keep up the great work
Thanks! Yeah I don’t say that you always should go cheap and I understand when people buy premium brands. But I started diving when I was a student and I know how many hours working as a bouncer go into one dive light 😉. So I try to find solutions for people with a tighter budget, because they are not always bad!
Hi Dr. Ben!
My wife and I have been using your exact setup shown here, Sofirn SD01 and the Orcatorch modified Goodman handle for about a year and 130 dives now! Not a SINGLE issue! We are now looking to purchase our first canister lights (our GUE Fundies instructor highly prefers a can light) but thank you so much for introducing us to this budget friendly setup!
You’re welcome! 😄
Thanks for the reliable reviews by professionals.
It's Awesome video, I bought this light one for my brother and one for myself.
You’re welcome! Thanks for watching!
DoktorBEN You are my kind of diver not hung up on brands but practically of the device. We dive in quarries 3 to 10 ft visibility so we need that light.
I’m not tied to any brand and I value that independence 😁
Thanks for these great, realistic reviews! I really like how more expensive isn't automatically better in all respects with your reviews :-) I really like how some of the affordable brands are more honest about their batteries than many of the more expensive ones. And by honest, I mean that they simply use 18650 or 26650 cells instead of using the same cells, packaging them in some plastic and charging a premium. The battery in my Metalsub handheld is literally two IMR 26650s with some plastic wrap and some connections on them. But when the cells are simply used as they come, like you said, you can buy an extra set to switch. And when the cells degrade, you can replace them cheaply. And when battery technology improves, you can give your light an upgrade by buying a few new cells. And when you already have some cells lying around, you can of course save some money if there's an option to buy the light without batteries :-)
Really enjoyed that. I'm pointing more friends at diving now so these reviews are really helpful!
I've found the QC on some of the cheaper dive lights variable. Some are fine, some leak randomly and die. I think sometimes that reassuring feel is something you pay for, especially with back up lights.
Yes I know what you mean. Especially Backup lights aren’t used regularly. So very likely you notice that they don’t work when it’s too late anyway. Very forgettable, still worth checking the backups before every dive
Hi,
I have that light and use it a bit more than one year.
The first dive was a bit extreme experience, it happened during descending, on the depth of 20m when the light switched off. I used my secondary light.
When I was back on the boat, it is worked again. That light is water resistant, at least up to 40m. The problem is in the magnetic swith, after replacing the magnet that torch works well.
Thank you very much for sharing the experience. I‘m doing a long time review after one year. Still is valuable to read your experience
Cccoooollllll, advice!! Great review!!. I’m gonna buy it!!!. And become my principal light.
Don’t forget to use the discount code 😉
@@DoktorBEN Discount code doesn't work anymore. "The promotional code you entered is not valid."
I don’t know how long it’s valid. I’ll check!
Hi Ben, keep up the work - I really enjoy your videos!
After this video i bought one and could test it yesterday. I can confirm it's definitely 40m+ waterproof, even the switch worked at depth better than I thought.
IMHO it could be a 10° Spot but i think it has more than the advertised 5000K compared to the other lights we took with us. Nevertheless it is good for communication and of course diving in general ;-). We had some particles in the water so I used the high setting and in depth even medium was bright enough and did not blend.
The final question to be clarified will be the durability ... .
By the Way: The cells are used in parallel (all tips of the cells point in the same direction)
Yes you’re right. The cells are in parallel! Anyway, I’m happy with the light so far. Sure, the durability has to be tested but already working on this for a new video 😉
Good information video
Thanks!
Would love an update on how this light is holding up. Seems to be fantastic for the price!
I’m on it!
@@DoktorBEN fantastic…can’t wait!
Thank you for the informative videos as usual, keeping them coming. The goodman handled you shared is disconnected, any other recommendation you know it fits ?
I’m keeping my eyes open for alternatives and I’m testing some currently.
Great video! Can you recommend another Goodman handle? The one in the description from Taucherquelle seems to be out of stock.
Yeah I think after the video, many people got these. Think they never sold so many handles without anything else.
Unfortunately I tried just this, but I think any other will work, too. I think the magnetic switch won’t interfere even with other handles.
should have found this before buying Hi-max H17 in September 😯for recreation
Well…sorry! But finally you found me! Thanks for watching my videos!
Nice video,
What is the music you used on the background when mounting the goodman handle?
The song is from epidemic sound. I’m not sure which one exactly, but the artist is Ooyy
Nice video. A good alternative to expensive lamps. Is there an alternative for the backup lamp from this or other manufacturers?
Watch my video about three OrcaTorch backup light. There are lights from Sofirn, too. But I did not check them out yet.
Hi Ben! What is the width of Goodman handle in an attachment point? I am trying to figure out whether my handle fits or not (does shifting mechanism affect or no). Thanks!
Which measurement do you actually mean? Can you send me a drawing on ben@gue.com? In that case I can just measure it on mine.
Hi Ben, great review again. You did not say anything about the beam...How is spot and corona compared to the Halcyon?
The spot is less distinctly, the Corona is a bit wider.
@@DoktorBEN would you say that the light beam is suitable for communication in tech diving?
Yes it works. I use the light regularly, especially in winter
Thanks for the informative review.
If you have the chance, could you measure the in-water weight of the SD01? Like in a bowl of water or something? The 750g dry weight is a lot, but I wonder how much is left of that under water.
I have a similarly sized 4x18650 cheap video light, which weights almost 400-500g under water and it gets somewhat tiring holding it for long.
Yes sure, I can do that on one of the next dives and let you know
@@DoktorBEN Thanks. Out of curiosity, how would you measure it during a dive :)
I personally don't have a waterproof scale, so at home I hang the object on a scale and put it in a bowl of water. Or without a good scale, I fill the bowl to the edge, put the object inside, and measure the quantity of water displaced, then calculate the weight.
Just a simple spring scale I can use under water
It has about 5N/500g including the orca torch goodman handle
@@DoktorBEN Thanks. Heavy piece of kit. Other than that, it looks very good for that price.
Hi Ben... Thanks for the video. How is the tightness of the beam? Enough for communicating? Especially on DPV dives?
Keep safe brother :)
Thanks! It’s a bit wider than on the Halcyon Flare. It’s a bit disadvantageous but I would say it’s ok for communication. And you have the boost mode that is extremely bright.
@@DoktorBEN Thanks Ben... keep safe.
Thanks!
Thanks for the video.
Did you have any experience with a 10000 Lumen model? Which model suits better as a dive light?
Thanks.
It depends where you use it and what the application would be. If you’re night diving or cave diving primarily, too bright is not fortunate
Hi Benjamin
do you have a link to the goodman handle you used? The one in the description doesn't work. thanks a lot. Also whats the spot angle ? looks very wide right? Cheers
I’m not sure what the angle is. I guess you can find the link on Amazon along with the technical data. I guess the handle is discontinued unfortunately
I've misplaced my spare o-rings for the SD-01. Does anyone know what size/model of o-rings i should get as a replacement?
I can try to ask the manufacturer
As a student baulking at the price of tech diving, these "budget" reviews are so appreciated!
Just a question - is this light GUE standard compliant? - I think I read that the magnetic switches are not allowed...?
Yes I started this as a student, too. That’s the reason I started this series.
I don’t find anything in the standards that’s against magnetic ring switches. But I can bring the question up officially.
@@DoktorBEN Do you know the TillyTec light? What about their Mechanismen to switch on/ of by Screwing the battery tube? Would you make a Review of them if they are useable for GUE diving?
I personally use, or used for a long time a MOD light, which basically was a TillyTec. I don’t see any standard violations by this light and I think turning the tube is a simple an reliable mechanism to turn the light on and off.
@@DoktorBEN Great. Thanks for your fast answer.
Let me use the opportunity to say that I really appreciate your Videos.
Thank you very much! It’s good to hear that people like what I do! 🙂🙂
@DoktorBEN unfortunately the affiliate link for the Goodman Handel has expired. Do you have the model name or a new link? Many thanks
Unfortunately no. I just found it on Amazon but it’s not available anymore. You can try to get one of the orca torch handles
The link for the Goodman handle you used doesn’t work any more, do you have a link that still works?
I’m about to release files for 3D printing soon 😄😉
@@DoktorBEN Do you have a brand name we can google in the meantime?
@@DoktorBEN was it already realeased ? can you share a link somewhere or make new video about it ?
Yes:
th-cam.com/video/_VeVEwdOs28/w-d-xo.html
I like to get the light but I can't find the good man handle for it your link for is no longer available which model is it so I can order one too. Thank you
Watch the follow up video about the Orca Torch handle
@@DoktorBEN just found one much better. Thanks
Which one?
@@gray_wolverine63 which handle??
There are different possibilities. Watch the links in the description
I’m a little biased when it comes to primary lights because I think canister lights are mandatory for your hose management and I like that I can drop my light without loosing it. This said ... when I started, I wish O has cheaper options than going with the Focus 2 but I’m still using 2 years down the road.
Yeah... but there are nice longhose....retaining sticks... don’t know what they’re properly called 🙃
@@DoktorBEN true ... I used one before I got my Canister... but why bother canisters are much more versatile... In Canada we dive cold dark waters most of the time... that power comes handy.
Sure! It’s the same in Germany and when it comes to heating a canister can be nice. On the other hand I often dive a handheld plus a canister just for the heating.
@@DoktorBEN The invoice for mine calls them 'hose retaining piece'. I also ordered a canister light (a budget friendly one, let's see how it holds up!), but don't want to be forced to bring it on dives that don't need it.
Hi! does it use 1/4 screw mount?
Yes, I guess it’s 1/4“
Hallo. That code don't work. It is mybe out of date? Thank you.
Yes it’s out of date
Hi~ ^^;
Please give me information about the good man handle.
And please let me know the address of the site where I can purchase it.
Hi! There are links in the video description to the handle and the light.
@@DoktorBEN goodman handle link doesn't work anymore.
Look for the Orcatorch foldable handle
If I was doing lots of technical dive I would buy the EXP, however as I am only ADVOW diver, I would prefer to save the bux and instead buy myself some extra dives -J
Well…good decision! More dives is always better!
Send it to Richard Harris to test it’s depth rating
At 10:46 the 30200 LUX bar should be larger than 15000 LUX
Oh really... that happens if your really badly try to put out the video on Sunday even if it was a busy week! Sorry mate and thanks for mentioning it!
@@DoktorBEN It is a great video, I was persuaded to buy one of these, so have just picked one up and a folding Goodman handle (the orcatorch d620) , which will hopefully fit okay!
Cool! Let me know, how the Goodman handle works. Maybe I get it, too!
@@DoktorBEN d620 handle arrived - some drilling required to widen the screw hole, but otherwise makes a great foldable, adjustable handle
Great! That’s cool
Random question but can I PayPal you $10 for that handle?
Sorry, no! It‘s around 60 EUR from OrcaTorch 😄
4 cells in series is not 11.1V. 😉
Yes you’re right. It’s 14.8 🤣🤣. Thanks for watching my videos closer than I do before releasing them 🤣
@@DoktorBEN Thank you so much for making these videos😍👌. Dive Safe!
Thanks! You, too!