IF22A
Reddit take
AI summary of the Reddit excerpts below — not a quote
The Sofirn IF22A is a highly popular budget-friendly "thrower" flashlight, frequently recommended as a "gateway" light for those seeking long-range performance. It is praised for its impressive beam distance, compact size for its power, and the convenience of onboard USB-C charging with power bank functionality. However, it is noted for having an inefficient driver that leads to rapid thermal throttling and significant heat generation, with some users reporting it can become uncomfortably hot or even dangerous on high settings.
Pros
- Excellent throw distance for its size, described as a "laser beam" for spotting distant objects.
- Great value-to-performance ratio, often found on sale for around $25-$40 including a 21700 battery.
- Built-in USB-C charging and power bank capability.
- TIR lens provides a clean beam profile with a concentrated hotspot and minimal spill.
- Compact enough to be considered pocketable by many users despite the 40mm head.
Cons
- Inefficient driver leads to poor sustained brightness and rapid stepping down.
- Significant overheating issues on high/turbo modes.
- Cool white color temperature and low Color Rendering Index (CRI).
- Side-switch only design may not appeal to users who prefer tail switches.
- The 40mm head can make it bulky for everyday pocket carry.
Caveats
- Reports of serious overheating; one user advised caution as the light can become dangerously hot.
- The build and driver design are considered somewhat dated compared to newer, more efficient competitors.
Best for
- Budget-conscious buyers looking for their first dedicated long-range flashlight.
- Spotting distant objects like house numbers or pets in large yards.
- Users who want an all-in-one kit with integrated charging and included battery.
Avoid if
- You require high sustained brightness for extended periods.
- You prefer warm light or high color accuracy (High CRI).
- You are sensitive to heat or need a highly efficient buck/boost driver.
- A tail-mounted switch is a requirement for your use case.
This summary uses balanced time weighting with about a 6-month half-life. The evidence is older, with a median source age of approximately 299 days, which may not reflect the very latest hardware revisions if any have occurred.
Sentiment
30 positive (83%) · 4 mixed (11%) · 2 negative (6%)
Trust + time weighted score: +80% · raw score 78%
What redditors said (10 of 36)
IF22A is an awesome light for a very good price.
For the back yard I usually prefer a thrower like the Sofirn IF22A. It’s great for spotting my dog at 11pm when I want him to come in because I just want to lock up and go to sleep.
Sofirn IF22A - compact, great throw, little spill, USB charching in the flashlight itself.
I know it’s not 18650 but Sofirn has the IF22A on sale for $25 right now, 21700 battery included. No need for an external charger as it has onboard usb-c charging. The light is perfect for lighting up house numbers. I love mine, it’s an absolute laser beam. On turbo it’ll light up a house number from damn near a half mile away without lighting up the rest of the block.
and an if22a or sf26 to light up stuff waaaay better ver there.
a Sofirn IF22A for a super throwy beam that reaches very far
Sofirn if22a vs Convoy M21H vs L21B Beamshots Dark skies bortle 2 in rural Pakistan
Sofirn IF22A is my absolute favorite mid-range thrower.
The Sofirn IF22A is a great mid range thrower and so is the Sofirn SR15 - but both have a side switch.
TS11 from wurkkos or IF22A from sofirn are good options with perfect beam profiles but they lack tail switches.
Compare
Related
- Sebo D4 · related · 322 mentions
- Wurkkos FC11C · related · 134 mentions
- Convoy · related · 104 mentions
- D3AA · related · 78 mentions
- Apple M1 · related · 72 mentions
- Convoy S2+ · related · 61 mentions