Sofirn SC21 vs Convoy S21A
Quick take: The Convoy S21A costs $2 less; the Convoy S21A is brighter (2,300 vs 1,000 lm); the Convoy S21A throws farther (219m vs 143m); the Convoy S21A runs longer on high (2.5 vs 1.5 hrs).
| Spec | Sofirn SC21 | Convoy S21A |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $20 | $18 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | EDC | EDC |
| Lumens | 1,000 lm | 2,300 lm |
| Candela | 5,100 cd | 12,000 cd |
| Beam distance | 143m | 219m |
| Runtime | 1.5 hrs (high) | 2.5 hrs (high) |
| Battery | 18650 | 21700 |
| LED | LH351D 5000K | SST-40 5000K |
| Beam type | Flood | Balanced |
| Modes | Ramping + Stepped | 4 Stepped |
| UI | Anduril 2 | Biscotti |
| IP rating | IP68 | IPX8 |
| CRI | 90 | 70 |
| Weight | 1.6 oz | 3.2 oz |
| Dimensions | 3.3 x 1.0 in | 5.0 x 1.1 in |
| Warranty | 1 Year | 1 Year |
What owners report
Sofirn SC21
- ✓High-CRI emitter at a price where colour rendering is usually the first thing cut
- ✓Magnetic tailcap and a genuinely deep-carry pocket clip
- ✓USB-C charging with the 16340 cell included
- ✓Floody beam with a defined hotspot — a sensible general-purpose EDC profile
- ✓16340 size makes it small enough to actually carry every day
- ✓Complete package for around $21
- ✗Low-voltage protection only engages on turbo, so lower modes can over-discharge the cell
- ✗One reviewer's first sample had a mushy switch; a second unit didn't
- ✗Runtime is short, as any 16340 light's is
- ✗USB port placement draws criticism
- ✗Easy to confuse with the newer SC21 Pro, which is a different light
Convoy S21A
- ✓2,300 lumens and 280 m of throw for around $17
- ✓21700 mass handles heat better and sustains output longer than an 18650 body
- ✓Wide emitter and tint menu, with custom options on request
- ✓88 grams — light for the cell size
- ✓Impact resistance and thermal protection built in
- ✗Ships in the older, less protective box
- ✗No manual
- ✗No magnetic base
- ✗No onboard charging — an external charger is needed
- ✗Buying means AliExpress and international shipping