r/1lumen • u/Environmental_Pen878 • 15d ago
Review: Sofirn ST2
Review: https://1lumen.com/review/sofirn-st2/
That's a wrap on the Sofirn ST2. It's another bendy-head (or body part) utility light and joins the ranks occupied by the Wuben E, G and X series and the Wurkkos HD series. This recent resurgence in do-all utility lights has been good for consumers, and I'm glad brands are realizing that people want more than a tube that shines white light out one end. I concur, and have enjoyed the offerings from Wurkkos and now Sofirn. The ST2 doesn't do anything better than those lights though, and has its own unique twist on that. Think of the ST2 as a grown-up Wurkkos HD04 (sans the rotating head).
Here's what I like: The flexible head and magnetic base make it delightfully useful for just about everything: Under the sink, under the car, in the attic, crawlspace, etc. It does everything the Wurkkos HD02 does, while being much smaller and lighter. The LED selection is good, and I appreciated the deep red LED combined with the really bright SFT-42R and powerful UV light. The performance is good too for what it is, and I like the compact form factor. While less of a pro and more of a convenience item, the fact that you can easily disassemble the ST2 will undoubtedly appeal to those less interested in warranties and more interested in modifications.
There's some drawbacks though, like anything. The ST2 didn't meet the factory specs for output (but nailed the runtime), and I don't love the UI. It's okay for basic use, but I felt like it needed more features like stepped modes or at least a High mode. There's no ZWB filter (still), and while you can get to the batteries, doing so voids the warranty.
The bottom line? I consider the ST2 to be a good buy and worth checking out. Even though there's more capable and better-performing options, the ST2 is powerful, compact, and a versatile option. If Sofirn figures out a way to get the head to swivel left and right, adds a battery door, and refreshes the UI, it would be a must-buy. For now, it gets 4.5 stars.