Last night I used the Brutus to investigate some strange scraping noises outside – the first time I've used it for this purpose. I discovered that, with the SC33, NOTHING can sneak up on you in the dark, as long as your back is against a wall, not even a black dog dragging her empty food bowl around!  BTW, I sure am glad I can still purchase an LED torch that is orders of magnitude better than one costing the same just a few years ago – if only the cellphone and computer industry worked the same. Wikus Vermeulen, Alexandria, Eastern Cape

I have always admired torches – something about turning night into day floats my boat – and of all the torches I have the Sofirn SC33 is living up to my expectations.
Build Quality – Excellent
Brightness – Excellent
Size – Perfect for the hand and for every day carry
Functionality – no frills, no fuss, straightforward one-button interface
Charging – USB C, which is now the standard on all devices so no need to fuss over cables
Practicality – Excellent, you can stand the torch on its tail, perfect for loadshedding
Battery – Enough for what it needs to do.
Heat – with power comes heat, but the chances of you needing 5000+ lumens from a small everyday carry torch are far and few between.
Auto lockout function – this safety feature is somewhat annoying, but you can turn it off.  
Recommendations – it's worth the money!
Michael van der Woude, Kirstenhof, Cape Town

After buying a Crelant torch from you eight years ago (still using the same batteries today!) I decided to spoil myself with the SC33 Brutus. This little torch is incredible!! Michael Beard, Kuruman

I just did a test with my new SC33 Brutus and it is just amazing! My wife has a very nice LED torch that is brighter than most big torches but i was amazed by the Brutus – it's even brighter and lights up a bigger area! I'm thrilled with my purchase. I have also found you to be very helpful and informative, and our communications were all over a weekend – well done! Andrew Strydom, East London.

The SC33 Brutus is the upgraded version of the hugely popular SP33S, which the reviews below refer to. When we receive reviews for the new version I will post them above this line.

A year ago I got the Brutus as a general-purpose torch for different things around the house but what I didn’t realise is that I'd end up using it daily, it’s just that versatile! Whilst I appreciate a super bright torch in the right circumstances – and boy, does this thing go bright – it’s probably the low "eco" mode and the hold-down-the-button-for-two-seconds "moonlight" mode I use the most. They are really useful for those middle-of-the-night trips to let the dogs out without waking anyone else. I have the torch in ramp-up mode and my default brightness is somewhere between low and medium, enough to see the edges of my garden, and then it's back to eco mode when I’m inside again. However I have on occasion had the opportunity to use the brighter settings – for example waiting for an Uber during loadshedding, a quick burst of turbo followed by a medium to high beam ensures the road is all clear, and then a lower intensity to signal the driver (so I don't blind him!) I’m really thrilled with the performance and the usage my torch is getting. In terms of battery life, I’ve never tried to run it to empty and I’ve only once got the red led when switching on. I usually charge it every now and then – probably once a month – and that’s been enough for my usage. The Brutus seems really well made and it’s got a nice weight to it. There's a slight movement of the battery within the handle – if you shake it side to side you can feel it – but it doesn’t affect the torch at all. Overall this is definitely one of my better purchases, and a torch I would definitely recommend to others. Justin Braatvedt, Randburg

Thanks to eksdom for darkness so I could use my new Brutus in "ideal" conditions. Very impressive. Lights up a room better than *** emergency lights... with the Brutus on one of its lower settings! Could not illuminate Table Mountain from here though. But it's a very good light outside as well. Bernard Wessels, Gordon's Bay

Got the Brutus yesterday and, yes, it’s all you said and more! I'm very happy the beam tint is 5000K (neutral white) and that you can use this torch as a power bank. It really is more than the description or photos on your website – a real pleasant smooth light! Thanks again! Johann van As, Harrismith

The Brutus was delivered yesterday afternoon and I charged the battery right away (according to the instructions) ready to give to my son as a birthday present. However at 2am I couldn't stand it any longer, so I got up to play with the torch in the dark – it really is brilliant! My son is also a biker and I know he will really enjoy both the size and the power of this torch. Thank you! Frik Lamprecht, Centurion

My husband was so surprised by his stunning torch!!! In fact, it was the first thing he packed when we left for a quick getaway earlier this month. Our friends were so impressed by this torch that I had to give your details to them, so look out for **** ********* – I am sure he is going to order one for himself! Marilise Croukamp, Montana Park, Pretoria

I never normally take the trouble to write reviews but the Sofirn SP33S Brutus II is so impressive I feel compelled to tell as many people about it as I possibly can. I’m already the proud owner of a Panga which was such a hit on a family holiday to the West Coast that my mother-in-law ordered two! But the Brutus has its own special attributes – a wider beam that seems to shine just as far as its slightly taller sister; intuitive controls with a clever find-me-in-the-dark feature; a wider base for more secure tail-standing; and battery life to see you through Stage 6 and beyond. Shining up at the ceiling it fills a room with more than enough light for easy reading and attention to fine detail, to the delight of philatelists and seamstresses alike. Loadshedding will never be the same again! Richard Smith, Melville

I've had an opportunity to put the SP33S Brutus to the test – in a nutshell, it's nothing short of “a pocket rocket”. Of the twelve torches of varying sizes you've supplied to me, this is by far the best medium-sized model. It's extremely bright, far exceeding my expectations, with an impressive range and a very wide spread. It's ideal for open areas as well as thick bush where you need a wide area of vision. If I were to own only one torch (most unlikely!) this would be it. On full power I got five hours of runtime and it was very quick to recharge, about one hour to full strength. What a magical torch – well done for sourcing it! Peter Mincher, Woodmead, Jhb

Thanks again for the rapid service, Mark, it's always a pleasure to do business with you. We have received the parcel and we're very happy with the little Brutus! It's perfect for an older person who wants good light but not weight – definitely the best combination of these two factors!! Rev. Schalk van der Merwe, Vredelus Geloofshuis, Polokwane

The reviews below refer to the SP33 V3.0 Brutus, and the reviews above to the upgraded SP33S Brutus II

I have to share this with you... last week I drove back to Paarl from my house in Williston, in the middle of the Karoo, leaving at 02h30. However after about 50km on the road to Calvinia all the lights in my Land Rover blew and I was stuck in the pitch dark in the middle of nowhere. I checked the fuses but realised something else was damaged. After a cup of coffee in the silent spooky darkness I remembered my little SP33 Brutus torch. I took it out of my bag – luckily it was fully charged – and ran a test. I did not at first believe my eyes – it worked almost better than the actual headlights – so I drove the next 75km to Calvinia with the window open, holding the torch between the mirror and door. In that time I passed two vehicles going the other way – I just dimmed the Brutus slightly until they passed and then went back to bright again and drove on at 80km/h. It was still dark but I kept going through Nieuwoudtville and it was light enough by the time I reached Van Rhyns Pass to switch off the Brutus and continue at normal speed. I actually drove with this little torch for just more than two hours, and it is still fine. Amazing product! Pieter du Toit, Paarl

Red bull on steroids, lights up the whole garden, poachers and hadedas now concerned. Mark Reid Ellis, Nottingham Road

The Brutus is like a de-badged Audi RS3 cruising around town with a set of high profile takkies – a staid, calm, comfortable family sedan with its race heritage and performance totally hidden until you stomp on the accelerator! The moonlight mode allows me to enjoy the wildlife in our area, not blinding the grey duiker, mongoose, serval and golden moles that frequently cross our roads in the wee-hours, while the high-power mode allows me to inspect the deepest culverts and blast through the dense coastal forest of the Everton gorge. A charge of the battery lasts a full week with various patrols and I've started carrying it with me when I go for nocturnal runs through my neighbourhood. In short, it’s a fantastic product that performs exactly as advertised. Dynamite in a diminutive package! Michael Leviton, Gillitts

I have no words to describe what I experienced from the Sofirn SP33 Brutus!! It surpassed my wildest expectations – my old torches don't even come close to what it has to offer! I've been playing with it every night to test its performance and uses – it really is a nice compact and practical torch that you can easily carry with you. Thank you for your guidance and help to choose this model – I will certainly push your button for future purchases! I look forward to hearing about new and upgraded torches in the future. Tonnie van der Merwe, Melkbosstrand, CT

This little pocket rocket proves that dynamite comes in small packages!! It packs a proper punch for a torch that fits quite comfortably in my pocket. It could scare the living daylights out of a burglar at night, leaving him staggering backwards with a hand raised to shield his eyes. I'm super impressed! My Brutus now lives in the top drawer next to my bed, ready for action at any time! If you're looking for something small and compact that can still perform way above its weight range, you can't go wrong with this little Brute! Philip Benson, Karkloof

TOTAL CHAOS! My dear neighbours had total chaos in their home last night. Their pet cock started crowing; they thought they had it wrong with the date of the shortest night and longest day of the year; they prepared for breakfast and the kids got dressed for school. Only THEN I realised, my testing my SP33 Brutus was causing  this havoc – it only LOOKED like the sun, rising hours too early! What a torch! Or is it a compact spotlight? It could just as well be called "BONZAI BLASTER"! I'm very pleased with this compact yet ultra-bright torch. Thank you Mark – THIS is a winner! Rev André Kloppers, Glenvista, Jhb

Electricity went out and busy using my SP33 Brutus – thought I'd share. What an awesome little product! Yacoob Moosa, Empangeni

I have for a long time considered a "cigar" type torch with a single 18650 battery to be the ideal one-torch-for-everything, but this SP33 Brutus has made me revise my opinion. As you know, I have a few (dozen) torches but the new Brutus is my recommendation for someone who wants only one torch, or a backup for a bigger light that might be left at home or in the duty-room. This torch has been in my pants pocket all day today and is not uncomfortable, and the user interface covers everything you could need. Above all, it is seriously powerful, and I like the fact that it can run for hours on "high" without overheating. Andre Wessels, Bryanston

Wow, this little Sofirn rocks. Beeeg punch for a tiny torch. I am very impressed (as someone who has some very powerful torches in his collection). Accidentally gave myself a reflected taste of the strobe – not nice! Bryan Jones, Edenvale

I used to have another torch rated at 800 lumens and 210 ANSI meters that was recently stolen. I was looking at replacing it with something that would be a decent upgrade and Mark suggested the Sofirn SP33 Brutus. I can't say I'm able to really tell the difference in beam distance, but what is definitely noticeable is the four-times increase in brightness from the SP33 – it throws a much wider beam and illuminates a large area which makes it perfect for walking outdoors. Build quality is excellent and I think the stainless steel bezel looks great. The user interface is also easy to use and remember, while the increased capacity of the 26650 cell is very nice. The only improvement they could make would be the addition of a tail-switch, which is easier to locate in the dark. All in all an awesome all-round torch that I highly recommend. If someone only wants to buy a single flashlight, the Sofirn SP33 should definitely be at or near the top of their list. Gareth Wooding, Northcliff, Jhb

The flashlight was delivered yesterday afternoon. Everything was intact and the flashlight performed well after charging the battery. I prefer the ramping mode setting, but that is just a personal preference. Sofirn do make quality flashlights and you get value for what you pay. Once again thank you for the great service and importing these small "windgat" flashlights. Jean Hugo, Hartenbos

I'm not very good with British :-) but all I can say is that, for a normal user and even for security and police services, this is a very good all-in-one torch. Gives you ample light and the USB charging is also very user friendly. Please let me know about your specials before xmas – want to buy a few for family and friends – it will make a great xmas gift! Gerhard de Lange, De Aar

First impression with the Brutus. Nice size torch to carry around. Really bright on high power, and the low moonlight mode is great – I like a torch that has a very dim setting so when I wake up with dogs barking I can find my clothes without letting possible intruders know that I am up. I also like the nice simple operation with just the one button. Great all-round torch! Dermot O'Brien, Fouriesburg

My new Brutus MK4 is soooooo flippin awesome – it's really nice to have the MK3 as well to play with at the same time. The only problem with this torch is that, if we are totally honest with ourselves, we won't need to buy another torch because it is just that good and it ticks all of my boxes. The Brutus MK3 is still a very good torch – what I noticed when playing with them side by side is that the MK3 steps down a little sooner than the MK4 – Eskom gave us a few evenings to play a little longer than I normally would! Grant Wittstock, Durban.

Today I collected the SP33 Brutus (my second torch from you) and couldn't wait to see it in action. Unfortunately I had to get in line because my girls (aged 11 and 4) decided it was a lot of fun to run around in the dark with my torches, so I can only say that the Brutus is quite excellent... from a distance. But thanks again for a great product. My advice to others is: "When in the dark, call out to Mark!" Sedrick Strachan, Cape Town

Okay, it has arrived and I've had a quick look... I see what you mean, this is a lovely, lovely flashlight with excellent build quality. The user interface is perfect too. In fact, I am probably going to order another unit for myself next month. I most certainly prefer the USB-C port on the Sofirn to another torch with with a Micro-USB, and for some reason this torch also feels a bit more robust than the other. Once again many thanks Mark! Marten van der Spuy, Parktown, Jhb

I have charged up my Brutus and gone out for a “patrol” – and the torch is great! My only criticism (if that can be called such) is that it gets very hot on turbo. It will be great for winter patrols though… Ross Malcolm, Sandton

My wife and I are very happy with her Brutus. It's compact and easy to operate, and the brightness and fullness of the beam is just... WOW… exactly what she wanted! She doesn't really like tactical torches that switch on at the tailcap so she absolutely loves the Brutus, which is totally controlled from the well-situated and easily accessible side switch. To keep it as simple and straightforward as possible I showed her how – for now – to use one click to turn on, hold down to cycle through the various light modes, double click to start off at maximum brightness and triple click for strobing… and I trust she'll never need to use the triple click! Pierre Jordaan, Pretoria

The Brutus was for my sister who lives on her own so she can light up her garden and boy, it sure does, almost like daylight! Another impressive light. Sakkie Meeuwsen, Noordhoek, Cape Town

Well-built, powerful, tail-standing light that I will use to bounce great amounts of non Eishkom power off my ceiling. Jaco van Wyk, Mooinooi

Your SP33 Brutus has been put through its paces. The maximum light output exceeds all my outdoor and home requirements but is nice to have, while the operation is user friendly. The big battery allows it to run a long time – at my preferred output and with daily use I can probably re-charge only monthly or even longer. Unfortunately there is one critical design fail – it is extremely difficult to find the "on switch" in the dark. I'm considering gluing an O-ring around the switch to help find it. André de Piaz, Grotto Bay