Another probably stupid question but need to ask… Can I use CR123A’s and 16340 batteries with long tube? and is it possible to use same batteries with short tube?
I ask as all other flashlights and headlamps we have that are 18650 based can use x2 CR123a’s etc… And was hoping is had short tube I could use them too… Would be fantastic if I can as we have 200+ 18650 and CR123a/16340 batteries… I like the idea of the short tube for some purposes(I have a fenix e15 for caving back up mounted on helmet and a pocket flashlight) but would prefer not to have to buy another battery type.
“We” who? This light is designed around the basic linear driver voltage of 1 lithium rechargeable cell which is 4.2V max-2.75V min. Although it uses an FET instead of 7135 CC chips the input voltage is still the same. Many P60 drop ins are made with buck drivers but certainly not all of them. If you want to use a short tube you can use CR123 but output will be severely limited. It’s better to use an 18350 for which the short tube was designed or a 16340 which at least has the correct voltage.
Thank you for that information… Very helpful and please I can use the 16340 batteries with the short tube
As the the “”We” who?” I run a search and rescue team and we use Fenix HL55 as a primary Headlamp with the HL50 as our backup and our current Flashlight is the Fenix E15(2016)
I also run my own Business which is an Outward bound Activities one… So I teach and run days that involve anything from Mountaineering, Climbing, Caving, Kayaking etc and the primary headlamps we use with clients are HL55s……
I also Have the Nitecore HC30 and our kids have the Xtar H3… So staying with the same batteries(18650/16340) is an advantage and one we intend to stay with.
so have had my a6 for around 10days and loving it… But how do you activate memory mode and 1600lumens? is there a good guide I can view etc?
OK so found Memory mode BUT the manual does not correspond to how I achieved it…. according to the manual I do something like
” Configuration options:
- Short tap rapidly a bunch of times (15+ taps, or until the light
stops turning on) to enter soft config mode.
The way it works is the light will blink twice for each option,
then pause for a bit before moving to the next option. Turn the
light off between the two blinks to toggle that option.
The available options are:
- Mode group: 7 modes or 4 modes:
Group 1: moon, low, med1, med2, high1, high2, turbo
Group 2: low, med, high, turbo
”
But mine does not blink twice for each option… instead it will blink once then a second of flashing for one mode the blink twice with second of flashing for next mode then blink three times a second of flashing then blink four times etc you get the idea I have 7 of these options(marked by the number of blinks) what are all these about???
Thank you for your response found the info /manual(google is our friend) and total agree the Bistro Firmware is so much better due to all the options we have… NOW loving the A6 more
I bought a BLF A6 and an Astrolux S1 from Banggod. The BLF is fine, the Astrolux is faulty (it may be the switch, may be the driver... I don't know yet. Banggod is sending me a replacement switch, but based on what someone else said, I'm not holding my breath...
So my question is this: if I like the form factor (straight, small) of the BLF A6/Astrolux S1, in case mine turns out faulty and the replacement switch doesn't fix it, instead of fighting it out with Banggood, I may just go ahead and use the parts to build a custom flashlight. If it isn't the switch that ends up being the problem, then I will also end up with an extra tail cap, the 18350 extension tube I got with it, so... is there any place that sells the other parts to use these and build a small custom flashlight to my liking?
While I have some experience in electronics, I have never done any flashlight modding, so I don't even know what the parts are called, just learning that from the forum right now :-)
Thanks a lot! They seem to have everything I would need... My only question is, how do I find the right parts, e.g. a "head" (or whatever it's called - the part of the housing that contains the reflector, LED and driver) that would fit with the tube I have?
Thank you - but I actually, literally meant a new "head" (if that's what it's called) because from this faulty flashlight incident, I will end up with 2/3 of a flashlight body - a tailcap and a tube, but no "head". So I thought I if I could just buy the head separately, then I could also buy the emitter and driver to go inside and build one to my preferences. I just don't know if that "head" part is something I can buy separately.
You could take a flyer, order the S41 Head and hope that the threads match. There has been some variation in the threads on these so there is no guarantee…
TBH, this host is mediocre. If you’re building one, you might be better served by a different host such as an empty Convoy S series. It’s what the BLF A6 was basically trying to imitate.
However, the S41 head should work, and it’s an easy way to get into the world of multi-emitter hotrods. A tailcap spring bypass may be recommended though, to avoid overheating the spring and changing its shape. This tends to happen on hotrod lights: