Oh, that’s unfortunate…
I ordered the 2 18650 tubes Banggood sells for the S42 after first reading about the problem, the aluminum and steel versions, in order to have a workaround.
If they don’t work, I threw good money after bad .
Got mine today, haven’t risked trying the short tube, but the 18650 tube works no problem.
It could have done with a thermal stepdown on turbo!
Hmmm………… what kind of battery…. flatop/protected? Just wondering…… thanks
It was a flat top 30Q.
LG HG2 did not work with blf a6 tube, works ok with S41
Arent the S41 & S42 tubes supposed to be the same?
Seems like the trouble with the earlier tubes not working was different threads not the length correct?
This is the heading for the S42 18650 tube that I ordered……
“Astrolux S41/S42/Astrolux S1/BLF A6 LED Flashlight 18650 Body Tube”
Edit:
The original 18650 battery I tried was a Samsung ICR button top.
After reading your post I found a Panasonic NCR18650B Flatop ……It fit and the light worked with that tube/battery combination…
Looking at the 2 batteries side/side there is a considerable difference in length
Sorry, I did not realize there could be that much difference in 18650 lengths.
BLF A6 tube is not the same as S1 / S41 tube !
“Astrolux S41/S42/Astrolux S1/BLF A6 LED Flashlight 18650 Body Tube” is how they list it
I have bad experience that BLF A6 sent to me with not working tube. (They resent the tube)
Now tube and USB cover issues. 
Email sent,
Thank you
S42 it’s epic fail. Stupid UI, USB cover, doesn’t work with 18350, artefacts with 219C.
Never again banggood’s presales. Never again astrolux.
I know, but it’s not gonna fit the A6.
Ergonomics is bad.
The charging function is the worst possible.
The USB port cover is disgusting.
User interface is illogical delirium.
The light beam profile is ugly. Too many artifacts.
It’s a piece of shit and even $25 it does not have to cost. It’s too expensive.
But tell us how you really feel 
. Language please!
I disagree - I would not call it ugly 
.
I think it's worth modding - will replace the driver, dump the USB charging, and then should have space to add at least some copper under the shelf.
I would prefer the copper head and aluminum tube though (bezel doesn't matter to me) - think they said it was going to be offered. Problem is with the huge driver/USB circuit, the head can't be made as thick as the S41's. Might just buy the S42S and replace the battery tube and tail with the S42's.
What’s wrong with the charging?
Did i miss something?
(edit) you mean that it only charges to around 95% ?
(mine still not arrived btw)
Then why not start out with the S41?
What am I missing?
You are missing one big huge difference - an e-switch, it's just about a min requirement for me. I have an S41 actually in 219B. Finally yesterday I was able to get the bezel off the S41 combining the pine board hole w/compression cut/clamps method and a good strap wrench.
The E14II light is look'n pretty good but $65 with no discounts is not a BLF deal. In my opinion, they have some nerve to even post here on BLF. Whenever asked about a discount, they simply refuse to answer - like every time.
I hadn’t heard about artifacts with the 219C leds. Where was this shared?
Didn’t think of that, probably because I’m not too fond of e-swithes in small lights.
Yeah, Manker not discounting anything is a bit annoying.
Charging current 0.57A.
For 16340/18350 battery is not bad but for 18650 battery charging time is too long.
And yes, it stop charging on 4.14-4.15V.