[Review] Astrolux S42 4xNichia 219C Rechargeable Mini LED Flashlight supplied by Banggood

Thanks for showing.

Would it be possible to exchange only the MCU to a Attiny 13 / 25? Are the other driver parts compatible or at least the solder pads of the driver?

The contact board has pads for the FET and 2 7135, add one 7135 for dual channel firmware
the FET has already the 2 nessesary resistors

it is possible to add an attiny MCU with a small PCB with LVP resistors, capacitor and reverse protection diode

you could wire it with to the right spots and then glue it to the driver

then if you just remove the switch from old MCU board it is always in breathing mode

or if you unsolder the OLD MCU the charger works but not the LEDs showing it charging and when it is full

maukka tested the efficiency at 48lm/w on the ~450 lumen mode. That’s atrocious efficiency. It probably uses a really crappy FET.

thanks for the review :wink:
have you tried using the tailcap from the skilhunt h03? if the threading is the same as all the other astrolux it will match (only thing is, you need to move the oring to the threading groove)

:s :s :s

Simple solution to the USB cover problem: I thought I would have to cover it with Gaffer tape, but there is a simpler inbuilt way: just slide the clip around, until its tip is on top of the unruly cover §;) it also gives you the right grip with switch facing you and clip locked in your fingers. - I am not a technical nerd so could someone enlighten me on the reason for the need of an unprotected battery ? - Is it only a question on physical size or will a protected battery damage the flashligt or damage itself ? - I first ordered a Soshine 18350 and it does fit, even being a protected one, - and the light seems to work. I have the recommended: Keeppower 3.7V IMR 18350 750mAh - on its way, should I also expect it to put out more power ? - as it has the very high: Max 15A discharge

Just tried a H03 tailcap as suggested above and it works great.
Its also about 3/8”overall shorter….thanks for the suggestion.

Unprotected batteries are usually recommended for high-drain lights because many protection circuits will, or should trip when the light is used on its highest setting. They also add resistance, decreasing current and output.

The best 18350 is the Aspire INR 1300 mAh[1]. It’s rare that there’s a single unambiguous best in any product category, but this is one of those rare cases. With a true capacity of nearly 1200 mAh and better high-current performance than any other 18350, the Aspire is the 18350 to use right now.

[1] Test of Aspire INR18350 1300mAh (Black-yellow) - because I’m not sure how to escape the parens in that URL for BLF

Thank you zak.wilson - very informative !

I got this mail from Banggood today, hopefully everyone did or else you have it here:
From : cservicesz@banggood.com
Dear customer,
This is Mandy from banggood . Thanks for your order .
We are sorry that the issue of Astrolux S42 battery tube design has a little bit shorter that may cause some 18350 / 16340 batteries are not compatible with, and the usb cover is higher than the flashlight body which may cause the usb cover to be easily to be opened.

After re-researched and retested by manufacturers and the assessor, we have redesigned and produced the Astrolux S42 battery tube and the usb silicone cover which can be compatible with the currently popular 18350/16340 battery and the Astrolux S42 usb port.

We will resend you these two parts for free to your address before 08.07.2017.

If your address has any changed, please reply the the new address to us before 05.07.2017.

It will appreciated if you send a short video (youtube link )to us when the item have any issue ,we will make a solve way to you as soon as possible .

We apologize for all inconvenience and thanks for your great support.

In addition, we will provide you a 16% OFF coupon for all Astrolux products, the coupon code is “ALTCS” and the using date is from 01.07.2017 to 20.07.2017.

Thanks again for your kindness and understanding to Banggood and Astrolux brand.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions, we will bring you a better quality consumer experience.

Best regards Mandy

thanks this was my first TIR light and I thought the Beam is OK
I did glue the paperclip only on 2 sides where the optics is filed down because otherwise it blocked light from the TIR

after I modded the TIR I could see it does throw better and beam looks better overall
if you need a driver how about a TA one I can make you one with Narsil just for material costs, the light is great with Narsil

Where do I sign up? Love the looks and feel of this light. Absolutely HATE the UI.

The material only was for djozz, for anyone else here,

4. batch first drivers expexted in about 2 weeks to be build

NarsilM 12.5$

So the new 18350 tube arived

with it longer 18350 batteries fit

Here a picture with old tube and Convoy Tube and 2 Efest batteries

The protected button top Efest fits very tight with stock spring, as I cut it a bit shorter it fits without any problems


the new USB cover fits better does not get loose to easy
its not perfectly symetrical from production process
but getting it pushed in the hole was not easy some grease did the trick

removing the old one ripped of the part inside the flashlight

how can i know if my battery tube is the new or the old one
Can you measure the length of the new battery tube, thanks

the new USB cover fits better does not get loose to easy
…………
The new bit they added is too small and not fit tightly in the metal usb female.

The length of the new tube is 40.4mm .
Thats 3.4mm longer than the old one

@mrheosuper
when you press a battery in the tube, the bottom of the battery had to be below the rim of the tube. If it sticks out the tailcap can’t make contact.

thanks, mine is 40.2mm, i guess i have new one

Astrolux S42 driver designed

Running NarsilM
FET+6+1

sale topic

This is one strange flashlight ! - I wanted it as a pocket rocket, so the 18350 was the attraction for me. And then all the frustration started. - I bought unprotected Soshine 18350 and later Keeppower IMR 18350, and was pretty sure the light was defective. I could only do turbo 2- 3 times before it stopped working. zak.wilson´s Aspire INR 1300 mAh advice saved me. After 2-3 months of jumping through a lot of hoops, I finally succeeded in getting these and now the light works as expected. Banggood advised to use the Keeppower, but they do seem to know what they are talking about. The UI is also strange, now I finally realized, that you can not shut off the light from moonlight mode, it goes only into turbo. The light also taught me, that I do not like a light with as little throw as this…. How I love me favorite Thorfires VG15, VG 25 and the new giant killer TK15S, which Aliexpress is selling for at little as $ 15, what a bargain. They have the perfect balance between flood and throw, the VG15 a bit too floody maybe, so you get a thick white cloud in front of you, if there is much moisture in the air. - Wonder if you guys could make the pocket rocket work properly with other batteries than Aspire ?

As an aside note, those Aspire 18350 are not being made any longer.