Astrolux MF02 CW review w/ measurements (XHP35 HI, 4x18650)

I haven’s seen different numbers yet….

Great review, thank you.

Nice review. Got to decide if I cancel the NW I have on order.

Thanks for the review maukka. Agree that it’s great value for the memory even though it doesn’t hit the specs

Very great detailed review. Thanks a lot!

Thanks Maukka for this brilliant review. This review is really impressive. I’m so glad I cancelled my two mf02 orders with Banggood. The throwing distance is disappointed after they stated 1587 meter distance. Not even to mention the lumens output specs from Astrolux. The actual output falls short of the advertised values, which wasn’t too unexpected. My first choice of course my Thrunite TN42 CW.

Maukka, we’re you able to do any amp draw tests? One owner said his light was drawing about 6A which I assumed would be more than 2A at the emitter. I was thinking 2.5A (80% driver efficiency) or 2.7A (90% driver efficiency). Maybe being a boost driver it’s not so simple to calculate loads at the emitter?

I can see the MF02 has a different driver than the MT35, but they still seem to put out the same 2000 to 2100 lumen. Any idea why?

First, let’s clear some confusion.
It is said that Astrolux MF-02 is the same as Mateminco MT35 v2. What you refer to as MT35 is MT35 v1.

I think the source of discrepancy is just different measuring equipment. Maukka’s tests often show lower outputs than what we measure with cheap light meters. But I wonder if the LED in Maukka’s light wasn’t faulty from the start. This may be a part of the reason too.

Thanks for the detailed review - so glad I decided not to order this light, even for the reduced GB price… too many trade-offs and already reported problems, besides the underwhelming performance (compared to what has been promised).

Got mine today and I unscrewed the driver to see what’s inside.

The person applied the heatpaste on the retaining ring have no clue what they’re doing. Also the current is running through 3 screws which is very bad design. (lexel is right about this)

Thanks for the excellent review Maukka !

In the Banggood store, on the page of the Astrolux MF-02, now you read the following:

Note:

We have changed the range and peak beam Intensity of the flashlight, but it will not influence the use. Thank you.

What does it mean exactly?

Also, if the reflector and the output remained the same, how is it possible that the peak beam intensity has changed?

Maybe they improved led focusing.
On the picture it is written 720000 cd.
We will see.

So they cheaped out by not threading a retention ring into the design, how to remedy this?
The more I’m learning of design issues, the less I’m liking I bought one. Mine has yet to leave BangGood.
The MF02 is 1/2-2/3rds the cost of competitors
Bangood order cancelled. TN42 ordered

Note:

We have changed the range and peak beam Intensity of the flashlight, but it will not influence the use. Thank you.

It is a sibylline phrase ... They do not say "we have improved ..." but just "we have changed". Moreover, what does it mean "but this will not influence the use" ??

The standby drain really turns me off.

I have my second MF02 unit sitting on my desk here next to me. I have another which had a driver board fail in. After significant hoop jumping on my part to satisfy Banggood, they sent me a replacement head for the first light. Now it works flawlessly.
My observations with no test equipment:
The light has a lock-out feature to limit the parasitic drain. After use, it should be locked. However, for hours I left it with the green switch light blinking and it appeared to have no effect. I played around with the light for quite a bit while camping the last few nights at a nearby lake here in the US (California).

After over an hour of running, mostly in Turbo with brief off periods, the light was only mildly warm. Ambient temperature was 42 deg F.
The power indicator in the switch was still showing green. When I returned home, I placed the Sony VTC6 cells into my Nitecore Superb SC4 charger and in an Xtar to verify. They were right at 75%.
I must say, this light is IMPRESSIVE. I know there is a light or two out there that will outperform it (Specifically the Thrunite TN42) according to the tests I have seen but for $82 shipped to the US, they aren’t over 2X as good. I compared it to my Thrunite TN32UT and it vastly outshines it in both throw and overall light. Note: Before anyone says anything, I know they are not apples to apples. The Thrunite 32UT is running a dated XM-L2 dedomed and the MF02 is running the XHP-35. BUT, both are 4x 18650 throwers at close to the same size head. The Astrolux has a vastly cheaper MSRP.

I highly recommend this light, especially if you can get it for under $100.

I am offering BLF Narsil driver for this light for 18.5€

Way better UI

Its a Buck driver so Carrier needs to be modded 4S

I have received my Astrolux MF02 in neutral white and am extremely happy with it. I had to take the driver out though as one or two washers were loose inside. This would mean the current path from driver to body your flashlight was not optimal. I cleaned all the surfaces with contact cleaner and reassembled. The tint for me is absolutely perfect at just over 4000K estimated and I have tested throw and output in comparison to my other throwers. My results are showing close to 3000 lumens and approximately 530kcd. (I am just using lux meter on phone calibrated to other lights). I’m referencing from a Btu shocker and haikelite MT07 upgraded model with xhp70.2 Also the blf q8 is known at around 55kcd. Extremely happy with this light. I don’t know if meteminco has beefed up the driver in recent months because this is throwing overt 100kcd more than maukkas review. Also the nw could be a higher bin. Interesting.

your lux test is very lightly way too high comparing to other lights with same throw might work, but the error is way too high getting from 50k to 500k readings of your cellphone
Maukkas Lux-/Spectrometer costs more than 2k$, so I would trust his measurements
There are no higher flux bin 4000K LEDs than CW both usually in D4