the S42 is not manufactured by HaikeLight nor will they build a driver for it
Yes, that would work really well as a UI on this light. Like a mini-Q8.
I updated the OP with my NarsilM replacement driver which accepts the USB piggyback board
Can you guys give me a little help? When I switch to Group 2, I only get 4 modes (Low,Med2,High1,High2) and I can’t get to turbo. I want to be able to enable memory so I can start at Turbo mode instead of having to cycle through each mode in Group 1.
Mode group 2 only supports those 4 modes. You don’t have access to turbo in that group. You’ll have to use the default mode group 1 if you want turbo. But, then you don’t get mode memory.
This light has a really weird UI. I’m making my own driver for it.
Lexel, you use the charger circuit that comes with the S42 on your mod? I’m considering making my own with MCP73831, but maybe it’s not needed if the S42 charger circuit is good enough?
I did lift old MCU so charger LEDs dont work anymore. but the charger itself stays connected with the rod and charges
TA made a design with new charging board
Thanks. I think I’ll just go ahead with my own design… it’s part of the hobby after all 
As soon as I hear from TomE to get a me narsil with the new pinout I will release the S42 driver that should be going in all future S42’s from the factory. Never could get narsil to compile properly myself.
A simple FET+1 TA setup but with Narsil it is a heck of a lot better then what it comes with now. Plus should increase the output a lot.
Damn I just ordered a S42! Ahh
Me to :person_facepalming:
I guess I’ll have to mode it with TAs driver when it comes out.
I modded my first one but bought a 2nd one this week. If I’ve known I would wait for the new one. But I think we get better quality driver from Lexel? Not sure if the factory uses the same components as Lexel.
Yeah if they use TAs design and good AMCs this light will be nice
Narsil will then have likely no thermal calibration
My design uses 7 AMCs while TAs is not decided if fully equipped with AMCs
The components on Narsil are not super sophisticated there is no voltage divider for LVP
Caps with X7R is nice to have if it gets hot
Any updates from Astrolux on the new driver version?
Thank you Lexel for the nice review and pictures.
I have this light,exactly the S42S one, and trying today to find the strobe mode, I gave up.Can you or some other guy help to find it out?
Click to turn on.
Press & hold for about 1-2 seconds until the light switches to maximum.
Click again for strobes.
Thank you very much,I’ve got it.
The sale price and Nichia emitters are appealing. I am not at all happy with the light for some of the reasons mentioned in the review and comments. The USB cover doesn’t stay in place, it gets very hot very fast, and it isn’t efficient. Additionally, mine did not work at all with the 18650 tube for some odd reason. The switch is wonky. Sometimes it does not work until it is good and ready.
My experience with budget lights and Chinese vendors has had a high failure or disappointment rate. I have received dead and defective lights and it is like pulling teeth to get the vendor to make it right. I have spent more money on multiple poor quality lights than if I had just purchased from Fenix or Zebralight. I have several Fenix and one Zebralight and they have been utterly reliable.
Interestingly, my experience with Zebralights weren’t that great. My first one was a SC5c II and it was a horrible green mess that I had to return. My second was a SC5w II and its light output was dimmer than my $10 Utorch UT01. A few weeks later, it pretty much got stuck at a 10 lumen level. I then bought two more SC5w II, which didn’t have that problem but their brightness level really is a lottery as well as their tint so I just kept one of them. However, I’m still not giving up on Zebralights and hoping they will get it right after a few batches/revisions of their 4th gen flashlight, when I will buy more. Some of the Chinese vendors are pretty good like the Emisars and Noctigon Meteor that I bought were perfect and my Thrunites and Sofirns are very reliable and good quality. With that said, the Astrolux S42 is one of the worst flashlight purchases I made. HORRIBLE UI.
I was just about to say that those 2 brands also have their issues.