Astrolux S43 - New model (On Sale)

I like that both tubes are included. Do I have room with S41 in my hand and D4S in transit? :wink:

the reduction in size to the bezel looks way bizarro.
I ’spose it adds cooling fin mass to the switch area, but it looks bulbous
I kinda want an S42S, butt really don’t want an S43S

M4DM4X is running a “feeler” for this flashlight, here: [M4D deal ALIVE] Astrolux S43 :+1:

Thanks for showcasing the new flashlight. I was waiting for the upgrade but didn’t expect a complete new design. It looks…. “interesting”. At least the UI is now good.

Oh dear, well, where do I start ?

OK, it apparently has a TA driver (i.e. a generic FET+1, no imagination required), with some flavour of Tom E’s Narsil.

So, a bigger Attiny with more code space, and DEL’s little mod (extra resistor). to keep it running OK in extremis.

I hope both designers have been recompensed accordingly. Which is the way this world seems to be working nowadays.

And four LEDs. Same as the good old S41, but in a clunkier uglier housing with “tactical” extras like the stupid “glass breaker” spike, and a side switch that never lines up in your hand, but it does have a “breathing” effect backlight. Doh ?

The fun bit for me is that it is so “adamant”, according to the description.

I guess that might be lost in translation. For a Brit, “Adamant” is the name of the finest public urinals. Truly a treat, worth searching out. I’m looking out for a vintage one to include in my bathroom re-modelling.

Then of course we have that treasure of the music world, Adam Ant, and his seminal track “stand and deliver”. He was very pretty back then, but went off the rails later.

Oh, the golden era of the music video with huge production values;

No sniggering at the back please. Unless you can come up with a good pun on “S43”, otherwise just ask yourself “why ???”

Sorry, was that too harsh ?

Edit: another classic Adam Ant video, Prince Charming.

I used to know the team who filmed these, ooh the stories they could tell…

Style over substance certainly, but what fun.

WOW! That is one ugly flashlight.

I like the tip. Good for defence against drop bears.

Yeah. Heinous. The glass breaking spike should be easily removed, but the rest of the ugly is going to take a mill.

Looks fine to me. The glass breaking spike came with the S42 too but you can just twist it off.

shame about the design, it doesnt really gets me interested.

I’m a bit disappointed by the Astrolux S43.

I was hoping for an S42 with TA driver as I’ve always liked the look of it and the idea of an 18350 Nichia quad with built-in charging. The S43 has the features I want but I find it incredibly ugly.

Sorry for being a bit off topic, but, is there a way to ask Banggood to make the MCPCB of the LEDs available for separate purchase? I know, people can buy the head (for at least the S41 series), but nah, I would really need that.

I believe Lexel has a driver for the S42. But I don’t know if that is still an option or available. Plus the driver in the S42 is not the easiest mod.

Yeah. Other than the design, I really like this light, especially since it now uses NarsilM.

An S42 driver swap is beyond my skill and patience level, but I wonder whether the S43 driver and charging circuit would fit the S42. I suppose Texas_Ace would know.

Of course, even if the S43 driver does fit the S42 I doubt Banggood would be interested in selling the driver separatel.

Well, it is a glass breaker. Which brings back memories.

Maybe some are too young to remember “Breaking Glass” and Hazel O’Connor.

Here is a reminder, the best love song ever, and best sax solo. Poor man, he cut off his right hand fingers with a circular saw shortly afterwards.

But Clare Hirst absolutely nails it, and Hazel is still going strong.

The original :- YouTube

And nowadays: Hazel O'Connor - Will You (best Sax solo ever by Clare Hirst!) - Jazz Cafe, London - December 2011 - YouTube

Or accoustic: - YouTube

I’ve just spilt my tea. Oh silly me. What will be, will be. It makes me shiver, and quiver. Or should I just politely say goodnight ?

The extra mass is the head should allow for longer turbo run times before stepping down. I thought BLF folks preferred performance over looks.

It is always a fine line between form and function.

Ok this thread was just brought to my attention. A few of my thoughts.

I 100% agree on the looks, it is funny since the prototype they sent me looks much better. I actually preferred it to the S42, except the bezel, for some reason they made it thicker so it blocks more of the optic.

The driver itself will work in the S42 if you felt so inclined. I was not even aware they were making it a new light until they went live with it on banggood.

The glass breaker is optional, it simply screws into the tripod mount, pointless yes but also meaningless.

The driver is a basic FET+1 design running narsilM of course, so finally it should be usable.

The driver and charge circuit are completely separate now, making modding easier.

Overall the prototype is a pretty nice light, what the S42 should of been to start with.

Why they made the production version so much uglier I have no idea.

Don’t know how to say it any other way than this ;
“If your new flashlight looks like it should have come with a condom, it may be an issue carrying it in public without getting mocked”

Anyone remember the Edsel, Yeah it looked a lot like another body part to many people and didn’t last very long in the market even though they were said to be a well made car.
Subaru apparently didn’t do their history lessons and produced an similar grill/front end orifice and it too was mocked. (Subaru B9 Tribeca)

Just sayin’