New member from London, getting a first 18650

[Sillen]

Welcome to BLF! Buying two lights at once….great instincts!

Many recommend 30Q’s for the A6 to get brighter light longer Astrolux S1/Blf A6 - Highest Output Battery?

For 18350 these get good reviews

Once you’ve settled in, get a ThorFire C8s great intro thrower. It was my first

[fluke]

Welcome I'm also in London, near Crystal Palace.

[Henk4U2]

@Sillen

Once you’ve settled in, get a ThorFire C8s great intro thrower. It was my first

I’m happy you consider the Thorfire C8s to be great, but let’s agree to disagree.
Anodisation and reflector of Simon’s C8’s are much better. You can choose between two models, the classic model and the new C8+. With several color options. With several options for emitter, driver and firmware.
Of course you can say: but no two Thorfire’s are the same. That’s just my point. Interior and exterior. It’s like a wheel of fortune. You know what you have ordered, but you don’t know what you are getting.

@alchemi: I almost forgot: welcome to BLF.

[alchemi]

Many thanks to all for the welcome.

djozz, that EMISAR D4 looks awesome, and I might add it to my list for Santa! But I’m kind of worried it’ll literally burn a hole in my pocket…

So for now, I’ll wait for the BLF A6 and Convoy S2+ to arrive, and play with them for a bit before I decide what I like.

[MRsDNF]

Hi and welcome alchemi.

[Robowski]

“Hello Guv’nor” from Australia
Welcome to the forum.

The BLF-A6 is an excellent choice.
I have 2, and I have just ordered another one for a friend as his first flashlight.
I only use Samsung 30Q batteries which are well priced and recommended by most people.

[alchemi]

Well, I ordered some batteries from Ecoluxshop, UK. 2x Keeppower 18650 protected 3500mAh, and 2 x Keeppower 18350 unprotected 750mAh (they didn’t have KPs with greater capacity at the time, but may be getting some 1200mah in next week, but by then I had ordered these). Arrived Friday.

Still waiting for the BLF A6 and Convoy S2, so I started browsing BLF again, and read more about the Emisar D4. Now, even before the A6 and S2 arrive, I’ve ordered a D4 Nichia 219CT in grey with an extra 18350 tube and clip. Looks like I need to get some Samsung 30Q 3000mAh for the D4…… and I only came here to get one flashlight… :person_facepalming:

[Sillen]

Six weeks in I got around 20 with 5 more in transit. Do yourself a favour, get a Q8

[Geuzzz]

@alchemi

Well, I ordered some batteries from Ecoluxshop, UK. 2x Keeppower 18650 protected 3500mAh, and 2 x Keeppower 18350 unprotected 750mAh (they didn’t have KPs with greater capacity at the time, but may be getting some 1200mah in next week, but by then I had ordered these). Arrived Friday.

Still waiting for the BLF A6 and Convoy S2, so I started browsing BLF again, and read more about the Emisar D4. Now, even before the A6 and S2 arrive, I’ve ordered a D4 Nichia 219CT in grey with an extra 18350 tube and clip. Looks like I need to get some Samsung 30Q 3000mAh for the D4…… and I only came here to get one flashlight… :person_facepalming:

Very familiar No way out now.

[alchemi]

BLF A6 3D arrived today —- very nice. :) The Protected 18650 KeepPower cell is a snug fit — it’s not going to fall out of the tube, that’s for sure! The unprotected 18350 KeepPower are not so tight in the short body. The short tube makes it nicely pocketable. Tint seems a little green at low power, but hgher up it’s a nice clean white.

But even before the BLF A6 arrived I signed up for the FW3A! (I know, for that I will have to wait.)

Still also waiting on the Convoy S2+ (T6 4C, Biscotti) and the Emisar D4, and also a couple of Samsung 30Qs I ordered yesterday.

Note to self: stop buying stuff.

[Sillen]

One more for a bit of throw - GT mini

[alchemi]

After playing with the BLF A6, I do kind of want to try something with a very focused beam…. :money_mouth_face: :person_facepalming:

I’d also like to see if I can do anything to the A6 to spread out the beam more, less hot spot, wider more solid and even spill. But I should wait for the S2+, and see how that spreads.

[Andrew_Debbie]

Welcome.

a pair of protected Keeppower 3500mAh 18650s

Good choice.

EMISAR D4 looks awesome,

Be sure to check out the D4S. It uses a 26650 though.

Looks like I need to get some Samsung 30Q 3000mAh for the D4

Oh dear. Repeat after me: “My name is alchemi. I am a flashaholic.”

After playing with the BLF A6, I do kind of want to try something with a very focused beam

Can you solder? A Convoy C8 with the driver board from a BLF A6 makes a good inexpensive thrower. The A6 driver also works well in the S2+

If you are willing to spend a little more, there is the Emisar D1S, the Convoy L6, and dozens of others.

The D1S is on sale at intl-outdoor :smiling_imp:

left to right Convoy S2+, S2, C8, L6

[alchemi]

I cannot solder. But I may try/learn because I would like to put the RampingIOS V3 on the D4. But I’ll wait and see how the V2 UI works out.

I’ve been looking at the GT mini vs the Emisar D1S or D1. But for a small thrower, I will wait until the D4 and Convoy S2+ come in, and I’ve played with them a bit to see what I like and don’t like.

The D4S does look nice, but it means another type of battery —- but then I already invested in the Xtar VC4 charger, and that should charge 26650s, so by getting something that needed 26650s I’d actually be using the VC4 more, making it better value for money, so I’d end up saving money! :student:

Thanks everyone for the helpful comments!

[alchemi]

The D4 and 30Q arrived today. This is what I have so far

I like the A6, in either long 18650 or short 18350 format. In short format it’s about the same size as 18650 Emisar D4. The D4 in 18350 feels a little small, and I prefer it in 18650 format.

After using the D4, now when I pick up the A6 I feel for a side switch! The D4 seems to have a nicer wider spread for me, but even in Nichia, I may want something warmer…. time will tell.

The D4 gets warm quickly, and steps down while the A6 stays high when I have them side by side on high…. so,… A6 kind of wins on this because the difference in high is not so great, and lasts longer on A6. And A6 spot and spread is white, while the D4 seems a little brown in spot when high and stepping down, with cooler white outside the spot — but I prefer the wider even spread of the D4.

What I’ve learnt from the first 5 minutes(!) of playing with them both together is that I like the side switch and spread of the D4, but the quick step down in annoying. Maybe I need Ramping 3 with a lower top level?

I also found I would like to try a wide even spread without a hot spot —- a “wall of light”.

Convoy S2+ is still to arrive, so I’ll see how that compares with these two when I get it.

[alchemi]

18650 A6 and 18350 D4

And with the spare tubes

I like the ramping UI and sideswitch of the D4 better than the A6 UI and tail switch.

[Andrew_Debbie]

@alchemi

I cannot solder. But I may try/learn because I would like to put the RampingIOS V3 on the D4.

It is a good skill to have. I would recommend starting on something a lot less expensive than a D4. I’ve replaced the driver on most of my Convoy lights.

With practice and decent tools swapping out a driver is quick and easy. The S2+ is a little harder because the retaining ring is soldered in.

Another option is to buy an Astrolux C8 from banggood. It is a Convoy clone with the A6 driver already installed. Don’t pay full price. The generic 4BLF discount code should work or maybe the FLSTNE code. You can also search the deals thread or even request a deal.

[Andrew_Debbie]

@alchemi

The D4 seems to have a nicer wider spread for me, but even in Nichia, I may want something warmer…. time will tell.

The D4 gets warm quickly, and steps down while the A6 stays high when I have them side by side on high…. so,… A6 kind of wins on this because the difference in high is not so great, and lasts longer on A6.
What I’ve learnt from the first 5 minutes(!) of playing with them both together is that I like the side switch and spread of the D4, but the quick step down in annoying. Maybe I need Ramping 3 with a lower top level?

The D4 is meant to get as much light as possible out of a very small 18650 light.

With a good battery D4 is pushing around 5Amps in to each LED before it ramps down. The D4 doesn’t have much mass to soak up the heat coming off of the massively overdriven LEDs. Toykeeper’s new firmware will help but there is no getting around the physics.

If you need longer runtimes on turbo you need a bigger light. The D4S is better but will still get hot and ramp down. The 219C version has turbo limited to 80%. XP-L Hi will be brighter but has low CRI.

I’ve got a BLF Q8 which is a little brighter and doesn’t heat up. I don’t like it as much as the D4S though.

but even in Nichia, I may want something warmer…. time will tell

The 219C in the D4 and D4s is 90CRI, 5000K. That is pretty close to daylight white. As a rule, cooler tint bins are brighter per watt.

I ordered my “Sandy Brown” S2+ with a warm 3000K 70CRI U4-7A XPL-HI emitter. The light is odd-yellow looking and not especially bright with the original 7135x8 driver. I’ve decided to keep the emitter because it complements the body colour.

My bargain grey S2 came with a cold 6500K-7000K XM-L2 U2. I found it very cold and harsh. It was cheaper to buy the entire light than a bare host. It now has a 5000K 219C and a BLF A6 driver. New AR glass too because I broke the original during the emitter swap.

TK's Emisar D4 review

Update 2019-06-19: The D4 has been replaced by the D4V2. My review for the new model may be more relevant now, but the info below is still useful since the two are very similar. Emisar D4 This is the Emisar D4, produced by Hank Wang of Intl-Outdoor and purchased from Mtn Electronics. [image] [image] The green one is the best. Obviously. [image] Disclaimer: Although I was not involved in creating the D4 and did not know it existed until recently, the code was written by BLF member Tom E an…

Nichia 219C D260 9050 90+ CRI Emitter output test by Texas_Ace

Here is another emitter test for ya’ll.” Djozz has already tested the 83cri D280 219C”:Nichia 219C, testing a 5000K 83CRI emitter, comparing with a XP-G2 S4 2B and other leds so there is not a lot of reason for this test other then I felt like it. It basically follows djozz tests just obviously with lower output. Not a lot to say about it, same sphere setup as my other tests. The real key with this LED is the tint and CRI. In a reflector it is good but in a TIR it is simply amazing. Something …

http://www.nichia.co.jp/specification/catalogue/2018_01/NICHIA_LED_Catalogue2018_01.pdf

Convoy S2+ is still to arrive, so I’ll see how that compares with these two when I get it.

Let us know.

[pennzy]

A Sofirn C8F handles heat well and puts out a wall of light.About $30.

[alchemi]

@Andrew_Debbie

If you need longer runtimes on turbo you need a bigger light. The D4S is better but will still get hot and ramp down. The 219C version has turbo limited to 80%. XP-L Hi will be brighter but has low CRI.

I’ve got a BLF Q8 which is a little brighter and doesn’t heat up. I don’t like it as much as the D4S though.

I don’t need longer runtimes on turbo —- I just want to show off on turbo :smiling_imp: For actual use, I just need something basic I can use inside the home D4 is overkill for the job, but much more fun :sunglasses:

I’m tempted to try a D4S, with the newer v3 IU. But that means another line of batteries… and it does look fatter then that D4. The BLF Q8 looks even bigger! I’ve also started checking out the Mini GT for a thrower. But I like the Emisar styling, so maybe a D1 for that job.

Does anyone know if the D4 and D1 body parts lego?

Although I have only the BLF A6 and Emisar D4, both with short and long tubes, I feel like I have 4 lights to play with!

@pennzy

A Sofirn C8F handles heat well and puts out a wall of light.About $30.

The even spread on that beam looks good. But it looks a little large for me — I’m probably settling on something pocketable (for now). I may try and get the floody 10623 optic for the D4. It was an option on intl-outdoor but I’m not sure where to pick up this piece locally in the UK or EU.

Thanks for all the advice.