Hi and welcome alchemi.
“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.
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:
Six weeks in I got around 20 with 5 more in transit. Do yourself a favour, get a Q8
Very familiar 
No way out now.
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.
One more for a bit of throw - GT mini
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.
Welcome.
Good choice.
Be sure to check out the D4S. It uses a 26650 though.
Oh dear. Repeat after me: “My name is alchemi. I am a flashaholic.”
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
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! 
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
http://www.nichia.co.jp/specification/catalogue/2018_01/NICHIA_LED_Catalogue2018_01.pdf
Let us know.
A Sofirn C8F handles heat well and puts out a wall of light.About $30.
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!
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.
A quick google search found the 10623 in stock at Conrad. Carclo are UK based. The plastic optics are probably made outside the UK.
Yes.
The Q8 can just about be smashed into a pocket. I never do. There isn’t a lanyard hole either. You pretty much have to carry it or set it down. It weighs around 500g with 4 batteries. Build quality, fit, and finish is slightly below Emisar. The biggest difference is the way the two lights feel.
The Q8 will run on Turbo a lot longer. After 30 seconds it is still over 5000 Lumens. 4x18650 will have about 12000mAh vs. 5000 - 6000mAh from a single 26650. .
YOU ARE HOOKED.
Accept it. and hide the card from missus.
we all buy a zillion lights, getting up to the ones we’ll be happy with. (Maybe… Ha Ha)
Till Tomorrer, Maybe.
So far. “I’m” happy with these.
Convoy L6
Convoy L2
Convoy C8 x 2. (XM-L/XP-Hi)
Sofurn C8T (All 5000)
Convoy C8+ Xp-L (in post)
Sky-RAY S-R5
Convoy S2/S2+.
SKYRAY KING 9x led.
Astrolux S41.
Imalent DN35.
Jetbeam Jet-1 MK.
Astrolux AO1.
Coupla 2 x 18650 cell divers lights. (2 and 3 x Cree led’s.)
and don’t look at the other 40/50 in the drawer I bought getting here.
They cover. basically the range I want.
so now It’s more a “do I really want this one”. now.
and I NEVER buy one without leaving it for a min of 2 days b4 deciding.
I bought a coupla cheap Toshiba Laptop Battery’s. 6 cell…
When stripped down. they are Samsung and LG x 6.
2200 and 2500. Others are Panasonic B’s (Reliable) and 30Q’s.
It’s a good way to top up your 18650 cells with reliability.
IE, NOT Chinese. and $5 AUD each.
I’ve thrown the Chinese battery’s away. Apart from a coupla prs of Protected ones.
you can’t trust them to give to somebody and sleep at night.
AND I’m only “mildly” addicted. You got it all to come mate.
Be patient and go through the coupons and Flash sales.
you can buy most at or near half price.
PS These are ALL but 2. Budget class but proven.
The Convoy S2+ arrived today, with 18350 tube and cone (in fact I got two cones, but I think I only ordered one.) I asked Simon for Biscotti, and he put it on :+1: I’ve set the Convoy to group mode 2 (5 levels, no flashes or blinks) without mode memory. Nice and simple.
The Convoy is slightly shorter than the BLF A6, and the black is more matt than the shinier and smoother A6. The Convoy head fits and works with the A6 body, but the A6 head does not fit on the Convoy body. I’ve got the protected KeepPower 18650 cell inside — the fit is not as tight as the A6.
After 5 minutes playing with the Convoy, I say my favourite is still the D4 (for side switch and ramping and wow-factor power), then the A6 (for being able to go up and down), then the Convoy. But time will tell.
I think my ideal would be the D4 with RampingIOS3 and a wider spread.
[quote=Andrew_Debbie]
A quick google search found the 10623 in stock at Conrad.[/QUOTE]
I already have a Conrad account, and found the 10623 optic for £2.79, but shipping is £6.99 — so I think I need to fill my basket with other stuff to make it worthwhile
Conrad also have an even more floody optic, 10624, in stock too. Which one to get? 
Both
Left to right: original D4 clear 10622; frosted 10623 25.9 degree; 10624 40.3 degree (legs unclipped at this point — 2 legs need to be removed because of the screws in the MCPCB)
My standard D4 Nichia had a bit of a brown spot when used close up (i.e. on ceiling), but floody optic does away with that