Astrolux Ft03s (SBT-90.2) -- Loser!

Just got the torch today. Beam is horribly ugly and not made for a reflector of this size. Very yellowish. Dims down even on lower modes after about 15 seconds (not battery-related). Not that throwy. Please, please folks, DO NOT PURCHASE THIS! The horror stories are real!!!

The beam on mine looks fine but it does step down after 20 seconds with a 70-100% charged 40T. I also noticed that the beam is a bit more yellow/green compared to the NI40.

Sorry to hear that. Although I did hear that may be the case.

The FT03 SST40 works great and so does the NI40 with SBT90. Must have designed the reflectors properly.

I know it came from China so the odds of sending it back without costing you any money may be remote. that was the case with my HT70. They wanted me to pay $65 bucks to send a $130 light back. Had someone replace the fried LED[$60 more for parts and shipping],and that one fried also. ended up selling the light for $60. :person_facepalming: Biggest loss I have had in my 8 years of flashaholicism!

I knew it long time ago and the price is steep.

Astrolux FT03s do better with SST40 shave dome

Beam isn’t too bad on mine. Step down is annoying. Was that issue ever fixed? As well as distance being overrated.

I have the SST40 and XHP50.2 versions and they are great (but also overstated in terms of its throw, except for the XHP50.2 version which is almost understated).

I plan to just eat my investment, sell it at a discount, and move on! sigh

Yeah I had the xhp50 version and it’s fantastic. Cancelled my sbt90 order after hearing stories. Love the Ni40.

I also canceled my order when I read about all the ridiculous problems that came with the Astrolux Ft03s (SBT-90.2). They obviously threw that light together blindfolded without ever testing it. If they don’t compensate you for the price and pay return shipping, file a paypal dispute. Accept nothing but a full refund and paid return shipping.

From memory ZozzV6 did a review and found reflector quality issue.

I would disagree with you of it being “Not that throwy” it throws well for its size from what Ive observed comparing it to the SST40 variant I have on hand it out throws it, sure the its a bit discolored at lower levels but at max ramp and turbo its sitting at a coolwhite, Hell even my GT90 at lower lvls is greenish yellow but becomes white once you ramp up.

The “horror” stories are imo slightly exaggerated the reflector could have been better optimized before sending out the product but again I like to see it from the other perspective for the price in the groupbuy it was a solid deal, SURE they over estimated the estimated throw BUT it does throw well for its weight class sitting from my calculations at least from mine easily hits over 400k cd and yes the the step down is a bit annoying BUT hey its a thrower its meant to just put a smile on your face when you light something up in the distance not to annoy someone 1km+ away with a constant beam since well you dont know whos at the end of that 1km distance :innocent:

On the FT03S GB thread, post #1186 I tried to get some feedback in regards to the turbo instability, perhaps hoping for more members to chime in*. Originally Th558 posted about the problem (Link post #973 ). There was some exchanges about the FET overheating, Martin (M4D M4X) did a freeze test that stabilized the current drawn at tailcap. I think the problem lays in the inrush current behavior within the Anduril firmware. A higher IR battery (>30 mOhms) or partially depleted cell has less ‘yoyo’ on turbo.

*I would have liked to get some momentum so myself or other member could present the problem to BG / Mateminco and clearly have a mandate to correct (tweek) the firmware. But the effort may have been buried in the lengthy thread.

Not much visual experience with beam comparisons, but as a thrower I’d expect a well defined hotspot. The tint and artifacts are very acceptable - wall hunting is not this flashlight’s purpose.

I Totally agree.That is how it should be and how it has always been w/ manufacturers in USA,NOT CHINA! Very unlikely that[ manufacturer will pay return shipping] will happen.

No refund or return shipping. BG wanted me to pay for the shipping and then send me another piece of junk!

Paypal sided w/ Banggood[will NEVER order from them again]on my HT70 and wanted me to pay for return shipping[$65]! I basically LOST $130 when the look at cost of Light[130] cost for parts and to ship back and forth for mod[60] and then the money I got for selling it with a burned out LED!

I recommend the Noctigon K1 for all the poor people who got screwed w/ the FT03s-SBT90. I just ordered last night. Has a special reflector just for SBT90, built better form a mnanufacturer with a better reputation and quality control!!

Mine came with the reflector that Zozz swapped in.

And looks like after swap beam shots.

Maybe he got a bad one?

I do not know if it was a fluke, Fluke!!! Could not resist…maybe in UK the same meaning as USA! LOL!

Numerous people reported issues with that lights reflector, beam pattern and tint.

,Good day to you

I watched your video a day ago.

Just received my FT03S and wished I found this thread before I bought it.
Absolutely horrible beam tint and if I have the light on and click the power button three times, it shuts off and I have to undo the tailcap and screw it back on in order for the light to turn on again.

What battery are you using?

FT03S runs Anduril firmware.

While ON, doing triple-click will change from “Smooth Ramping” to “Stepped Ramping” mode and vice-versa. Unless the flashlight is in Muggle mode.
Also, I’m thinking if the flashlight turns Off, it could be the battery is protected and not able to power the flashlight properly (needs unprotected battery).

Astrolux will keep selling rushed lights with issues as long as people keep buying.

The FT03s that I had ordered got cancelled for whatever reason, but they cancelled it. Instead of reordering it I decided to just wait to see if the K1 came out with one. I already had a K1 in the W1 white and really liked it and ended up getting one in the W1 green a little later. Then came the K1 with the 90.2; hands down one of the best do everthing lights I’ve ever owned. I’ve never really used USB charging because multi-cell dangers and slow microUSB charging, but the K1 was the first lights, the other being the awesome BLF LT1 lantern, I got with type C.

Issues, what company doesn’t have issues?

Astrolux is the house brand of Banggood, They commission Mateminco to produce the flashlights. As Mateminco’s overlord, they have very limied control. BangGood’s objective is to cash in on a popular item. So nice design and looks, somewhat less than optimal performance, and often rushed product.

Had my issues with the FT03S, but the merchants compensation was a new driver. Somewhat the same ‘yoyo’ effect of thermal control (they added some sort of thermal putty to the FET). Now in turbo 40 seconds before dropping. Well, was 25 sec., so it did “help”.

And then there is the dubious practise of serving the last on the groupbuy thread before the first. Many were cancelled by BG. I purposely waited to be in the second batch of lights so the bugs could be worked out (or at least cancel my order if the issues were not addressed). But to my surprise my order shipped prior to the first 30 inscriptions. I was #130.

Unlike Sofirn or Lumintop, BangGood won’t budge to properly address the issues.

Took over a year to correct the horrible UI of the S42. Fortunately, Lexel developed a replacement driver with Narsil M.
Maybe a corrected thermal management software can be flashed or replaced on this light?

As for beam quality, I haven’t any issues. The SBT90.2 is a thrower and I expect a hotspot. My unit has a nice 5500ºK temp. and some spill. I see no tint shift. Maybe the reflector could be adjusted to better the candelas, but for the little loss, I’m OK with the throw…