✌ FREEME - ASTROLUX FT03 Mini XHP50.2 (4200lm) / SST40 Anduril AUX LEDs USB-C 18650 Flashlight - ALIVE

Sent.

Sorry, no one answered this.

Yes - it's a somewhat standard centering ring but it fits around the 4 outer LED's. The LED's are mounted on an AUX board custom fit on top of the MCPCB, pretty much the same way AUX boards work on the TIR optic lights. It's nothing new, but it's a new application of these AUX LED's. The driver must be a more advanced MCU because it's the only way you can get it done.

My bet would be Lexel is behind this design but there's lots of silence and mystery... Mystery because of the silence, but BG/Astrolux/Mateminco seem to do this - come out with a really nice light for the price, but don't release any for early review.

Really doesn't matter I suppose - I find it to be another BLF inspired trend, hoping we will see more of them! This is a quality light at a great price for what you get.

Wish it just included the SS bezel.

Here's some better pics of the AUX board and parts - I do like GREEN:

Can be downloaded - not sure of the configuration?

Driver retaining ring and centering piece:

Close up of the centering pieces. There is some slop on the AUX board where this fits, so the LED may not center dead on:

The AUX board. 5 wires: green wire is green, blue wire is blue, red wire is red, black is ground, and not sure what the white wire is for, but appears to be connected to the green LED after the resistor, so maybe it's for the charging circuit. Those SMD LED's have 4 connections: 3 colors and ground. The layout allows the centering piece to lay flat, but unfortunately leaves too much slop space, least for perfection in centering. I think it's very close to centered by default, but not perfect perfect.

Sorry, didn't pop out the driver - I know pretty much what's there, and lots of wires to de-solder and re-solder.

clever but simple - again, I like it! In one aspect here, they did better than the Emisars/Noctigons by using a brass driver retaining ring rather than glue -- much appreciated.

The OP should really include pics of the AUX LED's in different colors. Betta most don't even realize it's there!

I’m guessing it uses a vertical pcb on the other side to hold the charge port and maybe switch. The 2 big solder pads must hold the board in place. It almost looks like they will short the positive and negative.

Those 2 pads, like you say, are for a vertical board and are ground - they clear the brass button ok, probably a bad angle shot by me.

The black wire is ground for the aux leds and the grey wire is also ground for the aux leds but via the 1.2K resistor, so that must be the channel for the low setting of the aux leds.

Interesting, didn't know Anduril uses a separate I/O pin for the low AUX setting. I know in the ATtiny85 version, it doesn't, but could, I guess, in the more advanced mcu.

It is just a guess from the aux board layout, I can be completely wrong :slight_smile:

I removed the brass button and added half a spring, I bridged the pad and positive with no negative effect.

Astrolux FT03 Mini Osram NM1 incoming with all colors: white, red, green, blue, and yellow. Just received an email from Mateminco letting me know they were available from them.

Hope they release an Osram version of the full size FT03

Osram NM1 would need to use a lower-max-current driver… Any idea if it still uses Anduril? Also the current limit? (I think Osram NM1 performs near max at 4.5-5 Amps?

I did ask what current it’s being driven at but the question was missed. White is 510 lumens and 860m. This is a bit too low when my own C8s are 950m at 710 lumens. Understandably they have to give a warranty.

They are using all led colors so from that they are presumably running at 2.8 - 3.3A, it’s the only way to have all led choices without having to change the driver.

I wish they had a separate driver for the white version at 4.2A, it would have been awesome. They should have got some input from BLF

Usually around here it's the other way around - we replace springs with brass buttons , but purely to boost amps. Might want to be careful about the 1/2 spring - be sure it's from a good spring.

I could be wrong in what I recall bout the pads - will check again, guess doesn't matter as long as nothing is touching them.

I purchased the SST40 version to have mounted on a rifle for hunting. The recoil will disconnect the battery with the brass button.

I used the new high current springs from Convoy

Explains that! Do you know the guy in New Zealand who had an "in" with MaxToch? I know he was big into hunting - can't recall his BLF name. MaxToch made some great lights with an emphasis on hunting. I still have a few, but dated at this point. I would think they are still around: https://maxtoch.com/c/hunting-thrower-flashlights-0377

Ah, maybe mudgripz or gadgetman, they both helped design the 2x I think. I’ve just come across them on a NZ hunting forum, never spoken to them.

Maxtoch offer some of the best hunting lights but cost a wee bit. It’s pretty hard trying to compete with my Osram C8 and L21A I sell but price wise it’s the better deal. I don’t think anyone can beat my service I provide though with lifetime labour free repairs after warranty has expired :slight_smile:

Yep, that's them! I was reviewing and working with Maxtoch early on as well, but they took it heavy in the hunting direction while I was more interested in general use. They seemed like nice guys, though dunno if they they were selling or not - maybe casual selling to friends, not sure. Made it seem like NZ was a land of hunters though

interested

Huge update coming today!

Sounds interesting.

Is it the NM1 (white flat) version of the FT03 mini?