Nice review JohnnyMac! Thanks! I've had this F12-A a few months and desperately need to replace that button. I bought this for the looks and the "U2", thinking it would be a pocket rocket, but no way, glad you revealed the cause - 1.4 amps. Wonder if Eric could do up a nice driver for this thing because I really like the look and feel of this light. Stock, it's brighter than my Romisen RC-29 or Sipik Sk68, which isn't saying much, I realize.
Questions:
JohnnyMac: for the outer shell of the switch insert shown above with the 2 holes, mine came without any holes. Did you drill those or did it come that way? They look hand drilled, just wondering. I think I'll have to go ahead and drill them - not sure how else to get it apart to replace that butt ugly tailcap boot.
Sharpthangs (or JohnnyMac): will the replacement tailcap boot/button from manafont (link above) allow the light to tail stand?
Unfortunately, the new GITD boots don’t really change the wobbly tailstanding on my F-12B.
I’m with you, a driver change would make this top shelf.
I really like the clip, and it just feels solid.
Hi - that's ashame - I may try another boot then, but these look ok and there's a bunch of them. when you changed out the boot, did yours have the drilled out holes in the switch insert? Also, I looked at the driver board in mine and it's a different board - looks like same chips, different layout, and exposed copper around a lot of the edge. It's still a TF board though, but a different # - couldn't quite make it out.
I ordered mine at manafont, got by July 27th. Maybe mine is an older batch. Mode switching is really annoying because up until 1-2 minutes with it off, turn it on and it's to the next mode. That state is usually 1-2 seconds, not minutes. This is another big reason for a driver upgrade for me.
I installed a blue 14x6mm boot from CNQG and it is very much recessed. It really transforms this light into a solid tail stander (unlike the Z8’s narrow tail) and makes the light an all around winner in looks and feel.
Tom, mine had the holes already in it. If yours does not have them you should just drill them yourself. The plastic is at least 1/4" on mine so feel free to go 1/8" deep.
As for a new switch boot, one that is 14x6mm will fit perfect and allow solid standing. The normal 14x8mm caps may stick out a hair and keep it wobbly. I got mine from CNQG.
Thanks guys! Ordered the 14x6's from CNQ, plus a few other things. For $22 in items, the shipping w/tracking was $11 but still a good deal. There discount prices seem very good. I have this light and two others (SmallSun ZY-T624, UF NH-T60) that seem to have a need for a driver update. Maybe I'll try contacting E1320 (Erik) if he woud be interested in doing all 3.
Oh, ok, yes the driver updates. I can't expect Erik to do this - I never dealt with him before, so I would want to politely ask - maybe the time/effort isn't worth it for these lights (too small, unusual sizes, never worked with them before, etc.) or maybe the cost is too crazy for these budget lights, not sure. Guess it can't hurt to politely ask - certainly don't want to be a burden to him - he's done some great things here on BLF...
But I'm serious about sending you the tailcap boot - actually JohnnyMac already confirmed it worked out well on this light. You can PM me - probably will be 2-4 weeks before I receive the order.
Oh, and if anyone is interested, the switch kinda handles 3A. I put a 2.8A driver in my Z8 (which is using the same switch) and the switch limits the current to about 2.6A. I think thats fine.
NightCrawl - the 2.6 amps sounds great! Interested in doing the same. Could you provide info/link on that driver? I took mine all apart and I think I could replace the driver board - I've done some soldering but can get help if I need it.