Simple solution to the USB cover problem: I thought I would have to cover it with Gaffer tape, but there is a simpler inbuilt way: just slide the clip around, until its tip is on top of the unruly cover §;) it also gives you the right grip with switch facing you and clip locked in your fingers. - I am not a technical nerd so could someone enlighten me on the reason for the need of an unprotected battery ? - Is it only a question on physical size or will a protected battery damage the flashligt or damage itself ? - I first ordered a Soshine 18350 and it does fit, even being a protected one, - and the light seems to work. I have the recommended: Keeppower 3.7V IMR 18350 750mAh - on its way, should I also expect it to put out more power ? - as it has the very high: Max 15A discharge
Just tried a H03 tailcap as suggested above and it works great.
Its also about 3/8”overall shorter….thanks for the suggestion.
Unprotected batteries are usually recommended for high-drain lights because many protection circuits will, or should trip when the light is used on its highest setting. They also add resistance, decreasing current and output.
The best 18350 is the Aspire INR 1300 mAh[1]. It’s rare that there’s a single unambiguous best in any product category, but this is one of those rare cases. With a true capacity of nearly 1200 mAh and better high-current performance than any other 18350, the Aspire is the 18350 to use right now.
[1] Test of Aspire INR18350 1300mAh (Black-yellow) - because I’m not sure how to escape the parens in that URL for BLF
Thank you zak.wilson - very informative !
I got this mail from Banggood today, hopefully everyone did or else you have it here:
From : cservicesz@banggood.com
Dear customer,
This is Mandy from banggood . Thanks for your order .
We are sorry that the issue of Astrolux S42 battery tube design has a little bit shorter that may cause some 18350 / 16340 batteries are not compatible with, and the usb cover is higher than the flashlight body which may cause the usb cover to be easily to be opened.
After re-researched and retested by manufacturers and the assessor, we have redesigned and produced the Astrolux S42 battery tube and the usb silicone cover which can be compatible with the currently popular 18350/16340 battery and the Astrolux S42 usb port.
We will resend you these two parts for free to your address before 08.07.2017.
If your address has any changed, please reply the the new address to us before 05.07.2017.
It will appreciated if you send a short video (youtube link )to us when the item have any issue ,we will make a solve way to you as soon as possible .
We apologize for all inconvenience and thanks for your great support.
In addition, we will provide you a 16% OFF coupon for all Astrolux products, the coupon code is “ALTCS” and the using date is from 01.07.2017 to 20.07.2017.
Thanks again for your kindness and understanding to Banggood and Astrolux brand.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions, we will bring you a better quality consumer experience.
Best regards Mandy
thanks this was my first TIR light and I thought the Beam is OK
I did glue the paperclip only on 2 sides where the optics is filed down because otherwise it blocked light from the TIR
after I modded the TIR I could see it does throw better and beam looks better overall
if you need a driver how about a TA one I can make you one with Narsil just for material costs, the light is great with Narsil
Where do I sign up? Love the looks and feel of this light. Absolutely HATE the UI.
The material only was for djozz, for anyone else here,
This batch is finished next batch here also for the Q8 launch with SIR404s upgraded I am atm going to get a Q8 board design due to the different PCB diameter and screw holes [image] v1.5 Prototyp board tested successfully I will also give the option this time to sell kits, containing all parts and boards, with flashed MCUs for Bistro and NarsilM This saves 0.7$ shipping and is cheaper, still NarsilMs startup, over temp protection and LVP can be configured but not calibrated Bistro-HD OT…
4. batch first drivers expexted in about 2 weeks to be build
NarsilM 12.5$
So the new 18350 tube arived
with it longer 18350 batteries fit
Here a picture with old tube and Convoy Tube and 2 Efest batteries
The protected button top Efest fits very tight with stock spring, as I cut it a bit shorter it fits without any problems
the new USB cover fits better does not get loose to easy
its not perfectly symetrical from production process
but getting it pushed in the hole was not easy some grease did the trick
removing the old one ripped of the part inside the flashlight
how can i know if my battery tube is the new or the old one
Can you measure the length of the new battery tube, thanks
So the new 18350 tube arived
with it longer 18350 batteries fit
Here a picture with old tube and Convoy Tube and 2 Efest batteries
The protected button top Efest fits very tight with stock spring, as I cut it a bit shorter it fits without any problems
the new USB cover fits better does not get loose to easy
its not perfectly symetrical from production process
but getting it pushed in the hole was not easy some grease did the trickremoving the old one ripped of the part inside the flashlight
the new USB cover fits better does not get loose to easy
…………
The new bit they added is too small and not fit tightly in the metal usb female.
The length of the new tube is 40.4mm .
Thats 3.4mm longer than the old one
@mrheosuper
when you press a battery in the tube, the bottom of the battery had to be below the rim of the tube. If it sticks out the tailcap can’t make contact.
The length of the new tube is 40.4mm .
Thats 3.4mm longer than the old one
thanks, mine is 40.2mm, i guess i have new one
Astrolux S42 driver designed
Running NarsilM
FET+6+1
sale topic
I started 6. batch here http://budgetlightforum.com/node/59724 Bistro-HD OTSM will be the main Bistro version this batch OTSM works perfectly with lighted tail cap and hot light no more OTC timing issues 2S Bistro OTSM now on all sizes but 15mm available, 15mm 1S OTSM implemented with design change Attiny 25V running Bistro OTSM or Attiny 85 running NarsilM v1.2 with latest version with fixed bugs Narsil manual, a lot options to configure this one NarsilM information here If you want …
This is one strange flashlight ! - I wanted it as a pocket rocket, so the 18350 was the attraction for me. And then all the frustration started. - I bought unprotected Soshine 18350 and later Keeppower IMR 18350, and was pretty sure the light was defective. I could only do turbo 2- 3 times before it stopped working. zak.wilson´s Aspire INR 1300 mAh advice saved me. After 2-3 months of jumping through a lot of hoops, I finally succeeded in getting these and now the light works as expected. Banggood advised to use the Keeppower, but they do seem to know what they are talking about. The UI is also strange, now I finally realized, that you can not shut off the light from moonlight mode, it goes only into turbo. The light also taught me, that I do not like a light with as little throw as this…. How I love me favorite Thorfires VG15, VG 25 and the new giant killer TK15S, which Aliexpress is selling for at little as $ 15, what a bargain. They have the perfect balance between flood and throw, the VG15 a bit too floody maybe, so you get a thick white cloud in front of you, if there is much moisture in the air. - Wonder if you guys could make the pocket rocket work properly with other batteries than Aspire ?
As an aside note, those Aspire 18350 are not being made any longer.
What?
I thought they are only relabeled to Aspire 1100mAh ?
What?
I thought they are only relabeled to Aspire 1100mAh ?
Both Aspire and KeepPower 18350 cells have stopped production.
You can read more about it here.
not available any more aspire 18350 Discontinued, also keeppower 18350 1200mah I think they are from same factory.
I don’t know anything about the 1100 mah cells. I don’t even use 18350, but I remembered reading about them.
Banggood has offered me the chance to help them improve the driver in this light.
So the plan is to make a replacement lower driver with a Texas Avenger layout and use Narsil.
The issue comes from the charging, it looks like if we want the charging to work, we have to put up with a 1ma drain or no indicator LED’s?
Tough choice.
That is unless someone has experience with USB charging circuits, I have never messed with them myself but if we could come up with our own circuit that would be even better.
Banggood has offered me the chance to help them improve the driver in this light.
So the plan is to make a replacement lower driver with a Texas Avenger layout and use Narsil.
The issue comes from the charging, it looks like if we want the charging to work, we have to put up with a 1ma drain or no indicator LED’s?
Tough choice.
That is unless someone has experience with USB charging circuits, I have never messed with them myself but if we could come up with our own circuit that would be even better.
Smart choice from Banggood. Now I might actually buy one of these.
Is it the side switch indicator led that is causing the drain? This seems higher than usual. Normally it would be about a 1/5 of that, 0.200 milliamp.
Or is it something to do with the charing circuit that causes it to be so high? I’m unclear on this. Frankly, driver design is a bit over my head so I’m probably not much help.
I can tell you that on the 2 lights I use everyday (in my sig) the lack of the Narsil “indictator” function is not an issue. Having some type of light is helpful though, as it shows when power is connected. If they have some clear switch covers then a small led light shining through should be doable at a low parasitic drain.
A note can be added to the manual that if you don’t want any drain, turn the tail cap 1/4 turn and make sure the light turns off. Simple.