The BLF A6 has ruined me!

I prefer the BLF A6 to either the Sofirn or the Convoy. But the BLF has its user-interface quirks, and it’s not as impressive by today’s standards as it was a couple of years ago. But overall, it’s still one of the best budget 18650 lights available.

The BLF is the brightest, but it will eat batteries pretty fast on max. The thing steps down after only 45 seconds, so unless you keep boosting it up (it will get hot!) it’s not too bad with batteries. It’s really only impressive with a fresh battery, since it’s not regulated and output will drop as the battery depletes.

BLF A6 is my other Lego light. 18350/18650 option, single or in quad S41. Lowest mode it’s a night light that runs for days off a charge. My hotel room at SHOT show week before last was pitch black. 4 nights running on an 1100 mah 18350 and four days as an EDC. Great little light for running around with.

Of course there are brighter flashlight out there but Sofirn has:
-both ramping and stepping mode in 1 flashlight

-Side switch which I like
-Compact

-takes 18650(I prefer this)

–1550lumens or near that is great for a single emitter flashlight

-Has electronic locking mode.

-I am getting mine for like 10$ :slight_smile:

Its a winner for me :slight_smile:

Since this thread is comparing the three lights I’m looking at (BLF A6, Sofirn SP32A and SP32A V2.0) this is the best place to ask about the light.

I’m looking for an EDC light that can also be used as a mountain bike light that stays in high mode while riding.

My current light TIPEYE 700LM https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CHDFJWD/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_gvkwCbHK7AFS9

My current light has decent floody beam and maintains high mode on rides. I need my next light to be more of a thrower and the BLF and Sofirn lights are the best bang for the buck. I doubt the Sofirn SP32A V1.0 high mode of 900 lums will maintain brightness. The Sofirn SP32A V2.0 seems like the safest choice of a high mode of 500 lums and the longer runtime. BLF A6 is the most customisable for handlebar mounts/lens/etc.

Sorry to hijack this thread but it’s probably the most appropriate place to ask. Does anyone know where I can buy a new reflector for my A6? I accidently damaged it a while back :weary:

Go for Sofirn sp32v2 but I also don’t think you will have problem with v1 too, I don’t think someone will want to ride with over 500 lumens of output :slight_smile:

I generally use my Zebralight SC600w IV Plus at 700 lumens when cycling. I bump it up higher if I’m going downhill. On a mountain bike trail, I’d definitely want more than 500 lumens.

The problem with the Sofirn is it’s too light and generates too much heat, so you can’t run it on high output for long periods of time. The Zebralight uses a much more efficient boost-driver, and a more efficient LED, so it runs a lot cooler at similar levels of output.

I think the BLF A6 would be a better choice for cycling than the Sofirn. I used to use one, and only switched because I wanted regulated output. The BLF A6 isn’t any more efficient than the Sofirn, but it’s a bit larger so can shed heat a bit better.

Unless you’re concerned about handlebar space, you can just mount two A6s, one on either side of the stem. Then you can run them on high instead of turbo and still light up the trail. I routinely carry two A6s in one hand when I walk my dog at night in the fields. As bright as the A6 is, it’s not as bright as two A6s!

When I mentioned S2+, I had the biscotti firmware in mind which offers a much lower low mode, and no blinking. I should have been clear about this.

I like biscotti on the C8 (I just set to to always run on max). Not so much on the S2+. The modes just don’t seem very well spaced, to me. I’d like the low to be lower, the mediums to be higher, and the max brighter. Even with 8 7135 chips, the max doesn’t seem bright enough, and it suffers from dimming as the battery voltage drops (though not as bad as with a FET driver like the A6).

The advantage of the S2+ is that it has much longer run times, since it’s not sucking as much juice out of the battery as it can.

Although not the factory replacement, the 20x12mm reflector is said to fit. May give a llittle more throw, however. Widely available at Ali Exp, Ebay, etc.

Fits Astrolux S1, which is BLF A6 clone.

Personal, preference, I guess. I actually like the mode spacing very much.

The jump from 35% to 100% of power output is great, so your eyes can actually notice a visible difference between the two levels. Too many lights go from 70-80% to 100%, and your eyes can’t tell much difference.

For bike trails, I found the Convoy S2 at 50% max power (Biscotti, mode group 8) lights things up nicely with an even beam. Although that may suit technical singletrack full of turns and twists better than a more straight flowy trail, in which case the M1 has a great beam profile balance.

There are only twisty trails by me so a Convoy S2+ set up for throw is tempting. Does your Convoy S2+ have 7135×6 or 7135×8 drivers?

I'm thinking about getting the BLF A6 short tube for the 18350 battery.

But what 18350 battery should I get?

Protected or unprotected and are there any size limitations?

I am in UK and the number of suppliers is quite limited for this battery size.

I've come to grief with unprotected/protected size issues before and I don't want to get caught again.

Yes, honey, I need another flashlight, just like you need another pair of shoes, a purse, a dress, etc.

Not a huge fan of the BL-A6 here.

My problem is the driver. I found the timing necessary to cycle modes was fiddly.

For clicky switch lights I much prefer the DrJones H17F driver with its intuitive double-click for turbo setup. And I find all clicky switch UIs to be inferior to good e-switch UI like Ramping IOS in the Emisar D4 or Anduril.

The normal “quick press” timing is fine. It’s the reverse “long press” that is complete crap. Hard to get right even when it works, and it changes all over the place depending on the temperature. I don’t even bother with it. Just set it to a 4-mode light and use the regular quick-press cycling.

Wife….“But honey, I wear all that to look good for you, why do you need another flashlight?”

Browbeaten husband….“to look for another wife”.

:smiling_imp:

what the hell ?? send them a pic what u got, if they refuse just do a paypal dispute for goods wrong recived…