Astrolux A01

I did. That’s what I ordered. Hope it works. Thanks lightbringer.

In my plastic caliper the Astrolux A01 Glass seems like 13.5mm

Thank you both for the measurements. :slight_smile: I wonder is the maker changed the lens at some point…
I fail to find a 13.x mm lens anyway so I think that a 14 mm one is the best bet. It can be filed if too large…though I hate filing.
I see the same diameter also available from KD, in 1.5 and 1.6 mm thicknesses. But much more expensive. I think I’ll go with fasttech (and BLF coupon which shaves 9 cents off the price) :slight_smile:

Rats! You mean I overpaid by 9 cents?!? What is this magical BLF coupon I’ve been missing out on?

I had one of these on my key chain for maybe a year. It served me well enough. It never failed but there were things I didn’t like about it. First, the twisty mechanism operates by closing a gap but there is some play when not closed all the way. This means that the mechanism can be triggered by pressure when close. Because it is a multi-mode flashlight, it could cause rapid mode change while twisting one-handed. I already hated having strobe in rotation but this meant occasionally activating it. This problem was aggravated by the presence of firefly mode. I appreciate the situational value of firefly but as far as my normal EDC needs go, I almost never needed it. So I was already in the habit of double-twisting for usable light. I also didn’t like that “medium” used PWM, since that ended up being my most-used mode.

Besides that, I really liked the shape. It came in handy and I used it a lot. I was fond enough that I didn’t want to permanently retire it to a drawer. So I sent it to another forum member who I hope will give it a good home.

BTW, they are still advertised as having a 219B but I thought they changed over to 219C. Heck, I think they changed over before I got mine. This wouldn’t be the only case of a company switching over without mentioning it. Massdrop changed from 219B to 219C and didn’t update the product pages until I emailed them about it!

The coupon is “BLF” and it works for all flashlight related items, all the time, reducing the price by 5%.

I have 2 of mine in hand both running Li-Po 10440.
Both fine.

Also have 1 x BLF 348. and 2 x Sinfire.?

Neither are as interesting or handleable as the AO1.
219 B or C. (I have couple each of that too. old/new models)

does flat tops work in this light?

The positive contact in the driver side is flat so you might need a little blob of solder there.

Not knowing about the next mode memory, I ordered 7 of the A01. Mostly for gift giving. Dang! They all have NMM, although 1 red one has changed from 2 hours’ recovery to just a few minutes for some reason. I never would have ordered them if I’d realized. And after writing to Banggood, their reply left me feeling like they just got the last money from me, ever.

Today 3 Sofirn C01S twisties came (Amazon order). Much nicer lights for just a buck or two more, and they work as they are supposed to (high, then low, and no annoyances).

I guess I can still give the Astros away to the unenlightened…

Didja try the infamous Pencil Trick™?

I bought two of the original copper edition gave one to my best mate then an old lumens edition which both of mine have seen no use except to try out. No patina for me lol.

If you lads are trying different lights with 10440 add to my old thread. Ill try and fix the pics up if i can log into flickr.

Pencil mod worked for me. Improved the light vastly. First time didn’t work, so I pulled it apart and darkened the line. Amazing!

Sorry.
Can’t help with the “flat top”battery question. I got a 4 pack of Soshine Li-Po
Buttton tops.

Buy a small pack of 5x2 or 8x3 magnets. I think I paid aroud $2.75 for a pack of 100 a while ago.
Just stick one on top[ Bingo……
I’m actually using a few on rear face of knife block in Kitchen for missus.
Bread knife didn’t fit.
NOW. Half a doz shallow holed drilled in line. Epoxy magnets in.
Knife holds nicely. (Just a little distraction that MAY come in handy to someone)
Maybe.

I’ve got a few if those AO1’s.
My old eyes don’t notice any “flicker”So I don’t have a problem with them.

Everyday……………………………

Do you want to sell that Copper. or tóther if not using.
I love the little things As do Grandkids. (I need a few more)
Queensland 4703. Regards.

Nope. As they are now, I can give them away to non-flashaholics who probably won’t care about the issue. If I take a light apart I might muck it up so it doesn’t work at all or only on moon mode. I don’t have much confidence in my ability to work with very small parts.

If it were one I planned to keep, I’d try it just because. But that red one is losing memory quickly enough… I’ll keep that one! :wink:

Saw this light again recently at Banggood. Cheap but, at what price? The driver is a turd, and while the “pencil trick” can do away with the next mode memory (a ≈100KΩ resistor across its terminals is a better fix), it has PWM and strobe. It clearly is a flashlight for the rabble.

Also, what the @#$% is the emitter being used now? 5000K? WTF?

I do not think it is hard to design a good boost driver with a li-ion compatible “linear and resistor” mode of operation, after all the boost engine needs a sense resistor and a switch (MOSFET). The MCU would detect above 2V of input voltage and set the driver in linear mode. Sensing 1.5A in a 200mΩ resistor drops 0.3V, and whatever else excess voltage would be dropped at the MOSFET switch by tuning the gate voltage. Wow 1.5A mmm maybe too much heat LoL, 1A or a tad less maybe. And of course, 2.5 - 2.8V undervoltage warning and shut-off or thereabouts.

Cheers :-)

@barkuti, ah i thought its 4000k emitter in those ? i have on its way lol :smiley: for the price its hard to resist it…

Now that the Sofirn C01S exists I find little to no reason to get an A01.

As I said before, we could aim for a new design with a better driver. Now that I think of it, to handle 10440 li-ion well it should be a boost-buck unit, boosting for alkaline, Ni-MH and other low voltage cells and bucking in case of li-ion cell.

:-)

I wouldn’t swap my A01 for C01.

A01:

  • looks better
  • is available in copper
  • has a centered attachment hole
  • is cheaper (with the right discount)

That’s enough to prefer it over C01.
Granted, I’d prefer the smaller size and better LED of C01. But it’s ugly when standing and very ugly when hanging.

Agro: I thought the a01 in copper is long sold out ? actually the a01 is not that bad… i will use it on my keychain so for that its perfect…