Banggood only sells genuine cells.
WOW! Much appreciated for taking the time to make a side by side comparison photo!
I own one Sofirn and I love the steppless mode. And the UI is quite easy and inttuitive to work with. The colored power indicator on the side switch is pretty nice as well.
When did you bought your BLF? I read somewhere the first pocket clips were sturdier than the latest batches.
As for the moonlight mode, I don't really use it :)
Either way, I might go with the BLF. I am very curious to see how this 1600 lumens performs, considering I am used to (slightly) bigger flaslights. Just need to get a decent quality cell.
The BLF kinda reminds me of a Fenix... and lumen for €, it seems to be the more reasonable option. I believe the Fenix is still 3x the price or smthg.
It’s not that the pocket clip is too stiff, it’s that the “wings” stick out a little too much. It makes it easy to get it on and off the light, but they dig into my hand. I’ll probably try heating them and bending them, or look for a better clip. I bought my light used, so I’m not sure which generation it is.
[quote=JasonWW]
I just realised I can get the BLF with the cell and shipping for 24.50€ (27.18 usd) using my BG points.
Good deal or you guys usually get better prices with the PROMOS?
This is the link I am talking about.
Keep in mind it won’t be 1600 lumen. It’s hard to get that much from an XPL. You’d need to use a high drain battery and bypass both battery springs if you want to get close to 1600lm (from 6500K model).
Yeah, stock it’s about 1300 lumens.
Astrolux pocket clips suck.
I’ve probably bought and gifted over a dozen of these in various tints.
thank you for your sharing
I love my A6. I upgraded the driver, with the Astrolux one, Shunted the springs, put in a smooth reflector, and swapped the emitter with a slightly uprated one on a copper star, and changed the lens to a thinner AR coated one, so I could add an additional O ring. With an O ring in front, and behind the lens, I tested it to a water resistance of 3 bar. It also has never broken, or cracked the lens in hundreds of drops.
I’ve gone through an Emisar D4 and D4V2 in the 5 years or so I’ve had my BLF A6, and recently, the A6 has been alternating with a Noctigon KR4.
The A6 is so good, I haven’t even been tempted to buy another tube light. I wore the switches out on the D4s, and I noticed the A6’s switch stuck a little the other day, and might need replacement.
That is OK, because it’s not like the D4s, where no matter how careful I tried to be, the pressed switch is almost irreparable, at least with the tools, skills, and knowledge I possess. The D4 s also gave no indication that the switches were failing. They just did. And there was dark.
I use my lights as tools daily, (and nightly of course) and to me, above everything, reliability is the most important attribute a flashlight must have. The A6’s price made it reasonable, for me to buy 2, and carry a dead stock one, while getting to the place where I could trust one I modded to the point I was confident to carry it every day, and was also useful as a reference to evaluate the mods. I wouldn’t have been comfortable tearing apart a more expensive light, or justifying buying 2. The B in the BLF forum is hugely evident in the A6.
I think it has also served well as a universal gift solution, and served as a gateway into modding for several friends, now similarly addicted/afflicted.
Overall, the A6 has been the most reliable, and durable light I’ve ever owned. just thought I’d toss that out, as a long term use report, and as thanks to all those involved in making it available.
I heartily agree about the success of the A6. Love it. Durable, aging well. Nicely pocketable with the 18350. Deservedly classic. Reach for it before the D4, as neat as that is.
I received a A6 from Banggood with small problem, it enters the config mode very easily. Let me explain: It’s in mode group 7 modes, I press the button for example 4 times and 5 seconds later I press it 3 more times and it switches to mode group 4. I cleaned the threads and dissasembled and cleaned the switch but the problem is still here. Could it be a driver problem?
A long press goes back in mode order, does the long press work?
If not, then the timing of interpretation of short press is too long. This can be caused by a driver change, i.e. they may have used a different (brand) component somewhere.
A brutal workaround then could be installing a bleeder resistor because that is known to shorten the timings.
(I’m not an electronics person, this is just some practical knowledge from working with BLF-A6 drivers)
Yes, long press goes back normally without problem. I can turn it on in moonlight (7 modes group) change to the second mode and when I press again it chages to the third mode of 4 modes group which is much more powerful. It changes mode group randomly with no reason.
I will disassemble it with a soldering iron, clean everything and if it’s still the same I’ll buy a new driver. Thanks djozz.
Yeah, then it is not what I suggested. And there my expertise has run out 
Good luck with getting it sorted.
Are there any of the original lights left for sale? I bought one of the original 900 or so and have used it daily. It has disappeared from me within the last couple of days and I am really disappointed that, I may have to function without it for the foreseeable future unless i can find a replacement. It is truly a terrific light and I hope to find a replacement.
Thanks
Dan Hall
That’s a sad story, Dan. Banggood have some blf a6 - Buy blf a6 with free shipping | Banggood Shopping
Many new alternatives around but nothing like the original, I snapped up a 1A, 3D & 5A a few years ago. Mostly shelf queens now but still pack a punch when they come walk the dog. Jr has the 5A.
I truly appreciate the assistance. Now to see how long it takes the light to make it’s way thru the gridlock.
Dan Hall
Does anyone know where I can find a 18350 tube for my special edition?
I’ve tried several including banggood; none fit.!
!