The first one cleaned up to ‘good enough’ by doing “all of the above” so I’m going to do the same with the second light.
Odds are it’ll be the same sort of problems and clear up with enough fiddling.
Just posting for the record, basically, at this point, so I don’t forget what I noticed when.
I just received 8 lights with at least one of each color, and none had the foam donut. All worked well with no major issues. The green one did act funny at first, very touchy when changing modes and quickly going past a mode like a “double tap”. This was resolved after a tear down. The pill was slightly loose compared to others, and the tube had a burr or flake of ano that I scraped off.
Love the little lights and will have a problem deciding which I will be OK gifting.
Flicker problem solved by “all of the above” treatment. Little metal fragments were the main problem on this one, ragged edge where the threads on the body were cut flat at end of tube.
I’m assuming that one flash when going into the low level (fairly soon after it’s been bright) is normal.
That seems to go away if it’s set for a while off, before the next time it’s turned on.
They really should chamfer the sharp edges around the lanyard hole too. On this light they’re not just sharp, they’re ragged and the orange paint flakes right off at the sharp edges when I run a fingernail over them.
I’ll smooth them down (like the first orange light) so they aren’t sharp enough to cut right through a piece of string.
My black A01 came in yesterday. Took about 10 days, not too bad. Cute little light with impressive fit and finish. Beautiful tint; I’m in love with Nichia.
Immediately deployed to EDC duty, pairing up with its buddy, a Fujitsu AAALSD
Now I’m waiting patiently for its cousin, the Cu A01, to materialize.
Code is not working now because it's on "promo" for $9.95 from China Warehouse. Also the code doesn't work for the US warehouse where the price is higher, at $12.95.
I got 6 lights, two each of orange, gray and black. There are several QC issues:
two of six lights (orange) do not have a foam donut
one light (gray) is DOA
only one box has papers
one light (black) had o-ring lube all over it
two lights (gray) have off-center emitters
Honestly, I am disappointed – at this pricepoint, they certainly have a good room to improve. They work fine now, but given the QC horror, I am not sure how reliable they would be. I’m waiting to hear back from Banggoods on the DOA light as well. Let’s see.
I got 6 lights, two each of orange, gray and black. There are several QC issues:
two of six lights (orange) do not have a foam donut
one light (gray) is DOA
only one box has papers
one light (black) had o-ring lube all over it
two lights (gray) have off-center emitters
Honestly, I am disappointed – at this pricepoint, they certainly have a good room to improve. They work fine now, but given the QC horror, I am not sure how reliable they would be. I’m waiting to hear back from Banggoods on the DOA light as well. Let’s see.
None of mine has the foam donut. I believe that is a spec change, not a QC issue. Two of mine have off-center emitters, but they don’t affect output.
I had issues with one of my copper A01’s. The tube machining was off. The thread section was shorter than it should be, making an unreliable connection that eventually quit. But BangGood replaced my light after I showed them photos of the issue.
Bummer to hear about so many quality issues with the cheaper models, though. That’s pretty sad. DOA may happen as they don’t QC every single light. But noticeably offset emitters shouldn’t be happening. When a person puts the light together, it will be obvious just by looking at it.
I got 6 lights, two each of orange, gray and black. There are several QC issues:
two of six lights (orange) do not have a foam donut
one light (gray) is DOA
only one box has papers
one light (black) had o-ring lube all over it
two lights (gray) have off-center emitters
Honestly, I am disappointed – at this pricepoint, they certainly have a good room to improve. They work fine now, but given the QC horror, I am not sure how reliable they would be. I’m waiting to hear back from Banggoods on the DOA light as well. Let’s see.
None of mine has the foam donut. I believe that is a spec change, not a QC issue. Two of mine have off-center emitters, but they don’t affect output.
It still isn’t an excuse for shoddy QC, especially if they plan to charge the listed price.
How much QC you need on something that is just over $8? The high CRILED alone in this light is $4 retail at Mtn Electronics, Illum, etc. The light has three modes and a strobe after two mode cycles. It is available in half a dozen colors… Please find and submit a link to a light with all of these features and output levels and runs on an AAA battery, then you can talk about shoddy QC if the one you find is better.
The dead one, of course Banggood should take a look, but you outline no attempted fixes like making sure the upper part of the tube is bare like it is supposed to be. It could just be this, but no sense making an attempt to fix something that traveled all the way from China. Also check the board in the head that there is not too much O ring lube on the contact there or something, I know Qtips are heavy, but try at least…
The Oring lube issue is about 2 seconds with a paper towel. Good thing it wasn’t corroded or worse yet, had no lube…
The no foam doughnut IS a spec change, they had more issues with it holding the battery off the board than rattling, so it was apparently eliminated… If you bother to read threads or do a search, you will find several members had this issue, it was addressed.
If you need papers these days to be able to figure out a twisty light, I do not know what to say… Its not like you would gift these to people and not be able to tell them the way to use them in a few seconds…
The non centered emitters is an easy fix, pointy tweezers in the holes in the back of the board, unscrew (counter clockwise) about 3/4 turn. Look in from the front and tap the side opposite where you want the LED to go, and tighten the pill back down. 2 minutes tops, on each light…
I get the fact that there are problems, I do not get the apparent TOTAL lack of motivation to mitigate the problems. Go back to CPF if you want to bash a light for less than $10
I got 6 lights, two each of orange, gray and black. There are several QC issues:
two of six lights (orange) do not have a foam donut
Yes, that’s the way they all seem to be produced now. I’m not sure if it’s an issue or not. Anyone want to try putting in a battery the wrong way and let us know?
Quote:
one light (gray) is DOA
Obviously a real issue. I had that with one of my light. Easy fix was to take out the spring and stretch it.
Quote:
only one box has papers
I didn’t even read mine. I don’t think it’s needed.
How much QC you need on something that is just over $8? The high CRILED alone in this light is $4 retail at Mtn Electronics, Illum, etc. The light has three modes and a strobe after two mode cycles. It is available in half a dozen colors… Please find and submit a link to a light with all of these features and output levels and runs on an AAA battery, then you can talk about shoddy QC if the one you find is better.
The dead one, of course Banggood should take a look, but you outline no attempted fixes like making sure the upper part of the tube is bare like it is supposed to be. It could just be this, but no sense making an attempt to fix something that traveled all the way from China. Also check the board in the head that there is not too much O ring lube on the contact there or something, I know Qtips are heavy, but try at least…
The Oring lube issue is about 2 seconds with a paper towel. Good thing it wasn’t corroded or worse yet, had no lube…
The no foam doughnut IS a spec change, they had more issues with it holding the battery off the board than rattling, so it was apparently eliminated… If you bother to read threads or do a search, you will find several members had this issue, it was addressed.
If you need papers these days to be able to figure out a twisty light, I do not know what to say… Its not like you would gift these to people and not be able to tell them the way to use them in a few seconds…
The non centered emitters is an easy fix, pointy tweezers in the holes in the back of the board, unscrew (counter clockwise) about 3/4 turn. Look in from the front and tap the side opposite where you want the LED to go, and tighten the pill back down. 2 minutes tops, on each light…
I get the fact that there are problems, I do not get the apparent TOTAL lack of motivation to mitigate the problems. Go back to CPF if you want to bash a light for less than $10
It must be very difficult for the manufacturer to apply these mitigations before the lights leave their facility, since now the buyer is expected to implement them. In my book, any mods to a “brand new” light to make it functional is a definite indication of lack of proper QC. So let’s see:
Off-center emitter – little to no attention to the assembly process.
Missing papers – little to no attention during packaging.
Lube all over the light – little to no attention to how much lube is being squeezed.
Okay, so now let’s mop up the mess they created, because one cannot expect reasonable quality under $10 (something that I only heard in this thread). Looks like your worldview is way different from mine.
And why drag CPF into this thread? How is it even related? My remarks were not personal, I merely stated observations and expectations. I am firm on my opinion: Astrolux A01 from Banggoods is very poor in quality. You don’t have to agree with it.
Yet you were not upset enough to return the lights, only bitch about QC to the forum…
There was nothing personal about the CPF comment, just that on that forum, they tend to act like you did here, and you have a presence there as well, thought you mixed up forums.
These lights are by no means perfect, but dollar for dollar, a hell of a deal, so I do disagree with you, and will leave it at that.
Yet you were not upset enough to return the lights, only bitch about QC to the forum…
There was nothing personal about the CPF comment, just that on that forum, they tend to act like you did here, and you have a presence there as well, thought you mixed up forums.
These lights are by no means perfect, but dollar for dollar, a hell of a deal, so I do disagree with you, and will leave it at that.
Actually, they have been dumped into trash. Not worth returning.
Quality seems good to me
I picked up an Orange one a few weeks back from BG and no probs with it.
My wife loves hers – it’s on bedside and handbag duties
Actually, they have been dumped into trash. Not worth returning.
Budget lights often take some tweaking brand new out of the box to work properly. If you aren’t ready for that, you aren’t ready for budget lights. Or maybe you are because with budget lights you can still throw away half of them and come out ahead. It’s just a shame not to take a few basic steps at fixing a light before you throw it away or try to return it. Fixing lights yourself is one of the main reasons BLF exists. Tightening a retaining ring, sanding the end of a tube, these are just basic. It feels great to bring a light to life like that.
Anyway, I’ve bought 4 A01’s and they’ve all worked fine.
Actually, they are to be no more… The Astrolux brand will have to find another manufacturer as Manker and Banggood will not be working together anymore. I do not know that this will happen, and with there could be some property rights issues to the designs anyway. Yes, even in China, there are some property rights in situations like this… I had a Stainless steel model in the works, and a “A02” AA version as well. Do not expect those anytime soon, if ever…
Members like choombak (a drug reference name, I am guessing?) and their disproportionate complaining here for what they have gotten for bottom dollar drive manufacturers away. They also drive members away from good lights and if they get one that needs an adjustment, perhaps their first foray into modding.
I knew next to nothing about LED lights when I joined here just over a year ago. I now do everything but firmware to my lights, and will get to that in time. It started with spring bypasses and swapping an emitter… With help from members here and the more positive attitude of the forum back then, I did this. Now we have members that have low post counts, long times lurking and the attitude that a budget light should have Ferrari QC. Then they spend more time complaining about what was, than they do fixing the issue, and end up throwing away the lights… Incredible…
@choombak, you are a knucklehead for throwing those away, I am sure plenty of members would have paid shipping and 50% of your cost to get those lights. I really doubt you did this anyway… You have more money than sense if you really did throw them out. As I said, the emitters alone would have gotten you $4 ea…
I had a Stainless steel model in the works, and a “A02” AA version as well. Do not expect those anytime soon, if ever…
Say it ain’t so! I would love a SS and an AA version. I really hope Manker and BG can look past the Cometa fiasco and give the partnership another chance.
I had a Stainless steel model in the works, and a "A02" AA version as well. Do not expect those anytime soon, if ever...
Say it ain't so! I would love a SS and an AA version. I really hope Manker and BG can look past the Cometa fiasco and give the partnership another chance.
Doubtful. Razor Thin margins and three times the work. It is a shame because they would really listen to our ideas.
—
It's the simple things that we take for granted that cost us the most
Ευκαιρία λέει πιάσε με από το μέτωπο γιατί μόλις έχω περάσει δεν θα με πιάσειs
I’m new to this forum (and forums in general). Is there this much drama here?
Haha – welcome……
I’ve been here a little while and, aside from the occasional blip, I’ve found that things here couldn’t be more friendly.
I like the fact that we can talk here about things such as clone knives really freely yet on a knife forum I’m a member of I there would be hysterics a-plenty and I would probably be burned at the stake……
Actually, they are to be no more… The Astrolux brand will have to find another manufacturer as Manker and Banggood will not be working together anymore. I do not know that this will happen, and with there could be some property rights issues to the designs anyway. Yes, even in China, there are some property rights in situations like this… I had a Stainless steel model in the works, and a “A02” AA version as well. Do not expect those anytime soon, if ever…
Members like choombak (a drug reference name, I am guessing?) and their disproportionate complaining here for what they have gotten for bottom dollar drive manufacturers away. They also drive members away from good lights and if they get one that needs an adjustment, perhaps their first foray into modding.
I knew next to nothing about LED lights when I joined here just over a year ago. I now do everything but firmware to my lights, and will get to that in time. It started with spring bypasses and swapping an emitter… With help from members here and the more positive attitude of the forum back then, I did this. Now we have members that have low post counts, long times lurking and the attitude that a budget light should have Ferrari QC. Then they spend more time complaining about what was, than they do fixing the issue, and end up throwing away the lights… Incredible…
@choombak, you are a knucklehead for throwing those away, I am sure plenty of members would have paid shipping and 50% of your cost to get those lights. I really doubt you did this anyway… You have more money than sense if you really did throw them out. As I said, the emitters alone would have gotten you $4 ea…
Does Ferrari even have good QC my mate works for them here they get a lot of returns maybe we should go with Honda! ReManG already copped me bitching about the led being out of center… I would 100% recommend this light! the LED is such a small issue but the DOA they would give you a refund for any ways? If you do want top quality AAA maybe go for the lumintop tool it is about double the price but you get what you pay for. hahaha i just looked at mine and the LED isn’t centered with the lumentop! bahahaha
Are we aloud to swear in the forum? fudge me silly i failed by saying this!
!!
This is the Astrolux! I think the Astrolux wins!
!!
Okay, so now let’s mop up the mess they created, because one cannot expect reasonable quality under $10 (something that I only heard in this thread). Looks like your worldview is way different from mine.
A light you buy for $10, likely was manufactured for less than $5. There’s not much room for extensive quality control on budget lights. Besides, most of the things you’re complaining about are irrelevant on a small floody light like this.
The only thing I really expect on a $10 light is that it works, or that it can be easily fixed to make it work (like I had to do by stretching the spring on one of mine).
IMO, the A01 was an excellent light for $9. The emitter is really what makes this light stand out. The quality isn’t perfect, but I have $100 lights for that. The A01 is a nice, simple light, that gives really nice tint, a good selection of output, and is inexpensive enough that it won’t freak me out if I lose it or break it.
The first one cleaned up to ‘good enough’ by doing “all of the above” so I’m going to do the same with the second light.
Odds are it’ll be the same sort of problems and clear up with enough fiddling.
Just posting for the record, basically, at this point, so I don’t forget what I noticed when.
I just received 8 lights with at least one of each color, and none had the foam donut. All worked well with no major issues. The green one did act funny at first, very touchy when changing modes and quickly going past a mode like a “double tap”. This was resolved after a tear down. The pill was slightly loose compared to others, and the tube had a burr or flake of ano that I scraped off.
Love the little lights and will have a problem deciding which I will be OK gifting.
I’m interested in a GB for this one too!
There is already a code for all colors of the A01
Code: ReManGA01 brings the price to below $9
LINK
Lithium Ion Battery Safety 101
Old Lumens Competition 2020 Modified Light Entry
Sweet, less than £7 for a decent light, do I need it? No. Still want it though so the order is in
Need is satisfied with two or three lights…
The rest is what we call a hobby… Mwahahahaha
Seriously, there are much worse things to have than extra light generators…
Lithium Ion Battery Safety 101
Old Lumens Competition 2020 Modified Light Entry
oh, no foam ring on my 2nd orange light either.
Flicker problem solved by “all of the above” treatment. Little metal fragments were the main problem on this one, ragged edge where the threads on the body were cut flat at end of tube.
I’m assuming that one flash when going into the low level (fairly soon after it’s been bright) is normal.
That seems to go away if it’s set for a while off, before the next time it’s turned on.
They really should chamfer the sharp edges around the lanyard hole too. On this light they’re not just sharp, they’re ragged and the orange paint flakes right off at the sharp edges when I run a fingernail over them.
I’ll smooth them down (like the first orange light) so they aren’t sharp enough to cut right through a piece of string.
Good enough, about what I’d expect.
My black A01 came in yesterday. Took about 10 days, not too bad. Cute little light with impressive fit and finish. Beautiful tint; I’m in love with Nichia.
Immediately deployed to EDC duty, pairing up with its buddy, a Fujitsu AAA LSD
Now I’m waiting patiently for its cousin, the Cu A01, to materialize.
Code is not working now because it's on "promo" for $9.95 from China Warehouse. Also the code doesn't work for the US warehouse where the price is higher, at $12.95.
I got 6 lights, two each of orange, gray and black. There are several QC issues:
Honestly, I am disappointed – at this pricepoint, they certainly have a good room to improve. They work fine now, but given the QC horror, I am not sure how reliable they would be. I’m waiting to hear back from Banggoods on the DOA light as well. Let’s see.
None of mine has the foam donut. I believe that is a spec change, not a QC issue. Two of mine have off-center emitters, but they don’t affect output.
I had issues with one of my copper A01’s. The tube machining was off. The thread section was shorter than it should be, making an unreliable connection that eventually quit. But BangGood replaced my light after I showed them photos of the issue.
Bummer to hear about so many quality issues with the cheaper models, though. That’s pretty sad. DOA may happen as they don’t QC every single light. But noticeably offset emitters shouldn’t be happening. When a person puts the light together, it will be obvious just by looking at it.
Try code “deal531” in the U.S. warehouse… Or any other warehouse…
Lithium Ion Battery Safety 101
Old Lumens Competition 2020 Modified Light Entry
It still isn’t an excuse for shoddy QC, especially if they plan to charge the listed price.
Choombak,
How much QC you need on something that is just over $8? The high CRI LED alone in this light is $4 retail at Mtn Electronics, Illum, etc. The light has three modes and a strobe after two mode cycles. It is available in half a dozen colors… Please find and submit a link to a light with all of these features and output levels and runs on an AAA battery, then you can talk about shoddy QC if the one you find is better.
The dead one, of course Banggood should take a look, but you outline no attempted fixes like making sure the upper part of the tube is bare like it is supposed to be. It could just be this, but no sense making an attempt to fix something that traveled all the way from China. Also check the board in the head that there is not too much O ring lube on the contact there or something, I know Qtips are heavy, but try at least…
The Oring lube issue is about 2 seconds with a paper towel. Good thing it wasn’t corroded or worse yet, had no lube…
The no foam doughnut IS a spec change, they had more issues with it holding the battery off the board than rattling, so it was apparently eliminated… If you bother to read threads or do a search, you will find several members had this issue, it was addressed.
If you need papers these days to be able to figure out a twisty light, I do not know what to say… Its not like you would gift these to people and not be able to tell them the way to use them in a few seconds…
The non centered emitters is an easy fix, pointy tweezers in the holes in the back of the board, unscrew (counter clockwise) about 3/4 turn. Look in from the front and tap the side opposite where you want the LED to go, and tighten the pill back down. 2 minutes tops, on each light…
I get the fact that there are problems, I do not get the apparent TOTAL lack of motivation to mitigate the problems. Go back to CPF if you want to bash a light for less than $10
Lithium Ion Battery Safety 101
Old Lumens Competition 2020 Modified Light Entry
Yes, that’s the way they all seem to be produced now. I’m not sure if it’s an issue or not. Anyone want to try putting in a battery the wrong way and let us know?
Obviously a real issue. I had that with one of my light. Easy fix was to take out the spring and stretch it.
I didn’t even read mine. I don’t think it’s needed.
Okay, but easily wiped off, no?
That won’t affect the beam.
It must be very difficult for the manufacturer to apply these mitigations before the lights leave their facility, since now the buyer is expected to implement them. In my book, any mods to a “brand new” light to make it functional is a definite indication of lack of proper QC. So let’s see:
Okay, so now let’s mop up the mess they created, because one cannot expect reasonable quality under $10 (something that I only heard in this thread). Looks like your worldview is way different from mine.
And why drag CPF into this thread? How is it even related? My remarks were not personal, I merely stated observations and expectations. I am firm on my opinion: Astrolux A01 from Banggoods is very poor in quality. You don’t have to agree with it.
Yet you were not upset enough to return the lights, only bitch about QC to the forum…
There was nothing personal about the CPF comment, just that on that forum, they tend to act like you did here, and you have a presence there as well, thought you mixed up forums.
These lights are by no means perfect, but dollar for dollar, a hell of a deal, so I do disagree with you, and will leave it at that.
Lithium Ion Battery Safety 101
Old Lumens Competition 2020 Modified Light Entry
Actually, they have been dumped into trash. Not worth returning.
Quality seems good to me
I picked up an Orange one a few weeks back from BG and no probs with it.
My wife loves hers – it’s on bedside and handbag duties
G'day mate, ow ya garn?
Yeah, nah good mate
I’m sure at some point they will raise the price
which means the quality will also improve.
The more you pay the more it’s worth.
Budget lights often take some tweaking brand new out of the box to work properly. If you aren’t ready for that, you aren’t ready for budget lights. Or maybe you are because with budget lights you can still throw away half of them and come out ahead. It’s just a shame not to take a few basic steps at fixing a light before you throw it away or try to return it. Fixing lights yourself is one of the main reasons BLF exists. Tightening a retaining ring, sanding the end of a tube, these are just basic. It feels great to bring a light to life like that.
Anyway, I’ve bought 4 A01’s and they’ve all worked fine.
Actually, they are to be no more… The Astrolux brand will have to find another manufacturer as Manker and Banggood will not be working together anymore. I do not know that this will happen, and with there could be some property rights issues to the designs anyway. Yes, even in China, there are some property rights in situations like this… I had a Stainless steel model in the works, and a “A02” AA version as well. Do not expect those anytime soon, if ever…
Members like choombak (a drug reference name, I am guessing?) and their disproportionate complaining here for what they have gotten for bottom dollar drive manufacturers away. They also drive members away from good lights and if they get one that needs an adjustment, perhaps their first foray into modding.
I knew next to nothing about LED lights when I joined here just over a year ago. I now do everything but firmware to my lights, and will get to that in time. It started with spring bypasses and swapping an emitter… With help from members here and the more positive attitude of the forum back then, I did this. Now we have members that have low post counts, long times lurking and the attitude that a budget light should have Ferrari QC. Then they spend more time complaining about what was, than they do fixing the issue, and end up throwing away the lights… Incredible…@choombak, you are a knucklehead for throwing those away, I am sure plenty of members would have paid shipping and 50% of your cost to get those lights. I really doubt you did this anyway… You have more money than sense if you really did throw them out. As I said, the emitters alone would have gotten you $4 ea…
Lithium Ion Battery Safety 101
Old Lumens Competition 2020 Modified Light Entry
Say it ain’t so! I would love a SS and an AA version. I really hope Manker and BG can look past the Cometa fiasco and give the partnership another chance.
Doubtful. Razor Thin margins and three times the work. It is a shame because they would really listen to our ideas.
It's the simple things that we take for granted that cost us the most
Ευκαιρία λέει πιάσε με από το μέτωπο γιατί μόλις έχω περάσει δεν θα με πιάσειs
anyone tried to modding this flashlight??:)
EDC-Mateminco MT04 XHP50 nw,Sofirn If-25A cw,Sofirn SCO PRO nw
Headlamp-Thrunite TH30 nw
I’m new to this forum (and forums in general). Is there this much drama here?
Haha – welcome……
I’ve been here a little while and, aside from the occasional blip, I’ve found that things here couldn’t be more friendly.
I like the fact that we can talk here about things such as clone knives really freely yet on a knife forum I’m a member of I there would be hysterics a-plenty and I would probably be burned at the stake……
Does Ferrari even have good QC my mate works for them here they get a lot of returns maybe we should go with Honda! ReManG already copped me bitching about the led being out of center… I would 100% recommend this light! the LED is such a small issue but the DOA they would give you a refund for any ways? If you do want top quality AAA maybe go for the lumintop tool it is about double the price but you get what you pay for. hahaha i just looked at mine and the LED isn’t centered with the lumentop! bahahaha
Are we aloud to swear in the forum? fudge me silly i failed by saying this!
!
!
This is the Astrolux! I think the Astrolux wins!
!
!
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6th Annual Old Lumens Scratch build entry
7th annual Old Lumens scratch build entry
A light you buy for $10, likely was manufactured for less than $5. There’s not much room for extensive quality control on budget lights. Besides, most of the things you’re complaining about are irrelevant on a small floody light like this.
The only thing I really expect on a $10 light is that it works, or that it can be easily fixed to make it work (like I had to do by stretching the spring on one of mine).
IMO, the A01 was an excellent light for $9. The emitter is really what makes this light stand out. The quality isn’t perfect, but I have $100 lights for that. The A01 is a nice, simple light, that gives really nice tint, a good selection of output, and is inexpensive enough that it won’t freak me out if I lose it or break it.
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