Astrolux S43 - New model (On Sale)

shirnask · 2018-10-20T16:37:50.000Z

JasonWW:

ZozzV6:

Can someone try that if the light is locked and hit the tailcap upwards with hand (Of course the spike removed ) ? And The question is if it jumps out of lock because the little battery disconnecting or not?

Also, can it be locked out manually?

Yes, that’s the way I carry it

varbos · 2018-10-20T17:20:03.000Z

Mad Max video of S43S does not have crenulated bezel. But Banggood listing does.
Which is correct?

M4D_M4X · 2018-10-20T18:03:30.000Z

I already wrote them to make sure.

jdavis · 2018-10-22T22:03:05.000Z

I had ordered a pair of the S43s from Banggood.com and they just arrived today. I’m planning on giving one as a gift. You are right nokoff, the interface is awesome. That is my thought any time that I get a flashlight with NarsilM as the UI. The light out of these is quite nice and bright. It does seem to get hot pretty quickly when the light is set on high or turbo; it is a small head with 4 LEDs, so that is to be expected.

With the pictures in the forum and seeing how much better the prototype looked than the Astrolux production version, I was pleasantly surprised that it is a decent looking like in person. It does seem kind of naked without any knurling on the body, but the little bit of knurling on the end cap helps it a bit. But overall I don’t think that the pictures do it justice. That being said, I did contact Neal, following the link for the Mateminco S03 over at M4DM4X.com at the end of last week and asked about ordering a couple of the long tube bodies for the S03. He said that he just hadn’t gotten around to posting them on his page yet, but that they were $2/ea. + shipping. I went ahead and ordered two of those for a total of $9. I’m anxious for those to get here and see which I like better. So if you do order the Astrolux S43 and don’t like the body, you can change it out if you are going to use at 18650 battery. I’ll let you know what I think when they get here.

nokoff · 2018-10-22T22:50:49.000Z

Now that’s what I call being ahead of the curve!

Can’t wait to hear your impressions of the LEGO!

Totally ageee that the stock Astrolux photo front 3/4 angle was the worst possible angle they could’ve shot their new torch. Looks really good in person.

MascaratumB · 2018-10-22T22:56:52.000Z

nokoff:

Can’t wait to hear your impressions of the LEGO!

Have you seen this?
By M4D M4X: [M4D deal ALIVE]: Astrolux S43S really US$ 27.00 + review video + pics + LEGO - #35 by M4D_M4X

nokoff · 2018-10-22T23:57:58.000Z

Thanks for the link! That looks amazing with the S41 Special LEGO. I wonder if the new special metals, rainbow and SS, will get the longer S43 18650 tube or they’re just going with their current stock of S42S. If they go with existing stock, that’ll make some people happy since it has a flat bezel. I personally don’t mind it lightly crenulated because sometimes I stand my torches up on the bezel and I can tell if it’s on; as long as it doesn’t scallop the beam it’s fine with me. It would be nice to see the longer S43 18650 tube in those metals.

Texas ACE hinted at something special, I hope that means full ti or copper!

eas · 2018-10-24T06:27:49.000Z

[quote=JasonWW]

TheAuditor:

The Nichia version should be closer to 1600 lumen.

I just noticed that they did not print this in the specs like they did with the S42. It’s the same emitters and FET so output is the same. 2100 lumen for the xpg3 version and 1600 lumen for the Nichia 219C version.

Is the Nichia version throttled by a lower duty cycle (like the D4S), or is it just down to the differences in efficiency and Vf?

I’m going to preorder A S43s and I plan to do an emitter swap with SST-20s. If the firmware is the same between the two versions, I’ll get the Nichia, since I’d rather have extra 219c than XP-G3. If the firmware is different, I’ll get the XP-G3 version so I can avoid having to get the driver out to reflash.

Texas_Ace · 2018-10-24T12:58:59.000Z

The Nichia version uses the same driver and firmware as the XP-G3 version. There is no need to cap the max output in this light since it will be battery limited anyways with 4x LED’s powered by a single cell.

ZozzV6 · 2018-10-24T13:56:41.000Z

I measured 2400 lumens on my XP-G3 version with HG2 battery.

BlueSwordM · 2018-10-24T14:06:59.000Z

Yep. Texas Ace is right.

They don’t have to limit output on the S43 since the contacts aren’t designed to push power to the absolute max with the lowest resistance and traces like the Emisar D4S.

Therefore, unless you mod the heck of the S43, you will not need to limit output on the S43.

JasonWW · 2018-10-24T16:09:06.000Z

Can anyone comment of the weight difference between the aluminum version and the copper version? Banggood says they both weigh 60g. I doubt a slightly longer battery tube on the aluminum version can make it weigh the same as the copper head 18350 version.

Also, has anyone measured the lumens on the Nichia version S43? With its reduced battery contact resistance, it must gave higher output than the 1600 lumen used in the S42.

eas · 2018-10-24T17:46:20.000Z

Texas_Ace:

The Nichia version uses the same driver and firmware as the XP-G3 version. There is no need to cap the max output in this light since it will be battery limited anyways with 4x LED’s powered by a single cell.

Thanks for the clarification.

BlueSwordM:

They don’t have to limit output on the S43 since the contacts aren’t designed to push power to the absolute max with the lowest resistance and traces like the Emisar D4S.

Therefore, unless you mod the heck of the S43, you will not need to limit output on the S43.

I believe the D4 also uses duty-cycle throttling on the Nichia versions, but as you note, it is a different light, with different contacts, etc.

I do have some Emisar springs, I was thinking of using one on the driver side, if it fits (and if I buy one of these). I have other options for the tailspring .

nokoff · 2018-10-25T02:17:58.000Z

The S43 18650 black tubes are on preorder now for only .99 each at BG. Someone here got to them and we thank you for it

JasonWW · 2018-10-25T03:28:30.000Z

nokoff:

The S43 18650 black tubes are on preorder now for only .99 each at BG. Someone here got to them and we thank you for it

Nice, but I think I’d rather pay $3.29 to get the S42 tube which has knurling on it. There is something about the that smooth tube that I don’t like.

nokoff · 2018-10-25T09:38:47.000Z

JasonWW:

nokoff:

The S43 18650 black tubes are on preorder now for only .99 each at BG. Someone here got to them and we thank you for it

Nice, but I think I’d rather pay $3.29 to get the S42 tube which has knurling on it. There is something about the that smooth tube that I don’t like.

You should try holding one, that is if you haven’t already. I like the knurling on the prior version s as well, especially the stainless steel editions, however these torches are so small that you can’t help but hold the tailcap and body tube at the same time. It’s not slippery when dry, maybe only slippery when wet. ;). Remember the newer tube is longer than the prior tubes. Even if you don’t use protection, I find it easier to load and tighten a battery even if it’s just a comfort thing. I like both options.

BG lowered the shipping to almost nothing as well since it’s a preorder…just saying it’s probably the best time to pick these up that there ever will be without padding the order, at least for us in the states.

varbos · 2018-10-25T15:41:21.000Z

I was not planning to get it but 99c 18650 tube swung the deal :person_facepalming:

JasonWW · 2018-10-25T16:15:32.000Z

I can’t decide between aluminum or copper, CW or NW. :disappointed:

nokoff · 2018-10-25T16:31:49.000Z

Jason I have several S41 and Manker E14 models with and without the copper heads and steel and Aluminium bodies. . The 18650 battery tubes in Aluminium pretty much level them out in weight distribution front to back. With the 18350 it’s a noticeably heavier copper head. With the 18650 tube the weight is still up front however you won’t feel it unless you balance it for grams. I prefer the copper heads myself.

czajunia · 2018-10-25T18:44:10.000Z

nokoff:

I prefer the copper heads myself.

Is it just because of the weight distribution or is there something else you prefer about the copper heads? Cheers.