both head and tail bypass?
One example of results: [quote=Tom E (post #4991)]
Was curious how these cells compare in an A6, so, I did a shoot-out compare of the Samsung 30Q vs. the LG HG2 cells in a BLF Manker A6 with the 3D XP-L, and what the effect is of adding the bypass's on the springs:
Operation in Order |
Sam Q30 #1 |
Sam Q30 #2 |
LG HG2 #1 |
LG HG2 #2 |
Volts measured |
4.21v |
4.22v |
4.22v |
4.22v |
Amps measured |
4.39A |
4.35A |
4.38A |
4.27A |
0 – 10 secs (lumens) |
1190-1122 |
1241-1176 |
1275-1193 |
1268-1193 |
Volts measured |
4.18v |
4.19v |
4.20v |
4.19v |
--- Tail spring bypass added --- |
||||
0 – 10 secs (lumens) |
1411-1340 |
1428-1343 |
1401-1333 |
1401-1333 |
Volts measured |
4.16v |
4.17v |
4.18v |
4.18v |
--- Driver spring bypass added, Nyogel applied on threads --- |
||||
0 – 10 secs (lumens) |
1506-1411 |
1503-1408 |
1503-1397 |
1523-1408 |
Volts measured |
4.14v |
4.15v |
4.16v |
4.16v |
--- Cells Re-charged --- |
||||
Volts measured |
4.22v |
4.22v |
4.22v |
4.22v |
Amps measured |
5.47A |
5.45A |
5.38A |
5.36A |
0 – 10 secs (lumens) |
1564-1425 |
1554-1421 |
1530-1411 |
1537-1414 |
@30 secs (lumens) |
1360 |
1353 |
1343 |
1350 |
I let the light cool down between battery tests, at least cool to the touch of the head, and little more. It may not have been long enough - I'm not sure.
Seems to be a pattern the HG2 cells did slightly better before bypass's, while the 30Q's did better afterwards. Differences though are slight, probably within the margins of error.
Certainly for all, the output droppage is pretty high, but for such a small light, not unexpected. Maybe better bonding of the MCPCB to the pill top may help, or even thicker wires.
[/quote]
I used this code today. It worked. It would not work on the anodized model.
why so many people still buying the A6 instead of the astrolux? is it just because of the “BLF SE” logo? I don’t want to start an argument, just to understand… I’m going to buy one of the two and I’m quite leaning towards the astrolux. It just looks better and cheaper to me.
I would imagine it is, the BLF Special Edition logo is pretty stylish in my opinion. Astrolux is a good flashlight name itself, but BLF SE does have a couple of more cool points…
You will be served equally by either light, so pick which one you want! Or both*
*Standard BLF answer….
I see, thank you 
And yes I agree, the BLF etching is really cool.
So I have a BLF A6 on order. Now I need to start looking at batteries. I’ve read about protected/non-protected, as well as amps.
The one thing I can’t find is if the A6 needs a Flat-top or Button-top battery.
Thanks!
Mr. Scott,
Either type will do in the BLF A6. There are spring at both ends to ensure contact. I prefer flat tops, as button tops are longer, but make sure you get a high drain version like the Samsung 30Q or LG HE4. This way you have the most light out of the FET driver…
Thank you ReManG! I’d picked up on the high drain. I was leaning towards the Samsung 30Q or the Efest Purple 35A based on things I’ve read here.
I’ll take a look at the specs for the LG HE4. Still have a lot to learn. All the different batteries get a little confusing.
Thanks again.
I was just informed after ordering 2 more 3d tints and 2 more 5a tints that they have run out of 3d in the bare A6 models. The associate promptly emailed me back and said that the 3d’s would be back in stock by 2/20 though. Has there been any word on when they will stop making the bare A6? Im trying to buy some every time I get paid in case they stop. After years of having
black flashlights that the ano is half worn through a bare model is perfect for me, I absolutely love it. I hope it stays for sale for a
very long time.
No word of stopping I have heard of fogcreature!
Having lights on order usually makes a company/manufacturer happy…
I would place them on order/backorder and ask the associate about availability too. Worse comes to worse and they tell you it will be discontinued, buy them in whatever tint and swap the emitters…
No one here will tell you to buy less…
Anyone here ever do lumen figures for the 4 mode version? I’d like to try and figure out which modes of the 4 mode configuration correspond with the 7 mode configuration. It’ll be a few days before I have the time to do this, and I was hoping someone had those on hand.
The approximate output levels are documented here, along with a lot of other common questions:
Hi everyone. I registered to post here to ask for some help. After a bunch of research I went to Banggood and purchased the BLF A6, the shorter tube, and high-rated 18650 and 18350 batteries. I absolutely love the flashlight, and it was my first next-gen flashlight purchase.
Unfortunately, although it works perfectly every time with the long body and the 18650 battery, it won’t work at all with the short body and the 18350 battery. I’ve included pictures of everything including the batteries. Both batteries are fully charged and tested with a battery tester. I don’t have any other device to test the 18350 battery in, though. Does anyone have any insight as to why the short body and the 18350 battery won’t work? I’m stumped and would appreciate some advice.
G'Day Benchmark, 
Welcome to BLF!!
Make sure you put your wallet & credit cards under lock & key, Otherwise....
Please have a look at:
18350 Battery tubes for BLF A6, Eagle Eye A6 and X6, as well as codes for short Convoy S2+ tubes in Blue and Red
https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/34979
Unfortunately as you will read there, there have been a lot of problems with wrongly manufactured short tubes.
Best Regards,
George
That’s really disappointing. When I ordered I hadn’t seen that thread and didn’t realize there were problems with the shorty tubes, and the flexibility to make the A6 smaller was one of the main reasons I ordered it to begin with. The shorty tube I received threads into the head and tail cap just fine but it looks like the thread ends are a tiny bit shorter than the original long tube ends.
I read through the message thread but couldn’t find this answer. One end of the shorty tube is bare metal, and the other end is black anodized. Does the bare metal end screw into the tail cap to touch the metal ring surrounding the tail cap spring? Is that where the gap exists that causes the flashlight to stop working?
Hi. I was late at the party. I failed to order this last year. Followed the link on the fist post. Is it the same flashlight and still a good buy? Although, I am already on the process of buying. Shoot first, ask questions later. =)
Benchmark, I suggest you post in that thread, & you will get help.
Best Regards,
George
Will do George. Thanks very much for your help.
Benchmark,
Reading that thread should help you learn many different failure modes of those short tubes, but it’s what, a jillion posts? so here are some things to try:
The good news is that by some stroke of good fortune, you got a shorty tube that threads on!
Both ends of the tubes should be clean of anodization, this is the electrical path from the negative end of the battery up to the LED board. A quick sanding should expose bare aluminum to enable this path.
It is also possible that the short tube is a little TOO short. This can be fairly easily, though inelegantly, fixed with a ‘washer’ fabricated from a paperclip. You will need to figure out which end (or both) it needs to go on. Start by threading the tube into the head nice and tight, put the battery in and use a wire to connect the neg of the battery to the tube. The light should come on (remember it is probably in Moon mode and very dim (yeah I spent more than a few minutes troubleshooting that)) as soon as the circuit is complete. If not, the front end is short and needs a washer. Once the front end is consistently working, screw on the tail cap and check function, if it does not work, try putting a washer there.
These steps should get that short tube working, if not, post again either here or in the A6 troubleshooting thread. (But do spend some time reading the other threads, there is plenty of good info there as well.)
If you decide you want another A6, and really want to be able to use the short tube, purchase the Astrolux version, it comes with a short tube and should work more consistently.