What is the “Pencil Trick”?
I got two of the OL A01s, both with NMM. Didnt notice when I got the first one, wife stole it almost immediately. Bought another and noticed. I contacted BG and they wanted to send me new drivers. I told them I wouldnt be able to solder them. A little white lie to avoid the time spent taking it apart and putting in a new driver just to find out its the same.
I normally just take it for what it is, but the NMM on this light is a pain in the arse. I was using it last night while setting off fireworks. Use it a bit, shut it off, then go to use it and have to flip through modes, going threw strobe, miss my mode and have to start over.
Hope we come to some agreement on it, I like the light, just not using it…
It is waterproof thought. I dropped the top cap to my ecig off the dock, and stuck the light in the water to get a good view in the mucky waters… not a sign of water in it lol
Find the chip-cap that’s responsible for the delay (only 1 or 2 on the driver), and draw a pencil-line from end to end to speed draining the cap. Thickness determines the resistance, so start skinny, fill in more ’til it works.
Infamous for fixing NMM C8s…
Thanks for the info, I was not aware of that trick. :+1:
Update: A01 finally arrived from Bg. Dissappointed that it does indeed have NMM. Gamble didnt pay off. Insructions contradict it. Shame.
Pencil trick go?
I opened up the head and saw 3 caps. Do i mark all three?
I wouldn’t think so… Only one cap has to be altered, but can’t tell which one.
If you post a close up pict of the driver someone knowledgeable will certainly tell.
Regarding the original question in the OP, I think that the Manker E02 ticks all the boxes except that it is slightly over budget: very good output on NiMh and alkaline, high CRI 4000K Nichia 219C led and great moonlight (the m.l. level is actually user selectable from 14 levels which is kind of neat). For the rest: the user interface is one of the best I’ve seen, it has the magnet, it tailstands, has 2 types of lock-out, and is affordable at just under $20. And pretty a-typical: it is a Manker flashlight that as far as I’ve found has no flaws . 
It’s a really cute light indeed!
A tad expensive for a AAA though.
I’ll wait for a flash sale or else.
BTW: does it handle ‘properly’ 10440 or is it AAA only?
I marked the cap that was on the emmiter side of the driver and it worked!! Gotta love this forum. Hope it stays like this. Thanks to all who mentioned the pencil trick.
That is so cool! Using old tech to solve problems with new tech. Gotta love whoever figured out that fix!
It’s really too bad they changed the A01, though. It was such a good light in the earlier releases. (I have a few of them.)
does anybody have a link to a how to do this pencil fix on the A01, for somebody with essentially nil experience pulling flashlights apart?
i really like my A01 except for the next mode memory, which is killing me. i’m considering getting the Manker original or the Thrunite Ti3…
Following
No pix, but instead of flat rectangular “plates” with things like “R020” on it or whatnot, a cap will typically be a little taller, more “cubic”.
Take a pencil, just draw a line from one electrode to the other, and try it out. It nothing, “erase” it and try it on another cap. Shouldn’t be more than 2, usually just 1.
Ain’t gonna break anything unless you yank out one of the wires or something, so 1-2 attempts is usually all it takes.
I haven’t done it on a A01, but i’ve taken apart my copper one a few times to ‘age’ it… You’ll need needle ends tweezers to reach the two small holes in the driver and unscrew it to get everything out. Then it’s a matter of finding that “cap on the emitter side”… Sorry, can’t help more then that.
I used this pencil tip to fix my Astrolux A01 ->
https://www.reddit.com/r/flashlight/comments/77bugs/astrolux_a01_next_mode_memory_fix/
Thank you very much for the guy (BingoThink) who made the tutorial.
Oh, that’s great, thanks! I dunno how Astrolux have failed to fix this given it has been an issue for months and months and the feedback is all over the Banggood reviews
RIP my A01, the positive connection on the driver end broke when i was manipulating the wires to get to the driver… and i can’t be bothered attempting the necessary surgery to bring it back. maybe i’ll just get the damn Manker.