iTP A6 Polestar thread

[HKJ]

I have just taken two photos, but I do not have full posting privileges and therefore cannot attached the files to this post. I will do it once the restrictions have been removed.

You will never be able to do that, you must host them somewhere else.
See here how to do it: https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/227442

 

[Photar]

You will never be able to do that, you must host them somewhere else.
See here how to do it: https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/227442

I thought I had restrictions because of this rule about two approved posts need to be made first. Anyway, I realised that this was not the case afterwards but I couldn't edit my post until now. In the meantime, I created an account elsewhere to host the files.

Here are the two photos as promised:

The old battery carrier is on the left (black plastic) and the new battery carrier is on the right (clear plastic). The redesigned battery carrier is definitely an improvement and it's what iTP should have released with the A6 Polestar initially.

The second photo also shows the metal contact that had fallen out of the battery carrier I received with my A6 Polestar.

The new battery carrier does not fix the issue that some people have been complaining about the switch not working. Continually cycling through the 4 modes by not holding down the switch exhibits this behaviour i.e. - the flashlight not turning on. Doing it slowly or holding the switch down appears to be the only fix to avoiding this problem.

 

[madmook]

I got my replacement battery carrier from goinggear yesterday, here are a few quick snapshots. The old one is black, the new one is translucent:

The old one has these protruding tabs that made it hard to put in and take out the batteries:

The new one has much less pronounced "nubs" that make it easier to deal with batteries:

Good on iTP for issuing a relatively quick fix for their original design, and thanks to goinggear for giving me the revised battery carrier. Sorry for pic quality, I am an amateur and have a simple Canon digital point-and-shoot.

 

[jirik_cz]

Doesn't seem like a significant difference. Did they change anything else?

 

[madmook]

Well I appreciate that it's now easier to insert/take out batteries... and I never had any connection issues with the old carrier so I can't really tell what difference there is exactly that takes care of those issues.

 

[adirondackdestroyer]

Alright, now that the battery carrier has been fixed, would you guys (who own it) recommend this light to a friend?
Quite a few people were having trouble at first, have these problems all been solved?

 

[Photar]

would you guys (who own it) recommend this light to a friend?

I was initially disappointed, particularly with the battery carrier, but iTP did do something about it (quite quickly) so they are in my good books again.

I can only compare this torch to the TK40 I own, so here are the pros and cons as I see it:

Pros:

• Half price compared to the TK40​
• Uses 6 × AA batteries (good or bad depending if you want smaller size or longer runtime)​
• Smaller size​
• Good battery carrier (revised version) which is easy to insert/remove AA batteries​
• Good heatsinking​
• Nice and very wide beam (but not a good thrower)​
• Battery lockout function via tail cap​
• Can tail stand​
• Very bright torch (if not brighter than the TK40)​

Cons:

• Extremely annoying and utterly useless strobe mode (somehow I hate it worse than the TK40s strobe mode) which you must cycle through to get to the other modes
• Battery carrier not as versatile as TK40s (TK40 can use 4 or 8 batteries)
• Does not last as long as TK40 for obvious reasons
• Switch not as good as TK40
• Memory mode is not permanent like the TK40 and you must click the switch off on the last setting in order for this to work (remove the batteries for too long and it will forget its last setting and revert to default level 1 brightness setting - others who own this torch, please confirm if your A6 Polestar has the same memory as mine)

In summary, I would still recommend this torch because it is decent for the price you're paying and iTP have shown they are willing to back their product if significant issues arise, such as that of the poorly designed battery carrier. If you want a thrower, then this torch is not for you. It's great for lighting the room if you have a power outage, but use common sense and don't keep it on 700 lumens mode for too long (even though it's not stated in the manual), as it does get hot just like the TK40 and the batteries won't last long on that setting anyway.

The TK40 stays at home and the A6 Polestar comes with me whenever I need it. The TK40 is a better design but I really like the A6 Polestar for the price I'm paying.

 

[apontes]

Alright, now that the battery carrier has been fixed, would you guys (who own it) recommend this light to a friend?

I wouldn't recommend it to a total flashlight newbie.

This is not an idiot proof light. Battery carrier can be an issue, head contact can be an issue and the button can be an issue.

I had mine shut down on me after like 5-10 min on max. Had to wait it cool down to get it back on. Heat transfer seem good enough, though: when I picked it up, it was really hot!

 

[Photar]

I wouldn't recommend it to a total flashlight newbie.

That's a good point, but I would say that for all the high powered flashlights - they aren't toys that's for sure.

Regarding the heat output of the Cree MC-E flashlights, I wouldn't be using it excessively on maximum setting (the current flashlights just can't dissipate this amount of heat quick enough). Even Fenix don't recommend that the TK40 be turned on for longer than 15 minutes on Turbo mode (even less if you live somewhere hot), so I wouldn't even think of trying it with the A6 Polestar. In your case, I wonder if the A6 Polestar automatically turned off when it became too hot, thus preventing damage to the LEDs.

The important thing is to buy from a good dealer - if you have problems, they will do their best to solve it and keep you happy.

I would still recommend the A6 Polestar because it's so much cheaper than other flashlights utilising the Cree MC-E, but be aware customers have reported various issues ranging from bad contact with the battery carrier, intermittent switch problems etc. However, should there be no problems, this flashlight is for the most part quite good.

 

[tnforever]

The heat shut off thing (and practical reasons) is why I would've preferred 1-2 extra levels on the A6... for me, a 10-40-120-300-700 would be perfect...

 

[jimmyjames]

I wouldn't recommend it to a total flashlight newbie.

This is not an idiot proof light. Battery carrier can be an issue, head contact can be an issue and the button can be an issue.

I had mine shut down on me after like 5-10 min on max. Had to wait it cool down to get it back on. Heat transfer seem good enough, though: when I picked it up, it was really hot!

Had the same thing happen with a Jetbeam M1X at twice the price. After 15 minutes the tube got up to 100 degrees F and the light shut down. Waited a couple minutes and was able to click it back on. Did another 15 minute run test a couple weeks later and it didn't shut down but the tube did heat up again.

The only reason I want an MCE, P7, SST50/90 is for MAX LUMEN OUTPUT. If I wanted 100 lumens to read a map, I got a drawer full of them.

 

[adirondackdestroyer]

I couldn't hold back any longer. I caved last night and picked up the Christmas set from goinggear. I figure I'll give my mom the SS EOS for Christmas to replace her E01 on her keychain.
I'll be posting a review with lux readings and overall output numbers as well. I'll put a link to the review in this thread when I'm done with it.

 

[madmook]

Cool!

I also started off with a E01 as a keychain light, but iTP's A3 EOS trumps it in every aspect. Well, except for runtime, but I wouldn't want to be subjected to the harsh tint of the E01 for very long, anyways.

 

[daimleramg]

Has anyone tried two IMR 26500 in this light? It should fit and voltage is almost the same.

 

[mxrider32]

I have had this light for a few days and I really like it. It's really bright compared to my other AA lights. It is smaller than I expected it to be which is nice. For the price I'm impressed.

One thing that bugs me though is the strobe mode. I could do without that. I have also noticed that every now and then it doesn't recognize a click. I'm not sure if that is me or the flashlight, but it's not a huge issue.

 

[qtaco]

Hmm, I'm really struggling to decide between the tk40 and the iTP A6, could someone offer some advice?

My highest power torch at the moment is an old Fenix L2D CE. When I buy a torch I usually get at least a few years use out of it, so I'm willing to pay what it takes to get the best fit for my needs. What I'm looking for is something that will put out much more light, and at least match the L2D for throw (although of course with a much bigger hotspot).

I like that the A6 is more compact, and will weigh less, but understand it isn't as well made and the beam isn't as nice as the tk40. I see myself using the tk40 with only 4 eneloops at a time to keep the weight down, and so that I don't have to recharge 8 batteries at a time.

My main worries are that the sheer volume of the tk40 will lead me to mostly use my L2D instead, and that even though the iTP is smaller it isn't built as well and the beam isn't as nice.

I suppose the real question is: to those who own both, which one gets the most use and why?

 

[headophile]

Hmm, I'm really struggling to decide between the tk40 and the iTP A6, could someone offer some advice?

My highest power torch at the moment is an old Fenix L2D CE. When I buy a torch I usually get at least a few years use out of it, so I'm willing to pay what it takes to get the best fit for my needs. What I'm looking for is something that will put out much more light, and at least match the L2D for throw (although of course with a much bigger hotspot).

I like that the A6 is more compact, and will weigh less, but understand it isn't as well made and the beam isn't as nice as the tk40. I see myself using the tk40 with only 4 eneloops at a time to keep the weight down, and so that I don't have to recharge 8 batteries at a time.

My main worries are that the sheer volume of the tk40 will lead me to mostly use my L2D instead, and that even though the iTP is smaller it isn't built as well and the beam isn't as nice.

I suppose the real question is: to those who own both, which one gets the most use and why?

i don't own both but i can clear a few things up regarding the tk40 for you:

1. my ld20 has more throw than your l2d. the tk40 very easily out throws my ld20.

2. i use my tk40 much more than my ld20 now, even inside the house. it tailstands very securely and the beam and tint are much nicer.

anyway i hope you make the right decision, whatever that is

 

[apontes]

I suppose the real question is: to those who own both, which one gets the most use and why?

Actually, neither. I resort to smaller lights most of the time. There are very few occasions when I really need the lumen monsters.

If I'd have only the two, I guess that I'd use the Polestar more indoors, and the TK40 would see more outdoor use.

When my father needs a brighter light, I lend him the Polestar. Feels more familiar to him, with the button near the head.

When I go camping, I take the TK40 (among others, but it always goes).

Also, the TK40 is not that bigger than the Polestar, but has better runtime and feels way more reliable.

 

[qtaco]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Actually, neither. I resort to smaller lights most of the time. There are very few occasions when I really need the lumen monsters.

If I'd have only the two, I guess that I'd use the Polestar more indoors, and the TK40 would see more outdoor use.

...

Also, the TK40 is not that bigger than the Polestar, but has better runtime and feels way more reliable.

Thanks mate, this is very useful to me. Like you I probably wouldn't grab either of these monsters when I just need a little light. What I feel I'm missing is a light to use outdoors that really shows you what is around out to ~100 meters or so.

I think I'm leaning towards the tk40 based on the fact it can use 4 batteries at a time, and should be much better built and reliable. The only problem is local dealers in the UK are charging over $200 USD for the tk40, whereas the polestar (plus stainless steel A3 EOS) is a more reasonable $100 USD. I'm just not sure the tk40 is worth twice the price of the polestar.

 

[apontes]

What I feel I'm missing is a light to use outdoors that really shows you what is around out to ~100 meters or so.

If you need a dedicated thrower, there are a lot of smaller and/or less expensive lights out there. None will have the versatility of the TK40, though.

Also keep in mind that the Polestar is not a thrower at all. And it has some issues.

Narrow down your requirements and ask around. I'm sure you'll get lots of suggestions. lovecpf

I think I'm leaning towards the tk40 based on the fact it can use 4 batteries at a time, and should be much better built and reliable.

I wouldn't recommend using only 4 batteries. For me, it kind of defeats the purpose. I you want lighter, there is the TK30 from Fenix, which should have a beam as good as the TK40's.

The only problem is local dealers in the UK are charging over $200 USD for the tk40, whereas the polestar (plus stainless steel A3 EOS) is a more reasonable $100 USD. I'm just not sure the tk40 is worth twice the price of the polestar.

Can't you get it from a US dealer? Or maybe a HK based ebayer? You could get a TK40 for less than US$ 140 shipped.