iTP Polestar A6... faulty switch?

[Jack Reacher]

Sadly, I'm already having issues with my week-old A6. :shakehead

I understand exactly how the switch is supposed to work, and it does according to the instructions sometimes.

Basically; it's a quick click on/off, hold to change mode and release to set; quick click to off; quick click on again to last mode.

Occasionally, I even have to use tailcap lockout to turn it off! I'm interested to hear if there's any known A6 switch problems before I contact the retailer for a warranty claim. And, unlike a tailcap clicky, I can't even see how one would replace the switch as there's no apparent access (because its head is not removable).

Any other A6 owners here had any switching issues?

—TIA, Jack.

 

[PerttiK]

Mine is from an older batch before they updated the switch, but still works like a charm.
There's been some complaints about the switch before that update.
Maybe yours is from the older batch?
Is your battery carrier black of transparent?
Black is the first version, then came the clear one, and then came updated switch.

Apparently my SA2 has this same switch, and is quite picky about how you press it.

 

[Chevy-SS]

I have the A6, with the newer version clear color battery holder. As 'Perttik' stated, there are two versions of the battery holder. The first one was trouble-prone, so step one is to confirm that you have the updated battery holder.

Regarding the flashlight head, it does come off. But it's loctited from the factory. You could soak the head in hot water or gently heat with a heat gun, then unscrew as shown in this pic:

-

 

[joe1512]

I'd hold off on taking the head apart. It is definitely sounding like a switch issue.

Possibly the battery holder not getting a good connection. Try stretching out the bottom spring a bit to ensure a good contact with no movement.

Ive given away 2 of them with no issues at all recently, so I don't think there is any known-issue.

 

[PerttiK]

I don't think the battery carrier has nothing to do with this.
The only real question is whether this is with the older switch or the never updated one.
It would be best to return it, and maybe you get the improved version under warranty.

 

[Jack Reacher]

Thanks guys...

I've got the "newer" version with the clear battery carrier. I'm guessing that it's a mechanical problem with the switch rather than an electrical/circuitry one.

The switch's actual click is quite positive and precise, and is clearly audible. There's certainly no "mushiness" in its action, or variation in its contacts' make and break points.

It's now permanently locked on its low mode, and it takes half a dozen clicks to get it to turn off! Does anybody know if retailers are only obliged to replace the product, or can one demand a full cash refund? (It's Saturday morning, so can't contact the retailer until Monday.)

—An unimpressed Jack.

 

[kramer5150]

I would just take it back to your local B&M retailer, and get another one.... thats the biggest advantage of a local store over www sales.

 

[gcbryan]

Asking for a refund is probably going to get you further than demanding one. :ironic:

 

[Jack Reacher]

I'm thinking I've got it figured out... at last.

The switch on the A6 requires an extremely high thumb pressure to operate it between modes and switch it on/off. It's also very sensitive to having that pressure applied directly at right angle to the switch surface. In other words, any off-centre or angled thumb pressure simply won't activate the switch, although you can hear it click audibly.

So I've been sitting mindlessly in front of my PC just repeatedly running though the switch modes over and over... and over.

Hopefully, this'll "loosen" up the switch after some(?) time, although I'm starting to get a a bruise on the end of my thumb LOL... not really!

So... is this a common problem that clickies have initially — until they're "broken in" — whether side or tailenders?

Is this a common/rare problem across different manufacturers? Or just with iTP, and do Olight switches share this problem?

—Cheers, Jack.

 

[gcbryan]

I've never run into that problem although regarding side clicking buttons ...my Proton Pro is a little picky with the angle at which you press the button.

That's also the only light that I have with a side button. You "punch" it and let it go and the switch is now on. If you press and hold then a secondary red led ramps up until I release.

If you do this wrong, instead of getting the red led you get the white led on high.

 

[jimmy1970]

The switch is faulty. The Internet dealer will replace the light so don't worry about it. Enjoy your weekend and sort it out Monday.

 

[kramer5150]

I'm thinking I've got it figured out... at last.

The switch on the A6 requires an extremely high thumb pressure to operate it between modes and switch it on/off. It's also very sensitive to having that pressure applied directly at right angle to the switch surface. In other words, any off-centre or angled thumb pressure simply won't activate the switch, although you can hear it click audibly.

So I've been sitting mindlessly in front of my PC just repeatedly running though the switch modes over and over... and over.

Hopefully, this'll "loosen" up the switch after some(?) time, although I'm starting to get a a bruise on the end of my thumb LOL... not really!

So... is this a common problem that clickies have initially — until they're "broken in" — whether side or tailenders?

Is this a common/rare problem across different manufacturers? Or just with iTP, and do Olight switches share this problem?

—Cheers, Jack.

Doesn't this light use an electronic switch?.... I thought it did, and I have heard/read about these kinds of designs being finicky in this way. Although not as frequent as click switch failures.

 

[was.lost.but.now.found]

Doesn't this light use an electronic switch?.... I thought it did, and I have heard/read about these kinds of designs being finicky in this way.

The electronic switch on my TK40 can miss a beat once in a while if I hit it from an angle. I'll hear (loud and clear) a nice complete click, but nothing happens. It just means I need to press it more on target as opposed so such a foreign angle, but that's only my experience with the TK40.

 

[Locoboy5150]

You might want to try cleaning your switch with electrical contact cleaner spray. I did that with my Fenix TK40 when it had the exact same symptom of having to press the button *extremely* hard to turn it on/off and to change light modes. After I cleaned the switch it has worked 100% flawlessly for several months now. I mentioned it in this thread:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=253661

 

[was.lost.but.now.found]

You might want to try cleaning your switch with electrical contact cleaner spray. I did that with my Fenix TK40 when it had the exact same symptom of having to press the button *extremely* hard to turn it on/off and to change light modes. After I cleaned the switch it has worked 100% flawlessly for several months now. I mentioned it in this thread:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=253661

Thanks for the tip, I'll have to try that.

 

[Jack Reacher]

The switch is faulty. The Internet dealer will replace the light so don't worry about it. Enjoy your weekend and sort it out Monday.

Thanks James...

I'll be on the blower tomorrow.

—Jack.

 

[hotlight]

The switch is faulty. The Internet dealer will replace the light so don't worry about it. Enjoy your weekend and sort it out Monday.

yup, sounds faulty.... when I had mine it worked perfectly every time(no "breaking in", nothing). Sold the a6, missing it although I never used it much. great light. replace it, ask dealer to check it's functions.

purchasing thru dealers that support this site(or cpfmp) is the easiest way to good customer service.(been my experience at least)

 

[Jack Reacher]

My A6 goes back to the retailer tomorrow for a warranty replacement.

Let's hope the next one's AOK. :twothumbs

—Jack.

 

[Jack Reacher]

iTP Polestar A6... Replaced under warranty.

Got my replacement A6 from the retailer today (48 hours from return to him, and return back to me... pretty good CS... thanks Jason, JPT Australia).

Switch works perfectly, and also confirms that the switch on the first A6 wasn't working properly from day one — and was getting progressively worse day-by-day.

Also, its window is much... um... clearer. The first one had a sort of irregular, very light, patchy "clouding" on the inside surface — which was only visible when it was on its 12 lumen mode and viewed from an acute angle. I can only assume that this may have lowered its light transmission a tiny bit?

Anyway... all is well now.

—Cheers, Jack.

 

[jimmy1970]

Re: iTP Polestar A6... Replaced under warranty.

Good to hear your all fixed up. JPT sound like a good operation.

James....

Got my replacement A6 from the retailer today (48 hours from return to him, and return back to me... pretty good CS... thanks Jason, JPT Australia).

Switch works perfectly, and also confirms that the switch on the first A6 wasn't working properly from day one — and was getting progressively worse day-by-day.

Also, its window is much... um... clearer. The first one had a sort of irregular, very light, patchy "clouding" on the inside surface — which was only visible when it was on its 12 lumen mode and viewed from an acute angle. I can only assume that this may have lowered its light transmission a tiny bit?

Anyway... all is well now.

—Cheers, Jack.