KeepingItLight
Flashlight Enthusiast
Coupon Code Now Public (2015-Oct-17)
The coupon code for the BLF A6 Special Edition is now public. You do not have to join the group buy to get the code. It is posted publicly at BLF. Using the code, you can purchase the BLF A6 at Banggood for $25 USD. Right below the code, you will find a link to the sales page at Banggood.
Price Increased to $29.95 (2015-Nov-01)
On November 1, 2015, the price of the BLF A6 was raised to $29.95 (with coupon code).
The original price of $25 was negotiated on behalf of the 900+ BLF members who joined the group buy. After all of them received their flashlights, the seller allowed the coupon to be released to the public. It then sold perhaps another 1000 lights at the $25 price.
Although it would be nice to see the lower price kept available forever, we knew it had to end eventually.
Original Post (2015-Aug-17)
The members of Budget Light Forum have been on a roll lately. They have four different group buys going on right now for custom flashlights that have been modded or designed by BLF members. These are not just discounted prices for existing flashlights. These are custom flashlights.
The BLF A6 Special Edition is the one now in production. I ordered two at Banggood last week. If it lives up to its promise, $25 USD will get you a very nice tube light.
There are talks underway with Manker to see whether an optional 18350 battery tube can be made. Price to be $4.50, including an extra deep-carry clip.
Output Levels and User Interface (2015-Oct-13)
I have corrected the step-down period given above to 45 seconds (from 30 seconds). The BLF A6 uses this step-down because turbo mode overdrives the emitter at levels that can be as high as 5+ amps (with a spring bypass, and using the best high-discharge batteries).
Running stock, on a battery such as the Sanyo-Panasonic NCR18650GA Protected 3500mAh, you can expect 1100-1200 lumens on turbo. After 45 seconds, the step-down takes you to the next lower level. If you have selected the 7-mode group, that should be around 700-750 lumens. The exact numbers depend on tint, battery state, and so on.
The BLF A6 Special Edition works great in stock form. Running on something like the Sanyo-Panasonic NCR18650GA Protected 3500mAh, it outputs between 1100 and 1200 lumens.
The BLF A6, however, is designed to be a burner. It uses a Noctigon copper mcpcb and a FET driver that runs in direct-drive mode on the highest setting. After a spring bypass, and using the best high-draw batteries, some owners have reported getting between 1500 and 1600 lumens on their 1A-tint flashlights. We're talking about more than 5A!
Because of this, the BLF A6 uses a timed step-down of only 45 seconds. The step-down takes you from turbo to the next lower level. See the chart below.
In addition to this thermal step-down, the BLF A6 also steps down as its battery voltage wanes. It steps down one level at a time, until the final step down from moonlight turns the flashlight off completely. Low-voltage cutoff occurs at 2.9v.
Due to the direct-drive nature of the BLF A6, it is impossible to state output in terms of lumens. The FET will feed as many amps as the battery can supply. There are two output groups. Here are the percentages. For the FET, 100% = turbo, the highest mode. For the 7135, 100% = 350mA.
Group 1 – Seven Modes
Group 2 – Four Modes
If I understand this correctly, then you can estimate lumen output in High 2 mode as follows. Suppose you are running a stock BLF A6 at 1150 lumens. 54% of that is 621 lumens. That's what the FET is doing. Add to that the output from the 7135 running at 100%. That should be something like 100-150 lumens. The result is that High 2 outputs approximately 750 lumens.
You can make a similar calculation to see what the modded BLF A6 can do.
Note that the BLF A6 uses PWM in most modes. The firmware developer ToyKeeper explained the PWM for me in detail:
I have been using the A6 extensively on all modes, and in my usage, I have not seen any flicker.
The BLF A6 has an innovative user interface designed by BLF member ToyKeeper. The flashlight has a reverse-clicky tail switch. Regular half-presses cycle from low to high. Long half-presses cycle in the reverse direction, from high to low. It is a very nice design. With seven different levels, it is very useful to be able to step up or down.
A long half-press from the lowest setting in either mode group takes you to turbo mode. From there, subsequent long half-presses cycle through the blinky modes. At any time, you can exit the blinky modes with a regular half-press.
Some Bumps Along the Way (2015-Oct-17)
The group buy has not been trouble free. Manker, the company that is manufacturing the custom design by BLF, has had a few problems. None of them should should discourage someone from buying a BLF A6, but there have been enough of them that they deserve mentioning. Most of them affected only a small number of flashlights, and most of them have been fixed.
Banggood has been very good about fixing any problems. There is a special contact person who deals with A6 issues. You are stuck with your off-center tube and protruding wings on the clip (not a big deal), but broken drivers and emitters are all being fixed for free.
Banggood is sending me a free head to fix the broken moonlight mode in one of my A6s. Six out of the seven levels worked fine. The seventh, moonlight, did not. There was no fuss and no requirement for me to send back my broken flashlight. I am stuck, however, with the awkward clips I received. I will swap them with the new clips that will be included with the shorty tubes I am planning to buy.
No-hassle Repair (2015-Aug-22)
My replacement head was sent out on Oct. 8 and arrived Oct. 19. I made the quick swap, and now I have moonlight mode back. I have been using the flashlight for a couple of days now. Works great.
No charge, no hassle, and no need to return the defective head. Banggood did a nice job handling this repair.
Mountain Electronics Custom A6 (2015-Nov-03)
Mountain Electronics is now selling parts you can use to build your own A6 inside a Convoy S-series host. You can order the same emitters, driver, and firmware that make the BLF A6 so nice. For a small fee, Mountain Electronics will build the light for you. If you decide to go that way, ask Richard to do the spring-bypass for you.
Check with Richard about the switch, as well. After a spring-bypass, the A6 driver can pull as much as 5+ amps. Make sure your switch can handle that.
One buyer reported that the price for parts was around $37-$38 USD, depending which host you select. When shipping is added in, that price is not very different than what Banggood is selling the original BLF A6 for.
Beam Shots (2015-Dec-10)
Against my white wall (that is actually a bit warmer than neutral), I can see a little of the yellow that shows up in these photos. I think the photos do tend to exaggerate it somewhat. In normal usage, I do not notice it.
For these pictures, I shot at normal exposure, and also 1 and 2 stops below. Both flashlights are set to Med 1 mode (i.e., third lowest). The standard BLF A6 is on the left. The shorty A6, on the right.
The coupon code for the BLF A6 Special Edition is now public. You do not have to join the group buy to get the code. It is posted publicly at BLF. Using the code, you can purchase the BLF A6 at Banggood for $25 USD. Right below the code, you will find a link to the sales page at Banggood.
Price Increased to $29.95 (2015-Nov-01)
On November 1, 2015, the price of the BLF A6 was raised to $29.95 (with coupon code).
The original price of $25 was negotiated on behalf of the 900+ BLF members who joined the group buy. After all of them received their flashlights, the seller allowed the coupon to be released to the public. It then sold perhaps another 1000 lights at the $25 price.
Although it would be nice to see the lower price kept available forever, we knew it had to end eventually.
Original Post (2015-Aug-17)
The members of Budget Light Forum have been on a roll lately. They have four different group buys going on right now for custom flashlights that have been modded or designed by BLF members. These are not just discounted prices for existing flashlights. These are custom flashlights.
The BLF A6 Special Edition is the one now in production. I ordered two at Banggood last week. If it lives up to its promise, $25 USD will get you a very nice tube light.
- Cree XP-L emitter
- Three tint choices: 1A, 3D, and 5A
- 1x 18650 battery
- Turbo (steps down after 45 seconds): Estimated 1200-1400 lumens stock, depending on battery
- Up to 1600 lumens if modded with spring bypass and using a high-draw 30A battery
- Choose between two mode groups. First has 7 constant output levels. Second has 4 constant output levels. Both include additional, hidden strobe and blinky modes.
- Noctigon Copper mcpcb
- Driver designed by BLF member Wight
- UI designed by BLF member ToyKeeper
- Software written by BLF member ToyKeeper
- Host based on Eagle Eye A6, modified for deep-carry clip
- Manufactured for BLF by Manker
There are talks underway with Manker to see whether an optional 18350 battery tube can be made. Price to be $4.50, including an extra deep-carry clip.
Output Levels and User Interface (2015-Oct-13)
I have corrected the step-down period given above to 45 seconds (from 30 seconds). The BLF A6 uses this step-down because turbo mode overdrives the emitter at levels that can be as high as 5+ amps (with a spring bypass, and using the best high-discharge batteries).
Running stock, on a battery such as the Sanyo-Panasonic NCR18650GA Protected 3500mAh, you can expect 1100-1200 lumens on turbo. After 45 seconds, the step-down takes you to the next lower level. If you have selected the 7-mode group, that should be around 700-750 lumens. The exact numbers depend on tint, battery state, and so on.
The BLF A6 Special Edition works great in stock form. Running on something like the Sanyo-Panasonic NCR18650GA Protected 3500mAh, it outputs between 1100 and 1200 lumens.
The BLF A6, however, is designed to be a burner. It uses a Noctigon copper mcpcb and a FET driver that runs in direct-drive mode on the highest setting. After a spring bypass, and using the best high-draw batteries, some owners have reported getting between 1500 and 1600 lumens on their 1A-tint flashlights. We're talking about more than 5A!
Because of this, the BLF A6 uses a timed step-down of only 45 seconds. The step-down takes you from turbo to the next lower level. See the chart below.
In addition to this thermal step-down, the BLF A6 also steps down as its battery voltage wanes. It steps down one level at a time, until the final step down from moonlight turns the flashlight off completely. Low-voltage cutoff occurs at 2.9v.
Due to the direct-drive nature of the BLF A6, it is impossible to state output in terms of lumens. The FET will feed as many amps as the battery can supply. There are two output groups. Here are the percentages. For the FET, 100% = turbo, the highest mode. For the 7135, 100% = 350mA.
Group 1 – Seven Modes
| Mode | 7135 Power | FET Power |
| Moonlight | 0.8% | 0% |
| Low | 8% | 0% |
| Med 1 | 43% | 0% |
| Med 2 | 100% | 2.7% |
| High 1 | 100% | 22% |
| High 2 | 100% | 54% |
| Turbo | 0% | 100% |
Group 2 – Four Modes
| Mode | 7135 Power | FET Power |
| Low | 8% | 0% |
| Med | 90% | 0% |
| High | 100% | 35% |
| Turbo | 0% | 100% |
If I understand this correctly, then you can estimate lumen output in High 2 mode as follows. Suppose you are running a stock BLF A6 at 1150 lumens. 54% of that is 621 lumens. That's what the FET is doing. Add to that the output from the 7135 running at 100%. That should be something like 100-150 lumens. The result is that High 2 outputs approximately 750 lumens.
You can make a similar calculation to see what the modded BLF A6 can do.
Note that the BLF A6 uses PWM in most modes. The firmware developer ToyKeeper explained the PWM for me in detail:
I have been using the A6 extensively on all modes, and in my usage, I have not seen any flicker.
The BLF A6 has an innovative user interface designed by BLF member ToyKeeper. The flashlight has a reverse-clicky tail switch. Regular half-presses cycle from low to high. Long half-presses cycle in the reverse direction, from high to low. It is a very nice design. With seven different levels, it is very useful to be able to step up or down.
A long half-press from the lowest setting in either mode group takes you to turbo mode. From there, subsequent long half-presses cycle through the blinky modes. At any time, you can exit the blinky modes with a regular half-press.
Some Bumps Along the Way (2015-Oct-17)
The group buy has not been trouble free. Manker, the company that is manufacturing the custom design by BLF, has had a few problems. None of them should should discourage someone from buying a BLF A6, but there have been enough of them that they deserve mentioning. Most of them affected only a small number of flashlights, and most of them have been fixed.
- Flashlight threads not standard. The original plan was to have parts from the BLF A6 be interchangeable with the earlier BLF X6 Special Edition. Something slipped during manufacturing, however, and the A6 threads are only compatible with the A6. No biggie. The A6 will still have a "shorty" tube that can be swapped with its regular tube when you want to run on an 18350 battery. The shorty tube is an optional accessory that will be sold separately.
- Tubes not bored directly through their centers. Early on, a small number of lights were bored so that the wall of the tube was thicker on one side than on the other.
- Deep-carry clips had excessively large "wings." The BLF A6 uses a snap-on clip. The round part that snaps around the flashlight has little "wings" at each end so that the flashlight does not get scratched when attaching the clip. The wings bend out a little, away from the flashlight. With the clip in place, early versions protruded from the side of the flashlight more than they should have.
- Moonlight (and sometimes other modes) not working. This problem relates to 7135 and other chips that were improperly soldered or damaged during assembly. Only a small number of lights are involved. Sometimes your moonlight mode fails completely. Other times moonlight fails, and there is no difference in output between a couple of the modes that are working.
- Emitter centering ring can slice emitter dome. Inside the head, there is a white, plastic centering ring that fits over the emitter. It centers the emitter, and is held into place by pressure from the bottom of the reflector. When you screw or unscrew the bezel, sometimes the lens, reflector, and centering ring will all spin as the bezel turns. In some cases, the sharp edge of the plastic has sliced into the emitter dome, partially or completely dedoming it. This causes a distinct tint-shift to yellow.
Banggood has been very good about fixing any problems. There is a special contact person who deals with A6 issues. You are stuck with your off-center tube and protruding wings on the clip (not a big deal), but broken drivers and emitters are all being fixed for free.
Banggood is sending me a free head to fix the broken moonlight mode in one of my A6s. Six out of the seven levels worked fine. The seventh, moonlight, did not. There was no fuss and no requirement for me to send back my broken flashlight. I am stuck, however, with the awkward clips I received. I will swap them with the new clips that will be included with the shorty tubes I am planning to buy.
No-hassle Repair (2015-Aug-22)
My replacement head was sent out on Oct. 8 and arrived Oct. 19. I made the quick swap, and now I have moonlight mode back. I have been using the flashlight for a couple of days now. Works great.
No charge, no hassle, and no need to return the defective head. Banggood did a nice job handling this repair.
Mountain Electronics Custom A6 (2015-Nov-03)
Mountain Electronics is now selling parts you can use to build your own A6 inside a Convoy S-series host. You can order the same emitters, driver, and firmware that make the BLF A6 so nice. For a small fee, Mountain Electronics will build the light for you. If you decide to go that way, ask Richard to do the spring-bypass for you.
Check with Richard about the switch, as well. After a spring-bypass, the A6 driver can pull as much as 5+ amps. Make sure your switch can handle that.
One buyer reported that the price for parts was around $37-$38 USD, depending which host you select. When shipping is added in, that price is not very different than what Banggood is selling the original BLF A6 for.
Beam Shots (2015-Dec-10)
Against my white wall (that is actually a bit warmer than neutral), I can see a little of the yellow that shows up in these photos. I think the photos do tend to exaggerate it somewhat. In normal usage, I do not notice it.
For these pictures, I shot at normal exposure, and also 1 and 2 stops below. Both flashlights are set to Med 1 mode (i.e., third lowest). The standard BLF A6 is on the left. The shorty A6, on the right.
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(yes, I am a tester for the group buy and have been using this in many lights now, loving it and addicted to it!)
