Godox A1 - Flash for Smart Phones Manual

Also See for A1:

Instruction manual (10 pages)

Table of Contents

Contents

1 Foreword
2 Name of Parts
3 Battery
4 Flash Display Interface
5 Wireless Control
6 Flash Mode
- 6.1 A Mode: Auto Flash
- 6.2 M Mode: Manual Flash
7 Wireless Flash Shooting: Radio Transmission
- 7.1 Setting the Communication Channel
- 7.2 Setting the Communication Group
8 A1 Flash Connects with Smartphone
9 APP Operation
10 Modeling Lamp
11 Other Applications
- 11.1 Sync Triggering
12 Protection Function
13 Restore Factory Setting
14 Technical Data
15 Troubleshooting
- 15.1 The flash exposure is underexposed or overexposed
16 Firmware Upgrade
17 Maintenance
18 Documents / Resources
- 18.1 References
- 18.2 Download manual

Godox A1 - Flash for Smart Phones Manual

Foreword

Before using this product
Please read this user manual carefully in order to ensure your safety and the proper operation of this product. Keep for future reference.
Godox A1 flash can serve as a flash, as well as a controller to control all Godox flashes and LED lights simply by operating the phone APP. With built-in Godox 2.4G wireless X system and lithium battery, A1 flash can control all Godox flashes' M/Multi mode. As A1 flash has Auto mode, your shooting will become simpler. You can easily achieve a correct flash exposure even in complex light-changing environments. With light and compact body, A1 flash is portable and easy to be operated for it can control all flashes and LED lights only through a phone. The A1 flash offers:

Operation with phone APP: With built-in Bluetooth 4.0 Module and 50 meters' transmission distancewhich enables A1 to connect the mobile phone through Bluetooth, thus setting flashes or LED video lights' parameters on the APP interface.
Compatible Smartphone Models: This flash is compatible with the following smartphones e.g. iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s plus, iPhone7, iPhone7 plus, etc. Suitable for the iPhones whose iOS system are over 10.0 version. (only lists the tested smartphone models, not all iPhones. For the compatibility of other smartphone models, a self-test is recommended.)
OLED panel: with clear and convenient operation.
Built-in 2.4G wireless transmission: with all-in-one functions and 80 meters further transmission.
Built-in 433MHz wireless transmission: with abundant functions and 20 meters further transmission.
Lightweight and portable: Built-in lithium battery with no carriage burden.

Wireless control: With built-in Godox 2.4G wireless X system, A1 flash can serve as a transmitter to control other flashes, as well as wirelessly adjusting flash power level and trigger the flash through X1 flash trigger. A1 flash also has 2.5mm sync cord jack achieve various sync triggering mode.
5 steps of power output adjusts from 1/1 to 1/16
Stable color temperature at 6000±200K over the entire power range

warning Always keep this product dry. Do not use in rain or in damp conditions.
warning Do not disassemble. Should repairs become necessary, this product must be sent to an authorized maintenance center.
warning Stop using this product if it breaks open due to extrusion, falling or strong hit.
warning Otherwise, electric shock may occur if you touch the electronic parts inside it.
warning Do not fire the flash directly into the eyes (especially those of babies) within short distances. Otherwise visual impairment may occur.
warning Do not use the flash unit in the presence of flammable gases, chemicals and other similar materials. In certain circumstances, these materials may be sensitive to the strong light emitting from this flash unit and fire or electromagnetic interference may result.
warning Do not leave or store the flash unit if the ambient temperature reads over 50°C (e.g. in automobile). Otherwise the electronic parts may be damaged.

Conventions used in this Manual

This manual is based on the assumption that both the camera and camera flash's power switches are powered on.
The following alert symbols are used in this manual:
The Caution symbol indicates a warning to prevent shooting problem.
The Note symbol gives supplemental information.

Name of Parts

Body

Name of Parts - Body

Control Panel

Name of Parts - Control Panel

< >Power Switch
. < >Test Button
<SET>Set Button
< >Modeling Lamp Button
Select Dial
Reset Hole (When frozen, crash down or other failures occurred, please insert a tiny needle into the reset hole to forcibly shutdown.)

OLED Display

Name of Parts - OLED Display

Included Accessories

Battery

Features

This flash unit uses non-detachable built-in Li-ion polymer battery which has long runtime.
It is reliably safe. The inner circuit is against overcharge, overdischarge, overcurrent, and short circuit.
Take only 1 hour (approx. 55 minutes) to fully charge the battery by charging through the Type-C USB port.

Battery Level Indication
Blinking:The battery level is going to be used out immediately. And the flash will auto power off in 1 minute. Note: Please recharge the battery as soon as possible (within 10 days). Then, the flash can be used or be placed for long period.

Power Management
*Long press the < > Power Switch for 2 seconds to control the on/off of the flash unit. Turn off if the flash unit will not be used for an extended period. The flash unit will enter sleep mode after a certain period (approx. 30 minutes) of idle use, and auto power off after a certain period (approx. 1 hour) of the idle use.

Flash Display Interface

The display interfaces of A1 flash are divided into two types:

Main Interface

Flash mode
Group
Power output (M mode) or flash exposure compensation value(A mode)
Recycle symbol (The flash cannot fire flashes when the recycle symbol is blinking for which means the reclye is ongoing. )

Channel
Battery level
Bluetooth connection state

Setting Interface:
(long press the <SET>button to enter)
The first page displays: mode selection
The second page displays: channel selection
The third page displays: group selection
The forth page displays: firmware update selection

Wireless Control

Except for being a master unit, A1 flash can also be a slave unit (receiver end): In the wireless transmission mode, A1 flash will fire flashes and setting parameters according to X1 series transmitter. Set the channels and groups of A1 to the same as the master unit, and the parameters can be adjusted on the master unit.

Flash Mode

This flash has two flash modes: Auto (A) and Manual (M). In A mode, the camera and the flash will work together to calculate the correct exposure for the subject and the background.

A Mode: Auto Flash

A mode setting
Long press the <SET> Button for 2 seconds and enter setting interface. Press the <SET> Button in the MODE option and the cursor is blinking. Turn the Select Dial to choose A mode and press the <SET> Button to confirm. Long press the < SET > Button again to back to the main interface.
A: Auto Flash Exposure Compensation Setting
This flash can adjust from -3 to +3 in 1/3rd stops. "0.3"means 1/3 step, "0.7"means 2/3 step. Short press the <SET> Button on the first page of the main interface and the cursor is blinking. Turn the Select Dial to set the amount. Press the <SET> Button to confirm.

M Mode: Manual Flash

M mode setting
Long press the <SET> Button for 2 seconds and enter setting interface. Press the <SET> Button in the MODE option and the cursor is blinking. Turn the Select Dial to choose M mode and press the <SET> Button to confirm. Long press the <SET> Button again to back to the main interface.
Manual Setting Flash Power Output
This flash can adjust the power output from 1/16 to 1/1 in 1/3rd stops. "0.3"means 1/3 step, "0.7"means 2/3 step. Press the <SET> Button on the first page of the main interface and the cursor is blinking. Turn the Select Dial to set the amount. Press the <SET> Button again to confirm. To obtain a correct flash exposure, use a hand-held flash meter to determine the required flash output.

Wireless Flash Shooting: Radio Transmission

A1 flash adopts Godox 2.4G wireless X system, which has good compatibility with other products of our company. As a master unit, A1 flash can control the flashes and LED video lights of our company and adjust their parameters by operating mobile phone APP. If the APP cannot be operated, A1 can only trigger the flashes in the same channels. As a slave unit, A1 can receive the signals of X1 series to fire flashes as well as adjusting parameters.

As a master unit

As a slave unit

Setting the Communication Channel

If there are other wireless flash systems nearby, you can change the channel IDs to prevent signal interference. The channel IDs of the master unit and the slave unit(s) must be set to the same.
Setting the Communication Channel

Long press the <SET> Button for 2 seconds to enter setting interface. Turn the Select Dial once to enter the second page of the setting interface and the <CH> is displayed.
Short press the <SET> Button and the cursor is blinking.
Turn the Select Dial to choose a channel ID from 1 to 32.
Press the <SET> button to confirm.
Long press the <SET> Button for 2 seconds to back to the main interface.

Setting the Communication Group

Long press the <SET> Button for 2 seconds to enter setting interface. Turn the Select Dial twice to enter the third page of the setting interface and the <GR> is displayed.
Short press the <SET> Button and the cursor is blinking.
Turn the Select Dial to choose a group ID from 0 to F.
Press the <SET> button to confirm.
Long press the <SET> Button for 2 seconds to back to the main interface.

A1 Flash Connects with Smartphone

Turn on the A1 flash. Long press the < > button and the Bluetooth ID will be displayed for 3 seconds.
Search "GodoxPhoto" in iPhone's APP Store and download the app. Or install the APP by scanning the QR Code with your smartphone.
Open the APP on the phone and choose .

Search Bluetooth of devices.
Choose A1's matching Bluetooth ID.
Enter password to match.
Full match and back to APP main interface.
When successfully matched, the Bluetooth icon will be displayed on the second page of A1's main interface.

APP Operation

Use the phone APP to directly control the A1.
Use the phone APP to control the flashes with 2.4G or 433MHz wireless. For more detailed operation tutorial, please click "help" on the setting of the APP. (Note: the A1 cannot be used when the smartphone's front camera is working. )

Modeling Lamp

A1 flash is equipped with 1W LED modeling lamp. Short press the < > Modeling Lamp Button to turn on/off the LED light. When the battery level is low or the battery level indication is blinking, the flash and the modeling lamp cannot be powered on.

Other Applications

Sync Triggering

The Sync Cord Jack is a Φ2.5mm plug. Insert a trigger plug here and the flash will be fired synchronously.
Sync Triggering

Protection Function

Low Battery Protection
- When the battery level is too low, both the flash and modeling lamp cannot be used. The main interface will switch to the second page, and the battery level indication is blinking.
Short Circuit, Overcurrent and Overvoltage Protections
- With built-in hardware to protect circuit. Auto power off will occur when running into short circuit, overcurrent and overvoltage.

Over-Temperature Protection: When the interval between the two flashes is within 30 secongds,

is shown on the LCD display if the flash times reach the protected times. Now if continues to fire flashes, the recycle time will be longer (max. 8s). And the over-temperature protection will relieve if stops firing for 3 minutes.

Comparison Chart of Over-Temperature Protection Times in M Mode (times in A mode are analyzed by A1)
Power	1/1	1/2+0.7	1/2+0.3	1/2	1/4+0.7	1/4+0.3	1/4	1/8+0.7	1/8+0.3	1/8	1/16+0.7	1/16+0.3	1/16
Times of Protected Flashes	20	24	31	40	59	77	100	118	154	200	667	1000	1000

Restore Factory Setting

Turn the A1 on and simultaneously press the set button and the ON/OFF button. A1's factory settings is restored when its version is displayed on the panel. And now the Bluetooth's matching password also gets back to the initial password "000000".

Technical Data

Model	A1
Guide No. (1/1 power output)	Fn=8.1 (ISO100) darkroom, 1m, 1/1 power output
Flash power	8W
Flash color temperature	6000K±200K
Flash power output	5 levels (1/16-1/1)
LED modeling lamp power	1W
LED modeling lamp color temperature	5600±200k
Display	OLED
Voltage/Current output from the sync cord jack	3V/3mA
Wireless Flash (2.4G Transmission and 433MHz Transmission)
Wireless function	Master, Slave
Channel	2.4G: 32(1-32) 433MHz: 16(1-16)
Controllable slave unit	2.4G: 16(0-9,A-F) 433MHz: 6(A-F)
Power source	Lithium Battery (3.8V/1000mAh)
Full power flashes	700
Whole shutdown current
Recycle time	2.5s
Battery level indication	√
Whole sleep current
Sync triggering mode	2.5mmsync cord
Dimensions
W x H x D	80x65x23mm
Net Weight	110g

Troubleshooting

If there is a problem, refer to this Troubleshooting Guide.

The flash exposure is underexposed or overexposed

There was a highly reflective object (e.g. glass window) in the picture.
Do not cover the light sensitive part.
The light sensitive part shall be placed towards the photographed object.

Firmware Upgrade

This flash supports firmware upgrade through the USB port. Update information will be released on our official website.
Upgrade Steps:

Use the Type-C USB cord to connect the A1 flash to the computer.
Enter the forth page of A1's setting page.
Choose"Y"in UPGFW.
Long press the power switch and release until the display turned dark.
Please install the driver first.
Complete the connection.
Upgrading.

Maintenance

Shut down the device immediately should abnormal operation be detected.
Avoid sudden impacts and the product should be dedusted regularly.
It is normal for the flash tube to be warm when in use. Avoid continuous flashes if unnecessary.
Maintenance of the flash must be performed by our authorized maintenance department which can provide original accessories.
This product, except consumables e.g. flash tube, is supported with a one-year warranty.
Unauthorized service will void the warranty.
If the product had failures or was wetted, do not use it until it is repaired by professionals.
Changes made to the specifications or designs may not be reflected in this manual.

GODOX Photo Equipment Co., Ltd.
Building A4, Xinhe Huafa Industrial Zone, Fuzhou RD West, Fuyong Town, Baoan District, Shenzhen 518103, China
Tel: +86-755-29609320(8062)
Fax: +86-755-25723423
E-mail: godox@godox.com