AA Flashlight (new single cell converter) addition to the series

[archimedes]

I see that in the "options chart" posted elsewhere, this converter is no longer recommended for 4.2v cells ....

Did something change ? New design, new data, and/or new advice ?

 

[McGizmo]

I see that in the "options chart" posted elsewhere, this converter is no longer recommended for 4.2v cells ....

Did something change ? New design, new data, and/or new advice ?

I didn't mean to ever recommend this converter for use with 4.2V cells due to the consideration that any voltage above the Vf of the LED and some presumed overhead, the excess voltage would be burnt off as heat. The converter can handle input voltage up to 4.5 but its efficiency would suck for want of a better term at higher voltages. I think I put in a 3.5V ceiling in the chart and this not as an actual limit but as a practical limit. I believe there are some rechargeable cells that are in excess of 3V but not as high as the 4.2 Li-Ion? I wanted to allow them for reasonable consideration.

carrot,
I think one way to compare the AA converter to the 3S would be to consider it a "miser" version of the 3S. On high it puts out 300 mA to the LED VS the 500 mA or 660 mA of the 3S, depending on LED used. As far as being able to milk all the juice out of a CR123, yes the input voltage floor is way down there but once the battery is depleted to the point that it can't provide the power requested of the light engine, the LE is not going to perform as desired. I don't know if it can effectively milk more power from a spent CR123 than the 3S or not. :shrug:

 

[thenikjones]

About to order a Mule head, I want Hi Cri but am unsure about 119 vs 119V. Is there a difference at 300mA? I have skimmed old threads but can't see anything.

 

[archimedes]

I didn't mean to ever recommend this converter for use with 4.2V cells due to the consideration that any voltage above the Vf of the LED and some presumed overhead, the excess voltage would be burnt off as heat. The converter can handle input voltage up to 4.5 but its efficiency would suck for want of a better term at higher voltages....

Understood ... thanks for clarifying

....I think I put in a 3.5V ceiling in the chart and this not as an actual limit but as a practical limit. I believe there are some rechargeable cells that are in excess of 3V but not as high as the 4.2 Li-Ion? I wanted to allow them for reasonable consideration....

Yes, IFR chemistry is 3.2v (nominal).

 

[McGizmo]

About to order a Mule head, I want Hi Cri but am unsure about 119 vs 119V. Is there a difference at 300mA? I have skimmed old threads but can't see anything.

No difference in lumens or efficiency. Side by side I would guess the 119 has more of a creme tint whereas the tint of the 119V tends to be a bit more rose. It's subtle and I don't trust my eyes to give a definite answer. I would give the 119 the win but it's a subjective call.

 

[thenikjones]

Thanks Don. Final question, do you have any of the fancy/etched clips left, with the threaded hole?

 

[Dimitris.]

Resistance is futile.

 

[tangfj]

Any idea when these might be available again?

 

[Dimitris.]

AA are available.
A week ago I ordered mine and now it's somewhere between Hawaii and Greece.

 

[tangfj]

AA are available.
A week ago I ordered mine and now it's somewhere between Hawaii and Greece.

Thanks for letting me know! The "McGizmo: Available Lights and Ordering Info" post didn't have the AA listed so I wasn't sure. I'll send Don an e-mail and cross my fingers!

 

[McGizmo]

Hi guys,
The structure of the available lights and ordering info has not kept up with all of the changes and additions to the 'McClickie Series". I have added a chart in that thread that shows the various head and paks and at this point, I have all of these components in inventory and should I run out of any component I will make a note of it in that thread.

 

[tangfj]

Got tracking number today and sent PP for Mule AA Hi CRI with 1xAA pak and 1/4' x 20 tapped pocket clip, Haiku AA Hi CRI with 1x123 pak and 1/4' x 20 tapped pocket clip, andWeb Coil Tether w/ swivel option. Can't wait! Thanks Don!

 

[McGizmo]

tangfj,
After assembling your lights and testing them I came to appreciate your thinking and the coverage your two light selection has in terms of illumination. Your two lights don't come close to the potential of lumens available today but one could argue that for most illumination applications the amount of lumens available is well in excess of what is needed. We have EDC size lights today that well exceed the output of the high output large flashlights from a number of years back.

 

[climberkid]

tangfj,
After assembling your lights and testing them I came to appreciate your thinking and the coverage your two light selection has in terms of illumination. Your two lights don't come close to the potential of lumens available today but one could argue that for most illumination applications the amount of lumens available is well in excess of what is needed. We have EDC size lights today that well exceed the output of the high output large flashlights from a number of years back.

And that is exactly what I appreciate about the design and intent of your lights. Being a new McGizmo owner I don't know much yet but in less than a week I have literally not used any other light, because I didn't need to! I used to use at least 2 different lights a day for different output options and color needs.
That need has nearly disappeared since having the Haiku.

I do believe that the next light I will need is going to be the AA Mule because, as you said, the coverage of the pair is a great match. Then the options between the AA and 123 become more expansive and allow for illumination of most requirements.


-Alex

 

[thenikjones]

Carrot, I just received the Mule head which I am running in on Surefire E1e body ( the Incan model from, roughly, 2005). Works very well, easy to switch mode. Very small! Only had 2 days so nowhere near running a cell dry, but looks to be working well.

Planning on buying the AA pack soon, maybe with Haiku head, but waiting for my Prometheus QR from Kickstarter first.

 

[tangfj]

Got tracking number today and sent PP for Mule AA Hi CRI with 1xAA pak and 1/4' x 20 tapped pocket clip, Haiku AA Hi CRI with 1x123 pak and 1/4' x 20 tapped pocket clip, andWeb Coil Tether w/ swivel option. Can't wait! Thanks Don!

WOW, such quick shipping!!! Just got them today! Beautiful lights with great function. The mule and haiku both in hi cri are a perfect combination! I've been bitten by the flashoholic bug!

 

[Jeff91]

This thread has me seriously intrigued, and I haven't even gotten my first order in the mail yet....I think I may be developing a problem.

So I was hoping you all could help me understand something a little better, I'm still pretty new so be gentle with me. When looking at an XM-L Haiku head with the AA converter vs an XM-L Haiku head withe the 3S converter. If you would use a primary 123 with the AA head would the output be lower then using a a primary 123 with the 3S head? Sorry for asking such a silly question, just wanting to clear some things up.

 

[bmstrong]

Interesting. Does someone have the lengths and widths of all of the combinations?

Hypothetical: If you had to choose one, and only one combination, and it was your only light, to be used for a variety of situations, in a variety of environments? What do you pick?

I've been after a AA Ti light a long, long time....

 

[climberkid]

So I've been unable to find anything on this so...
While I was playing with my Mule AA I found a ramping mode. I just clicked on and off a bunch of times then when I turned it back on and held it it ramped through many many levels between the lowest and the highest. I'd like to know what this could potentially mean for any programming or personalized options for the mule!


-Alex

 

[nbp]

Interesting. Does someone have the lengths and widths of all of the combinations? Hypothetical: If you had to choose one, and only one combination, and it was your only light, to be used for a variety of situations, in a variety of environments? What do you pick? I've been after a AA Ti light a long, long time....

Probably the Haiku with AA body and AA converter with Nichia 119 engine. Awesome all around beam with great color rendition, adequate throw, and the flexibility to use cheap and easy to get batteries or NiMHs or li-ions if you really want.

So I've been unable to find anything on this so... While I was playing with my Mule AA I found a ramping mode. I just clicked on and off a bunch of times then when I turned it back on and held it it ramped through many many levels between the lowest and the highest. I'd like to know what this could potentially mean for any programming or personalized options for the mule! -Alex

I think its just a calibration mode for the driver IIRC. It doesn't really allow you any special options.