500 Lumen - AAA Flashlight (photos) - Work In Progress - Part 2

[BarryH]

Thanks Tgwnn. Finally found that page/button and clicked it. I've really been enjoying both my Titinium and Copper HF lights. :tinfoil:

 

[Cataract]

My heart stopped as I checked the mail today: delivery card from the post office... in the name of the previous tenant. I sorta half expected it as I can't expect the post to be any faster than Guy's fingers...

[...]exploring a few possible options using an even more flexible board structure or splitting the board into 3 separate parts and using a hard PCB.

Lemme guess... triangular configuration and put the magnetic switches on one edge to keep it close to the ring (if not, well, that was my suggestion)

[...]
I'm thinking I might set the damaged boards in epoxy and turn them into trophies (keychains).
Tgwnn

Don't forget to put a trit in the center or sprinkle the epoxy with GITD powder :devil:

 

[sassaquin]

Impossible to say any better as I agree 100%. Amen :bow:

As words of encouragement, I can only add that I personally know 2 guys who had a whole lung removed and are still kicking hard years later. You wouldn't know unless they told you.

Hi Tgwnn and Cataract,
Thank you both for the encouraging words and support, you lifted my spirit (and light) on a dark day.

- Sassaquin

 

[DBCstm]

Thoughts and prayers for your sis sassy, want you to know it's not necessarily all gloom and doom. My dad had kidney cancer, they practically cut him in half removing it, and he's still doing well 31 years later! He's 85 now, will probably have to be dragged kicking and arguing into the other side when he's 113 or something.

God Bless

 

[sassaquin]

Thoughts and prayers for your sis sassy, want you to know it's not necessarily all gloom and doom. My dad had kidney cancer, they practically cut him in half removing it, and he's still doing well 31 years later! He's 85 now, will probably have to be dragged kicking and arguing into the other side when he's 113 or something.

God Bless

Hi Dale,
Thanks for sharing your dad's victory over cancer. It sounds like you come from hardy (and fiesty) stock, hopefully both of you will become centenarians.

- Sassaquin

 

[gunga]

Torpedo has landed!

I don't have time for an exhaustive review, so here are my thoughts I've gleaned quickly.

- The packaging is intricate and amazing. Very nicely done, though the ring holding the batteries is a bit loose, my nukes were rattling around in the case.
- The reflector produces a beautiful useful floody beam with a broad spot. I was one of the lucky few to get a 4000K XML2. Nice and warmish.
- The finishing is very good, with no crooked logos or anodizing issues. The black/red combo is striking.
- The extendable 10250 body is a very clever design.
- I didn't need the tiny magnet with my flattish top 10440.
- I love the extra goodies in the package.
- The Rotary switching is innovative and clever, with a very nice feel. It has quirks though (see below).

So, now the not so great stuff.

- The UI bugs and confuses me. I don't like having the light switch in both directions, though this would be tolerable if it didn't keep switching from low to high or high to low semi randomly. It's weirdly unpredictable.
- Switch travel seems excessive and it feel like you are spinning a while sometimes.
- I find the first two levels to be a bit closely spaced. A lower low would be nice and help fix this issue.
- I see a slight smudgyness around the LED. I don't believe it's the reflector, just around the LED itself.
- I have a bit of battery rattle, nothing a post it note can't fix though.
- The light is very long, but this is due to the switching mechanism.
- The tall, sharp tail fins seem like a poor design, both prone to damage and catching on everything during pocket carry.
- PWM, I'm very surprise so see such low frequency PWM on ALL levels (except max of course). I can accept PWM, but this seems like a fairly low frequency (in the 100s).


Overall, I'm glad this is an X run, to work out the bugs for the final product. It has a lot of promise, but the flaky UI, low frequency PWM, and the needlessly sharp tail spikes are some points that need to be addressed in the final run.


Perhaps someone can explain the UI to me, more clearly? In any case, I'd much rather have the UI only work in 1 direction.

 

[xlh82]

Torpedo landed to post office and I can't leave until few hours time. LITTLE BIT MORE PATIENCE NEEDED.

Lähetetty minun GT-I9105P laitteesta Tapatalkilla

 

[xlh82]

Yeehaa I got IT and have briefly tested This thing Rock. Guy you are THE MAN.

Everything from package to Torpedo is just perfect. Now it's gonna get testing in EDC and geocaching.
-xlh82-

Lähetetty minun GT-I9105P laitteesta Tapatalkilla

 

[the_guy_with_no_name]

Hi Tgwnn and Cataract,
Thank you both for the encouraging words and support, you lifted my spirit (and light) on a dark day.

- Sassaquin

Hi sassaquin,

Thanks for the post and hang in there

Torpedo has landed!

I don't have time for an exhaustive review, so here are my thoughts I've gleaned quickly.

- The packaging is intricate and amazing. Very nicely done, though the ring holding the batteries is a bit loose, my nukes were rattling around in the case.
- The reflector produces a beautiful useful floody beam with a broad spot. I was one of the lucky few to get a 4000K XML2. Nice and warmish.
- The finishing is very good, with no crooked logos or anodizing issues. The black/red combo is striking.
- The extendable 10250 body is a very clever design.
- I didn't need the tiny magnet with my flattish top 10440.
- I love the extra goodies in the package.
- The Rotary switching is innovative and clever, with a very nice feel. It has quirks though (see below).

So, now the not so great stuff.

- The UI bugs and confuses me. I don't like having the light switch in both directions, though this would be tolerable if it didn't keep switching from low to high or high to low semi randomly. It's weirdly unpredictable.
- Switch travel seems excessive and it feel like you are spinning a while sometimes.
- I find the first two levels to be a bit closely spaced. A lower low would be nice and help fix this issue.
- I see a slight smudgyness around the LED. I don't believe it's the reflector, just around the LED itself.
- I have a bit of battery rattle, nothing a post it note can't fix though.
- The light is very long, but this is due to the switching mechanism.
- The tall, sharp tail fins seem like a poor design, both prone to damage and catching on everything during pocket carry.
- PWM, I'm very surprise so see such low frequency PWM on ALL levels (except max of course). I can accept PWM, but this seems like a fairly low frequency (in the 100s).


Overall, I'm glad this is an X run, to work out the bugs for the final product. It has a lot of promise, but the flaky UI, low frequency PWM, and the needlessly sharp tail spikes are some points that need to be addressed in the final run.


Perhaps someone can explain the UI to me, more clearly? In any case, I'd much rather have the UI only work in 1 direction.

Hi gunga,

Thanks so much for the fast feedback and for a quick glean, that is plenty :thumbsup:
Appreciate you letting me know what you liked, that's helpful too of course.

Plenty to be improved, some already known issues but keep em' coming, love to hear it all, no need to hold back,
we're here to make it the best it can be.

UI: will be far more stable in the production version.
Still I have noticed there is some variance in the Xs with some extremely stable and some that decide to get crazy now and again.
Personally, I'm not even sure its the perfect UI yet (even if it were totally stable), especially being so used to the HFs but appreciate the feedback.

Level spacing: thanks, I agree
Smudgety: around the LED as in on the board/pcb?
Battery Rattle: please let me know which battery it is so I can test the same one
Length: its a relative thing but I'm with you on short is good though I do find the AAA size convenient.
Tail Fins: Torpedo gotta have fins maybe a version with removable fins...
PWM: I specifically told the initial pcb designer that 1000 was the absolute lowest and ideally 5000+
Guessing this got lost somewhere along the way with circuit designer engineers changing but completely agree for production version too.

Yeehaa I got IT and have briefly tested This thing Rock. Guy you are THE MAN.

Everything from package to Torpedo is just perfect. Now it's gonna get testing in EDC and geocaching.
-xlh82-

Hi xlh82,

I'm amazed at how fast some of these are landing!
Must be the Torpedo shape

Appreciate the feedback and look forward to more over time.

Tgwnn

p.s. I'm packing away now, window 4.....

 

[gunga]

Thanks guy. My glow ring in the head (a nice touch!) is very short on glow powder. You can see the glowing specks on the ring as the ring barely glows.

Removable fins? Yeah. Love that idea. I really dislike the fins but that would be a great compromise to keep the original design intent. Maybe a swappable tail
Is easiest?

The battery was an AW 10440.

What I meant with the smudges is that I see them around the led. At first glance it looks like the reflector but I think it's a bit of something on the LED. This does not affect the beam and is just me being nit picky. I only mention these because I know how you strive to have things perfect. They are not a big deal but if you wanna know EVERYTHING.

Really, if the ui was more stable (and more 1 direction. ) and the PWM was higher frequency, I would be proclaiming this as the best AAA light ever, even with my bleeding leg with the tail fin stuck in it.

If a ti version comes, I can file off the fins.

I see soooo much potential tho. It's truly a nice package. Like I said, this is an X run. Most companies would release this as production and just keep slipping out improvements as "new" versions. This is much better. Looking at your pcbs. I'm amazed how complex it is. I have no interest in opening this up for modding! Btw, 4000k is awesome.

 

[the_guy_with_no_name]

Thanks guy. My glow ring in the head (a nice touch!) is very short on glow powder. You can see the glowing specks on the ring as the ring barely glows.

Removable fins? Yeah. Love that idea. I really dislike the fins but that would be a great compromise to keep the original design intent. Maybe a swappable tail
Is easiest?

What I meant with the smudges is that I see them around the led. At first glance it looks like the reflector but I think it's a bit of something on the LED. This does not affect the beam and is just me being nit picky. I only mention these because I know how you strive to have things perfect. They are not a big deal but if you wanna know EVERYTHING.

Really, if the ui was more stable (and more 1 direction. ) and the PWM was higher frequency, I would be proclaiming this as the best AAA light ever, even with my bleeding leg with the tail fin stuck in it.

If a ti version comes, I can file off the fins.

I see soooo much potential tho. It's truly a nice package. Like I said, this is an X run. Most companies would release this as production and just keep slipping out improvements as "new" versions. This is much better. Looking at your pcbs. I'm amazed how complex it is. I have no interest in opening this up for modding! Btw, 4000k is awesome.

Hi gunga,

Thanks so much for the reply.
The glow powder o-ring, I think the workshop used a batch they were supposed to ditch.

I'm going to make a new batch of GID rings with LumiNova powder.
Its made by a local company and it totally, totally rocks.
Totally outglows everything else out there.

Removable/customizable fins is doable.
In one of the earlier protos, I had a removable ring at the tail made (I forget why....) probably as I was thinking of being able to screw on a clip.

Everything, you bet, I wanna hear it all :twothumbs
It's the only way to approach perfect.

If its not too much trouble, no rush but I'd love to see a photo of the LED.

The workshop knows I'm totally on their case for clean LED & Reflectors.
I recently sent them back a huge number of HF heads, mostly that just need a reflector swap which I can easily do but wanted them to "know the standard". They did mention there were a handful slightly short of crystal clear but as numbers were short and no impact on the beam at all, I asked them to send them on.

PWM, totally with you on that. My kids think its a cool effect swaying my hands really fast in the dark but honestly drives me a little nuts with any movement. Gonna get that licked for sure.

I've got some enhancements for the pcb physical design coming that I'm hopeful can take care of most of the issues.
Then, I might also have my Zeus PCB engineer take a stab at a tweaked version for me as he's put a stack of work into the Zeus engine which is getting really close now and I'm always amazed at how 2 people can come up with totally different designs.

Believe me, you don't wanna mess with the Torp pcb
I killed a few early on, just opening it up to take a peek and like the first HFs, getting all that "stuff" inside is VERY fiddly work that takes a steady hand, relaxed mind and plenty of patience.

We've come this far, no point stopping short of the summit.
All the way to the top!!

Tgwnn

 

[Cataract]

Hi Tgwnn and Cataract,
Thank you both for the encouraging words and support, you lifted my spirit (and light) on a dark day.

- Sassaquin

As Guy said before I even had a chance and ripped the words from my mouth: Hang in there


In response to Gunga's impressions:
Yes, PWM should definitely be well over 100hz
Propeller: I agree it should not risk have a couple of ideas on that:
- just mold the end with very low profile fins that are almost like an engraving OR...
- a screw hole onto which we could screw in a clip, a simple stopper to keep the thread clean or an actual working fan onto which we could blow and get it spinning for real. The last one would be much bigger and justify why we might want to be able to take it off. Really just a bath-time accessory most of the time, but would be so cool

 

[nbp]

Oh sure, the Canadians get theirs first! You can have Justin Bieber back, we don't even want him, just give us our flashlights!

 

[Cataract]

Oh sure, the Canadians get theirs first! You can have Justin Bieber back, we don't even want him, just give us our flashlights!

Didn't get mine yet (it is window 4, though). Keep Bieber, we'll take Shatner back instead even if he's not acting anymore. He did mention he'd like to be prime minister and with all the corruption problems we are uncovering I'd vote for him in a jiffy.

 

[cnlson]

so to keep myself from exploding due to overexcitement, i happened to see a good price ($8.56 including tax) for a 650 lumen (claimed) light, http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...m-Home-Depot&p=4367418&viewfull=1#post4367418 that i decided to play with tonight. fun to light things up from a couple blocks away.

 

[kaichu dento]

Tail Fins: Torpedo gotta have fins maybe a version with removable fins...

I should have said something sooner but didn't because I thought it might be a design dear to your heart, with the sharp fins, but if you wanted to keep them they could either be simply shaped and rounded a little, or also made a little lower in profile.

I'm amazed at how fast some of these are landing!
Must be the Torpedo shape

This has to be one of the better reasons to retain the fins.

 

[Uriah]

The Torpedo has landed!!!!!!!!!!!
Guy THANK YOU SO MUCH for this project.
Mine is as near perfect as i can see.
Can't wait for the darkness.
Thanks Again

 

[Endalaus]

I received my torpedo on Friday, and it is everything I had hoped for. Fantastic packaging, which is practical as well as decorative. The freebies are great and the usernames on the back page were a particularly nice touch, thank you. I will post a more detailed review after a week or two of edc use, but some initial impressions:

positive:

the look and feel are great. No issues with the printing. A great looking flashlight, even better in real life than in the photos. I particularly like the red ring.

lightweight but solid feeling. The knurling makes it easy to operate one handed. Just the right size for me - I carry a flashlight in a trouser pocket attached to a belt loop with a lanyard and it fits this method perfectly.

the emergency extendable body is a triumph

I love the switching ring. After having read about it for so long I can finally appreciate it properly now that I've used it. Very intuitive

the UI works very well for me - I may be one of the lucky ones, but it appears to function in a reliable and logical manner so far

the beam profile is perfect. Great balance of flood and hotspot

The glow powder is ingenious

the machining is excellent, with a couple of exceptions in the 'negative' section

works perfectly with all of the battery types.


negative:

there seems to be a problem with the thread on the long body - it can't quite be screwed on all the way to close flush against the head section. Still works fine though. I haven't had time to check it closely, may just be a bit of swarthe stuck in the thread.

I find the edges just a bit too sharp on the fins. A very slight bevel might solve that

being ultra picky, there is a very slight machining flaw on one of the fins (a tiny 'step' on the vertical cut, just a fraction of a mm)

The pwm flicker isn't that noticeable to me but might bother some people

i too solved the battery rattle with a post-it (MBI Nuke)

I would prefer a lower output on the low setting - I have some 5x80mm trits which are perfect for general 'don't bump into things' levels of light for well adjusted night vision in a small room, a similar level of light would be ideal for me

i now have no means to justify buying an hf-r to my wife!


thanks again!

 

[clg0159]

Torp X Landed, WOW that was fast! I am loving the personal touches and appreciate the time and effort you put into making the receipt of this item fun (and it was)! I will be evaluating this for a day or so and then provide a full report.

 

[clg0159]

OK, after a night of playing with....errr, rather....studying the X here are my impressions. I will report back if there is anything else of note later on. This is really a fun little piece of work Guy, well done! :thumbsup::thumbsup:

Good
1) Performs well on all batteries (magnet needed for my li-ions)

• This is what I love about the Torpedo! Ultimate flexibility!

2) Excellent output
3) Design looks sharp, love the black and red

• Knurling, finish, and lettering are flawless!

4) Auto step down from high to low on li-ion functional (not sure if this was the intention but it functions)
5) Reversible clip attachment

• I like that when on the head it will protect the control ring
• Don't want to use the clip because it seems it will damage the finish
  • Maybe roll the edges out a bit

6) PWM not noticeable on any battery with my X and I am generally sensitive to it

Personal Preferences
1) Control ring a bit looser than I would prefer
2) Bezel ring a little rough (edges visible)
3) Tailfin outer edges a bit sharp

• Maybe take them down just a hair on the outer edges

Quirks
1) After level 1 rotating left/right steps up in brightness

• I kind of like this unless I am trying to turn it off lol

2) Often wont' shift down when reversing directions (left). Then when going back up (right) it becomes the down direction and decreases brightness.