js
Flashlight Enthusiast
Re: The SF M6-R: a regulated rechargeable SF M6 (H
udaman,
I've been doing some more thinking on your lastest post, and I'd like to add a few more responses to it:
First, in regards to the "thinking outside the box" comment, allow me to quote you in context: here is the paragraph I was talking about:
[ QUOTE ]
"My hands are small"...singer Jewel says. What about extension tubes for the C body Mags; can you get these made, and for how much? Although the Mag C diameter is still a bit too large for what I want, I was thinking about possibilities with the Pila rechargeable and the larger diameter Pilas. There was discussion of cramming 4x123's into 2C Mag body, w/modified tailcaps- w or w/o springs. I'm wondering if 2 1800ma 168 Pilas would fit better in a 4x123 Mag 2C mod like this? If not, then what about extension tubes that will allow for 2 or 3 Pila with the Mag C bodies??? Short runtimes, but you get the benefit of higher voltages with fewer cells, compared to 1.2v NiMH batteries/sticks, though probably giving up ability to run higher amp loads. Pila/Copia discharge graphs??? I'm rather surprised, that regular moders are not "thinking out of the box" about the possibilities/flexibility the Pila open up. Think about it, NiMH batteries/ sticks loose a signficant amount of runtime if you don't keep them constantly charged-am I the only one who is forgetful? Pila will have relatively same output/runtime 6 months, maybe even 1 year of just sitting in the flashlight. And if the runtime is a bit short, who cares. Just pop a new set of previously charged batteries into the flashlight...did I mention they retain the majority their charge for upwards of a year or more???
[/ QUOTE ]
And here is the link to the original thread from which it came. There. How's that for context.
And, your objections notwithstanding, I still think it's a pretty good example of what I am talking about. I say that on CPF the "box" IS lithium chemistry, Pilas, 123's, etc. and to illustrate that (once again) let me just say that my original plans for making my own mod involved 123's and Pilas, for the reasons you mentioned. I went to NiMH in my TL and M6 projects because it was better suited to my needs. All I was trying to say was that CPFers generally think first about Li chemistry batteries. So my choice of NiMH represents an effort to think "outside the box."
I do not believe that I did you a dis-service or quoted you unfairly, but people can see the original paragraph above, and click on the link, and judge for themselves.
Now, moving on to the question of whether or not I have "sold out":
[ QUOTE ]
udaman said:
And js knows this from PM's between us, and I have to say I'm somewhat disappointed in this M6R. It is almost like the TL was a starting project that led to the fancy high-end (read expensive) M6-R project, as they both rely on basically the same type of power source. It is just in the M6, we add a Willie Hunt regulator to the package (the 'super secret' project js hinted to me a few months ago which I had guessed would be a regulated TL85).
I have to say, it almost seems like js has lost his roots and gone on to 'sell-out'. Originally he wanted to provide CPF members with as many lumens as possible for the lowest costs, much like me. These high-end lights are nice for what they are, but are too expensive for most; I'm more interested in trying to provide high lumens for under $100.
In conclusion, the M6-R is a nice, but uninspiring project, a rather expensive rich man's toy, kind of fat and unwieldy without any endurance . When js builds me the "JA Special"--wicked, awesome, dead-solid-perfect, thin/sexy; then I start drooling...but still cannot afford that one either , too rich for my blood. Darned js, I keep saying "I'm out"; when you start working on the JA Special, be sure and let me be a ß-tester...I can keep a secret.
[/ QUOTE ]
udaman, I did agree with you, in a PM, that there was something to be said for trying to provide the most lumens for the most CPFers--i.e. lots of lumens for cheap, and I remember lamenting the fact that there was no $5 drop in WA lamp 1160 type upgrade for the TigerLight like there was for the MC. But I think I know myself better than you do, and I can assure you that my roots are NOT in inexpensive mag mods. My roots are actually in expensive, high quality lights, such as the SureFire C2 and Arc LSH. I never set out on a mission to provide cheap lumens! I set out on a mission to make the TigerLight compete with an MC60. THAT was my mission.
I started on the TL project because I personally wanted a brighter TigerLight, and I continued with it, and worked as hard as I did, partly because there was so much interest in it. The TL is a very popular rechargeable light here on CPF and I'm pretty sure that a few people were pleased with my efforts and thought that they got a good value for the money.
Yet, if it comes to providing CPFers with options for cheap lumens, I believe I have done something towards that end as well. I set out to solve the problem of high heat and current issues in mag mods. Originally, as you know, I was planning a drop-in replacement for the switch pedestal assy, but upon further investigation, I found out that the switch will indeed take 5 amps without any trouble, and thus the only issue was the heat generated by the superbulbs. And in the interest of keeping costs down, I suggested a plan that many have used: cut off the pedestal. Then solder wires to the right places, and use a stock 1940 and one of my ring potted bulbs and molex connectors to grab the pins. I have an active B/S/T thread where I am offering these connectors and related things for sale for very cheap.
Now, the M6-R project really chose me and not vice versa. You can belittle it if you want, but I'm quite proud of it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif I have a quiet sense of satisfaction over what I've done here. I could mention that I also built a charger from scratch for this project, and I could mention that there was a lot more to making and designing the battery pack than just adding a Willie Hunt regulator to the package. I could go into detail over just why it was such a challenge and just why I'm proud of it.
But I won't.
Let me just point out that there are a fair number of people out there who own M6's and who have been asking the CPF audience about the possibility of a rechargeable M6 for a long time now. Even if we were to say that this was an easy project, and somewhat uninspiring, there would still remain the fact that it fills a need and addresses a request from part of CPF.
[ QUOTE ]
udaman said:
If we are looking at a true small form factor and want the big $$$ footprint, then js will only really impress me when he works his butt off with engineers to design...what do we call it? The "JA Special" for CPF members, designed by js, 'thinking out of the box', raising the bar. That would mean an 500 lm or more HID in the smallest form factor yet---yes that means getting a smaller diameter ballast made, like a SF P9 body.
[/ QUOTE ]
Here's a news flash, oodles: my goal in life is not to impress you--I mean, it's fine if I do, but it's also fine if I don't. And if it comes to that, has anything or anyone ever impressed you? You seem to be pretty immune to that emotion. Ginseng can work his butt off to build the first 3D form factor HID level brightness light, and you say "build me an HID version in a C form factor. Incans make too much heat."
And here's an idea: GO BUILD THE JA SPECIAL YOURSELF.
udaman,
I've been doing some more thinking on your lastest post, and I'd like to add a few more responses to it:
First, in regards to the "thinking outside the box" comment, allow me to quote you in context: here is the paragraph I was talking about:
[ QUOTE ]
"My hands are small"...singer Jewel says. What about extension tubes for the C body Mags; can you get these made, and for how much? Although the Mag C diameter is still a bit too large for what I want, I was thinking about possibilities with the Pila rechargeable and the larger diameter Pilas. There was discussion of cramming 4x123's into 2C Mag body, w/modified tailcaps- w or w/o springs. I'm wondering if 2 1800ma 168 Pilas would fit better in a 4x123 Mag 2C mod like this? If not, then what about extension tubes that will allow for 2 or 3 Pila with the Mag C bodies??? Short runtimes, but you get the benefit of higher voltages with fewer cells, compared to 1.2v NiMH batteries/sticks, though probably giving up ability to run higher amp loads. Pila/Copia discharge graphs??? I'm rather surprised, that regular moders are not "thinking out of the box" about the possibilities/flexibility the Pila open up. Think about it, NiMH batteries/ sticks loose a signficant amount of runtime if you don't keep them constantly charged-am I the only one who is forgetful? Pila will have relatively same output/runtime 6 months, maybe even 1 year of just sitting in the flashlight. And if the runtime is a bit short, who cares. Just pop a new set of previously charged batteries into the flashlight...did I mention they retain the majority their charge for upwards of a year or more???
[/ QUOTE ]
And here is the link to the original thread from which it came. There. How's that for context.
And, your objections notwithstanding, I still think it's a pretty good example of what I am talking about. I say that on CPF the "box" IS lithium chemistry, Pilas, 123's, etc. and to illustrate that (once again) let me just say that my original plans for making my own mod involved 123's and Pilas, for the reasons you mentioned. I went to NiMH in my TL and M6 projects because it was better suited to my needs. All I was trying to say was that CPFers generally think first about Li chemistry batteries. So my choice of NiMH represents an effort to think "outside the box."
I do not believe that I did you a dis-service or quoted you unfairly, but people can see the original paragraph above, and click on the link, and judge for themselves.
Now, moving on to the question of whether or not I have "sold out":
[ QUOTE ]
udaman said:
And js knows this from PM's between us, and I have to say I'm somewhat disappointed in this M6R. It is almost like the TL was a starting project that led to the fancy high-end (read expensive) M6-R project, as they both rely on basically the same type of power source. It is just in the M6, we add a Willie Hunt regulator to the package (the 'super secret' project js hinted to me a few months ago which I had guessed would be a regulated TL85).
I have to say, it almost seems like js has lost his roots and gone on to 'sell-out'. Originally he wanted to provide CPF members with as many lumens as possible for the lowest costs, much like me. These high-end lights are nice for what they are, but are too expensive for most; I'm more interested in trying to provide high lumens for under $100.
In conclusion, the M6-R is a nice, but uninspiring project, a rather expensive rich man's toy, kind of fat and unwieldy without any endurance . When js builds me the "JA Special"--wicked, awesome, dead-solid-perfect, thin/sexy; then I start drooling...but still cannot afford that one either , too rich for my blood. Darned js, I keep saying "I'm out"; when you start working on the JA Special, be sure and let me be a ß-tester...I can keep a secret.
[/ QUOTE ]
udaman, I did agree with you, in a PM, that there was something to be said for trying to provide the most lumens for the most CPFers--i.e. lots of lumens for cheap, and I remember lamenting the fact that there was no $5 drop in WA lamp 1160 type upgrade for the TigerLight like there was for the MC. But I think I know myself better than you do, and I can assure you that my roots are NOT in inexpensive mag mods. My roots are actually in expensive, high quality lights, such as the SureFire C2 and Arc LSH. I never set out on a mission to provide cheap lumens! I set out on a mission to make the TigerLight compete with an MC60. THAT was my mission.
I started on the TL project because I personally wanted a brighter TigerLight, and I continued with it, and worked as hard as I did, partly because there was so much interest in it. The TL is a very popular rechargeable light here on CPF and I'm pretty sure that a few people were pleased with my efforts and thought that they got a good value for the money.
Yet, if it comes to providing CPFers with options for cheap lumens, I believe I have done something towards that end as well. I set out to solve the problem of high heat and current issues in mag mods. Originally, as you know, I was planning a drop-in replacement for the switch pedestal assy, but upon further investigation, I found out that the switch will indeed take 5 amps without any trouble, and thus the only issue was the heat generated by the superbulbs. And in the interest of keeping costs down, I suggested a plan that many have used: cut off the pedestal. Then solder wires to the right places, and use a stock 1940 and one of my ring potted bulbs and molex connectors to grab the pins. I have an active B/S/T thread where I am offering these connectors and related things for sale for very cheap.
Now, the M6-R project really chose me and not vice versa. You can belittle it if you want, but I'm quite proud of it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif I have a quiet sense of satisfaction over what I've done here. I could mention that I also built a charger from scratch for this project, and I could mention that there was a lot more to making and designing the battery pack than just adding a Willie Hunt regulator to the package. I could go into detail over just why it was such a challenge and just why I'm proud of it.
But I won't.
Let me just point out that there are a fair number of people out there who own M6's and who have been asking the CPF audience about the possibility of a rechargeable M6 for a long time now. Even if we were to say that this was an easy project, and somewhat uninspiring, there would still remain the fact that it fills a need and addresses a request from part of CPF.
[ QUOTE ]
udaman said:
If we are looking at a true small form factor and want the big $$$ footprint, then js will only really impress me when he works his butt off with engineers to design...what do we call it? The "JA Special" for CPF members, designed by js, 'thinking out of the box', raising the bar. That would mean an 500 lm or more HID in the smallest form factor yet---yes that means getting a smaller diameter ballast made, like a SF P9 body.
[/ QUOTE ]
Here's a news flash, oodles: my goal in life is not to impress you--I mean, it's fine if I do, but it's also fine if I don't. And if it comes to that, has anything or anyone ever impressed you? You seem to be pretty immune to that emotion. Ginseng can work his butt off to build the first 3D form factor HID level brightness light, and you say "build me an HID version in a C form factor. Incans make too much heat."
And here's an idea: GO BUILD THE JA SPECIAL YOURSELF.
