SPY005 - the license to style
The SPY005 is data's incredible light that just hit CPF. It is this light:
Construction
The SPY is made of hard anodized aluminium in either NAT or black with chromed bezel and switch knob. It is a 2xCR123 light that runs a T-binned LuxIII via a new custom DB converter by dat2zip that offers 6 regulated levels of light. Secret agent stuff in and out.
And it is small ... really small:
The machining is incredibly perfect with unsurpassed attention to detail and an extraordinary new body shape. Some shots about the perfection in detail:
The lanyard attachment, tailcap release button and the serial number ... which is surpassed in finesse and detail only by ...
... the (machined!) logo on the tailcap. Mine is logo choice #1 of three possibilities.
The two batteries have their own recesses each and are secured with springs in the tailcap. They will not rattle in normal use at all.
The tailcap can be released by pressing the above-shown button with a sharp object ... and the release mechanism itself is a work of art that is unrivaled at the moment.
The light uses a McR-18 reflector by McGizmo and a domed window and is comletely o-ring sealed and should withstand harsh weather and the occasional dunking without any problems.
Did I say the light is small?
As a consequence ... it isn't as tough and thick-walled as for example the latest McGizmo lights, and might suffer more from falls and rough circumstances. It isn't fragile or flimsy at all ... it just is not built for battle. Double zero agents always kill well-dressed in perfectly civilized environments like 5-star hotels and the like ...
Ergonomics
Turn the knob from the off-position and rotate it with 6 clicks from lowest to highest brightness setting. It is a KISS (keep it super simple) light. No fuzz and wizardry in the interface ... it just works like any dimmer knob. And you get tactile and audible feedback upon level change.
The knob offers very good grip in all positions without being abrasive ... just like the rest of the light. No knurling to hurt your fine garments that you will wear with this light.
One thing bothers me though ... the knob turns in the "wrong" direction ... meaning ... I always end up dimming it when I want it brighter and vice versa ...
Must be because Mr. Bond is British ... they also drive on the left side ... :sick2:
Battery change is no problem, provided you have something to push the small and recessed release pin for the tailcap mechanism. Polarity is indicated on the driver board, and the manual sais the light is polarity protected. When empty ... turning the knob might result in the switch disengaging and could require re-aligning the knob, which can be done relatively easily by the user (according to the manual; I did not attempt this ...). This point is the only real drawback of the design IMHO.
Due to the small size and forward-facing switch the light will fit almost anywhere without a problem and can be used one-handed with different grip-techniques ... and it won't require you to change grip to change brightness and / or to turn it on and off. Wonderful and innovative. It does not offer a momentary mode and access to full blast though, although turning the knob to maximum setting is pretty fast ... but a tactical whip-it-out-and-blast-in-the-face-light it is not.
Performance
The beam is a very good compromise between throw and spill ... it offers reasonable coverage for medium distances on high level and great area illumination in the near field ... and the lowest setting is really good when it is totally dark indoors.
Mine is the girlie-version with a max. current of 600mA to the LED ... the real men took 1000mA highest setting which is for intermittent operation only though.
IMHO the 600mA setting is plenty enough for anything you might encounter with this light. And the runtime will be impressive on 2xCR123 for this light ... I can't do runtimes unfortunately, but a guesstimate by experience indicates more than 2 hours on highest setting oo: !
Heat isn't an issue for the girlie-version ... but as explained above, the 1000mA guys should be careful on highest setting.
Knowing the DB driver of other iterations I expect pretty flat regulation with this light. Current regulated.
In the end ...
... the SPY005 is a perfefctly stylish and very well-made custom light with unlimited attention to detail ... with some unique traits and concepts unseen before. It is a light that is well suited for any task one might encounter under normal circumstances; it is a versatile light.
It is also quite appealing visually and can be your companion in any situation without looking "toolish" or tactical at all. I can imagine that light on my person during my wedding or in the hands of Mr. Bond himself without looking out of place. The only attention this light will draw is looks of awe and acknowledgement of quality and style.
It is not built like a super tough tank or warship and should not be taken out into battle, but should be placed in the suitcase of a secret service agent or any other flashaholic.
The only negative point is that the switch mechanism can disengage when used without batteries. And that the 1000mA setting might damage the light when used continiously, making it less KISS. But after all ... that shall be the problem of those pocket-rocket guys ... :nana:
The SPY005 ... a light Mr. Bond would be proud to own, but unfortunately he can't since they're all sold. Should you as a lesser agent have a chance to own one ... don't hesitate ...
To all those involved ... :bow:
And a special thanx to data ... who not only made this happen, but who also made it a fun and interesting project ... giving us updates, pictures and even videos ... videos well worth watching. This was a fun ride, and it was perfectly executed untill the end. Thank you !!! :thumbsup:
bernie
The SPY005 is data's incredible light that just hit CPF. It is this light:
Construction
The SPY is made of hard anodized aluminium in either NAT or black with chromed bezel and switch knob. It is a 2xCR123 light that runs a T-binned LuxIII via a new custom DB converter by dat2zip that offers 6 regulated levels of light. Secret agent stuff in and out.
And it is small ... really small:
The machining is incredibly perfect with unsurpassed attention to detail and an extraordinary new body shape. Some shots about the perfection in detail:
The lanyard attachment, tailcap release button and the serial number ... which is surpassed in finesse and detail only by ...
... the (machined!) logo on the tailcap. Mine is logo choice #1 of three possibilities.
The two batteries have their own recesses each and are secured with springs in the tailcap. They will not rattle in normal use at all.
The tailcap can be released by pressing the above-shown button with a sharp object ... and the release mechanism itself is a work of art that is unrivaled at the moment.
The light uses a McR-18 reflector by McGizmo and a domed window and is comletely o-ring sealed and should withstand harsh weather and the occasional dunking without any problems.
Did I say the light is small?
As a consequence ... it isn't as tough and thick-walled as for example the latest McGizmo lights, and might suffer more from falls and rough circumstances. It isn't fragile or flimsy at all ... it just is not built for battle. Double zero agents always kill well-dressed in perfectly civilized environments like 5-star hotels and the like ...
Ergonomics
Turn the knob from the off-position and rotate it with 6 clicks from lowest to highest brightness setting. It is a KISS (keep it super simple) light. No fuzz and wizardry in the interface ... it just works like any dimmer knob. And you get tactile and audible feedback upon level change.
The knob offers very good grip in all positions without being abrasive ... just like the rest of the light. No knurling to hurt your fine garments that you will wear with this light.
One thing bothers me though ... the knob turns in the "wrong" direction ... meaning ... I always end up dimming it when I want it brighter and vice versa ...
Must be because Mr. Bond is British ... they also drive on the left side ... :sick2:
Battery change is no problem, provided you have something to push the small and recessed release pin for the tailcap mechanism. Polarity is indicated on the driver board, and the manual sais the light is polarity protected. When empty ... turning the knob might result in the switch disengaging and could require re-aligning the knob, which can be done relatively easily by the user (according to the manual; I did not attempt this ...). This point is the only real drawback of the design IMHO.
Due to the small size and forward-facing switch the light will fit almost anywhere without a problem and can be used one-handed with different grip-techniques ... and it won't require you to change grip to change brightness and / or to turn it on and off. Wonderful and innovative. It does not offer a momentary mode and access to full blast though, although turning the knob to maximum setting is pretty fast ... but a tactical whip-it-out-and-blast-in-the-face-light it is not.
Performance
The beam is a very good compromise between throw and spill ... it offers reasonable coverage for medium distances on high level and great area illumination in the near field ... and the lowest setting is really good when it is totally dark indoors.
Mine is the girlie-version with a max. current of 600mA to the LED ... the real men took 1000mA highest setting which is for intermittent operation only though.
IMHO the 600mA setting is plenty enough for anything you might encounter with this light. And the runtime will be impressive on 2xCR123 for this light ... I can't do runtimes unfortunately, but a guesstimate by experience indicates more than 2 hours on highest setting oo: !
Heat isn't an issue for the girlie-version ... but as explained above, the 1000mA guys should be careful on highest setting.
Knowing the DB driver of other iterations I expect pretty flat regulation with this light. Current regulated.
In the end ...
... the SPY005 is a perfefctly stylish and very well-made custom light with unlimited attention to detail ... with some unique traits and concepts unseen before. It is a light that is well suited for any task one might encounter under normal circumstances; it is a versatile light.
It is also quite appealing visually and can be your companion in any situation without looking "toolish" or tactical at all. I can imagine that light on my person during my wedding or in the hands of Mr. Bond himself without looking out of place. The only attention this light will draw is looks of awe and acknowledgement of quality and style.
It is not built like a super tough tank or warship and should not be taken out into battle, but should be placed in the suitcase of a secret service agent or any other flashaholic.
The only negative point is that the switch mechanism can disengage when used without batteries. And that the 1000mA setting might damage the light when used continiously, making it less KISS. But after all ... that shall be the problem of those pocket-rocket guys ... :nana:
The SPY005 ... a light Mr. Bond would be proud to own, but unfortunately he can't since they're all sold. Should you as a lesser agent have a chance to own one ... don't hesitate ...
To all those involved ... :bow:
And a special thanx to data ... who not only made this happen, but who also made it a fun and interesting project ... giving us updates, pictures and even videos ... videos well worth watching. This was a fun ride, and it was perfectly executed untill the end. Thank you !!! :thumbsup:
bernie