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

[michman]

I just read the manual, and am a bit confused with the run times. Are the times stated the theoretical times of using 10440 or AAA? Also, is the light really a pure flood light like the H501? That would be pretty awesome if it is.

[the_guy_with_no_name]

I just read the manual, and am a bit confused with the run times. Are the times stated the theoretical times of using 10440 or AAA? Also, is the light really a pure flood light like the H501? That would be pretty awesome if it is.

Hi michman,

Thanks for posting
The runtimes are theoretical based on the 10440.

All going well, I'll be able to update those next week with more accurate numbers, for different battery types.
The beam should be floody considering the size of the reflector.
Again, will post some beam shots and more of a description once the working proto is here.

tgwnn

[Sno4Life]

Hi michman,

Thanks for posting
The runtimes are theoretical based on the 10440.

The beam should be floody considering the size of the reflector.
Again, will post some beam shots and more of a description once the working proto is here.

tgwnn

Any chance of trying out both a smooth and a lop reflector?

[the_guy_with_no_name]

Any chance of trying out both a smooth and a lop reflector?

Hi Sno4Life,

Sure, there is always a chance
Let me check with the team and see if they can put something together.

tgwnn

[BVH]

I'd prefer a SMO since I'm definitely a "throw" guy. Due to the smallness of the light, as you say, it's going to be floody. But if you use a SMO, at least it might be a little less floody (thereby making it more throwey)

[Sno4Life]

I'd prefer a SMO since I'm definitely a "throw" guy. Due to the smallness of the light, as you say, it's going to be floody. But if you use a SMO, at least it might be a little less floody (thereby making it more throwey)

That's exactly what I was thinking. It might make the beam more multifunctional. Clearly 500lm isn't for close-up work, so why not try to squeeze a little more throw out of what will clearly be a very floody light no matter what kind of finish is used for the reflector.

[Cataract]

for reflow soldering. smd parts like this can hardly be soldered by hand, they are way too small.

Sure they can, I used to do that for a living. You need the right size tip, a good soldering base (WITH temperature control) and use plenty of flux. It is a handling challenge though and you'll definitely want to inspect any IC pins with a good magnifier or microscope... and high quality tweezers (that's the secret ingredient). The second secret ingredient is don't get hung over.

I'm curious as to what the plan is with these components, expecially the SMD LEDs (battery indicator??)

[the_guy_with_no_name]

I'd prefer a SMO since I'm definitely a "throw" guy. Due to the smallness of the light, as you say, it's going to be floody. But if you use a SMO, at least it might be a little less floody (thereby making it more throwey)

That's exactly what I was thinking. It might make the beam more multifunctional. Clearly 500lm isn't for close-up work, so why not try to squeeze a little more throw out of what will clearly be a very floody light no matter what kind of finish is used for the reflector.

Ok, will give the SMO a try and see how it goes.

Sure they can, I used to do that for a living. You need the right size tip, a good soldering base (WITH temperature control) and use plenty of flux. It is a handling challenge though and you'll definitely want to inspect any IC pins with a good magnifier or microscope... and high quality tweezers (that's the secret ingredient). The second secret ingredient is don't get hung over.

I'm curious as to what the plan is with these components, expecially the SMD LEDs (battery indicator??)

Nope, no battery indicator.
Its for something else Im working on
I was able to solder the parts but looks like it needs some tweaking....

tgwnn

[Lopezepol75]

hey Guy, been reading this thread and it almost sounds too good to be true. I really want to thank you for doing this. Quick thought: what if you added a end cap so the unused body could double as a battery holder(sorta like 4sevens battery cap thingys) . that way people could always have an extra triple A with them and not have to worry so much about running their batteries down. also are you planning on keeping the price point near what it was in the first post (65)? thats like 8 lumens per dollar!!! ( although anything below 100$ is really good still)

[TyJo]

... and high quality tweezers (that's the secret ingredient). The second secret ingredient is don't get hung over....

Hahaha.

I'm not sure if the smooth vs. OP reflector would make a big difference with such a small reflector. It will be interesting to see.

[Bigmac_79]

I'm thinking the same thing, I highly doubt a smooth reflector will give this any noticeable throw advantage over an LOP, and will most likely just make it more ringy.

[Helmut.G]

Sure they can, I used to do that for a living. You need the right size tip, a good soldering base (WITH temperature control) and use plenty of flux. It is a handling challenge though and you'll definitely want to inspect any IC pins with a good magnifier or microscope... and high quality tweezers (that's the secret ingredient). The second secret ingredient is don't get hung over.

I'm curious as to what the plan is with these components, expecially the SMD LEDs (battery indicator??)

That's why I said hardly. Some people do it, but most can't.

[the_guy_with_no_name]

hey Guy, been reading this thread and it almost sounds too good to be true. I really want to thank you for doing this. Quick thought: what if you added a end cap so the unused body could double as a battery holder(sorta like 4sevens battery cap thingys) . that way people could always have an extra triple A with them and not have to worry so much about running their batteries down. also are you planning on keeping the price point near what it was in the first post (65)? thats like 8 lumens per dollar!!! ( although anything below 100$ is really good still)

Hi Lopezepol,

Thanks for posting
Battery holder, its doable perhaps as an option going forward after the first product run,
I wonder though how much demand there is for that? anybody?

I am planning to keep the price near/at the original price point, though perhaps just for CPF, depending on final costs.
When I set up the product website, the standard retail price may be a little more than that but for CPF, and as a minimum everyone who has posted and/or subscribed, I will be trying hard to bring the project in at the original target price.

Hahaha.
I'm not sure if the smooth vs. OP reflector would make a big difference with such a small reflector. It will be interesting to see.

I'm thinking the same thing, I highly doubt a smooth reflector will give this any noticeable throw advantage over an LOP, and will most likely just make it more ringy.

I have to say I agree that I dont expect too see much difference with a smooth reflector as the throw is achieved by the outer most part of the reflector and for this size, the outer part of the reflector, is the size of the inner most part of a typical XM-L sized reflector.
Personally, I dont like rings too much (though they can be acceptable in a larger throwy light for my taste), which is why I opted for the OP reflector.
Still, happy to give it a try and we can all judge based on that

That's why I said hardly. Some people do it, but most can't.

Takes a little practice but its not as impossible as I imagined once you get the part in place.
As suggested, lots of flux and a good magnifying lens make things easier.
Its the multi-pin microprocessors that are the trickiest but still do-able Im finding.

Tgwnn

[Got Lumens?]

Hahaha.
I'm not sure if the smooth vs. OP reflector would make a big difference with such a small reflector. It will be interesting to see.

I agree. The only thing I would add is that the XM-L's are inherently floody by nature. I await the testing to see if the smooth would amplify any artifacts in the beam

Battery holder, its doable perhaps as an option going forward after the first product run,
I wonder though how much demand there is for that? anybody?

+1 on a battery holder endcap acessory

I have to say I agree that I dont expect too see much difference with a smooth reflector as the throw is achieved by the outer most part of the reflector and for this size, the outer part of the reflector, is the size of the inner most part of a typical XM-L sized reflector.
Personally, I dont like rings too much (though they can be acceptable in a larger throwy light for my taste), which is why I opted for the OP reflector.
Still, happy to give it a try and we can all judge based on that

Agreed +1

Takes a little practice but its not as impossible as I imagined once you get the part in place.
As suggested, lots of flux and a good magnifying lens make things easier.
Its the multi-pin microprocessors that are the trickiest but still do-able Im finding.
Tgwnn

I agree with you Guy. I would hope this would just be for building the prototypes and not production runs. Man that would take a lot of small hands .

Just out of couriousity, Did you ever test the gloves with the finalized body design and UI?
It's getting pretty cold here
GL

[RCantor]

Aren't there more than 100 subscribers to this thread? 4500 for me, too - if you don't already have that down

[RCantor]

With 3 batteries - two charged and ready and 1 in the light.

[Sno4Life]

5000k for me!

[Cataract]

Hi Lopezepol,

Thanks for posting
Battery holder, its doable perhaps as an option going forward after the first product run,
I wonder though how much demand there is for that? anybody?

I like the endcap idea... protects the threads from lint as well...

I am planning to keep the price near/at the original price point, though perhaps just for CPF, depending on final costs.
When I set up the product website, the standard retail price may be a little more than that but for CPF, and as a minimum everyone who has posted and/or subscribed, I will be trying hard to bring the project in at the original target price.

Very appreciated!

I have to say I agree that I dont expect too see much difference with a smooth reflector as the throw is achieved by the outer most part of the reflector and for this size, the outer part of the reflector, is the size of the inner most part of a typical XM-L sized reflector.
Personally, I dont like rings too much (though they can be acceptable in a larger throwy light for my taste), which is why I opted for the OP reflector.
Still, happy to give it a try and we can all judge based on that

100% agree

Takes a little practice but its not as impossible as I imagined once you get the part in place.
As suggested, lots of flux and a good magnifying lens make things easier.
Its the multi-pin microprocessors that are the trickiest but still do-able Im finding.

Tgwnn

It's mostly about practice and a steady hand (coupled with tons of patience, which is what most people don't have)

The microprocessors are a slightly different ball-game (that's a funny statement for those who know what I'm talking about). Forget about BGA outside the oven (although I once did some single-row BGA's by hand), but the multi-pin processors need special attention. The best way I have found is to put plenty of solder and tons of flux while spreading the solder around (fix the corner pins first, obviously...) As long as you hear the cracking sound of the flux, you have enough flux. Eventually, the pins won't short to each other (that's when you really need the strong magnification -sometimes 2 loupes on top of each other-, unless you prefer to find out the hard way.) This usually makes for IPC-grade soldering.

[the_guy_with_no_name]

I agree with you Guy. I would hope this would just be for building the prototypes and not production runs. Man that would take a lot of small hands .

Just out of couriousity, Did you ever test the gloves with the finalized body design and UI?
It's getting pretty cold here
GL

Production will be done professionally ofcourse.
Havent tested the thick gloves yet, gotta dig them out of the trunk. will do that tomorrow.

Aren't there more than 100 subscribers to this thread? 4500 for me, too - if you don't already have that down With 3 batteries - two charged and ready and 1 in the light.

Yes, many more than 100
I WILL do my best to accomodate every single person who would like to own a Torpedo

5000k for me!

Thanks.

tgwnn

[the_guy_with_no_name]

I like the endcap idea... protects the threads from lint as well...

It's mostly about practice and a steady hand (coupled with tons of patience, which is what most people don't have)

The microprocessors are a slightly different ball-game (that's a funny statement for those who know what I'm talking about). Forget about BGA outside the oven (although I once did some single-row BGA's by hand), but the multi-pin processors need special attention. The best way I have found is to put plenty of solder and tons of flux while spreading the solder around (fix the corner pins first, obviously...) As long as you hear the cracking sound of the flux, you have enough flux. Eventually, the pins won't short to each other (that's when you really need the strong magnification -sometimes 2 loupes on top of each other-, unless you prefer to find out the hard way.) This usually makes for IPC-grade soldering.

Thanks Cataract

[Cataract]

Thanks Cataract

Anything I can do to help

[taratata]

Hi,
If it matters, i'm aslo interested by a battery holder endcap acessory

Thanks

[the_guy_with_no_name]

Anything I can do to help

Thanks

Hi,
If it matters, i'm aslo interested by a battery holder endcap acessory

Thanks

If it matters to you, it matter to me

For the endcap folks, is this something you'd plan to carry with you?

tgwnn

[chris975d]

Thanks


If it matters to you, it matter to me

For the endcap folks, is this something you'd plan to carry with you?

tgwnn

If you made a cap for the spare body so it could be used as a battery carrier when not in use, yes, I would definitely have that with me on my keychain, if it had an attachment method.

[scottyhazzard]

With 3 batteries - two charged and ready and 1 in the light.

+1 I have containers for 2 extra batts for all my lights and would like some sort of spare as I expect to use this light a lot and understand it will only run for so long.

[Sno4Life]

If you made a cap for the spare body so it could be used as a battery carrier when not in use, yes, I would definitely have that with me on my keychain, if it had an attachment method.

Agreed

[emu124]

For the endcap folks, is this something you'd plan to carry with you?

tgwnn

@Lopesepol75: Great idea with the endcap

And, yep, some attachment point would be appreciated

BTW... 4500K for emu

[Got Lumens?]

If you made a cap for the spare body so it could be used as a battery carrier when not in use, yes, I would definitely have that with me on my keychain, if it had an attachment method.

+1
I think Guy has that covered though. Both bodies will have the splitring/lanyard hole in between the endcap fins.
GL

[Bigmac_79]

I'll just weigh in and say I wouldn't use the spare body as a spare cell carrier. All my spare cells are in plastic containers in the side pouch of my bag, and carrying a spare cell on my keychain or even in my pocket would be impractical for me in almost all situations. I'm not trying to tell you not to make it, just that it wouldn't be useful to me. If it's sold as an accessory, I won't buy it, and if it's included in the purchase of the Torpedo, it will go in my junk box along with all my spare o-rings and switches, etc. If it's included with the purchase of the Torpedo and increases the price and/or production time, I would be slightly grumpy, but I would still get the Torpedo.

[the_guy_with_no_name]

If you made a cap for the spare body so it could be used as a battery carrier when not in use, yes, I would definitely have that with me on my keychain, if it had an attachment method.

+1 I have containers for 2 extra batts for all my lights and would like some sort of spare as I expect to use this light a lot and understand it will only run for so long.

Agreed

@Lopesepol75: Great idea with the endcap

And, yep, some attachment point would be appreciated

BTW... 4500K for emu

+1
I think Guy has that covered though. Both bodies will have the splitring/lanyard hole in between the endcap fins.
GL

I'll just weigh in and say I wouldn't use the spare body as a spare cell carrier. All my spare cells are in plastic containers in the side pouch of my bag, and carrying a spare cell on my keychain or even in my pocket would be impractical for me in almost all situations. I'm not trying to tell you not to make it, just that it wouldn't be useful to me. If it's sold as an accessory, I won't buy it, and if it's included in the purchase of the Torpedo, it will go in my junk box along with all my spare o-rings and switches, etc. If it's included with the purchase of the Torpedo and increases the price and/or production time, I would be slightly grumpy, but I would still get the Torpedo.

Thanks for the quick feedback. Much appreciated as always.

Making an endcap is easy enough all things considered.
I could possibly make some battery holders of 10440 & 10250 size so you could carry whichever.
I need to check on quantity (minimum's) to make sure its doable at a reasonable price,

and yes as Bigmac mentioned, it should not be the cause of a delay (dont think it would be),
but perhaps could be an option going forward or even a standalone product, in various sizes?

tgwnn