MikeSalt
Flashlight Enthusiast
After a lengthy two-year hiatus from buying custom lights, I just happened to be browsing CPF, moping a bit about my Lummi Wee Ti that I'd lost years ago, and hoping that I might see one in the WTS section. As I scrolled, this thread just happened to jump out at me and sparked my interest. Having experienced what a lovely beam of light can be from the Nichia 219 in some of my other lights, to see it offered in tiny 10180 form, and with a proper driver, I just had to have it.
First contact and it was very reassuring to find that George was an excellent communicator and took great pride in what he brings to the table. There's no shelf queens in my collection, so I chose the most practical material choice, titanium, and to improve grip on this tiny light, I opted for the bead-blast finish, with green trits so I could find it when I need it.
After a slight heart-in-mouth moment due to the UK carrier having a massive IT meltdown over the bank holiday weekend and losing visibility of my package for 4 days, I finally laid my hands on this yesterday. Here are my ramblings of my first 24 hours with it.
After unpackaging the light from the substantial packaging George had provided to protect it, I found the light in a very elegant presentation box.
The first thing that struck me was how slender it was. My other two 10180 lights, a Wee SS and MecArmy X4S are much thicker lights. Even though the Omicron and X4S are about the same length, the Omicron feels the most compact of all three of them.
The next thing that struck me was how gorgeous the bead-blast finish is compared to all the machined-finish lights I've owned before. It was also a lovely surprise to peer down the barrel and see a proper orange-peel reflector. I didn't even know they were available in this size!
Next task was to load the 10180 cell. Check the original sales thread for compatible cells, I know for sure that AW 10180 cells are too short. MecArmy are described by George as the perfect fit. You'll notice that the threads are absolutely silky smooth at this point, which is very impressive in titanium at this tiny size.
And those silky threads, coupled with the long, slender body allow for one-handed operation, which is rare for this size. As I was hoping, the colour temperature is gorgeous, there's no ugly tint or indeed tint variation across the beam, and the transition from spot to flood in the beam is so smooth. Unfortunately, I don't have a white wall for beam shots, so the door will have to do.
And the best part? NO VISIBLE PWM IN ANY MODE! :thumbsup: Not even the moonlight mode, although this isn't quite as low as moonlight in a Zebralight.
The one criticism I had, and George knows about this, is the mode programming information in the paperwork he provided, which has been mangled in the word processor. Also, if you search for the guppydrv documents, you tend to find the Rev. 2 guide, which is wrong for this light. Just use this guide and you'll be fine.
Being a twisty, programming takes a bit of a knack. I have been able to program it with twists, although I find the best way is to tighten the tailcap just to the point before activation, and tap the tailcap. Be aware that the guppydrv firmware was written for a reverse clicky, so when it talks about a tap, that's assumed to be a small break in the current, so your last tap or twist should hold the light in the on position for it to work.
And my verdict after 24 hours? This is my new favourite light. The quality, the features, the aesthetics, the beam and even the man behind it, the Omicron is a truly wonderful light.
And I would recommend getting one. Hurry though, looking at the last stock update and knowing two have sold recently, I reckon there are only 5 left, and I don't know if more will be made.
Thanks for reading
First contact and it was very reassuring to find that George was an excellent communicator and took great pride in what he brings to the table. There's no shelf queens in my collection, so I chose the most practical material choice, titanium, and to improve grip on this tiny light, I opted for the bead-blast finish, with green trits so I could find it when I need it.
After a slight heart-in-mouth moment due to the UK carrier having a massive IT meltdown over the bank holiday weekend and losing visibility of my package for 4 days, I finally laid my hands on this yesterday. Here are my ramblings of my first 24 hours with it.
After unpackaging the light from the substantial packaging George had provided to protect it, I found the light in a very elegant presentation box.
The first thing that struck me was how slender it was. My other two 10180 lights, a Wee SS and MecArmy X4S are much thicker lights. Even though the Omicron and X4S are about the same length, the Omicron feels the most compact of all three of them.
The next thing that struck me was how gorgeous the bead-blast finish is compared to all the machined-finish lights I've owned before. It was also a lovely surprise to peer down the barrel and see a proper orange-peel reflector. I didn't even know they were available in this size!
Next task was to load the 10180 cell. Check the original sales thread for compatible cells, I know for sure that AW 10180 cells are too short. MecArmy are described by George as the perfect fit. You'll notice that the threads are absolutely silky smooth at this point, which is very impressive in titanium at this tiny size.
And those silky threads, coupled with the long, slender body allow for one-handed operation, which is rare for this size. As I was hoping, the colour temperature is gorgeous, there's no ugly tint or indeed tint variation across the beam, and the transition from spot to flood in the beam is so smooth. Unfortunately, I don't have a white wall for beam shots, so the door will have to do.
And the best part? NO VISIBLE PWM IN ANY MODE! :thumbsup: Not even the moonlight mode, although this isn't quite as low as moonlight in a Zebralight.
The one criticism I had, and George knows about this, is the mode programming information in the paperwork he provided, which has been mangled in the word processor. Also, if you search for the guppydrv documents, you tend to find the Rev. 2 guide, which is wrong for this light. Just use this guide and you'll be fine.
Being a twisty, programming takes a bit of a knack. I have been able to program it with twists, although I find the best way is to tighten the tailcap just to the point before activation, and tap the tailcap. Be aware that the guppydrv firmware was written for a reverse clicky, so when it talks about a tap, that's assumed to be a small break in the current, so your last tap or twist should hold the light in the on position for it to work.
And my verdict after 24 hours? This is my new favourite light. The quality, the features, the aesthetics, the beam and even the man behind it, the Omicron is a truly wonderful light.
And I would recommend getting one. Hurry though, looking at the last stock update and knowing two have sold recently, I reckon there are only 5 left, and I don't know if more will be made.
Thanks for reading
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