The longest throwing LED flashlight in the world (part 4)

saabluster

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All DEFT-Enthusiast models have now been shipped! This marks the end of the line for the Enthusiast model of the DEFT. I'm sorry if you missed the boat on this one but a the DEFT-FTP is about to set sail soon so don't fear.
Thanks to all for the patience, support, and feedback. You have made all this so much fun and I have learned more in the last year than in the prior 10. I look forward to being able to make more groundbreaking lights in the years to come. Thanks, Michael
 

choppers

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Aug 13, 2006
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AZ
All DEFT-Enthusiast models have now been shipped! This marks the end of the line for the Enthusiast model of the DEFT. I'm sorry if you missed the boat on this one but a the DEFT-FTP is about to set sail soon so don't fear.
Thanks to all for the patience, support, and feedback. You have made all this so much fun and I have learned more in the last year than in the prior 10. I look forward to being able to make more groundbreaking lights in the years to come. Thanks, Michael
Really looking forward to the DEFT-FTP:)
 

saabluster

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Are you keeping a list yet for the DEFT-FTP? As a DEFT-Enthusiast owner, I'd really like to get on it!


Ditto to what jblackwood posted.


Well I am keeping a list in my email. It wasn't something I planned to do originally it just kind of happened. I put both of you guys on using the email addresses I had from your original purchase.
 

jsholli

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Nov 11, 2007
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Fayetteville, AR, US
Michael,
Are any of the parts from the enthusiast models going to be interchangeable with the FTP?

Also, looking forward to beamshots comparing the two, Aircraft800's remarks about the FTP's output have me quite interested!
 

saabluster

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Michael,
Are any of the parts from the enthusiast models going to be interchangeable with the FTP?

Also, looking forward to beamshots comparing the two, Aircraft800's remarks about the FTP's output have me quite interested!
The FTP's lens has a revised profile that gives a more precise beam. It is able to be swapped over. The pre-collimator is the same. There is a new way of fixing the lens with what I call a "lock ring" which is threaded instead of the spacer used before. That is not swappable in most cases as the Enthusiast models had an electrical touch point to ground the circuit which allowed me to weld on the metal tabs that hold on the carbon fiber bezel and that sometimes boogered the threads a bit. You should be able to swap the bezels from light to light though. Keep in mind that the base light for both the FTP and Enthusiast is the same. The last ten Enthusiast models shipped are the most powerful DEFTs ever created and the new FTP is slightly less powerful than those but more powerful than the first DEFTs made.
 

saabluster

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You mean I have to figure out how to count backwards?.... I think you got yours right around the time I got mine.
Windy yours came with the AR lens which was the best that I had at the time. The new ones despite not having the AR coat still perform better but keep in mind that it is not a night and day difference. The strange thing is that if you looked at the two lenses side by side you'd swear the AR one would perform better as it looks smoother and more precise.
 

choppers

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How close are we to the introduction of the DEFT - FTP?
:sssh: I wont tell I promise...
 

Dark Vapor

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May 1, 2006
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"The Gathering Place"
Windstrings wrote, ". . . I think you got yours right around the time I got mine."

Not quite correct. We were on the same open wait list. But I was slow doing PP and was placed into the final batch of the DEFT-Enthusiast, and at the top of said list.

I had envied you, and the others from the same wait list for beating me to getting the DEFT on the last run; and still do because you have yours in hand right now. But as the old sayings, "good things come to those who wait."

Right now, I'm just looking forward to getting it in my hands and annoying the heck out of the neighbors and their dogs/cats/roaches/etc, as soon as it gets dark.

And guess what?! My wife just came home and ran into the mail man. In her hands was a small brown box from TX. I was racking my brains trying to figure who in TX is sending me a box and then it hit me! MY DEFT IS HERE!! It's still unopen as I sit here typing. So, gotta go . . .

Oh, and thanks Mike.
 

saabluster

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How close are we to the introduction of the DEFT - FTP?
:sssh: I wont tell I promise...
Tis a strange situation I find myself. I have several already built and in fact have already accepted an order for one which will be shipped out Monday. I wanted to build up a small supply before "introducing" it officially. That said it's not like you guys don't know what's going on so I guess it kind of has been introduced.
I have worked exceedingly hard to make this something that could both be more affordable for my customers and make me some money so that I can continue to do what I love without resorting to having the lights being produced in another land. I still need to take some pictures and get all the info in order so that I can get a dedicated thread going for the FTP.

But as the old sayings, "good things come to those who wait."
So true. As people who have followed this series of threads know I have unceasingly worked to improve the DEFT and in almost all cases have chosen to use only the latest and greatest in the lights to be shipped even if that meant that I would be stuck with old inferior parts and have to swallow the cost involved with those parts. I can't claim at any point to make perfection but I at least want people to have my best.


Oh, and thanks Mike.
:thumbsup:



What is the DEFT that is listed on your website? Is it the DEFT FTP?

No. Everything you see on the site is woefully out of date. Those prices and options were all from before I even had anything to sell. When I first started down this road I thought it would be easy to make the lights and priced them accordingly(naivety). I have never had the motive or desire to "make a killing" off of what I do. I have always viewed it as a hobby that hopefully could pay its own way. Sadly that has not been the case by far. But I still believe it can work and I love what I do regardless of whether I get paid or not.
 

choppers

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AZ
Thank you Mike, very much looking forward to getting an FTP.
 

Noctilion

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Dec 28, 2008
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7
But as the old sayings, "good things come to those who wait."

In her hands was a small brown box from TX. I was racking my brains trying to figure who in TX is sending me a box and then it hit me! MY DEFT IS HERE!!

Oh, and thanks Mike.

Lmao.... I just received mine also! damn the shippn is fast. I tore that brown box to crap like it was Xmas again. Installing the 4AA batts, DAMN!!! this is fawkn bad ***!
Yes... Thanks MIKE! this light is perfect in many ways. The CF bez is fawkn awesome! and of course the light... when its turned on, POW. WOW!!! Im lovin it. Damn cant wait till the sun goes down here in So Cal. Im really glad I was able to be on the DEFT-Enthus build, and yeah let me know if you can put me down for the DEFT-FTP build list. Thank you again Mike, this is the best B-day/ Xmas gift to ma self. :D
 

windstrings

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Feb 19, 2005
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N Central Texas
Right now, I'm just looking forward to getting it in my hands and annoying the heck out of the neighbors and their dogs/cats/roaches/etc, as soon as it gets dark.


LOL!... yep, its quite entertaining to blind noisy dogs that want to eat your face from the other side of the fence.... they literally look away and won't look at it!
 
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