Arc 4+ Switch Mechanics

[Kercheval]

The switch design on the Arc 4+ is ingenious. The physical switch is actually in the head with the rest of the electronics. The button at the rear of the light just pushes the internal switch using the entire battery assembly as a stick. It is also not a full power contact mechanical switch but an activation toggle used as input for the IC. Very nice.

I have a question (or two) for you, Peter. One mechanical, one software.

Mechanical .

Since the battery is actually part of the switch actuation mechanism, all force placed on the back button is transfered via the battery (and anode/cathode contacts) to the switch. Do you have a limiter or some other physical device to prevent switch damage for large shocks (you know tripping and ramming the button end on the ground, rocks, what have you)? From what I can see, this is the biggest argument for a switch guard. It looks like the most fraqile portion of the whole assembly. How will you prevent switch damage from heavier battery assemblies (like those used in a AA tube)?

Software

I find that actually entering the menu mode is quite difficult. I can do it, but it takes many attempts to get there. Something about the timing of the first click is funny. Not sure, but I usually wind up with a triple click. It seems like if you just keep clicking the light should just bail and hit the menu (it does not). Think there may be a bug in this area (I know recent changes have been made for triple click support)?


BTW... This light is really quite remarkable... Wonderful...

Thanks!

jbk

 

[this_is_nascar]

jbk, take out the 123 cell and leave the Arc4 rest for a couple minutes. That will reset the software. Reinstall the cell. Forget all the stuff about clicking 10-times. Just click it in 1/2 second to 1 second intervals until you see the light is staying on and not flicking off/on. You can keep clicking until you decide what you want to do. If you want to enter the brightness settings, do a press (hold) instead of a click for your last action. You are in the brightness mode at this point. Click will scroll thru the brightness settings. Double-clicking will reverse those brightness settings order. If you want the options menu, instead of do that last press (hold), just stop clicking. You'll be in the options menu, the first selection being the SOS mode.

 

[Kercheval]

Thanks for advice, Ray.

I have done exactly that many times (4 or 5). I assumed that my click rates were being calculated in a funny way or some other anomoly.

Nope. No success. I do have one of the post 116 production lights.

I certainly get/understand HOW to do this and have been able to get it there quite a few times. But out of 15-20 times in the menu, I have needed perhaps 4 or 5 attempts each time. There is a particular rhythm required on the first click or two. Once past that first click or two then it operates just as you stated.

jbk

 

[Kercheval]

BTTT.

Peter, The menu operation of this light definitely has a bug.

Have you had other reports of this?

jbk

 

[Gransee]

No, but I am happy to look at it for you if you send it to me.

Peter

 

[Turd_Ferguson]

Wow, learn something everyday. I've been clicking away like a madman after watching the instruction videos. Peter's very good at clicking fast. That 1/2 to 1 second interval is much easier to make consistant than clicking like a maniac. Wow, much better. Thanks TIN.

 

[Kercheval]

Peter, you would have to peel this thing out of my hands by force.

MAYBE after I order one from the second run and compare the behavior and notice a difference I MIGHT send it in.

But then again, probably not... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

My primary concern was to post the bug report so you could track it. It may be me or just my unit. That is VERY unlikely based on my understanding of software and electronics, but possible.

It looks like the pattern code is very tricky right around your triple click logic. I would wager that you find the menu on your early lights significantly easier to enter then the later software revs which support the triple click. This section of code probably has some weaknesses which are very time sensitive around certain places in button push sequencing. It is not clear that you have a lot of choice, but there really should be a simple counter which flips the light over to menu mode at ANY time the button is pressed more than n times in M seconds.

You have other things to do at the moment and this is far from critical but it is present. I noticed it and others likely will, so please just consider this usability feedback.

Thanks for the response.

jbk