Gransee
Flashlight Enthusiast
Beta testing was performed earlier on previous versions of the Arc6 during development. This current test is with the latest Arc6 version.
The Arc6 beta testers:
CM
Cyclops942
Lebkuecher
NewBie
this_is_nascar
NewBie is no longer a CPF member (he's even more controversial than I am) but he did help with some testing and recommendations during the Arc6 development. In return for his contribution, he asked for an Arc6 flashlight. Since he is pretty good at testing and I was sending him a flashlight anyways, I figured "2 birds with one stone". His test results will either be published on his website or I will copy them here.
Each beta tester was sent the following:
Arc6 production head
NG sleeve
Guarded sleeve
2 Duracell's
Arc6 instructions
Arc6 display box
The firmware version loaded is "Release Candidate "A".
Beta Testers,
The focus of this test is to verify that the Arc6 performs reliably in normal use. This includes testing with different batteries, power levels, run time, switch activation, water immersion (less than 100 feet), drop testing (less than 6 feet), etc. You are not expected to perform each and every test but I would like you to use it quite a bit, become familiar with its character and reliability and not be afraid to write a report on your experience.
You may photograph the light and post photos. I do ask that you not publish part numbers or the electronic pattern of the PCB. This might be published later but for now I would like to keep it confidential.
If you find a problem with the light you are welcome to write about it on the CPF first or wait and email me about it. We will attempt to fix the problem before units are put up for sale. Preferably, we would like you to test the fix and verify it is indeed fixed. In the event we cannot fix the problem, then the customer will be notified of the errata at the point of sale.
The beta testers thread on the CPF is for you to post your observations and to answer reasonable questions from the CPF. I will start the thread, introduce you by your cpf id and outline the purpose of the test. You could then make a post letting us know you have started your tests, your observations so far, photos, tests you ran, etc.
Here's a list of things I have noticed in my tests:
Sometimes when cycling through the stages in the settings menu, the flash code is uneven in its timing. For example it may flash once slowly and then twice at a faster rate. This has to do with the timing precision of the microcontroller and is normal.
Sometimes, with some batteries, the light may flicker in its output. This seems to occur mostly with higher voltage rechargeables (especially with new rechargeables charged at 4.2volts or higher). It tends to go away after a minute or two of usage. It also tends to go away with older cells. This is caused by instability in the analog feedback loop and is a known issue. Other than occasional flickering, it has not caused any other problems.
Lower voltage cells tend to produce a higher light output. This has to do with how current is sensed by the electronics. This can be compensated by using a different level setting.
It is possible for the kilroy spring (part of the PD switch mechanism) to become bent flat enough for there to be no space between stage1 and stage2 switch activation. This can be fixed by bending the kilroy spring back up with your finger.
It is normal for the converter to hum or whine during operation.
Sometimes with a new battery, the light may noticeably ramp in brightness (ramping in less than a second) the first time a particular level is used. This is normal and is produced by a function in firmware that seeks the best converter settings for that particular battery/level combination. Sometimes this ramping also produces a momentary shift in LED color. Subsequent uses should be normal after the processor has adjusted to the new battery.
It is normal for the flashlight to get quite warm during extended use. However, the protection system should prevent it from going over 135F on its own.
Runtimes graphs are difficult to produce since the light may switch to a lower level due to temperature. Sufficient cooling or running the test in segments would be neccessary.
--
Thank you again beta testers!
Peter Gransee
The Arc6 beta testers:
CM
Cyclops942
Lebkuecher
NewBie
this_is_nascar
NewBie is no longer a CPF member (he's even more controversial than I am) but he did help with some testing and recommendations during the Arc6 development. In return for his contribution, he asked for an Arc6 flashlight. Since he is pretty good at testing and I was sending him a flashlight anyways, I figured "2 birds with one stone". His test results will either be published on his website or I will copy them here.
Each beta tester was sent the following:
Arc6 production head
NG sleeve
Guarded sleeve
2 Duracell's
Arc6 instructions
Arc6 display box
The firmware version loaded is "Release Candidate "A".
Beta Testers,
The focus of this test is to verify that the Arc6 performs reliably in normal use. This includes testing with different batteries, power levels, run time, switch activation, water immersion (less than 100 feet), drop testing (less than 6 feet), etc. You are not expected to perform each and every test but I would like you to use it quite a bit, become familiar with its character and reliability and not be afraid to write a report on your experience.
You may photograph the light and post photos. I do ask that you not publish part numbers or the electronic pattern of the PCB. This might be published later but for now I would like to keep it confidential.
If you find a problem with the light you are welcome to write about it on the CPF first or wait and email me about it. We will attempt to fix the problem before units are put up for sale. Preferably, we would like you to test the fix and verify it is indeed fixed. In the event we cannot fix the problem, then the customer will be notified of the errata at the point of sale.
The beta testers thread on the CPF is for you to post your observations and to answer reasonable questions from the CPF. I will start the thread, introduce you by your cpf id and outline the purpose of the test. You could then make a post letting us know you have started your tests, your observations so far, photos, tests you ran, etc.
Here's a list of things I have noticed in my tests:
Sometimes when cycling through the stages in the settings menu, the flash code is uneven in its timing. For example it may flash once slowly and then twice at a faster rate. This has to do with the timing precision of the microcontroller and is normal.
Sometimes, with some batteries, the light may flicker in its output. This seems to occur mostly with higher voltage rechargeables (especially with new rechargeables charged at 4.2volts or higher). It tends to go away after a minute or two of usage. It also tends to go away with older cells. This is caused by instability in the analog feedback loop and is a known issue. Other than occasional flickering, it has not caused any other problems.
Lower voltage cells tend to produce a higher light output. This has to do with how current is sensed by the electronics. This can be compensated by using a different level setting.
It is possible for the kilroy spring (part of the PD switch mechanism) to become bent flat enough for there to be no space between stage1 and stage2 switch activation. This can be fixed by bending the kilroy spring back up with your finger.
It is normal for the converter to hum or whine during operation.
Sometimes with a new battery, the light may noticeably ramp in brightness (ramping in less than a second) the first time a particular level is used. This is normal and is produced by a function in firmware that seeks the best converter settings for that particular battery/level combination. Sometimes this ramping also produces a momentary shift in LED color. Subsequent uses should be normal after the processor has adjusted to the new battery.
It is normal for the flashlight to get quite warm during extended use. However, the protection system should prevent it from going over 135F on its own.
Runtimes graphs are difficult to produce since the light may switch to a lower level due to temperature. Sufficient cooling or running the test in segments would be neccessary.
--
Thank you again beta testers!
Peter Gransee
Last edited:
) put the Arc6 through the wringer!
