Badboy 500 beam shots

[DieselDave]

I love it. Batteries are alkaline in the shots. Will get some lithiums on the way home from work.

Badboy 500 Pics

 

[vcal]

Originally posted by DieselDave:
[QB][/QB]

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">nice photo shots, Dave-thanks!

 

[W4DIZ]

Thanks Dave,

can't wait to get my MM
David

 

[DieselDave]

I am home now and was able to do some initial testing as follows. I really like the kroll cap and I didn't think I would. It is much more substantial than what it appears in the photo on the website. Very stiff to operate and I hope it stays that way. I feel safe to carry it in a holster. You can double safe the light by turning the head to the normal off position. I have not had any incident where it has misfired when turning on or off and I have done it a bunch over the past several hours. The installation was a breeze once I figured out what to do with the C-clip. I have installed the lithium’s, ouch, $15.04 with tax at Radio Shack for a 4 pack. (I won't do that again) Initial impression was a small increase in output over the alkalines but not dramatic to the naked eye. I wish I had 2 to compare side by side. The light green corona is evident out to about 5 feet but then disappears. Light seems to have a slightly bluish center when compared to my Scorpion. Good throw out to about 30'. You can see the lights output at 40 yards but it is pretty faint at that distance. My testing was done in a lighted neighborhood. The light is probably much better out in the sticks after your eyes had adjusted. It holds it own out to 15'-20' against the scorpion when using flood on the Scorpion as well as used batteries in the Scorpion. Not a fair test of the light but my choices are limited. (4d Mag, Mag AA, Scorpion, Four Makita 14.4, ARC AAA and a bunch of junk) Guess who is getting an ARC LS2 (I hope) for Christmas? This light is replacing my Scorpion as my EDC. I will very likely end up using rechargeables as I can't see much advantage with the lithium’s. Please post why I should use the lithium’s if I am wrong, which I try to be as often as possible according to my wife. With my limited knowledge I feel this light while not inexpensive is a good bang for the buck. I want to get it out in the woods and get a true feel of its capabilities. My only regret is that the Mineral Crystal was not available when my light was shipped. I would have picked up 2-3 at $1.50 each if I would have seen that offered with the light. I have one in my Scorpion and they are nice but I paid $12 for it at the jewelry store.

 

[flashfan]

Thanks for the pics and review, DieselDave. The anticipation builds...!

 

[Icebreak]

DiesalDave-

You may not be an expert but your 10' shot at the painted cinder block wall is the most useful and meaningful shot I've seen. Great job.

How much is your BadBoy 500 worth?
How much would you sell it for?

 

[geepondy]

Dave,

The advantage of the regulated light is not having to use lithiums as the regulator is a constant current design and not voltage regulated. I've fooled around some and possibly lithium's may be just a tad brighter then alkalines and rechargeables just a tad less so but it just could be me and if there are any differences they are very minor and theoretically there should be none.

Could you tell how you got the c clamp on? I looked it over and wondered how easily the sandwich would drop down the tube if installed and decided against it for now but if you could relate your experience in more detailed that would be nice.

To other's, one out of my two BB500s is the best Luxeon I have ever seen after having about ten of them go thru my hands. The other is passable as well.

 

[DieselDave]

Originally posted by geepondy:
Dave,

The advantage of the regulated light is not having to use lithiums as the regulator is a constant current design and not voltage regulated. I've fooled around some and possibly lithium's may be just a tad brighter then alkalines and rechargeables just a tad less so but it just could be me and if there are any differences they are very minor and theoretically there should be none.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">I had a feeling that was right but thought I had read somewhere that lithium's worked best. My perception that it was a little brighter was probably my mind trying to justify the $7.50 worth of batteries inside the tube.

Originally posted by Icebreak:
DiesalDave-
How much is your BadBoy 500 worth?
How much would you sell it for?

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">My BB500 is worth more to me than what it is really worth. It's a keeper.

Originally posted by geepondy:
Dave,
Could you tell how you got the c clamp on? I looked it over and wondered how easily the sandwich would drop down the tube if installed and decided against it for now but if you could relate your experience in more detailed that would be nice.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">After you insert the module down the tube which took a little playing with to get it past the final set of threads then you drop in the C-Clamp. You look down the tube and make sure the C-Clamp is lying partly on its side so that when you insert the batteries and apply VERY light pressure the C-Clamp is pressed flat against the bottom of the module. I repeat, it takes VERY light pressure. Once the C-Clamp is installed it would be very difficult to remove without destroying the module. Perhaps...You could use a dental tool to unseat the C-clamp but you would have to be very carefull.
David

 

[FNG]

What accessories would I need to get besides the Madmax?

 

[BuddTX]

The way I understand Lithium batteries (and someone with more knowledge PLEASE correct me!) is that they do not necessarly give more TOTAL power, but give more FULL power to high drain devices, and are much better in very cold temp.

Think of a large syringe and a container with a small opening, both filled with the same amount of water, the water can be poured out of the container only so fast, but the water in the syringe can be forced out, but the total amount of water was the same.

Not a perfect example, but semi ok, anyway.

 

[FNG]

How about this.

Take a deep breath and grab a straw and two plastic bags. Blow all that air through a straw into the bag. Now, take another deep breath and blow straight to the bag. Both bags have the same ammount of air, right? Like BuddTX said, Li batteries are used in high drain devices, which need more power in a shorter ammount of time. There would be no benefit for you to use lithium batteries in a remote control, other than shelf life.

 

[geepondy]

Graphs from the Arc LS with double AA pack show a little bit longer runtime with lithiums then with alkalines so perhaps the same is true of the BB500 but certainly not enough to justify the cost if you were using lithium's with the sole intent of a brighter, longer lasting light.

 

[Doug S]

Originally posted by BuddTX:
The way I understand Lithium batteries (and someone with more knowledge PLEASE correct me!) is that they do not necessarly give more TOTAL power, but give more FULL power to high drain devices, and are much better in very cold temp.

Think of a large syringe and a container with a small opening, both filled with the same amount of water, the water can be poured out of the container only so fast, but the water in the syringe can be forced out, but the total amount of water was the same.

Not a perfect example, but semi ok, anyway.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">By "total power" I think that you really mean energy. Energy=powerXtime. For low power drain, an eveready lithium AA [L91] and an eveready alkaline Energizer AA [E91] can deliver about the same total energy. As rate of discharge is increased [power] the amount of energy that can be delivered by the E91 falls much more than the L91. At the power requirement of the BB500, about 2W total or 1W/cell, the L91 can deliver 3 times the energy of the E91 before the cells no longer can provide full power to the BB. Yes, at high rates and low temps, the L91 does even better relative to the E91. It is very informative to visit the Eveready website and download the L91 applications manual. It has some good comparison data for the L91 and E91 under constant power discharge.

http://data.energizer.com/

 

[DieselDave]

Originally posted by FNG:
What accessories would I need to get besides the Madmax?

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">I would suggest the Kroll Cap, and two or three Mineral Crystals. They are too cheap not to have a replacement standing by.

The c-clamp is interesting in that once installed there is a good chance you made the final decision on where the module will live until death. However, if you don't install the c-clamp the module wants to fall out every time you change the batteries not to mention you risk the chance of damage. I suggest buying a brand new Mag AA in the color you have always wanted and make the installation semi-permanent.

 

[dat2zip]

DieselDave,

Are you referring to the smooth retaining ring or the brass looking C-clamp. The C-clamp is a looser fit and is easy to push out. The retainer is a tougher act. It will come out.

If you really need to take it out, I've found that after you remove the head, you can gently use the back side of a bic pen and gently push on the LED. This will push the module and retainer ring out towards the back. Possibly, once you push it down a ways, you can come in from the backside with a hooked wire and grab onto it and pull it out. I just keep pushing with the pen until it either falls out or hits the threaded area.

I'd like to hear any comments on the retainer ring if there is any.

I think the retainer ring and the Kroll is the best configuration with the retainer ring. No, I'm not plugging the Kroll. Once you set the head to the on position, it's more reliable than having the module pushed up and down all the time for the on/off function.

My current one I carry as an EDC is no Kroll and with NiMH batteries. The module varies from day to day. Right now it's got one of the First Article Madmaxs in it.

One word of caution. The Kroll is rather soft plastic. I'm very careful on the first couple of thread turns. Once the Kroll is on a few threads you can speed up and tighten it down. Don't overtighten either.

 

[DieselDave]

Delete

 

[DieselDave]

Originally posted by DieselDave:
I mis-spoke in my earlier statements. I used the new brass retainer ring that was supplied with the module. I threw the silver C-clamp away. I used the generic term C-clamp. Here is a picture of the retainer ring installed. Dat2Zip feel free to use this photo or other images on your site for instructions or anything else you need. I love my BB500, great job, Thanks, David

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