"Bowling Pin" mini-review + photos

[idleprocess]

"Bowling Pin" mini-review + photos

QUICK SPECS

• Light source 9x5mm white LED
• Type Compact light
• Power 1x123A
• Focus fixed-focus
• Beam spot
• Operation "tactical" dual-mode
• Environmental weather-resistant
• Housing Machined aluminum
• Switch Momentary/twist

Flat view


Perspective view


Assembly


Emitter board detail


Machining/anodizing detail


The business end

(snide) COMMENTS

• Strong blue tint in beam
• Solid construction
• Somewhat rough threading
• O-ring seals throughout
• Moderate runtime
• Easily disassembled
• Roomy interior in head (hint hint)
• Suggested use: emergency light... or mod host /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/evilgrin07.gif

 

[kenny]

Re: \"Bowling Pin\" mini-review + photos

A While back Haveblue brought some of these in from Hong Kong. I bought (4) at the time, but have discovered that I can get a Carclo, optic and holder (for the emmitter), a quarter for a heat-sink (as recommended by haveblue himself!) and a circuit board in the same height as the original gets the regular LED's and their circuit board. The circuit board I used was from Electrolumens, but I've also got a couple on order from Lamda (Kevin Fritz) that I think will also fit. I'm hoping the ones from Kevin are a little lower profile, as it would make the mode a little easier.

The nice thing about it compared to a regular pill mod is the ease in which it can be done. It comes apart with only a pair of needle-nose pliers. It is wide enough to accept the biger boards, which are already assembled, and only run about $9.00 bucks. Both the boards from Lamda, and the one from Electrolumens are putting out about 500 mA. which gives a good combination of brightness and runtime for the 123a.

If there is enough interest, maybe I could post the process I used and pictures of the mod.

BTW I'd like to pick up a few more of these since they make such great mods -- anybody bringing any more of the into the US? Haveblue? Anyone?

 

[unclearty]

Re: \"Bowling Pin\" mini-review + photos

YES!!! Please..I would love to see your mod for this light.

 

[TrueBlue]

Re: \"Bowling Pin\" mini-review + photos

Is it time to see the return of the Bowling Pin light? It can be done. The timing is right since my "China Connection" is getting ready to send me a package and he's just a phone call away.

The last time I had the Bowling Pin light the hallway of my house looked like a bowling alley.

This is kinda getting off subject.

 

[kenny]

Re: \"Bowling Pin\" mini-review + photos

Is there anyplace on the forum here that discribes how to set up the gif files so that they are small to load and then when you punch them they are full resolution -- like idleprocess'? I know I don't have high speed at home and appreciate the small pics. I've not posted any pics, so this will be a new thing for me -- someone may have to talk me through it.

 

[Roy]

Re: \"Bowling Pin\" mini-review + photos

Here is the stock "Bowling-Pin" runtime plot.

 

[idleprocess]

Re: \"Bowling Pin\" mini-review + photos

Kenny:
For every 800x600 image I link to, I made a seperate 200x150 thumbnail. The UBB code looks like this (breaks added to prevent side-scolling):

<font class="small">Code:</font><hr /><pre>

[image]http://idleprocess.net/reviews/img/t_bpin-flat.jpg
[/image]
</pre><hr />
Note the two distinct files.

If you're doing your own webpage in regular HTML, you can force images to self-thumbnail by hard-coding a resolution smaller than the "native" image, but that typically looks awful and forces clients to download all of the full images.