CR2 Ion Flashlight: Current Settings Poll

[Endeavour]

Hey Folks,

Things are rolling along at a modest pace with the Ion, and I'm expecting the next batch of prototypes in the next couple of days. In these prototypes I'll be testing various binned LEDs (Q, R, S, and T Flux) at 350mA and 500mA to see if there's any noticable gain in brightness from one bin to another at the same settings, as well as a comparisons between a Luxeon I at 350mA vs. a Luxeon III at 500mA. (IE: 350mA Q-Bin vs. 350mA T-Bin; 350mA R-Bin vs. 500mA S-Bin, etc.)

All this being said, I am considering offering two current settings since there seems to be pretty even split around those who want 350mA and those who want 500mA. I'll post the results of the tests mentioned above for you all to make a final decision then. Right now I'm just looking to see if there's enough interest to get different settings done.

Please note that at 350mA you will get over 1 hour of regulated runtime, but at 500mA you will get about 35 minutes regulated. From then on it dims gracefully into darkness.

Finally, This poll is being judged by the number of votes received for any given choice, so if your choice is 'winning' please cast your vote in anyway. Also, please only vote if you're actually interested in the CR2 Ion.

 

[pokkuhlag]

350mA for me. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif 35 minutes is a bit short.

 

[Frenchyled]

Not interested, but prefer 500 ma /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Hallis]

500mA baby! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Shane

 

[BVH]

500! JimH's signature line about holding the sun in my hands!

 

[Frenchyled]

Hey guys, in the introductory Thread for the CR2 ION, I see about 219 "I am interested !" Where are you /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Please vote......500 ma is a good choice /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Kiessling]

350.
The voice of reason has spoken.
I'd go as low as 250 if I were asked ... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
bernhard

 

[Doc]

I was looking at some run times of NG 500 lux III's w/ CR2 in a Fire~Fly II and the run time was about 60 min. And on the CR123 was about 118 mins. I do relize this light will have a differnt board. The run time was from this_is_nascar I will try to find the link! No luck. Doc

 

[Endeavour]

[ QUOTE ]
Doc said:
I was looking at some run times of NG 500 lux III's w/ CR2 in a Fire~Fly II and the run time was about 60 min. And on the CR123 was about 118 mins. I do relize this light will have a differnt board. The run time was from this_is_nascar I will try to find the link! No luck. Doc

[/ QUOTE ]

I've seen that graph and I highly doubt that the board was at 500mA. The CR2 cell has fairly high internal resistance, and the efficiencies of the NG and my board are pretty close.

Here's one by McGizmo:

Aleph 2 on 1CR2 using an NG500 convertor. He got similar results to what I did with my board at 500mA, but I don't have runtime graphs yet.

 

[mut]

500mA
Looks like it is a tie so far.

mut

 

[pokkuhlag]

[ QUOTE ]
Doc said:
I was looking at some run times of NG 500 lux III's w/ CR2 in a Fire~Fly II and the run time was about 60 min. And on the CR123 was about 118 mins. I do relize this light will have a differnt board. The run time was from this_is_nascar I will try to find the link! No luck. Doc

[/ QUOTE ]

I think Enrique is right, here is the runtime graph of NG500 on CR123 and it is no way making 118 minutes out of it. 118 minutes is 1:58 FYI. And McGizmo test shows about 1:43 regulated.

 

[javafool]

I really want one of these lights but 35 minutes would be unacceptable for me. At least so far it appears the majority would like to see the one hour plus run time.

 

[powernoodle]

I lobbied for 500 in the other thread, but when factoring in run time I think I'm now in favor of 350. Thats a big difference in run time.

I'll buy one either way. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/happy14.gif

best regards

 

[Takifugu]

I prefer 350mA but I would accept either.
Thank you /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

 

[ROK]

350mA is enough for me because this is 'just KEY-CHAIN LIGHT'.
Thanks Endeavour.

 

[Endeavour]

[ QUOTE ]
javafool said:

I really want one of these lights but 35 minutes would be unacceptable for me. At least so far it appears the majority would like to see the one hour plus run time.

[/ QUOTE ]

Agreed. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Most others seem to agree with you too. However, there are a few out there that want 500mA. This poll is really only to see if it's worth my while to offer a second option of current settings or not.

-Enrique

 

[srue]

I don't know why we are voting on this at this time. We don't have enough information on which to base a decision. This is a new converter and circuit. We don't know how long the battery will last, how bright it will be, or how hot it will get. Rather than cement ourselves into positions now, lets wait until there is some practical usage feedback.

 

[Endeavour]

I stated in the first post how long the battery would last. It runs 35 minutes at 500mA. It runs just short of an hour and ten minutes at 350mA. This is regulated runtime, it dims into darkness after that. Those numbers come from runtime tests that have been done using my convertor (I'm not sure what bin of a Luxeon) - I posted McGizmo's graph because someone mentioned TIN getting over an hour of runtime off a CR2 using an NG500, and wanted to show a different graph for comparison.

How bright it will be? Current settings, regardless of the convertor, all produce the same brightness. Giving a reading of 14,000,000 Lux doesn't really tell anyone anything.

Hot hot will it get? That won't be known until right before production, since people who will get these to review will have means of measuring temperature - I don't have that kind of equipment. 350mA is warm, over 100 degrees on the Arc LS I've got. 500mA is hot, makes my hands sweat after being on a while, from Arc LS Mods I've done at that setting.

No one is cementing themselves into any position. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif This poll is for me to gauge if these enough interest for me to even offer the 500mA option. I can't tell who voted for what, I'm not holding anyone to a choice they make here, since people change their minds.

However, I've given people enough information in this thread and the last to make an informed decision as to what they'd like. Most people here have gone through enough lights at enough current settings to be able to draw conclusions on what's been given. If anyone needs any gaps filled in, I'm sure most of the CPF would be glad to help, including myself. Drop me a PM any time if you'd like.

-Enrique

 

[Hookd_On_Photons]

[ QUOTE ]
Doc said:
I was looking at some run times of NG 500 lux III's w/ CR2 in a Fire~Fly II and the run time was about 60 min. And on the CR123 was about 118 mins. I do relize this light will have a differnt board. The run time was from this_is_nascar I will try to find the link! No luck. Doc

[/ QUOTE ]

Here it is:

Run-Time Plot - Fire~Fly II-CR2

It's not very useful to use the Fire~Fly II runtime graphs to predict the Ion's performance, as they use different convertor boards.

The point of the runtime graphs was that a CR2 in a FFII yields about half the runtime compared to a CR123.

 

[nekomane]

350 for the tiny CR2.
If making 2 different converters is too complicated or would hike up prices, I can live with the 500 though /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif