Eternalight Idea?

[MrEternaLight]

A lot of ideas cooking here! Keep up the banter, constructive criticism is appreciated here! Forgive me for not responding to everyone, it's a bit hard to keep up here with all the other things I have to do. BTW, I'm not sure I support flashlight regulation. Just look at what has happened with hand gun regulation

 

[McGizmo]

PWM versus current reduction?

I notice that Luxeon recommends PWM for dimming of the LS LED's but I was under the impression that with the Nichia LED's better efficiency in terms of Lu/watt could be expected with current reduction as a means of dimming the light.

I assume that with different circuits required for these types of dimming, the efficiencies of the circuits themselves also come into play. Bottom line; is there a clear advantage of PWM over current reduction in the case of the Nichia type LED's?

Gun regulation? Now that might take this thread off topic and away from critique and comment on Mr. Eternalight's product

 

[MrEternaLight]

Sorry to say, as much as I would like to participate in the Tech-Talk here, my information is the result of tens of thousands of dollars research and hundreds of thousands of production. Should I spill my information or opinions for conversation sake, it may give one of our competitors that advantage without the cost. So, smart business dictates that I carefully constrain my responses and participation to information that may at times be obvious or is policy or very product specific. Those of you who uncover this information, recreate it, reverse engineer it or simply guess it right on here help keep the playing field level for the rest of us. As a small company, we can not afford any mistakes of this type no matter how small. Every industry is so competitive these days that all the small players have to spend most of their time watching out for big feet. Fortunately, big feet are usually clumbsy and slow. Please don't think your questions or input are not read. Some questions must, unfortnately be strategically ignored. And sometimes, there is just not enough time to answer. But, keep posting! Your messages do count!

 

[McGizmo]

Mr. Eternalight,

Thanks for your response. Your comments and position are well stated and come as no surprise to me. Frankly, I hadn't expected you personally to respond to my last post for those reasons you have so eloquently stated.

I am hoping for informed and/or speculated comments from other members of the CPF who have no vested interest in specific production pieces but rather an opinion on the merits and shortcomings of both PWM as well as controlled current methods of dimming and extending battery life.

This is an open and public forum so it is no surprise that many with knowledge, must refrain from participation in certain topics as a result of propriitary interest or non disclosure agreements.

Mr. Eternalight, can I call you Tom

, since you are in the industry, Have you heard of any AAA lithium batteries that may be coming to market and if so, can you comment on this?

 

[JollyRoger]

I'd like to add that the Eternalight is my favorite hiking light. Sure, its beam doesn't provide a long throw, but it has a nice and even, broad beam. I usually load it up with three fresh nimh AA's and it's good for a looooooong time!

Plus, using nimh gives it a pretty constant light output, so IMHO, you can make the Eternalight a semi-regulated light by just using nimh! (Yeah, it's a hassle to change them, though....)

Tom, you make a great product. If there are any changes I'd like to see to the Eternalight...actually some were "proposed" a while back on your website's new product suggestion section.

An 8 led regulated Eternalight that is the same size would be awesome....ability to last as long as the current Eternalight (at the same output--8 led's dimmed) or full blast mode with all 8 leds on at their brightest setting....

I think you were mentioning some problems...like how the 8 led model would deplete the batteries too much...and that would go against the Eternalight's long life, huh?

Would the 3AAA Eternalight be just as bright?Everything the same except the size?

How about fusing McGizmo's idea...and coming out with a luxeon-based flashlight...using the current material you use in the Eternalight Elite X-Ray, but shaping it like more like a traditional flashlight. It could use 3 AA batteries that sit side-by-side/in a triangular prism shape (similar to how the AAA batteries in a Photon Fusion sit, but more close together).

There could be a good chunk of aluminum in the body for heat dissipation.

 

[Spork]

My elite xray showed up today. I'm very happy with it. I do wish I could select what mode comes up when I power on. like the instructions say the second mode saves a lot of power and is nearly as bright as the first. I won't mind filling this light up with lithiums once and a while. it will make it lighter and give me a even output. the beacon appears dim at first but once in a dark room you definitely know where your xray is. I love this feature because when the power kicks out you cant even see to find your lights. I'm using the constant on so the flashing beacon doesnt bug me while i sleep. actually I don't know if I will buy the new x5 now that I have this.

 

[txwest]

I've found that if I close my eyes when I sleep, the blinking doesn't bother me at all. The constant on of the beacon is much to bright. In fact, it's all I need to get around the house. If you put lithiums in it, don't worry about haveing to change the batteries much. They seem to last forever, under normal use. TX

 

[cave dave]

I personnaly don't want another 3 x AAA led light. I think you would be better off with a circuit that can use 1 or 2AAs. Imagine an infinity size product with 3LEDs and one AA. and a tailswitch that can cycle through the modes.
The blackdiamond supernova has an interesting dual switch. Press it hard for on and off and soft to cycle throught the modes. Keep the modes simple. 3 brightness levels and one flashing.

Make it EASY to change batteries too!