Indium

bwaites

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Nov 27, 2003
Messages
5,035
Location
Central Washington State
The Indium is a new light which JSBurley's may bring here from Great Britain.

It is an interesting concept in lighting technology.

The light itself is a Duncan YoYo sized disc that is slightly covex on both sides, though more on top than bottom.

The body itself appears to be made from anodized aluminum and the back is smooth. The edge of the light sports a circumferential groove deep enough to hold a lanyard if tied with a clove hitch as described in the accompanying literature.

The face of the light has 6 dimples, inside of which, and offset by 60 degrees from the larger dimples, are the LEDs. The area in the middle holds two brass appearing pins which serve as electrical conductors to turn the light on and make adjustments.

At the exact center is the charging pin.

Apart fromt the twin brass contacts and the uniqueness of the shape, the charging method is unique to my experience with flashlights.

The Indium recharges using the accompanying cord which attaches to your computers USB port.

The Indium is turned on by simultaneously touching the two exposed brass pins with one finger. There is some skin moisture variation in individuals, and skin moisture is what allows the miniscule electrical charge that turns on the Indium to work. In my office, no one could turn it on without first wetting their fingers. (I live in a high desert environment where the average winter/spring humidity is probably around 30%.) I am sure this could be adjusted, but at the risk of making the light more sensitive to accidental activiation, and I don't think that would be a good tradeoff.

The 6 LED's appear to be 5mm Nichia or Nichia clones. The LED's in my unit are whiter and brighter than the white LED's in my Inova X5T or Pila tailcap, both of which are bluer. They are not quite as white as my MJLED equipped MiniMag, though they produce slightly more light overall, with more diffusion and less throw.

They are not as white as the BadBoy/TWOJ LuxIII equipped MiniMag that is my best MM incarnation so far. They obviously produce no where near as much light.

The Indium has a couple unique features that make it ideal as an emergency light. One, there is a two level lighting available, with a second touch dimming the light. I would reverse this process if I were to design the light. Second there is a strobing flash, available with a third touch. This would be ideal for a lost hiker/camper or disaster victim.

I have 2 complaints, the first is that the light only runs 4 hours on high and 8 hours on low before needing a recharge. The second, that Low is lower than high, but seems like it is more than 50% as bright, I would like a lower low.

A very cool little light, maybe the ideal office disaster light, depending on what type of cell the rechargeable is. (I am reliably informed it is a rechargeable lithium.)

It won't run forever, but it will run long enough to get to safety under all but the most extenuating circumstances.

It must be carried in a pocket where there are no other metallic items, since any conductive contact with the brass pins can turn the light on.

Bill
 
Great Review Bill ! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Sounds like a great, unique light.

I have heard the switch is not sensitive enough, but I wouldnt want it comming on accidentally either.

Did you have it in you posket with anything else? keys for example?
I think that cause problems.

oh BTW, the battery is a lithium, so that should be a good "desk lamp" for emergencies later, should hold a charge well.
 
Wonder if it will charge in any other fashion---in addition (?) to the USB(computer) port? I have seen this light and, I think it is most interesting! With an additional charging mechanism and HAIII anodizing......
 
Don't want to hijack your thread, but just as an FYI, I have reviewed this light and found that switch problems plagued the unit I received too. This problem has been reported by others as well. Personally I really don't think that licking your fingers should be a prerequisite to turning on a light... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif

The unit opens by unscrewing it around the middle.
 
The switch is the first thing that's "going" from this light. Last time I spoke with Jon, he said they're already trying other switching options. I also had to lick my finger to get it to work. Other charging options (and colors and finishes) are also being considered.
 
As I was on my way out the door to work tonight, my wife told me I had a package from "Green LED", woohoo the puck is here! So while driving to work I ripped open package and found the light (Very well packaged too, thanks Green!). Tried to turn it on but alas no juice. Oh well previous person must have had a bit of fun with it then, no prob, got to work and plugged it in for a while.

Initial impressions:

I like the shape, its a bit smaller than i originally had envisioned and thats cool, as Bill said yo yo size almost. The one I got is the titanium gray, very nice and neutral color.

I read the directions, pretty straight forward, there are no part numbers for replacements such as batteries and whatnot. The provided Lanyard seems really cheap to me, perhaps should include some spring tensioner thingys (like the Surefires), but the instructions do show you how to tie a couple of knots for the lanyard so thats cool. It did say that it used O-rings for moisture prevention, however when I unscrewed the back case to get a look inside there is no O-ring on the main body seal /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif Hmmm? The innards are pretty simple housing the batter and circuit board. I am going to take pictures tonight, but not sure how to post them in this thread, if someone could explain I will get pics up later today/tonight. I am charging the unit right now and will post more after I play with it a bit and do some beam shot comparisons (I'm at work now, so have to do some work too!)

Ryan
 
Just received this light. Nice form factor and build quality looks excellent. It is brighter than my L2 on low, and slightly brighter than my Clipmate. Comparing it to my X990 on the same wall, I couldn't see the output of the LEDs. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/happy14.gif
The switch has got to go though. It works about 10% of the time for me. I won't be licking my fingers either since this is a passaround.

Ways I would improve this light.
Make it completely waterproof, add a gasket between the threads, or just completely seal it since it has no user replaceable batteries.
Add a cell phone type holster to use while walking.
New switching design. Maybe a rotating switch, if it doesn't infringe on any patents.
Add a small plug to cover the charging hole.
How about an attachment so it can be used as a laptop light.
 
Okay i got a bunch of pics but am having trouble uploading them to my website, so as soon as I resolve that I will post some beam pics. Hopefully by Sunday tops.

Ryan
 
On the charging issue, a switching powersupply is being made up for this. I also think there are some off the shelf products that will work for charging this. The battery is a cell phone battery so another one could be put in its place.

Instructions will depend on the final design of the light, and we get to decide how this light will turn out.

Remember, this is a work in progress, the final form of this light is not determined yet. This passaround is to show the form factor and to get input on how to make to most of the form factor.

On using it to illuminate the PC, ideas are welcome for stands and such. Actually all ideas are welcome.
 
I understand that one "feature" of this light is that is has NO moving parts. This is a good idea. I have been in elevators that were operated with recessed, non moving plastic plates - I think they were "capacitance" (?) switches.

I do have one idea for a simple, multi-function accessory, but it would be easier for me to photograph a mock-up, than to try to describe it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon23.gif I'll have to wait my turn for the passaround.

Another possible change would be to rework the light for a one or two CR123a cell setup. This would make the light more suitable for long term storage (using standard lithium) while still retaining the rechargeable feature.
(The light would be supplied with the rechargeable setup - with the batteries able to be physically and electrically replaced with standard lithuim batteries - by the user)
 
Okay Here are some beam shots and what not:
Lights used in beamshot:
Surefire L2
Nuwai QIII with TW0K LuxIII, Two stage tailcap (low 10 ohm).
Stock Costco
Modded Costco: TX1J, 27mm IMS reflector, ~29mm lens.
Peak LED: 3 LED AAA Matterhorn, high power, snow.
Titanium Gray Angus Noble Indium

Low_Setting_TW0K_QIII_Peak3_LED_AAA_L2_Indium.jpg

Low Setting: TW0K QIII (R123),Peak 3LED AAA, Low Mode SF L2, Indium



High_L2_TX1J_Costco_Stock_Costco_TW0KQIII_Indium.jpg

L2 High, TX1J-27mm IMS & lens Costco, Stock Costco, TW0K QIII R123, Indium

High_L2_Modded_Costco_Stock_Costco_Indium_LowQIII_Peak3_LED_AAA.jpg

SF L2 High, Modded Costco, Stock Costco, Indium, QIII Modded Low, Peak Led

L_R_low_L2_QIII_TW0K_TX1J_Costco_Stock_Costco_Peak_3_LED_AAA_Indium.jpg

L-R: Low_L2, Low QIII TW0K, TX1J Costco,Stock Costco, Peak_3_LED_AAA, Indium

L_R_high_L2_QIII_TW0K_TX1J_Costco_Stock_Costco_Peak_3LED_AAA_Indium.jpg

L-R: High SF L2, High QIII TW0K, TX1J Costco, Stock Costco, Peak_3LED_AAA, Indium

These are some general pictures of Indium:

DSC1312.jpg

Indium on

DSC1281.jpg

Indium off, duh

DSC1279.jpg

Indium w/ lanyard

DSC1310.jpg

Indium open

DSC1311.jpg

Closer up to PCB, u should be able to read numbers here.

DSC01276.jpg

Complete package

DSC01273.jpg

Charging (sorry bout the rotation)

DSC1277.jpg

Size Reference: (L-R) Costco, SF L2, Nuwai QIII, Peak Matterhorn, Indium

DSC01275.jpg

Another size reference: (Clockwise) Nuwai QIII, YoYo, Peak Matterhorn, Indium


Well my time with the Indium has come to an end, earlier I provided my initial thoughts and now that I have used and played with it for 3 days here are the rest of my thoughts.

Overall the build of this light is very good, its a very solid build. The coating is anodized and very nice, I am partial to titanium colors myself. This would not be a light to replace what I normally EDC (Sf L2 and QIII), however it seems to be more to fill a specific funciton perhaps. I used it to light up dark conference rooms by placing on table and to search around under the desk a few times. This feels like it might fit more of an emergency light role to me, especially with the strobe function. This may be a decent light to take hiking or camping.

This biggest problem I have with this light is definitely the switch. I didnt always work for me, and I am not keen in the idea of always having to lick my fingers to turn it on and cycle through the modes. Incidentally that is the only way I could get all three modes to work properly was to moisten my finger and touch it. When it did turn on otherwise it would often skip modes and go straight to strobe and then off. Overall the swith was very finnicky and at this point would be the main factor in causing me not to purchase this light. I like the idea of no moving parts but it just doesnt work well in the current design. I think it would be kind of cool to have some sort of rotary switch to keep the symmetry of the light, sort of like the rotating bezel on a dive watch, anyhow just an idea, but I would definitely change the switching on it.

Couple of other things I noticed:
1) the main body the unscrews doesnt have an O-ring, this is the largest potential area of opening and it doesnt have an o-ring.
2) some sort of plug for charging hole to keep out moisture would ge good too.
3) use a 2 pin plug for battery instead of directly soldering to board to make changing easier.
4)Lanyard is kind of cheap for an $80-100 light.
5)Perhaps making a hexagonal shape with rounded corners to case instead of completely rounded. This would allow it to stand without rolling away and still maintain the design symmetry.
5) sometimes when pluggin in the charger the light inadvertently comes on, then you have to unplug charger to turn off and then plug carefully in again. This is caused by the close proximity of the two electrodes to the charging pin, again could be fixed by utilizing a new switching mechanism.

I did like the knot tying instructions on the back of the instruction card though.

What I liked:

Solid build
Bright enough to use for tasks
Charging by USB
Small enough for pocket

What I didnt like:

No O-ring on main body seal
Cheap lanyard
Battery soldered to board (maybe use a 2 pin plug)
SWITCH mechanism is very finnicky
Rolls away when you stand on end.

In the end, Im not sure that I would pay $80-$100 for a light like this. This seems a little on the expensive side for this guy, perhaps in the $40-$50 range I could justify purchasing this light, but given the current design of the light especially the swith setup I myself would not purchase it. Dont get me wrong I like the light and feel that it has potential, just needs a few changes thats all.

I would be interested to see some accessories for it also, someone mentioned a screw lug on the back, after looking at this light I dont think that would work, the back case is very thin and right behind it is the battery so there doesnt appear to be much room to put a lug in there, maybe with a redisgned battery that runs around the perimeter and leaves the central space open, then a lug could be accomodated.

Anyhow those are my thoughts on this little guy, I would like to say thanks to everyone who set this up and allowed me to participate in this passaround review.

Ryan
 
Here are the items that will be fixed on this light so far.

There will be an O-ring on the mail body seal, the charging area is actually already watertight.

That battery will use a plug in the future.

The swtich issue will be fixed.

We are looking at the lanyard situation.

I have not talked about the rolling but I will bring it up.

Thanks
Jon
 
Cool, its really satisfying to see that the customers feedback are taken into account on this evolving product.

Thanks again

Ryan
 

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