LB Micra: great light with flawed electronics?

[tequilathursday]

I like mine. I first got a real bad yellow tint. Actually it wasn't a tint, it was just plain yellow. I returned it for replacement and have been happy ever since.
The battery issue hasn't been a problem, I'd guess I get atleast an hr before I notice it dim or reluctant to refire hot. No biggie. For the size and performance it serves me well. I keep the old bats for my x5t to use around the house at night.

Just my 2cents.

 

[StuU]

I am interested in a Longbow Micra....but the electronics must be sorted out before I pull out the credit card.

 

[Haesslich]

Easiest way to sort is is to get a McCapsule... but it's $95 to get one prebuilt with a LuxIII. You can build your own for cheaper... but it will cost you time and if you're not good with a soldering iron, it's best to let the professionals do it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Longbow]

http://www.obaq.tv/cpf/images/LongbowPR_BB500-WX1S-1x123_Runtime.png links to a runtime chart plotted by KJ. I don't think most of us would be satisfied with that kind of performance, McCapsule or not.

 

[Dan C]

Well heck, that runtime plot isn't very typical, since it's a Badboy 500 with a 5 watt LED. I have a Nexgen500 LuxIII McCapsule that's more representative of what you can do; it runs in regulation for around 100 minutes with a 123 and a whopping 155 minutes on a pair of Energizer 2500 nimh's.

One of my stock Longbow modules ran nearly twice as long as the other, they are pretty inconsistent in that regard.

Dan C

 

[Mags]

Alright, then is there a professional around here that can make a McCapsule at a lower price?

 

[Haesslich]

Mags: Not that I'm aware of, at least not normally. Maybe you could talk with one of the Aleph modders? That'd be Darrell, Chop, and tylerdurden to name three of them.

 

[Mags]

Well, I dont have the Micra yet, so I dont know if I want one yet. KSBman is going to send me one soon. (Mr Kieth, Thank you!!!) Thanks Haesslich. BTW, your name sounds a bit german, no offense if it is. I used to live there you know.

 

[redone]

What will the McCapsule do for the Micra in terms light, throw, spill and regulation? At the link provided by Lux Luther there is a Longbow head and a McCapsule kit, what all do you order? That comes to $61.25. What do you get for $95.00? What do you need for unscrew and screw? Thanks.

 

[Haesslich]

The McCapsule replaces the electronics and LED which come in the module that is already included, much like you could do the same by buying one from Longbow. It'll include the electronic 'sandwich' of your choice to allow it to boost voltage, drop voltage, or do both; a 3W LED (unless you specify otherwise, most of our modders use them); and the module that'll fit the Longbow (screwed in, just like existing modules).

What that provides is the same amount of spill and throw (unless you change the head or add a reflector and remove the optics) but it'll improve the brightness of the light along with the tint by a fair margin. The regulation'll depend on the sandwich used, but it's fairly reliable.

You can get them prebuilt for $95 from Don (McGizmo) and ready to go; the $61.25 kit includes only the module and the contact board along with the PR-T head modified for the Longbow (which uses a reflector to improve throw and hotspot). You'll also need a sandwich and an LED to complete the head, along with some time soldering.

And yes, Mags, I know what Hasslich means. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif