Liteflux LF3XT info, questions and programming

[matrixshaman]

The purpose of this message thread is to discuss how to use the Liteflux LF3XT, how to best program it and to get help with any questions on how to setup certain functions in this unique light. For people new to this light I hope this thread can help you find answers from those who understand the light better. Below is a link to a manual from Liteflux that I went through to correct some grammer and spelling as well as ad some clarification in a few areas. I didn't want to clutter selfbuilt's review with the discussion of the finer points and questions that might arise so thanks to DM51 for setting this up as a separate thread.
This thread is a spin-off from selfbuilt's review of the LF3XT.

Here is a direct link to the Revised LF3XT manual which is on Google docs.

There is also Budman231's excellent Flow Chart for the LF3XT Here

If anyone has any suggestions for revisions I can add more - preferably a paragraph made ready to insert with a suggestion on exactly where to put it in the manual. I'm wondering now if it would be good to add BabyDoc's info above on the 3c exit command in his tips section of the manual -- or would there be a good place within the manual? Unfortunately I have a very important project going that won't be done for several months yet so I have to pull back from anything that has any potential to take much time otherwise I'd be giving this a lot more attention. I consider the LF3XT to be not only one of my best lights but probably the most 'fun' light I have. But 'fun' is not on the agenda for several months - this is a 7 day a week job 🙁

I'll also contact Budman to see if it's okay to put a link to his flowchart or to his message thread about it in the manual.

 

[h2oflyer]

Re: LiteFlux LF3XT Review: RUNTIMES, BEAMSHOTS, COMPARISONS, and more!

As far as I can see , the revised LF3XT Manual is virtually identical to the Operation Manual that came with the light except for some grammar changes.

I would suggest that Users add the following changes to their Manuals:

pg 21 -- Rechargeable battery over-discharge protection mode -- Add step 4 --3XC Exit back to main operation mode.

pg 22 --Operation mode number setting -- Addstep 6 -- 3XC Exit back to main operation mode.

pg 22 -- Memory function setting mode -- Add step 4 -- 3XC Exit back to main operation mode.

The 3XC command is shown correctly in step #8 on pg 17

Hope this makes it easier for new LF3XT Users

Walter

 

[matrixshaman]

Re: LiteFlux LF3XT Review: RUNTIMES, BEAMSHOTS, COMPARISONS, and more!

It was actually about 3 hours of work and even using the grammer and spell checker in my word processor there were hundreds of little changes that took more work than I expected. A few of my own small additions or clarifications, some formatting and then I added BabyDocs tips in several paragraphs at the end with his permission. I just now requested from Budman231 to add a link to his flowcharts and with your permission I'll put in your changes as soon as I can.

 

[BabyDoc]

Re: LiteFlux LF3XT Review: RUNTIMES, BEAMSHOTS, COMPARISONS, and more!

As far as I can see , the revised LF3XT Manual is virtually identical to the Operation Manual that came with the light except for some grammar changes.

I would suggest that Users add the following changes to their Manuals:

pg 21 -- Rechargeable battery over-discharge protection mode -- Add step 4 --3XC Exit back to main operation mode.

pg 22 --Operation mode number setting -- Addstep 6 -- 3XC Exit back to main operation mode.

pg 22 -- Memory function setting mode -- Add step 4 -- 3XC Exit back to main operation mode.

The 3XC command is shown correctly in step #8 on pg 17

Hope this makes it easier for new LF3XT Users

Walter

I don't think your changes are quite correct.
On page 21, for example, it already states in step 2. 3xC: Exit back to Main operation mode without saving. (This is correct as long as you haven't issued a 3xC +PH Command intending first to save a function setting change.) step 3: 3xC+PH save setting and exit and go back to Function setting mode is also correct.

Once you are back in the Function setting mode menu after a setting change (3X+PH), a 3xC command does exit you back to the operation mode, but this command belongs under Function setting mode commands and not under each of the 5 specific functions a second time as an additional step. (This will be confusing if you do because you already stated 3xC in step 2 which exits you directly back to the operation mode without stopping at the function setting mode menu level.)

Now, if you look at page 20, under Function Setting Mode commands, the 3xC command IS listed, but it is listed incorrectly. Here the manual states: 3xC "exit and back to Main operation mode without saving".

This should say "exit back to Main operation and keep changes in individual functions already saved".

 

[h2oflyer]

Re: LiteFlux LF3XT Review: RUNTIMES, BEAMSHOTS, COMPARISONS, and more!

BabyDoc:

You have confused TOO many new LF3XT users TOO many times. Reread pg 20 -- IT IS CORRECT.

I think you should spend your keystrokes trying to edit matrixsham's Revised manual , rather than nit-picking every review or correction or suggestion on this light.

Your added tips on the revised manual IMO have been the major cause of new user programming difficulty. It appears you were not aware of the missing 3XC exit step OR actually hadn't programmed your memory as you advocated as first step. If you were aware of this missing step , you neglected to mention it.

I bought the light - I like it - I'm trying to help if I can.

The missing 3XC exit step has been posted numerous times since Dec. 12/08

Walter

 

[BabyDoc]

Re: LiteFlux LF3XT Review: RUNTIMES, BEAMSHOTS, COMPARISONS, and more!

BabyDoc:

You have confused TOO many new LF3XT users TOO many times. Reread pg 20 -- IT IS CORRECT.

I think you should spend your keystrokes trying to edit matrixsham's Revised manual , rather than nit-picking every review or correction or suggestion on this light.

Your added tips on the revised manual IMO have been the major cause of new user programming difficulty. It appears you were not aware of the missing 3XC exit step OR actually hadn't programmed your memory as you advocated as first step. If you were aware of this missing step , you neglected to mention it.

I bought the light - I like it - I'm trying to help if I can.

The missing 3XC exit step has been posted numerous times since Dec. 12/08

Walter

Cool it Walter. Don't get so hot under the collar. Nobody else has complained they are confused by what I have stated.
Furthermore, I think it is rather unfair of you to say that I "nitpick" the reviews or the suggestions about the light. You need to reread what I wrote in this thread regarding my appreciation of all the hard work that SelfBuilt did with the review. I don't think there has been any user who has been happier with this light than I am or who has been so vocal in promoting it. Several CPFers have written me and thanked me for recommending this light and helping them get the most out of it.

In my tips in the thread " LF3XT - is it out yet", I do use the 3C command to return to the operation mode after saving a function alteration with the 3C+PH command. I did not leave out the 3C command in order to exit out of the function mode and keep the function alterations.

If you do a 3xC+PH to save a function alteration, it exits you back to the Function setting mode menu. It states that clearly in the instruction manual. It is here where you are doing the 3C to exit back to the operation mode in order to keep those changes.

What isn't stated correctly in the manual is the 3C command on page 20, under the function mode. This command isn't missing, it is mistated. Doing a 3C exits you back to the operation mode but saves the function setting change; it does not disgard the changes as it says incorrectly on page 20. (In every other setting tree, the 3C does exit back to the operation mode and disgard except this ONE. Many people were doing another 3C+PH at this point thinking they needed to do this again to save it and exit the function mode. It just put them back into the specific function again. That's what was confusing people. They got stuck in a loop.

All of this becomes more clear if you look at a flow chart, which is in the process of being revised. Hopefully, v.1.8 will make this clear.

Again, I apologize if I confused you. Is anyone else confused? Refer to the LF5XT instruction manual (it is a bit clearer than the LF3XT manual and the programming is almost the same) and v.1.8 flow chart which hopefully make this clearer.

 

[h2oflyer]

Re: LiteFlux LF3XT Review: RUNTIMES, BEAMSHOTS, COMPARISONS, and more!

BabyDoc:

I'm not hot under the collar - Just trying to put an end to your 3C tapdancing.

I'm not confused and never said I was -- I figured it out Dec.12/08.

You should edit your Tips on the Revised Manual so that it is a good cross-reference to the excellent flow chart.

Did you really turn your memory off/on in function setting back in November ?

Walter

 

[DM51]

Re: LiteFlux LF3XT Review: RUNTIMES, BEAMSHOTS, COMPARISONS, and more!

h20flyer... that is quite enough personal comments from you. Please keep this civil.

 

[Budman231]

Re: LiteFlux LF3XT Review: RUNTIMES, BEAMSHOTS, COMPARISONS, and more!

It was actually about 3 hours of work and even using the grammer and spell checker in my word processor there were hundreds of little changes that took more work than I expected. A few of my own small additions or clarifications, some formatting and then I added BabyDocs tips in several paragraphs at the end with his permission. I just now requested from Budman231 to add a link to his flowcharts and with your permission I'll put in your changes as soon as I can.

I think we should store them both together somewhere on CPF and call it a day. I do have one more revision to do (1.8) this week. A link for now would be fine but ultimately it would be nice to store them so they can be found together. Great work by all... :twothumbs

This is a very cool light I have to say...

Bud

 

[BabyDoc]

Re: Liteflux LF3XT programming, info and questions

Thank you Bud, for all the work you put in on this. It has been a collaborative effort with several people inputing, but you certainly deserve the bulk of the credit for putting it all together. It is easy to be one of the sidewalk superintendents, but much harder to be the actual builder. I applaud you for taking on that role so willingly and for listening so patiently to everyone.

 

[matrixshaman]

Re: Liteflux LF3XT programming, info and questions

I'd have to say Budman231 probably has been the most dilligent and hard working on the LF3XT to make it easier for everyone and BabyDoc has helped a lot of people a great deal with quick and detailed answers. I've barely had time to play with my light other than the first day I got it. While I put in a little work on the manual it was minimal compared to what both of you have done toward making this easy for anyone to program. If anyone wants to take over editing the existing manual I think I can provide that option to do this directly on Google Docs. Otherwise I'll try to make some more claifications but won't have much time for any serious work on it until at least this summer.

Or as Budman has suggested we can just store them on CPF. I think I could post the manual all in one message on your message thread or you can put your chart here. Actually since I put links to your thread here that may suffice. You might put a link in your thread to this one. Any suggestions on the best way to do that are welcome or it may be good to go just like it is now.

I think what BabyDoc suggested somewhere that the two could be merged together might be really nice. And as I've said before if anyone wants to take my copy and put things together that way that's fine with me. I wish I had the time but again I've got a huge high priority project that's taking 7 days a week and I only get on here for quick lunch breaks or when it's time to collapse into the chair for the evening.

Has anyone come up with any clip ideas yet for the LF3XT? Once I get my 'big project' complete I'll be setting my shop back up to hopefully make a few Titanium clips for the Ra Clicky and if I can come up with a way to attach a clip to the LF3XT I'll try making some for it. While the body of the LF3XT looks thicker than a lot of lights I'm not sure if it's enough to tap any holes into. It might be possible though to put some on the back tail where everyone says the edges are a bit too sharp. They would have to be very small but with Titanium that might work okay.

 

[Flying Turtle]

Re: Liteflux LF3XT programming, info and questions

I'll add some more praise to Bud, BabyDoc, and Matrixshamen for all your analysis and work. All the charts and tips are here on my desktop within easy reach. Thanks, guys.

Geoff

 

[DM51]

Re: Liteflux LF3XT programming, info and questions

If you need any help moving posts or merging threads to put all this stuff together, please let me know.

 

[BabyDoc]

Re: Liteflux LF3XT programming, info and questions

Does anyone ever give their flashlight switch a bath? I have begun to do so whenever I feel that the switch on my LF3XT is misfiring or isn't always doing what I expect it should do. For example, issuing a 2XC generally changes light levels, but when it shuts of the light instead, and does this regularly, it is time to give the switch a bath. Any light without a rubber boot over the button to protect it, is subject to collecting the oils and dirt that may be on your fingers. This seems to collect between the button and the housing around the button. I put a few drops of dishwashing liquid on the end of the button and press it several times to get it distributed between the button and the housing. I rinse it all off with warm water. It is amazing how much improved is the switch action. It feels less spongy and more responsive. In case anybody is worried about the internals of the switch getting screwed up by the bath, I believe the switch's o-ring keeps the water out of there. At least I haven't had a problem doing this, and I have done it at least 3 or 4 times since I have gotten my light.

I noticed in SelfBuilts review that he somehow repositioned the tube within the metal compartment to improve the switch action. I am not sure exactly what he did, whether he twisted the tube clockwise, counterclockwise or did something else with the tube,and exactly how this changed the switch action. Has anybody else done this?

(I know all of this isn't exactly a programming problem, but in order for the light to respond correctly to commands the switch has to work right. That's why I am discussing it in this thread.)

 

[Flying Turtle]

Re: Liteflux LF3XT programming, info and questions

I haven't tried dousing it yet. Frankly, it sounds kind of scary, but since you've had success I might eventually give it a try. I have had some misfires like you describe. I think with longer fingernails Selfbuilt's adjustment method would be possible. I'll probably try that first.

Geoff

 

[WadeF]

Re: Liteflux LF3XT programming, info and questions

Does anyone ever give their flashlight switch a bath? I have begun to do so whenever I feel that the switch on my LF3XT is misfiring or isn't always doing what I expect it should do.

I guess you are now experiencing what I referred to as my switch being sloppy. 🙂

Maybe I'll give mine a bath and see what happens.

 

[BabyDoc]

Re: Liteflux LF3XT programming, info and questions

I haven't tried dousing it yet. Frankly, it sounds kind of scary, but since you've had success I might eventually give it a try. I have had some misfires like you describe. I think with longer fingernails Selfbuilt's adjustment method would be possible. I'll probably try that first.

Geoff

There's nothing scarry about it. If the light is able to be submersed in water, certainly a little soap can't hurt. I am only washing the switch end of the light, too.

I probably should get back onto Selfbuilts thread and ask for more details on his "adjustment" method. I thought that tube was fixed in place by an O-ring.

 

[madi05]

Re: Liteflux LF3XT programming, info and questions

it is very simple to remove the whole switchplate , stick a screw driver in the hole of the lanyard and turn it counterclockwise ,, once u get it started it screws right out ,, it is a bit snug at first ,, but nothing alarming just put some muscle in it ,, i asked the litflux guy about it first and he told me to do it this way,, i bought mine directly from the manufacturer ,, once u do this the hole batter sleeve will slide right out and then u will see the fat oring around the switch ,, just clean it and lube it and it should spring back better for u

also u could stretch the clicker spring under the switch just a bit to give it more pop if yours is really slow , imo

madi05

 

[matrixshaman]

Re: Liteflux LF3XT programming, info and questions

If you need any help moving posts or merging threads to put all this stuff together, please let me know.

I probably should have titled this thread 'LF3XT info, questions and programming' as I did not intend on limiting it to programming. I'll see if I can change the title. So switch discussions is very OK here too. Anything to do with this light is good here. I had just assumed most discussion would be around programming. I believe selfbuilt used a needle nose pliers to slightly tighten up the brass tube which has 4 holes in the bottom IIRC.

 

[madi05]

i cant see how u can tighten the brass sleeve with anything that way,, there are no threads on the sleeve at all, it is held in by the switch plate imo,, simply tighten the swichplate should press the sleeve in tighter , imo

madi05