Longbow Micra ~ Problems ???

[tnuckels]

Hello to all you flashers,

I recently purchased a Longbow Micra (Thanks Flavio) and now may be having problems with it. Realizing it was only quoted at 90 min (less according to some estimates) I have been happily using it for the past week or two, so have no idea how long it has been running on the current battery.

Suddenly it quit working reliably, or so I thought, mostly when pressing the twisty tailcap for short bursts of light. Thinking it might be a contact problem I cleaned everything on the battery and case, but to no avail. Next I tried bypassing the tailcap altogether by shorting from the batteries negative end to the case where the anodization is removed and got the same intermittent results. Remembering some previous discussion of problems with the Longbow involving initial startup on used batteries and short battery life, I swapped for some new CR123s. Voila! Now it works all the time, every time. I checked the old battery with my ohm meter and it was putting out between 2.1~2.3v, depending on how long it was in use just prior to pulling it to test.

My questions are:

Does anyone have more detail on the problems earlier mentioned (startup, short battery life)?

For those who own Longbows, how much juice is left in your old batteries when you have to swap?


If I have a problem I’ll seek a replacement light, but maybe this is this normal for this level of purchase.


Many thanks,

Todd

 

[Catman10]

On the Micra's when the battery gets low and you turn it off, and then try and turn it on shortly after, it doesn't work. You have to wait a while. That's been the case with both of mine, although I'm not sure of the cause. But it is pretty normal for them. Sometimes you just have to wait a couple of minutes.

 

[pedalinbob]

i have heard of that as well.

if i have any issues with my micra, i will upgrade wo a new converter--perhaps a Badboy.

i dont like a light suddenly going completely out.

Bob

 

[stockae92]

how to upgrade to BB or MM? is there switch out there available?

and you can upgrade the lens and the reflector, right?

 

[AK]

[ QUOTE ]
stockae92 said:
how to upgrade to BB or MM? is there switch out there available?

and you can upgrade the lens and the reflector, right?

[/ QUOTE ]

You can upgrade the lens and switch to a reflector without making any other mods. If you want to use a different converter board, you have to build a McCapsule, essentially a replacement LED "capsule." New board, new emitter, and new metal capsule to hold the board and LED.

 

[tnuckels]

Well, I considered a lot of alternatives before buying this particular light, but wanted to keep it well under $100 for this setup. I’ve got the UCL lens already and plan to try out an IMS reflector and/or maybe the Fraen optics, but all these are chump change upgrades when compared to a new light source.

If I’ve done the math right, and understand the bits and pieces involved a new light source might look like this:
McCapsule ~ $25
Luxeon III ~ $18
BadBoy 500 ~ $13
Artic adhesive & grease ~ $10
TOTAL ~ $66

So, for more then the price of the Micra I get a brighter, regulated source with unknown runtime, unknown heat problems, and no power output options (low, med, high). I may end up doing this just for the fun of it, but would have bought a different setup for the $140 + labor I will have invested. For an extra $20-$30 I could have had all the additional features lacking in the Micra that would make buying and upgrading a Micra unnecessary.

I’m trying to keep this one inexpensive and am willing to live with limiting consequences of that decision. I just want to know if my stock Micra’s performance is par for the course, or has a problem that needs to be addressed.

Thanks,

Todd

 

[Lux Luthor]

Would you describe the problem as flickering? I had one do that, and since I have two I was able to sequentially swap parts and trace the problem to the bottom of the battery tube. A little sanding and it disappeared.

If with run down batteries it simply fails to turn on at all at times, then it is the nature of the converter, and they all do that.

 

[tnuckels]

No flickering, just fails to turn on. Still, 2.1-2.3v is a fair amount of juice to be chucking in the trash, as I have no other CR123 uses. Can another Micra owner check their battery voltage when this "problem" occurs on their light to see if we are all in the same boat, or is this unique to my light?

Todd

 

[Deleted member 4455]

Tnuckles, I just tried a 123 with a voltage reading of 1.9v in a stock Micra. It does refuse to turn on. I think this may be the general nature of the Micra. In defense of the light,it's capable of being modded by you, to become whatever you would like. These lights are very popular with the fellows I work with. A co-worker even modded one with a single red led for his astronomy hobby. He removes the standard capsule and places the red McCapsule in for telescope adjustments,etc. The combination of reflector and Lux3 makes for a long throwing,almost indestructible light.

 

[tnuckels]

Thanks Nightshades.

I guess I should look at it like "all the fun you can have for a buck and a quarter", as that's about what the SF CR123s cost me.

So, a question for the more mod experienced of you:

Is my previous list of bits and pieces correct if I want to build a 3W replacement head for the Micra, or did I leave out something? The BB500 seems like a good compromise of output vs battery life.

Thanks to all for your comments and guidance.

Todd