Malkoff Devices--User Programmable Flashlight

[Modernflame]

Mode group 1: my edc config
1/70/200 lumens. If I double tap the tail switch I go to max output of 1200 lumens. This has short cycle memory.

Mode group 2: my outdoor config
150/1200 lumens. Double tap to strobe. No memory.

To change mode groups I would tap 8 times to enter config and then tap 2 times.

Gotta admit, that's really cool.

 

[Woods Walker]

On a side note the twisty tactical UI is hardly a Malkoff only thing over the years.

1. The fantastic and only other light I own sporting MD2 strong side walls the Fenix TK20. Twisty Hi/Lo just like a Malkoff.

2. As this is a malkoff thread. Warm MD1.5 with modified Hi/Lo ring to properly work with low voltage.

3. The very nice Quark Tactical 2XCR123. Not only the same UI but the 2 modes can be selected and locked.

As a gear hobbyist I like playing around with complex UIs but for actual use like the tactical 2 mode UI. Single mode or memory mode which acts like a single mode is also nice. Don't do disco, nothing against the bee gees. I guess one pro to a programmable UI is it can be set at one mode though unless the light is like a tactical old school Quark or Malkoff Hi/Lo the pro of changing modes without turning on the light is kinda not happening. Then again the market tends to dictate what is made.

 

[Cobraman502]

Gotta admit, that's really cool.

Look info the UI more of your interested you can mod pretty much any light using a 17 mm driver mcpcb. Search h17f and you should pull up the dr Jones firmware pages with all the different firmware documentation really interesting how much code is out there for drivers.

 

[twl]

So I either need two hands and more time in order to "pre-select" my brightness setting, or I would have to somehow know ahead of time what brightness I would need the next time I need my light despite the fact that I don't know exactly when or where or why I will need my flashlight next...



I can see how it could be advantageous to have a physical low/high ring in order to lock one into a single output setting in order to guarantee that the light will stay in that one brightness setting no matter what you do with it. However, as soon as you begin trying to make a driver that will allow separate brightness settings in the low and high positions, you've just lost all of the advantage of the high/low ring as you've described it because there are now more than just the high and low output settings. In other words, you would still not be "locked into" a single output setting.

I have never ever needed to do any kind of "flash and dash" with a flashlight. That sounds like an extremely specific application.

A system like the HDS Rotary would allow pre-selection among multiple brightness settings, but any mechanical system like that seems like it is an extra point of possible failure, and probably would reduce the ruggedness of the light when it comes to dropping/getting knocked around, beat up.

If the two hands thing is too difficult, Elzetta has the Hi/Lo in the tailcap. Works the same, but one handed from a tactical grip.

Regarding knowing what beam I want ahead of time, I always know what beam I want just before I turn on the light, and so I set it then.

I have 2 very expensive high quality TorchLab Triples that I EDC, and they are L/M/H clickies. I can't use them tactically because they always come on low. If I had H/M/L instead, they would suck for normal EDC uses. This has showcased to me the drastic limitation of clickie mode interfaces in real life application. At least, in MY real life applications.

 

[Modernflame]

Regarding knowing what beam I want ahead of time, I always know what beam I want just before I turn on the light, and so I set it then. This has showcased to me the drastic limitation of clickie mode interfaces in real life application. At least, in MY real life applications.

This sums it up for a lot of people. My first modern LED flashlight came from another manufacturer with a clickie interface and two modes: high and low. It always came on in low first. This arrangement was satisfactory when my eyes were dark adapted and I didn't want to blow my retinas out of the back of my head. However, I didn't like it when I was outside or the device had to compete with ambient light. (Just one guy's opinion YMMV).

I love my high low rings, but I also dig the form factor of MDC lights. I've often considered getting two: a LMH version and a HML version. A user programmable model would mitigate this to some extent, granted that you'd have to prepare your mode sequence at least a few minutes ahead of time.

 

[Cobraman502]

If the two hands thing is too difficult, Elzetta has the Hi/Lo in the tailcap. Works the same, but one handed from a tactical grip.

Regarding knowing what beam I want ahead of time, I always know what beam I want just before I turn on the light, and so I set it then.

I have 2 very expensive high quality TorchLab Triples that I EDC, and they are L/M/H clickies. I can't use them tactically because they always come on low. If I had H/M/L instead, they would suck for normal EDC uses. This has showcased to me the drastic limitation of clickie mode interfaces in real life application. At least, in MY real life applications.

I too have the same problem. I seem to have resolved that with the h17f driver.

My config is 1/70/200 double tap 1200 lumens. I’m running short cycle memory. I leave my light on 70 lumens (Med), with short cycle memory it will come on in the last mode I left it and if I tap it will go to the beginning 1 lumen. So essentially I have it I. 70/1/200. You can add more modes in any order you want. The following might work for you

200/1 lumens and double tap to max output 1200. That way I would never full blast myself when changing modes. It would function like a 2 node light. You can also change the config so the double tap is a strobe if that’s what you like.

My group 2 outdoors/tactical config is:

140/1200 double tap strobe. Changing between mode groups is 8 taps to config mode then 2 taps to switch the mode group. You can lock out the light to be single mode light in any brightness you want.

 

[Dicaeopolis]

I am sure it would be cool, but not an improvement for my needs. I need one hand operation for use at my work. I do like the Elzetta hi/low tail cap where you twist the tail cap to come on in low and then if you press the button harder it will go to temporary high until you let it go again. I do wish that was an option for the MD2 or Hound Dog. I also wish Malkoff offered a tail cap with a protruding button, although I do like the recessed tail stand cap for most of my lights. I would put the protruding button on my MDC TAC light if he had one.

 

[Modernflame]

I am sure it would be cool, but not an improvement for my needs. I need one hand operation for use at my work. I do like the Elzetta hi/low tail cap where you twist the tail cap to come on in low and then if you press the button harder it will go to temporary high until you let it go again. I do wish that was an option for the MD2 or Hound Dog. I also wish Malkoff offered a tail cap with a protruding button, although I do like the recessed tail stand cap for most of my lights. I would put the protruding button on my MDC TAC light if he had one.

If we're talking about MD series lights, the tail cap threads are compatible with Surefire and Oveready. Lots of lego options if the standard offerings don't pass muster.

 

[InvisibleFrodo]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the Prometheus Icarus driver.
The user picks anything from single output up to seven different outputs and each output level can be selected by the user, plus a "direct access" mode that can be brought up by quickly double tapping. Best part is direct access can be enabled or disabled. Mode memory can be enabled or disabled or "hybrid memory" when the driver will come on at the last setting used and then go to whatever the user programmed as brightness setting one. My Alphas are all waiting for their upgrade, because they where purchased before the Icarus came out, but it looks to be one of the most customizable User Interfaces I've ever seen.

 

[jdboy]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the Prometheus Icarus driver.
The user picks anything from single output up to seven different outputs and each output level can be selected by the user, plus a "direct access" mode that can be brought up by quickly double tapping. Best part is direct access can be enabled or disabled. Mode memory can be enabled or disabled or "hybrid memory" when the driver will come on at the last setting used and then go to whatever the user programmed as brightness setting one. My Alphas are all waiting for their upgrade, because they where purchased before the Icarus came out, but it looks to be one of the most customizable User Interfaces I've ever seen.

The Icarus and H17F drivers are almost identical in way of specs as well as programming. I have and like/use both, love this style interface. I too have a Alpha custom I'd really like to have upgraded to the new driver. The H17F has the benefit of a FET channel for increased output over the 3.4 amps the Icarus is capable of.

I would like to see Gene offer something like this with the ability to keep the twist high/low feature. I love the M61N I have as well as the Wildcat I own but sometimes I'd like to have the flexibility to change the high or low setting to suit my application better.

 

[Modernflame]

The Icarus and H17F drivers are almost identical in way of specs as well as programming.

Where are those drivers made? Overseas? I'm not making any value judgments about foreign vs. domestic parts. I'm just wondering if Gene is building his own driver because he wants to offer a USA made product?

Again, just a guess and not an evaluation of any particular device.

 

[jdboy]

Where are those drivers made? Overseas? I'm not making any value judgments about foreign vs. domestic parts. I'm just wondering if Gene is building his own driver because he wants to offer a USA made product?

Again, just a guess and not an evaluation of any particular device.

I'm not certain on the H17F but the Icarus driver is made in the USA.

 

[twl]

I think that H17 driver sounds interesting.

I am all for improvement, as long as it's actually improved, and not just gimmicks like 99% of Chinese lights are.

 

[jdboy]

I think that H17 driver sounds interesting.

I am all for improvement, as long as it's actually improved, and not just gimmicks like 99% of Chinese lights are.

I'm with you on the improvement standpoint. Lucky for us I'm very certain Gene will pay close attention to this thread and thoroughly test whatever he comes up with. I even liked the idea about interchangeable resisters as was brought up earlier in this thread. With that though I think I'd be happier with a user programmable option.

Edit: for me, and this is only my opinion, I don't think a USB port would fit with the Malkoff performance/robustness standards.

 

[archimedes]

Several posters in this thread have mentioned "modular" resistors ....

Although various CPF'rs have custom modded the High/Low Rings to suit their own needs, it would be nice to simply have a few different options available as stock OEM parts, without the inconvenience of soldering and such :shrug:

 

[Grizzman]

I'm interested in a programmable Malkoff. If it incorporates a high/low function via head rotation, I'd be all over it.

As a test, I decided to change the program of each of my programmable lights (which I rarely change) from memory. Besides the Wasp, I was only able to modify the old Foursevens QT2L-X, and it lives in a pistol case, so doesn't get used. This is where the app or web programming is a benefit.

A durable, waterproof USB connection would be okay with me.

The Icarus is a very flexible driver, though it did require watching the video, since the Alpha was locked (don't remember enabling that last time).

 

[GeoBruin]

I, like many others here, buy Malkoff products because of their reputation for durability and reliability. They also happen to offer my absolute interface which is 2 modes, low and flat out. I'm also fond of the mechanism for switching between the two modes because it allows me to do so before I activate the light.

Now, when it comes to an EDC light, I purchased a 3 mode MDC but found several things I didn't like about it. I didn't need the medium mode. I didn't like having to click through the medium mode to get to high. And I didn't like the pseudo mode memory resulting from use of an on timer vs off timer. However, all these things are preferences. Others like the light for the same reasons I dislike it.

So how do you account for all the needy flashaholics with their preferences? Make something programmable! Now there's a lot of concern in thread over added complexity leading to unreliability. I think that's ridiculous. Solid state circuits are at least as reliable as a physical switching mechanism. In fact, the only failure I've ever had in a Malkoff light was due to the hi/low ring. The resistor was mounted such that when the ring was rotated, it rubbed against the inside of the head. It eventually rubbed through the resistor and shorted. Of course it just became a single mode light until I fixed it, but the point is moving parts wear out.

As far as ports, I agree you don't want to expose the port externally. But as long as it's behind an o ring when the light is in its operational configuration, it's fine. I've personally operated an MD2 60 feet under water (and wrote about it here).

All this this to say I think it's a great idea and I'll buy several.

 

[Modernflame]

Great post, GeoBruin. I agree.

 

[WebHobbit]

Several posters in this thread have mentioned "modular" resistors ....

Although various CPF'rs have custom modded the High/Low Rings to suit their own needs, it would be nice to simply have a few different options available as stock OEM parts, without the inconvenience of soldering and such :shrug:

I could see that archimedes! You could have a drop down selector like the site has now for the tail-cap options. The price would probably have to go up a bit thought as Gene would have to maintain more and different resistor stock. OR the price could maybe stay the same but only the stock config would be "ready to go"...while the optional ones could be more "build to order". I could handle that!

 

[Dicaeopolis]

I may see what Oveready has. I have the older MDC TAC with the shorter clip that is curved at top. That's the only one I thought about wanting a protruding button on, but I know the head is what unscrews, not the tail and I probably won't mess with it. I prefer the recessed button for all others, which is what he has. I actually like Malkoff tail caps the best, that is why I leave them alone. Sometimes a protruding button is just easier to hit with a pistol in hand. Thanks.