Mc6S

[Ray_of_Light]

Hi DOn...

no, it is not a typo. I meant a 6 stage tailcap for E series!

I am only half serious. After the demise of Arc, all of us put the Arc4s in the collection box, and converted EDC to E1e/KL1/Mc2S.
In this view, 2 level of light are not enough. Three would be better, four are the optimal. Six, may be a joke, but not for the U2...

I noted that by using a 30 Ohm wire pot I can somehow adjust the brightness of my KL1/E1 until the full regulation kicks in.

Do you think can be realised in practice?

Best Regards

Anthony

 

[McGizmo]

Anthony,
This is doable but viable or possible for a small one man, undercapitalized operation like myself? Nope. I have a couple three way switches that work and it is possible to design an axial displacement tail switch that would take you through three stages but to do it right would require a re design of the tail cap as well as the tail of the battery tube, IMHO. Otherwise it would be too easy to shift beyond the desired level unless the switch were set with even more force required. I suspect that given enough time, a viable solution is possible but I don't have the time or resources.

Frankly, until the LED's start putting out 100 lumens, I don't think you really need more than two levels. This is possibly a cop out but I do have a switch that works on three levels but I don't chose to use it. I am happier with the simplicity and dependable function of the two stage.

I like the integration of "volume" and on/ off in the McE2S as well as the L1/L2/A2 switch which inspired my switch. For a greater number of levels, I think the on/off and "volume" control should be two separate controls, like the U2. I know there are bound to be many new lights coming out with a single momentary switch that can take you through all kinds of features but I perceive the level of complexity to be inversly porportional to the level of user friendliness.

If I had the time and budget and ability, I would love to pursue a single "throttle" that would advance through a range ol illumination levels and easily be latched or unlatched at any chosen level. If someone couldprovide me with the electronics and a slide switch or variable reed switch or whatever, I would love to try to come up with the mechanics to integrate such a switch. I don't focus on tactical nor do I pretend to understand it. I would be stoked to have a rotating collar on a light just aft of the head (think U2) that had a button on it that locked the collar in the chosen position. Otherwise the collar would spring back to off. I imagine that such a collar could have a magnet in it and would probably work with a circuit like Newbie showed some time ago. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon3.gif

 

[Kiessling]

[ QUOTE ]
For a greater number of levels, I think the on/off and "volume" control should be two separate controls

[/ QUOTE ]

dito to that! please don't venture into the realm of one-button-multi-function lights /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif !

BUT I see a point in a 3-stage switch in the high output LED lights like a BB750 X3T combo .... this would basically allow for a really dim low, a normal level and a full throttle level. Anything more than 3 levels is a bit overdesigned IMHO.

bernhard

 

[Ray_of_Light]

Don,

thanks for your prompt answer. I am an old fan of SF, but I am disappointed from the fact that their double stage do not survive a 2 feet impact on the tailcap, because of that totally unresilient but very elastic alloy they used for the "brushes".
Your MC2S is much more resistant, it takes a 6 feet drop without an hiccup. Not being conceptually "related" to the LED head (KL1-4), it introduces no big efficiency decrease with 3 volt lights, but it creates higher losses in 6 volt lights. Not that is important. I managed to buy some DIY Mc2S even if I don't have Paypal...

The Mc6S is something that come up to my mind, in the form of intense desire, a while ago when using my E1/KL1 for a task.
May be a clickie with "volume control", purely resistive? Anything using an electronic driver, other than requiring a mechanical modification to the battery tube and/or tailcap, should be made "in relation" with the electronics in the head.

My fear is that the U2 will be "too big" to EDC. The E1, with a three stage, or volume control, would be a dream come true.

And yes, I second Kiessling in not venturing in one button digital switches.

Just a wish. Thanks for your hard work.

Anthony