New Project for DSpeck?

[oldgrandpajack]

I love to watch the progress of the Firefly. It is a real work of art. We've got to keep DSpeck busy, and in that spirit, I would like to propose a Firefly body with a bezel for the Opalec New Beam Module. Would others be interested in such an animal? I love the output and runtime of the Opalec New Beam Module, and it's about time it was put in a decent flashlight, with a 123A battery. Wouldn't have to worry about thermal problems.
oldgrandpajack

EDIT: I believe in the "KISS" way of doing things. Just would want to be able to drop in the Opalec New Beam Module without any modifications. Let DSpeck do the work, figuring out how to design the bezel that would allow that.

 

[tylerdurden]

Is it possible it will fit into an unmodified firefly if you have a stock minimag switch assembly? Has anyone tried? I haven't seen a firefly in person, but I would thing if you put the switch in place of the sandwich, remove the optic, then load the Opelec in from the front after the light is assembled, it could work.

 

[this_is_nascar]

... how 'bout we wait until the FireFly is actually a released product.

 

[DSpeck]

Actually, someone else thought of this first, and has ordered matching Fireflies, one standard and one with an Opalec module in it. I'll take pictures of the mod before I send them off to him. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinser2.gif

I will be using a Minimag switch, just as you have suggested. I tried, and it does fit. I will just have to bore out the existing head from the optic end to make the Opalec module fit. It will be tight, but should work. I may have to CAREFULLY skim some off the sides of the module to make it skiny enough to fit inside the threads. Lengthwise, no trouble on the fit.

 

[Tomas]

Doug, you can take the black plastic 'walls' arount the Opalec Newbeam off without much worry or hassle - I used a Dremel, but just about any method will work just fine. No hu-hu. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[oldgrandpajack]

I would prefer a new bezel designed from the ground up for the Opalec New Beam Module. Then someone clumsy like me could replace a module if the first one died. If it isn't practical to use the FireFly body with the newly designed head, design a new body too.
oldgrandpajack

 

[tylerdurden]

[ QUOTE ]
oldgrandpajack said:
I would prefer a new bezel designed from the ground up for the Opalec New Beam Module. Then someone clumsy like me could replace a module if the first one died. If it isn't practical to use the FireFly body with the newly designed head, design a new body too.
oldgrandpajack

[/ QUOTE ]

Maybe the CNC123 would be better for the Opalec if you have this user-installable requirement.

 

[paulr]

I don't think the Firefly is that appropriate a host for an Opalec. The Firefly is carefully designed to heat sink a Luxeon as well as it can for a light of its size. The Opalec doesn't give off nearly as much heat and therefore the design tradeoffs in the Firefly are less than optimal for the Opalec.

The Opalec would go really well in a completely new light sort of resembling the Firefly, but internally simpler. It could be smaller than the Firefly because it wouldn't need the copper slug and so forth; it could be smaller still by using a CR2 instead of a 123, and still have very good runtime per battery.

 

[shankus]

And if it were designed for the opalec, it should be lot's cheaper. No copper, no regulator, etc.

And while we're on the Opalec subject, when are they going to make a 5 or 6 LED Opalec?

 

[Tomas]

Hmmmmmm ...

Here's an idea (for AFTER Doug finishes my FireFly /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif ):

Make another bazillion battery cases identical to the FireFly battery case in an assortment of colors.

Make more FireFly heads that fit it.

Make Opalec heads (new design) that fit it.

Make coin-slotted Delrin heads for spare batteries.

Make special "night" heads with a single 5mm red LED.

Etc.

All using the basic, smallest possible size, FireFly CR123 body.

I'm in for a carrier, Opalec, and red ... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Comments? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[oldgrandpajack]

Love all the input. My ideal flashlight for the Opalec would stick with the SF123A battery. I want all my lights to use the same battery. Probably would be best to start with a fresh design. Start with and stick to the standard, unmodified Opalec and design around it. Definitely would want it to be hard anodized. Make it as water resistant as possible. User replaceable module and lens (no tools). If practical and expedient, use the MiniMag lens and switch. No reflector or focusing necessary. All aluminum construction. Remember "KISS" though out the whole process.
oldgrandpajack

 

[paulr]

Someone modified a Princeton Tec Blast to use an Opalec. The Blast is a small 2aa powered plastic incandescent waterproof light, sort of along the lines of the UKE 2L but quite a bit smaller. That might be a reasonable alternative to an Opalec'd Firefly. Of course a 123A powered version would also be nice.

 

[oldgrandpajack]

Could have Doug make a 2AA body also. Personally, I'd like it small enough to throw it in my pocket and forget it's there. That's how it is with my ARC LS. But, I can see the utility of the 2 AA rechargeable setup. I have the 2AA twisty for my ARC LS.

Just hit me. Could this bezel be made to fit the Surefire E1-E1E Surefire and the UBH? Am I thick or what?!!!

oldgrandpajack

 

[paulr]

Why on earth would you get a specially made 2aa metal body for an Opalec, when the Opalec is already designed to fit in a Minimag? Just use a Minimag.

An Opalec bezel for an E1/E1e sounds doable, or you could probably do it as a KL1 mod. But it would be a little bigger than necessary.

You could also probably put an Opalec into one of Rothrandir's mini-mini-mini Mags, but then it would need a CR2 cell.

 

[DSpeck]

Modifying an E1 bezel for the Opalec is not that hard, just drill it out to the diameter of the Opalec, then make a LA-base to hold the Opalec. I've done a couple, and they look quite nice when they are finished.

I still haven't installed it yet, but I am quite sure the Firefly head will accomodate the Opalec. The problem with using the Opalec is that it uses those 2 silly pins for connection. If it had a more robust conection, or even just places to solder wires onto, it would be a much easier module to work with. In any mod with the Opalec, you have to have a 2-pin socket to get power to the module, and that add length where it shouldn't be necessary...great module, but not easy to mod into stuff other than the Minimag it's intended for.