NovaTac EDC-120P Programming

[half-watt]

Let's start this Thread off really simple.


Standard terminology has the 'P' model as having a Primary output setting, a Secondary output setting, a Maximum output setting, and a Minimum output setting.

These are NOT cast in concrete as to how much light they put out as the user may program each of them for different output.

However, the NAMING of each output setting might be a little misleading. How so?

Well, think of them *NOT* as Primary, Secondary, Max, and Min, but rather just think of them conceptually as First, Second, Third, and Fourth settings.

For my purposes, i wanted the lowest light output setting that i would program to be the first one that is activated when the light is turned on, but i wanted it to also put out, relatively speaking to MIN, a LOT of light. So, i programmed it to turn on at the Mfr. claimed 15 Lumen level.

Next, i wanted the 2click operation to increase the light output. So, my "secondary" or second mode, is brighter. In my case, the Mfr. claimed 30 Lumens.

Next, i wanted the 3click operation (normally bringing up the Factory Default MINIMUM 0.3 Lumen output) to bring up an even brighter output level. So, mine is programmed to output the Mfr. claimed 60 Lumen output level.

Finally, i left the MAXIMUM (i think of it as the FOURTH output level) level alone and it outputs a Mfr. claimed 120 Lumen output via either the LONG PRESS (no release) MOMENTARY mode, or the single CLICK-PRESS constant, latched MAX output mode.


So, in my case here's how i could progress through all four modes from dimmest to brighest that i've programmed into the four memorized levels: [Note: keep in mind that levels can be skipped and engaged in different orders which are NOT necessarily sequential; this is NO different from how the light functions with the factory default output levels. the programming doesn't affect how the light is controlled, just the output levels produced in response to the control sequences of clicks and/or presses.]

1click = turn light on to 15 Lumen (my lowest personally programmed level)
2clicks = secondary level (30Lumen in my case)
3clicks = the next brightest level (know as the Factory Default MINIMUM) which is, in my case, currently 60Lumen
1click-press (or press and hold) = Maximum

going back down...

2clicks returns me to 15lumen (primary) or 30lumen (secondary) mode - whichever was last activated in whatever sequence of mode changing i happen to be doing.

...and...

2clicks, of course, still toggles back and forth between Primary (15lumen for me) and Secondary (30lumen in my case) modes, just like the Factory Defaults function, but, of course, with different output levels.



So, in a nutshell, if someone's needs are different than the fine Factory Default chosen output levels, DON'T let the standard terminology confuse how the light can be programmed. The setting termed MINIMUM does NOT have to be used for the lowest programmed output level (in my case its the second brightest as i've stated above).


Just some thoughts of mine put on display for all to see that there is a madness to my method!! YMMV.

 

[senna94]

To me the best part is being able to set different brightness levels or strobe/sos mode at any stage on the fly!!!!!!!!! Without having to go into a seperate program mode. Click-Click-Press-Hold at any stage lets you set the brightness for that level. Then just turn it off to save that setting.
:twothumbs

 

[LawLight]

Thank you half-watt. Great advice.

LawLight
:thanks:

 

[enLIGHTenment]

1click = turn light on to 15 Lumen (my lowest personally programmed level)
2clicks = secondary level (30Lumen in my case)
3clicks = the next brightest level (know as the Factory Default MINIMUM) which is, in my case, currently 60Lumen
1click-press (or press and hold) = Maximum

If I read this right, then, from off, one click will give 15lm but holding the button down (momentary-style) will give full power. Is that right?

Does the light briefly flash at full power when you click on into 15lm or does it briefly flash at 15lm when you press and hold?

 

[kelmo]

I should get my 85P today!

What I want to do is program it for 21-42-85-Disorienting Strobe. I want the strobe to activate when the light is on by depressing and holding the switch.

Luxlover you getting this?!

 

[JeffN]

Just got my 120P. From the manual, it appears that if you change the Maximum setting to the disorienting strobe, a press while the light is on will trigger the strobe. IMHO, setting the 4 levels is much easier than with the HDS line (I have 3 of them).

 

[half-watt]

If I read this right, then, from off, one click will give 15lm but holding the button down (momentary-style) will give full power. Is that right?

YES. you've read and understood that correctly, but ONLY IF the light is already ON. to activate MAXIMUM from OFF, you must peform a CLICK-PRESS operation which latches (i.e. it's NOT a MOMENTARY activation) the light into whatever level or signal you've programmed into the MAXIMUM memory.

Does the light briefly flash at full power when you click on into 15lm

NO. No Fenix like hi-output flash before settling down into the PRIMARY mode (unless your Primary mode is programmed to be your brightest output - similar to the TACTICAL version of this light)

...or does it briefly flash at 15lm when you press and hold?

Yes. If the light is OFF and you want to immediately turn it on to go into the MAXIMUM mode, a CLICK-PRESS sequence will turn the light on briefly in the PRIMARY mode (in my case 15lm) and then the PRESS will activate MAXIMUM mode after the requisite 1/3second delay to allow the light's firmware programming to recognize that the user is intending a PRESS.



one click (press-and-release of 1/3 second or less, according to the Manual) will activate the PRIMARY mode (in my case 15lumen; Factory Default=10Lumen).

when the light is ON pressing (holding the button down) for more than 1/3 of a second will MOMENTARILY activate whatever output level or signal function is programmed into the MAXIMUM level (even if it is NOT the MAXIMUM/brightest light output programmed into the light by the user).

By MOMENTARY it is meant that as long as the button is held depressed the MAXIMUM functionality of the light will be output.

Alternatively, when the light is OFF or when the light is ON in ANY of the output modes, ONE CLICK (press and release in 1/3 second or less) immediately followed by a PRESS (greater than 1/3 second in duration) will also activate whatever output level or signal mode is programmed into the MAXIMUM functionality at that time. After the MAXIMUM functionality is activated via the CLICK-PRESS sequence, the user may release the button and the MAXIMUM functionality will remain latched on.

There is ~1/3 of a second delay after the CLICK-PRESS before the MAXIMUM setting/functionality is output. Likewise, a similar delay when just PRESSing to activate the MOMENTARY mode of the MAXIMUM function.

you see why from my poor description above that i prefer to call them First, Second, Third, and Fourth [programmed memory] settings. i could just as well program the light so that the brightest output is stored in what the manual calls the MINIMUM and vice versa.

the programming is very flexible, so think of NAMES for each memorized setting which better describe how you want to program the light.

hope this helps some.

 

[kelmo]

Thanks Guys!

I just got my 85P. I like the 10 and 30 primary and secondary settings. I shall use the 1st setting, factory minimum for max/85 and the 4th factory setting for Grand Mal er disorienting strobe (DS). I want to be able to jump into DS with a push of the button when the light is on.

kelmo

 

[Pumaman]

the 120-p level change and options menus are a pleasure
especially compared to a basic

 

[hivoltage]

I just got mine...I like it, Alot!!!!

 

[BytorJr]

I replaced the ultra low with the strobe setting. However, is it me or does the "disorienting" strobe appear to be a lot dimmer than maximum? I don't know if this is an effect of the duty cycle of the strobe or if it's just dimmer.

So my settings are strobe, low, medium-high, full power. I'll work on perfecting the settings in the back yard for night duty.

The UI is much better; however, I did find it easier to pick a brightness level when I had to click for it though it's MUCH quicker. Now I'm mainly just going for the "look" of brightness (or lack thereof) by using the light outside.

Overall, I'm quite pleased, but in short, I do not think it's of the same quality as the HDS I own. I'll write my review later.

 

[half-watt]

One other to point to mention about the programming. Perhaps this will be obvious to most (all???), but in case it helps one person, let me share the following info...


In the section of the manual which discusses RAMPING up and down the light level, it mentions that once you have begun ramping the level up or down, if you shut the light OFF, the level that you ramped to will be STORE/SAVED/MEMORIZED into whichever of the four memory locations you had been in at the time that RAMPING commenced.

So, for example, let's say one was in SECONDARY mode and began RAMPING, for example: maybe because they needed a very low level of light output and no very low levels were programmed into the light by the user at that particular point in time.

No what to do? If the light is shut off, that very low level will be stored as the new Secondary mode, which in this example is NOT what the user wants to do. So, the user is left with two options to try to get back to the proper, previously programmed (by either user or factory default SECONDARY mode - doesn't matter which) level of light output (or user programmed signal mode) for the SECONDARY output level/mode.

First, one could try RAMPING to the proper output level and counting the changes of light output. Not too optimal an approach, IMO. Time consuming and error prone. Or,...

second, you could merely give a 2click input and toggle the output level back to the PRIMARY output level.

Performing a 2click input gesture will toggle the light OUT of RAMPING mode back to the PRIMARY mode WITHOUT memorizing/remembering that temporarily needed very low output level used in this example for illustrative purposes.

All of the hard work that went into programming the light is saved, and nothing is lost or needs reprogramming.

So, no matter what output or signal mode the light may have been in when RAMPING was initiated, you can ALWAYS perform the 2click input gesture to FORGET (NOT store) the temporarily RAMPED output level and return to the PRIMARY output level/model.

i hope this info saves someone a bit of extra re-programming. i, personally hadn't considered this aspect until i was in the middle of my initial programming, ramping the light up and down, and lost track of what level i was at (there sure are a lot of them!!!) and wanted to get back to my previous programming. had to pause and give it just a moments thought and fortunately it was a good day for me, so the simple solution was not very long in coming.

in typical "male" fashion, i didn't read much of the user manual (only Quick Start and RAMPING, if i recall correctly), and so, perhaps this is covered in the manual. if so, my apologies to all for the "reruns".


EDIT:
one minor correction to the above which doesn't really affect the issue of NOT STORING a temporarily desired RAMPED output level. i believe that if the light is in the PRIMARY mode when RAMPING mode is entered, that the 2click gesture will actually return the light to SECONDARY mode (still "forgetting" the temporarily ramped level/signal) and not the PRIMARY mode as the 2click gesture functions as a toggle between SECONDARY and PRIMARY modes.

if anyone has experienced differently, please Post back here and set me straight. many thanks.

 

[Nake]

When setting a light level to memory, you can go back and override with a new memory setting, correct? I am used to a FLuPIC but not this one yet.

 

[half-watt]

When setting a light level to memory, you can go back and override with a new memory setting, correct? I am used to a FLuPIC but not this one yet.

Sure, you can override/overwrite any of the four memory settings with any setting of your choice - as many times as you wish.

you can put the same setting in all four memory locations if you wanted to, though i'm not sure why one might want to do that.


hope this clarifies my earlier comments.

 

[underdust]

Or,...

second, you could merely give a 2click input and toggle the output level back to the PRIMARY output level.

Performing a 2click input gesture will toggle the light OUT of RAMPING mode back to the PRIMARY mode WITHOUT memorizing/remembering that temporarily needed very low output level used in this example for illustrative purposes.

Very useful information! Thanks. :thumbsup:

Along those same lines, I believe you can also "forget" a temporary brightness setting by just holding in the button to access the momentary maximum. When you let go of the button, the level should return to the previously saved level, and "forget" the temporary level that you accessed when ramping.

 

[TITAN1833]

phew i thought my 85p was broke.it worked fine when i got it.but when i put the clip on it would not light up.what happened as i discovered i had slightly unscrewed the battery compartment tightened it fully up.and now it is working fine.just thought i would let you know.

 

[half-watt]

Very useful information! Thanks. :thumbsup:

Along those same lines, I believe you can also "forget" a temporary brightness setting by just holding in the button to access the momentary maximum. When you let go of the button, the level should return to the previously saved level, and "forget" the temporary level that you accessed when ramping.

even better! thanks for sharing. i may give it a try.

 

[Well-Lit]

half-watt and underdust..Thanks to both of you! Both ways work as you described. Just made things alot easier!!!

Best Regards
Bob

 

[Pumaman]

here is how I have it set:
Dis. strobe set to triple click, low and medium toggle with double click, and high still the same(click-press or press when on)
force setting-off
auto button lock-off
auto turn off-on
simple momentary-on

 

[drew2001]

Very well written and understandable half-watt !!

Thank you! This UI does function well, just have to play by the steps.

-drew