OK your all in trouble

[stefanj]

Or at least I am. I've been looking for the ultimate light for Astronomy (my 40 something eyes really struggle to read charts and such) so I called Peak. Kurt was awesome and spent almost an hour working up a very reasonably priced light for me. I'm getting a black ano Pacific with 5 high output LEDS. He's putting in a 5 volt board so I can use either an AA battery or a Li Ion (14500 I think?). I also ordered a momentary switch in addition to the standard keyring tailcap. So who is going to explian to the wife that this was vitial? Any one?? Awesome part is It should be shipped on Monday. All this for ~$60!!! I'm pumped!

 

[StarHalo]

That's certainly custom - the Pacific, or any other Peak model for that matter, isn't listed as having a 5 LED configuration, so you might be the first and only person to have this unique arrangement. Be sure to get some photos of it when it arrives!

The AA broad-voltage setup is a winner for sure, as anything that's AA-format will power the light; alkaline, NiMH, lithium, Carbon Zinc, NiCd, LiMN, Li-Ion, etc. The difference in output between a standard battery and the Li-Ion/14500 should be quite large as well, if you need a fast and powerful output boost.

Tell your wife you were considering a Spy007, but decided that this would be more pragmatic, for now :thumbsup:

 

[MKLight]

Congrats! Sounds like you're getting something very special! I though you were going to mention a McKinley. Looking forward to your pics!

Congrats!
Mike

 

[matrixshaman]

A lot of Peak lights have 5 led's but they are the low power 5mm LED's not Cree or SSC's. I'm not sure what you are getting but I doubt it has 5 Cree or 5 SSC Led's for $60. That would have a very large head. So in all honesty I'm not sure it's a great deal as much as it is probably a very nice light and may be just what you need for chart reading. I don't want to disappoint you but just letting you know to not expect high powered LED's in this light. They are probably high power 5mm LED's but these are very low compared to todays Cree, SSC P4's or even a Luxeon III. I do like Peaks and they are nice quality. I hope this light is what you need.

 

[RAGE CAGE]

He Got an Hour's worth of Curt's time, that is worth the $60.00 right there. He got a custom made bombproof product made here in the United States- Arizona to be specific. And most importantly- he got a light that he will be able to hand down to his kids and/or grandkids.

 

[stefanj]

If I remember correctly (and like I said we talked for almost an hour) They were older Luxeons. I was not looking for a "blind yourself for an hour" intensity- but more for the brightest red LED I could get in my budget. I think were my "high Power" delusions are coming from was my desire to use Li Ion- so we went with the higher voltage board. Either way I'm pretty pumped as this is my first "custom" light. Oh and I had considered other ones- but Curt and I went over all the wants and needs- and came up with this solution. I finially found my Digital camera (hmmm wonder who put it away where it belongs??) so I'll get some Pics as soon as I have it!

 

[paulr]

This sounds like five 5mm red leds, i.e. a head from a Kilimanjaro or McKinley (?) that was offered in a 5-led configuration, connected up to a Pacific battery tube. I'm not sure what to make of this 5 volt driver board claim. A buck/boost converter? Didn't know Peak ever made one of those.

 

[MKLight]

IIRC, there was a post in here about the choice of a 3- or 5- volt driver board. I think the only way you can get the 5-volt driver board is by calling and asking.

 

[stefanj]

Yes you have to ask for the 5 volt board- at least with some of the lights. I originally wanted a CR123 config- but we were just not coming up with a useable solution. Then Curt suggested that we give up in that size and focus on a AA model.... one thing led (hehehe LED) to another and we went back to having the abiality to go with higher voltage Li Ions. Well 14500 are pretty easy to get a hold of so badda bing badda boom 5 Volt board. Now to head off the next question- I often use my Astronomy gear (and this is going to be a strickly astronomy light:thumbsup in temperatures down into the teens- so I really need a battery that can handle the colder temps. My usual AA rechargable just don't handle the cold as well (as I have learned with GLPs) so I wanted the option of a Li Ion. I also told the wife about my order (ha I better it should be here next week- along with a couple lights and knives from DX) and she gave me "that LOOK"- and muttered something about Valentines day--ooops guess I better hit the stores tonight after work!!!! Of course it also helped that we were hooking up the Generators Extension cords in the dark basement- using the RC-N3's to light the way!:naughty: She even admitted that the lights worked very well (yea she got one for Christmas- as did all my family!)

 

[StarHalo]

I really need a battery that can handle the colder temps.

Energizer Lithiums ("Ultimate") are the way to go for extreme temps, you'll be good down to -40 degrees. Don't use your Li-Ions in temps that get below freezing.

she gave me "that LOOK"- and muttered something about Valentines day--ooops guess I better hit the stores tonight after work!!!!

Chocolate and spa products/gift certificate :thumbsup:

 

[MWClint]

Ooh wow! pacific AA w/5v driver and 5x5mm leds. thats a sweet and very unique setup. You'll have to snap some pics when it arrives. :thumbsup: