SF Kroma MilSpec Question -- Tailcap & Light Acting Up?

[bigfoot]

Hi folks -- just received a brand-new Kroma MilSpec from SureFire's recent sale. I know it's a fresh one since they were apparently on backorder, and took a few weeks to get to me. So... I open the box, turn the light on, and notice a very high-pitch buzzing/whine from the tailcap area; which then turns into an even higher pitch as you try to go from low-mode to high-mode via pushbutton and when twisting the tailcap. Did some reading here on CPF and discovered it's possibly from the tailcap. Will a new tailcap fix the issue, or is it just the nature of this light?

As an aside, the main beam has a nice eggshell white tint, with just a hint of blue near the center. Interestingly, there seems to be a squarish profile to the beam when held up close to a wall. SSC? Luxeon? Hmm.

Edit -- it seems as though I maybe mis-interpreted the specs to the Kroma MilSpec or am misreading the instruction booklet. You cannot select white high-mode while using any colored LED mode on my light. Perhaps this is intentional given the audience for this beast and needing light discipline? (Either that, or something is wacky with my sample.)

 

[carrot]

The buzz in the tail cap is normal. It's a known occurrence on all of the older 2 stage lights.

 

[bigfoot]

Thanks Carrot!

What is weird is that SF's website says this about the Kroma MilSpec as far as the modes. Yet I cannot select high-output white mode from any of the color modes:

"The no-look selector ring lets you instantly choose color or IR output. The Kroma's tactically-correct two-stage pushbutton tailcap switch activates the light: press for momentary-on in your selected color mode, press further and always get the high-output white spot beam; twist to get constant-on low beam in your selected color/IR mode, twist further to select the constant-on high-output white spot beam."

 

[880arm]

Thanks Carrot!

What is weird is that SF's website says this about the Kroma MilSpec as far as the modes. Yet I cannot select high-output white mode from any of the color modes:

"The no-look selector ring lets you instantly choose color or IR output. The Kroma's tactically-correct two-stage pushbutton tailcap switch activates the light: press for momentary-on in your selected color mode, press further and always get the high-output white spot beam; twist to get constant-on low beam in your selected color/IR mode, twist further to select the constant-on high-output white spot beam."

My old Kroma (not Mil-Spec) operates that way.

Of all the 2-stage lights, I think the Kroma's switch is the most finicky. Mine has to be tightened to within 1/8 turn of the constant on position before the high mode will work. If it's backed off any further than that, it's low mode only (for colors or white).

 

[bigfoot]

Hmm... just tried that, and barely backing off the twist switch still doesn't allow high white mode.

 

[880arm]

Hopefully someone who owns a Kroma Mil-Spec can clarify how it is supposed to operate when the colored LED's are selected. Based upon the description you quoted and my experiences with the original Kroma, it sounds like yours is not working properly. However, don't take my word for it.

If you don't hear from anyone else, then I think a call tomorrow to SureFire is in order, for either clarification or repair.

BTW, is that a working dog in your avatar?

 

[ganymede]

Hi bigfoot,

My 145 lumens Milspec (brown box version not blister pack) functions the same as your, no high mode white in any of the color or IR modes. High mode white only available when the selector is white output mode.

 

[bigfoot]

Thanks! :) Good to hear I'm not the only one -- perhaps it was an intentional 'feature' then, or maybe a running update. I might get ahold of SF anyway just to see what they say...

 

[bigfoot]

BTW, is that a working dog in your avatar?

More like part-time squirrel chaser and full-time drooler. But he says he appreciates the compliment! :D

 

[ganymede]

Not too sure if this has been posted before, here's a youtube video on Kroma for all you Kroma junkies:

 

[880arm]

Hi bigfoot,

My 145 lumens Milspec (brown box version not blister pack) functions the same as your, no high mode white in any of the color or IR modes. High mode white only available when the selector is white output mode.

Thanks! :) Good to hear I'm not the only one -- perhaps it was an intentional 'feature' then, or maybe a running update. I might get ahold of SF anyway just to see what they say...

The more I think about it, the more that makes sense for a light with an IR output. Inadvertently triggering the full output white light mode at the wrong time could be a bad thing.

More like part-time squirrel chaser and full-time drooler. But he says he appreciates the compliment! :D

I've had the same thing said about me :shrug:

Beautiful dog though :thumbsup:

 

[Rat]

Hi
You have opened a can of worms here for me I have now lost a few hrs trying to work all this out.
I have a PK KROMA MILSPEC that I can select high white in any of the colours modes.


I traded my Kroma MilSpec and have yet to replace it so I cannot test it but I am sure I could select high white in any of the colour modes just as 880arm said. If you check out the reviews on YouTube they all work this way as well.
So it’s looking like yours has a problem or maybe Surefire updated the light to function this way as it does make more sense. Lets see what Surefire have to say when you ask them.


Now I just tested my Kroma (non milspec) and I cannot select high white in any of the colours only in the low white mode can I select high white.
But I think this light has a problem as I cannot select low & high in the colours it selects cross colours Example: from the start on a low twist I can select low white than low green than green and blue together, than low Blue than Blue and red together than red and then IR weird.


Here is a good thread Curse did on the Kroma’s http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...-K2-KROMA-amp-KROMA-Milspec&highlight=milspec



I must say I just love the Kroma inspired family of lights by far one of my best SF family of lights and you would be surprised how big the family really is.

U2
Kroma
Kroma milspec
PKEF KROMA MILSPEC

The PK Experimental Flashlight Limited Edition lights

PKEF A 5K
PKEF A 8K
PKEF B 5K
PKEF B 8K
PKEF C 5K
PKEF C 5K
A=Red/White/Green
B=Red/White/Blue
C=IR/White/Blue

The Darpa light range
DEF1
DEF2
DEF3A
DEF3B
DEF3C
DEF3D

A=Red/White/Green
B=Red/White/Blue
C=IR/White/Blue
D=Green/White/green tail

Hey 880arm the Kroma family seem to be missing in the outstanding wold of the flashlight guide.com would make a cool addition :thumbsup:


:wave:

 

[ganymede]

Hi William,

Kroma has probably gone through a few revisions both in the output and UI. IIRC, when the Kroma first came out it was rated at 50 lumens and there were high and low color modes.

Maybe we should start a registry? :grin2:

 

[880arm]

. . . Hey 880arm the Kroma family seem to be missing in the outstanding wold of the flashlight guide.com would make a cool addition :thumbsup:

So many lights, so little time my friend :)

However, I do need to get on the ball as the L1 was the last light I added and that was over two months ago! As far as the Kroma's are concerned, I don't have the Mil-Spec version nor any of those exotic prototypes so I may have to rely on others to provide photos and information on them :naughty:

. . . Kroma has probably gone through a few revisions both in the output and UI. IIRC, when the Kroma first came out it was rated at 50 lumens and there were high and low color modes.

Maybe we should start a registry? :grin2:

I'm anxious to see how this turns out. It can be pretty difficult keeping up with all of the revisions that happen over time.

 

[bigfoot]

I'll try getting ahold of SF this week to ask. Heck, I didn't even expect to receive my Kroma MS this year after talking to customer service a few weeks ago. :D So kudos to them for tooling up production and clearing out backorders before the holidays!

[Edit 12/27: Looks like SF is out until the beginning of the new year. Will try 'em then...]

 

[bigfoot]

Alrighty, e-mailed SF today... hopefully they can pass it along to some of the technical or engineering people there to find out.

And... Happy New Year's! :D

 

[880arm]

Alrighty, e-mailed SF today... hopefully they can pass it along to some of the technical or engineering people there to find out.

And... Happy New Year's! :D

Good deal. Hopefully you will hear back from them soon.

Be sure to let us know how it turns out!

 

[bigfoot]

Resurrecting this thread -- never did hear back from SF with an answer on the mode selections or their website description. Although I have to say, after using the light, I prefer not having the white mode activate while using color LED modes. And from reading what other folks have posted more recently about the K2MS, it sounds like it this is the norm.

Gratuitous Kroma photo below... :D

 

[Sean]

Yep, I agree. I noticed the same behavior with mine and I'm glad I can't activate high mode when in color mode(s).

Like your photo. Had to add one of my own :)