Sharp
Enlightened
I have seriously not been around for some time. However it does not mean I have not been active in the flashaholic world.
Today however I think I have had a hiccup, partly caused by the boredom of the afternoon and partly by the casual sight of a Surefire Z3 with a Turbo Assembly which inspired me particularly.
This has created a mod - if you can call it that. It is the results of items lying around the house and a spare afternoon. It shows how a flashaholic can create light from anything! However, I truly believe it is more fitting for the Café rather than any other section of this forum.
So yep, here we go...
Custom Made Torch - Plunxeon Plunge
Preliminary Features:
3W Luxeon with NX05 Optics
1 18650 Lithium cell
Direct Drive at 200mA
(Left: Plunxeon, Right: Fenix TK30)
As you can see, the torch is solidly built, inspires confidence in its looks, and recalls a familiar shape borne by some other torches in the past.
In terms of performance it makes some light. This light is produced by a 3W Luxeon which is attached by extremely (non) conductive epoxy resin to the rubber plunger bit. If the luxeon made enough heat and did not detach/melt, it would run for about 7 hours. It uses a GTL 18650 which claims to make 2800mAh. This would give it a runtime of 14 hours, but the capacity of these batteries, as it has been found out, is much more limited than that.
The torch is HA-II (Hardly Anodised II), hand engraved, with a smooth parabolic reflector. Other features include an inherently shock-absorbing capability of the torch's head and a tactical switch lifted off an old Fenix L1.
It has to be said that although the head does not feature a crenelated business end - which would be useful in close combat - it does have the capability of being used to plunge one's face off. Whichever way you use it, it is guaranteed to leave any assailant in stitches - one way or another. The tailcap's design also provides a (rather unstable) candlelight mode.
If need be, the tailcap has holes for a lanyard. Using the torch as a kubotan is an option, although not tested.
Finally, the shape and form of the torch make it perfectly concealable and will not arise any suspicion if anyone sees you carrying it anywhere near your person, car, toilet, or purse.
Now the downsides or points that need refinement.
Sadly, the torch does not have an anti-roll bezel. The reflector, despite its turbo-like attributes, struggles to focus a beam. The lack of a crenelated bezel also make it difficult to notice it when the torch is switched on when left head-down. Ergonomics also has to be improved, defining it for now as baseline. Finally, waterproof properties are unconfirmed, pending tests.
I intend to find a slot for this torch in my EDC. Once I have tweaked the optics and it is night I may actually consider pictures of the (ghost) beam.
Weird things happen on a free day.
Richard
(Note: In no way am I trying to mock the TK30. In my opinion it is a great torch and it was picked for the comparison since it was the only torch I have at hand that gives a comparison in terms of shape and size.)
Today however I think I have had a hiccup, partly caused by the boredom of the afternoon and partly by the casual sight of a Surefire Z3 with a Turbo Assembly which inspired me particularly.
This has created a mod - if you can call it that. It is the results of items lying around the house and a spare afternoon. It shows how a flashaholic can create light from anything! However, I truly believe it is more fitting for the Café rather than any other section of this forum.
So yep, here we go...
Custom Made Torch - Plunxeon Plunge
Preliminary Features:
3W Luxeon with NX05 Optics
1 18650 Lithium cell
Direct Drive at 200mA
(Left: Plunxeon, Right: Fenix TK30)
As you can see, the torch is solidly built, inspires confidence in its looks, and recalls a familiar shape borne by some other torches in the past.
In terms of performance it makes some light. This light is produced by a 3W Luxeon which is attached by extremely (non) conductive epoxy resin to the rubber plunger bit. If the luxeon made enough heat and did not detach/melt, it would run for about 7 hours. It uses a GTL 18650 which claims to make 2800mAh. This would give it a runtime of 14 hours, but the capacity of these batteries, as it has been found out, is much more limited than that.
The torch is HA-II (Hardly Anodised II), hand engraved, with a smooth parabolic reflector. Other features include an inherently shock-absorbing capability of the torch's head and a tactical switch lifted off an old Fenix L1.
It has to be said that although the head does not feature a crenelated business end - which would be useful in close combat - it does have the capability of being used to plunge one's face off. Whichever way you use it, it is guaranteed to leave any assailant in stitches - one way or another. The tailcap's design also provides a (rather unstable) candlelight mode.
If need be, the tailcap has holes for a lanyard. Using the torch as a kubotan is an option, although not tested.
Finally, the shape and form of the torch make it perfectly concealable and will not arise any suspicion if anyone sees you carrying it anywhere near your person, car, toilet, or purse.
Now the downsides or points that need refinement.
Sadly, the torch does not have an anti-roll bezel. The reflector, despite its turbo-like attributes, struggles to focus a beam. The lack of a crenelated bezel also make it difficult to notice it when the torch is switched on when left head-down. Ergonomics also has to be improved, defining it for now as baseline. Finally, waterproof properties are unconfirmed, pending tests.
I intend to find a slot for this torch in my EDC. Once I have tweaked the optics and it is night I may actually consider pictures of the (ghost) beam.
Weird things happen on a free day.
Richard
(Note: In no way am I trying to mock the TK30. In my opinion it is a great torch and it was picked for the comparison since it was the only torch I have at hand that gives a comparison in terms of shape and size.)
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