Hi guys,
My very first McLux was a "flood" flashlight. I have always appreciated the shear utility of a flood and although it is the least impressive of a light to show, it is often the most effective and useful light to use. 🙂
I have been using a Ti PD flood or "bed side" light for some time now and recently upgraded it with a Cree XR-E and mizer drive setting. One of you has been hounding me to make something like this available. I realize that this is not a mainstream design and likely not one to get excited about by most CPF members. It's cool! 😛
Well Wayne and I have been ploding along with some fixed LED lighting components and systems and hopefully this is the year that we bring some production items out finally. I have discovered from doing a number of fixed lighting installations and studies that it really really helps to have a portable sample of the light to bring to the intended site of installation and "check it out". Because of this, I do want to have some flood flashlights available for installers and DIY folks. Besides, the light is really useful, in and of itself!!!
I have discussed this with Wayne and I figure I will design a PD version as well as an Aleph version. Since these lights are the antithesis of an exotic or "super" flashlight, I decided to call the series the Mules. Stocky in appearance and dependable for the mundane.
I finished a Ti prototype last night and in it I experimented with some other ideas I have had in mind to visit. As it turned out, I was able to modify a dinged up Ti XR19 head with a minimal amount of machining.
During the time here on CPF when we were becoming aware of CR123 events in some of the flashlights, one of the concerns was that of internal pressure build up within a sealed flashlight. I had two ideas of means of purging any positive pressure as a "safety valve". One was implimented in the design of the C clickie pak. Another ideas was for the front window to lift off its seal from internal pressure and have a means of blow by. I figured the retaining O-ring groove could have side ports that extended down into the window area itself. This would allow for an escape route of built up gas pressure. It would also be a side escape for some photons. With the very short length of the PD-Mule head, deep flutes the full length would be ideal for a good grip and these flutes themselves would provide side ports. When I did a design in Solid Works, the result looked very similar to the XR19 head and I was stoked to find I already had the foundation in hand! The front face of the head doesn't need scallops or crenelations to provide side light while standing on the head for on condition indication. You have little side windows of light.
Now this PD-Mule is all about function but I really like the looks of the result and the ergonomics of this faceted head in terms of grip and rotation are exceptional, IMHO.
At 2 5/8" overall length, the PD-Mule is a short runt. I think this is one of the most useful and practical lights I have designed so far. Great on flux and and an all time looser on lux! :nana:
I haven't decided on the profile for the Aleph Mule yet so no pictures of it. The proto is a full diameter plain piece at present. I do plan to keep with a bezel less design and keep the shroud of the head past the window to a reasonable minimum which will allow more of the flood to escape.
My very first McLux was a "flood" flashlight. I have always appreciated the shear utility of a flood and although it is the least impressive of a light to show, it is often the most effective and useful light to use. 🙂
I have been using a Ti PD flood or "bed side" light for some time now and recently upgraded it with a Cree XR-E and mizer drive setting. One of you has been hounding me to make something like this available. I realize that this is not a mainstream design and likely not one to get excited about by most CPF members. It's cool! 😛
Well Wayne and I have been ploding along with some fixed LED lighting components and systems and hopefully this is the year that we bring some production items out finally. I have discovered from doing a number of fixed lighting installations and studies that it really really helps to have a portable sample of the light to bring to the intended site of installation and "check it out". Because of this, I do want to have some flood flashlights available for installers and DIY folks. Besides, the light is really useful, in and of itself!!!
I have discussed this with Wayne and I figure I will design a PD version as well as an Aleph version. Since these lights are the antithesis of an exotic or "super" flashlight, I decided to call the series the Mules. Stocky in appearance and dependable for the mundane.
I finished a Ti prototype last night and in it I experimented with some other ideas I have had in mind to visit. As it turned out, I was able to modify a dinged up Ti XR19 head with a minimal amount of machining.
During the time here on CPF when we were becoming aware of CR123 events in some of the flashlights, one of the concerns was that of internal pressure build up within a sealed flashlight. I had two ideas of means of purging any positive pressure as a "safety valve". One was implimented in the design of the C clickie pak. Another ideas was for the front window to lift off its seal from internal pressure and have a means of blow by. I figured the retaining O-ring groove could have side ports that extended down into the window area itself. This would allow for an escape route of built up gas pressure. It would also be a side escape for some photons. With the very short length of the PD-Mule head, deep flutes the full length would be ideal for a good grip and these flutes themselves would provide side ports. When I did a design in Solid Works, the result looked very similar to the XR19 head and I was stoked to find I already had the foundation in hand! The front face of the head doesn't need scallops or crenelations to provide side light while standing on the head for on condition indication. You have little side windows of light.
Now this PD-Mule is all about function but I really like the looks of the result and the ergonomics of this faceted head in terms of grip and rotation are exceptional, IMHO.
At 2 5/8" overall length, the PD-Mule is a short runt. I think this is one of the most useful and practical lights I have designed so far. Great on flux and and an all time looser on lux! :nana:
I haven't decided on the profile for the Aleph Mule yet so no pictures of it. The proto is a full diameter plain piece at present. I do plan to keep with a bezel less design and keep the shroud of the head past the window to a reasonable minimum which will allow more of the flood to escape.
