The ULTIMATE.

[ResQTech]

Ive started my quest on designing the Ultimate flashlight...
It will be run with 9 123's, much like the SF M6 but with an extra row of 3x123's. 3-Way switch on the body to select between output, with a On/Off/Momentary switch on the tail. The light output levels are P90 incan, 3x1watt LS, and 9 5mm nichia's. This is the preliminary design, and a dream as of right now. Maybe there is someone out there that will want to take up my design?? Here are some bezel concepts I just drew up:

-ERiC

 

[jtice]

Well holly hell ! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
Very nice design! Very creative.

Only problem I can see is the optics/reflector part is going to be hard to workout.
Maybe a PM6 reflector in the middle for the incan, and LP Fraens for the 3 LS's /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Love the look of it though.

 

[tylerdurden]

Well, the P90/P91 provides its own reflector. Since you'll get a good-throwing spot from that, you probably want the Lux-III trio to provide a good flood of light, so the McFlood would be a good choice.

The three-way switch sounds tricky. Something in the head might be better - keep the body dumb and the interface between the head and the body simple. Maybe some kind of twist ring (like an SLR camera aperture selector).

 

[ubermensch]

Would the reflectors be recessed into the bezel, if so, what would you use to keep them in place? Just the lens? Or would you have optics holders machined into it? Also, with a head that big, it seems like it wouldn't be taking advantage of the size available for a really huge reflector.

 

[Ginseng]

Crikey! I wouldn't want to get hit with that.

For your three LS's. How about making them 3 watters? You could also use a McFlood for one, an NX for another and a Fraen LP for the third. This arrangement of three different throw profiles could result in a deep and full light field unachievable by any other means.

Wilkey

Oh yeah, PayPal sent!

 

[paulr]

I don't understand the purpose of the 9 Nichias, if you have three LS's arranged for a flood beam. If you want a dim flood, just run the LS's at low power.

The P90 is not set up for a very narrow beam either though. If you want a spot beam, use a PM6 or an even bigger reflector.

 

[tylerdurden]

How about a surefire turbohead reflector for the "main beam" with A2-style cutouts for three Luxeons? Three five-watters with variable power would make a pretty nice floodlight.

 

[Phaserburn]

Why use 9x123's? Go Li-Ion and don't make this light such an expensive gas hog.

 

[ResQTech]

paulr:
Do LS's run at low power have the same power consumption vs. lumen output as 5mm driven at spec?

How big is a PM6 reflector? Comparative between a p90 and pag reflector?

tyler:
The reason I didnt go with a bigger reflector is because it would be difficult to design the cutouts in it. I thought the p90 reflector was a good compromise between diameter and output. Is there a 'stock' reflector slightly larger with more throw? Also the p90 has the bulb built in... One less thing to design...

phaser:
I just like 123's... They're relatively inexpensive now. Plus I dont have much knowledge in the recharge area... Maybe they'll be implimented later on as this project progresses.

 

[milkyspit]

MTFD17, you could always go with a ball optic in the center to get a narrow spot beam with long throw. Also, I think ginseng is on the right track with the suggestion of 3-watters and the idea for a combination of optics. So goofy it might just work! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Deleted member 684]

For that much space in the bezel, I would say, have 6 LS inside, all driven at spec, 3 for Mcflood, 3 for Fraen LP. I prefer efficiency over raw power. heh, have a option for low and high power. Some form of DB400 or DB700 or just wire em up in series and get some form of constant current regulator.

A PM6 reflector in the middle would be nice. But what bulb or what LS to use? Since the PM6 reflector is about 1.75" across, why not just get a carley 2 inch reflector? There might be enough space and the throw should be marginally better.

MTFD17, you are on something man!!

 

[ResQTech]

Re: The ULTIMATE **New Pics**

Well I finished up the rest of it. Yes I know it looks just like the SF M6, cant help it if i love the looks. Im still trying to figure out the best head configuration although Id still like to have an incan or some sort and multiple LS's. Keep the comments comming! Ive eliminated the 5mm leds. 6 LS optics would probably fit... Ill have to look more into that. Anyway here are the pics:

 

[IlluminatingBikr]

I like Nerd's idea.

One HOLA in the middle with six lux's. Have three of the luxeons with a flood type of optics (probably McFlood) and have the other three use something that throws (Fraen-LP). A two level (high and low) output with two circuits (2 by 3 lux) would be totally awesome dude! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

BTW: I love the look of the M6 body too. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

EDIT: Just looking back on your pictures. What software program did you use to draw those up? They are awfully nice.

 

[Alan Hsu]

I am with IlluminatingBikr. Just forget the Nichias. However I am for 3 naked Luxeon III (no optics/reflector, for close-range, wide-angle use) and 3 Luxeon III with NX-05 (for mid-range, wide-angle use).

 

[paulr]

The Nichias and Luxeons at similar power levels should have reasonably similar efficiency. I don't think it really matters that much when you want dim output anyway.

I'd skip trying to mix flood and focused coverage for the LED's. Just make something like a Surefire A2 on steroids where the LED's are for near field flood coverage and rely on the incan for long throw. You could even use one big reflector with holes in it, like the A2 and Twin Tasks. That would get you even better throw for the incan. You'd have a light about the size of the M6 with Luxeons looking through the reflector holes.

I agree with the suggestion of lithium ion rechargeable batteries. You can get a Maha C777 universal charger and be fine. You could either get raw cells from somewhere, or use a laptop computer of camcorder pack, or maybe use a NiMH stick like the Tigerlight. I love the looks of the M6 as much as the next guy, but burning $7.50 worth of batteries in 20 minutes in any situation other than a helicopter rappel onto a hostile bunker puts the M6 mostly into "novelty" category for me. The 10X is a much more practical light but IMO uglier than sin. What you're doing could be a far more attractive alternative to the 10X.

How are you going to make the light? Do you have a shop that can do NC machining based on your CAD drawing?

 

[ResQTech]

Well you guys asked for it, and here it is. Large center opening for P90 LOLA or P91 HOLA and 6 LS 'stands' with a nice chunky heatsink to house 3 LuxIII's with Fraen-LP Optics and 3 with No Optics/McFlood Reflector. PK are you around??
Here's the pic created in Rhino 3D:

-ERiC

 

[IlluminatingBikr]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/buttrock.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/buttrock.gif That's one BAD @$$ light! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/buttrock.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/buttrock.gif

 

[Ginseng]

Holy frijoles!

If you don't power that badboy with an LVR and 3 x SAFT VL series li-ions, you'll be just shy of "ultimate". In any case, mind blowing work. Keep it coming. I think you should ditch the P91. What good is a piddly 200 lumens? Swap in a 2" Carley parabolic, a pin-receiving pedestal for the WelchAllyn WA01185 and make yourself 1,200 lumens. Or even more insane, make it a WelchAllyn 10-watt HID. Yeah...now we're talking.

Wilkey

 

[TCG]

WOW!

My vote would be for a 3 position tail switch, like the A2 with a middle setting.

Three 5 watt ls for close in flood
Three 3 watt ls with fran's to add midrange throw.
One nasty incadesent or a HID to melt snow on the neighbors roof.

 

[Rothrandir]

dang that's amazing!

machining costs alone for this light should run you into the hundreds!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif