One thing I should tell you guys fairly soon is the new LS is designed to be simpler to operate than the Arc4 but not dumber. The switch is a 2-stage push button/twisty (like the McLux PD) with a little bit of software sprinkled in. As a result, you can access 2 levels with one press from off. No double clicking required, no jumping up and down on one foot while holding your breath and thumbing through a manual, etc.
A multi-stage switch is essential for a making a simple multi-level light. Without a multi-stage, the multi-levels require a nested menu system. "Click to turn on, double click to change", etc. Since I wanted it to be simpler (still paying my penance for unleasing the complex Arc4 on the public), the user interface needed more channels. Not only is this simpler, but it is faster as well. A good 2-stage can provide fast, single handed operation. Faster than a single stage and only one hand is required. Not everyone will find it as useful as I do of course.
Now, that being said, you should also know the new LS has a microprocessor. Almost a bad word in some camps I know. I love 'em however. The big thing a microprocessor buys is less electronic components required to provide such useful features as temp protect, R123 protect, fall back, etc. Tempurature protection should be standard on a light in this class. Without it, you are either damaging the LED or not getting all you can from it. Scary, but there are high power single 123 lights on the market that either have no temperature protection or they rely on the internal breakers of the switching chips. By the time those trip, the LED is already damaged.
Ok, a lot of stuff in that paragraph. Why can't we just all get along and go back to using a battery, resistor and an LED? The answer: durable high power. And how complicated is this: push a little for low power, push harder for high power. Or twist to latch in either. If you want a software assist, you can make it latch when the button is pressed. Single handed, latching, fast response. Ok, not everyone is going to love this but I think it is an improvement over anything else I have seen.
btw, last year we developed a pc interface for configuring the LS. It was developed for our own use only. The plan was for it to be used on the assembly line and for our contractors. It is a good thing for each contractor to have a comprehensive internal QC loop. The software is written in C and runs on windows XP. It uses the usb interface and can set levels, read tempurature, battery voltage, configure various modes, etc.
Now the quandry, I am tempted to add the necessary finishing touches to make it a retail product. However, I doubt there is much demand for something like this and I don't want to become a computer tech support company. The flashlight is what it is all about. I am also worried that some people might think the light is some complicated thing that has a 30 page manual. It is designed to be simpler than the Arc4. It just happens to have this pc inteface but I have been afraid to mention it. Still worried that some people are already forming misconceptions about the LS right now.
The Arc4 also had a PC interface for internal use, but it was not as powerful as this current build. I added more features because, well, it was easy and fun and something I have wanted for awhile. And I have found that the window into the device is actually quite handy. More than I expected. I find I use it all the time now for testing, setting the light up for a particular mode, etc. It is so second nature in my testing to use the PC interface to quickly configure the various systems. Not using it makes as much sense as not using a DMM or lab supply. if you can't tell, I am actually quite fond of the PC interface. Ok, it is not pretty in its current iteration; a board with some cables hanging off of it. And don't expect me to make it much prettier. You should know by now I don't do pretty.
Any rate, the interface is not what I would classify as ready for the public. It wasn't designed primarily for that mission anyways. It would need to be ported to other systems, more verbose error messages, easier dialogues, some stuff to help reduce our tech support, etc. Not worth it for just 10 guys in my opinion. But maybe those 10 guys would like the current version without any tech support? Here it is, figure it out. Oh, btw be carefull of this setting combination, you break it you pay for it.
Peter