Nite-Ize 1W upgrade w/IQ Switch

Two thumbs up!

Got it from REI for $20. Has the switch, reflector and a little Luxeon 1w bipin drop-in.

Output is similar to my Civictor on alkies--quite good.
Color is nice and white; beam is like the S017 reflector (large-ish bright spot, with very bright, clean spill).

The switch is positively cool. It feels solid, and has a solid click.
It has the little red "find me flasher," which blinks about every 3 seconds.
The UI reminds me of the Palight selector: you click rapidly to cycle through high, medium, low, slow flash and fast flash. Pause at whatever level you like.
The next click, after a pause, turns the light off.

In the fist three settings (H/M/L), it is also in timer mode, which turns the light off at 15 minutes. This is primarily why I bought it--for my 2.5yr old niece.
At about 13.5 minutes, it executes a series of warning flashes over a few seconds, to let you know it is about to go out.
It does this three or four times, then turns off.

It also works with the low-output 3x5mm led module.
Unlike others, I haven't noticed any drop in output, BUT, I haven't tried it with the Badboy 400's or Madmax Lite.
I am a bit nervous about frying the switch.

In all, I think this setup is sweet!

cheers bud

The 1W upgrade looks good.
But the I.Q. switch didn't do too well on flashlight reviews.com

Link: http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/niteize_iq.htm

I've tried the IQ with an Arc LSL. Switch was not fried, at least during a few seconds' use, but output was very low. It might be a good way to get super runtime from that light.

Geoff

Monocrom said:

The 1W upgrade looks good.
But the I.Q. switch didn't do too well on flashlight reviews.com

Link: http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/niteize_iq.htm

Click to expand...

I saw the review...but, the output from the modules I tested is fine.

Might test it on other modules soon...

I did the same mod and am very happy with it. I also see no difference in the output with the Q switch or the stock end cap.

Monocrom said:

The 1W upgrade looks good.
But the I.Q. switch didn't do too well on flashlight reviews.com

Link: http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/niteize_iq.htm

Click to expand...

I had a couple of the early IQ switches and was very disappointed, but I bought one of these drop-in sets the other day and the newer switch seems to work "OK" (no noticeable decrease in output)... at least with the NI 1W drop-in I have.

When the Mini-Mag LEDs first came out, I put one of my IQ switches on it (had to stretch the spring) and when I activated the light, the switch burned out almost instantly. The newer switches (like the one that comes with the 1w drop in) are supposed to be improved mechanically and electrically. Don't know if it will hold up to the 3w mags though, and I'm not risking another switch!!!

Roger

these have been at target for awhile now.. havent they? I seen them at the one in toledo for like 20bucks

flashburn72 said:

these have been at target for awhile now.. havent they?

Click to expand...

That's where I bought mine.

flashburn72 said:

these have been at target for awhile now.. havent they? I seen them at the one in toledo for like 20bucks

Click to expand...

Yes, they are at Target, Lowes, ****s Sporting Goods, and WalMart.

Sport Chalet is another place they are offered, as well as REI

I have Nite-Ize 3led bulb unit and 1watt unit, the both funtion extemly well for me with IQ Switch.
Got my switch about a week ago.

I came up with a neat way to enjoy the 1 watt LED from Nite-Ize without worrying about the drop in output from using the I.Q. switch, or having to deal with its annoying blinking red light....

1 - Bought me a new, black, standard Mini-mag.
2 - Bought just the 1 watt LED from a ****'s Sporting Goods store.
3 - Found a Nite-Ize combo 3-LED / tailcap switch kit I had at home.
4 - Combined the 1 watt LED with the standard tailcap switch.

Works great! .... Okay, so there's no way to change the level of output from the 1 watt. It's stuck on the brightest setting. But that doesn't bother me! Also, I'm now stuck with the 3-LED housing by itself. But that's not a big deal. It can work without a tailcap switch.

Overall, very happy with how the light turned out. Slipped on an oversized Mag pen-clip on it. You can buy the 1 watt by itself, and the standard tailcap switch by itself too. Buying them seperately will run you about $20.

The 1 watt from nite-ize is horrid compared to the TerraLUX tle-5ex. I tested the two side-by-side at sportsman's with brand new batts and my tle-5ex was 3x brighter. Plus, since I had an IQ on the 5ex the output was noticably lower, so I am making my own mcclicky-based minimag switch, prototyping this week or next. Less resistance, better quality and simple UI.

That Terralux Extreme sounds pretty nice...looks amazingly bright.

How is the beam on it?