Micro Illuminator Review (Prototype)

MR Bulk

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A small package arrived today, and upon opening it I found this Brinkmann Legend inside:

fc9116e1.jpg



But wait a minute -- the proportions are all wrong. Let's take a better look, this time on the all-too-familiar floral tablecloth that graces MR Bulk's workbench:

fc9116e9.jpg



Well, that still doesn't seem to get it right. Perhaps next to somethng more familiar, like a real LGI:

fc9116e5.jpg



There, that's more like it. This baby is tiny.

So I opened it up to get a look at the insides. Yup, everything was there all right:

fc9116fa.jpg



But the heart of this whole light making system is smaller, in fact much, much smaller:

fc9116ec.jpg

fc91095d.jpg



And yet the tiny reflector was expertly enlarged and centered to take full advantage of its diminutive reflecting properties to spread out the Luxeon SE's yellow phosphor over the entire surface:

fc9116f3.jpg



Time to put it up against a big bad bully, the hugely popular and well-thought-of Nuwai AL-606...

fc9116f0.jpg



...with six (6!) bright white Nichias driven by 6 full volts of CR123 lithium power:

fc9116ee.jpg



And the beamshots tell a story of The Little Engine That Could. The Micro Illuminator fought back valiantly, spinning a mesmerizing David and Goliath tale all its own:

fc9116f5.jpg


Yes, the Micro's beam is greener. But that is a product of the particularly greenish 1W SE Luxeon used in this pre-production prototype, the result of the good ol' Luxeon Lottery. A whiter Luxeon will of course produce a whiter beam, and from what I understand the makers have secured a line on some doozies.


However, clinical beamshots against a hospital-white wall do not tell the whole story anyway. This is a truly bright little light that proves highly utilitarian when used for everyday tasks. From four feet away, you will get an idea of the size and usefulness of the Micro Illuminator's output by using the rolls of paper towels for scale:

fc910ef1.jpg



And of course, the final yardstick by which all light output is incontestably measured -- the Lightman LM631 as taken from one meter away:

Nuwai AL-606: 69 lux

Micro Illuminator: 84 lux


The Micro Illuminator will be available soon, around $70 I think they said, at an internet dealer thousands of miles away from you.

And the pre-order line forms right HERE.
 

Slick

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Re: ArcMania/Lambda MicroLuminator...

Now THAT is cool indeed! I may have to spring for one of those as it doesn't look like something I have the patience (or talent) to build.
 

hotfoot

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Can you say, \"Durian\"?
Re: ArcMania/Lambda MicroLuminator...

Whoo-ah! Very nice indeed! I have a couple of those Brinkmann AAAs around here - wonder if I can shoehorn a MM in there for similar effect....

Its precisely for light this size that I wish Lumileds/Nichia or someone would come up with a 0.5W luxeon-type LED (with a 20-degree beam optic built-in, T-5mm-style). 1xAAA just can't supply the juice to drive a luxeon hard.... unless, perhaps, its a one of those never-to-be-had Energizer AAA lithiums made with unobtainium.... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 

MR Bulk

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Re: ArcMania/Lambda MicroLuminator...

Hey Leo,

I wish (mebbe someday?) there would be something the size of an Inova XT5 (or smaller) that produces output similar to a 5W direct-driven at around 7.5V, and doesn't get hot, and focuses over a wide range, and - and - and...

Mebbe someday?
 

hotfoot

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Can you say, \"Durian\"?
Re: ArcMania/Lambda MicroLuminator...

Yo, Charlie, /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Someday... (as long as its soon) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 

zackhugh

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Wow! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif I'm glad I came on tonight to check the forums. Just put myself on the pre-order list.
 

logicnerd411

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Wow, in time for Tax Day? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ohgeez.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ohgeez.gif
 

BuddTX

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Nov 27, 2001
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[ QUOTE ]
MR Bulk said:Yes, the Micro's beam is greener. But that is a product of the particularly greenish 1W SE Luxeon used in this pre-production prototype, the result of the good ol' Luxeon Lottery. A whiter Luxeon will of course produce a whiter beam, and from what I understand the makers have secured a line on some doozies.

[/ QUOTE ]

OK, Mr. Bulk,

You are the KING of sourcing the ultra white Luxeons, so I am trusting your "inside comment" about the ultra white Luxeon's. I pre-ordered one!

Hey, is there any way to attach this little baby to your keychain?

I love my ARC AAA, but to carry a Luxeon Star LED as opposed to one Nichia LED on my keychain, well, that's a no brainer!

Nice review!
 

MR Bulk

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Bruce,

The Micro comes with a tiny little figure-8 steel lanyard loop (similar to SureFire's) already in the package, PLUS a sturdy keyring, PLUS the battery, etc. Just add keys...
 

BuddTX

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BUMP!

I am wetting my pants over this little sucker!

CAN'T WAIT!!!!

OPEN OPEN OPEN OPEN OPEN

Can you hear me now!
 

notamchris

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Mar 20, 2003
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Canada
Does anybody have pictures to compare the size of this sucker to something like an arc aaa, or a arc ls, or other small lights?

Also, comparitive beam shots would be nice...

Looks like an awesome little light.
 

BON

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Apr 29, 2002
Messages
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Location
Japan
[ QUOTE ]
AlexGT said:
Edited:
Found the answer(what is second lamp from left), thanks for the pic!

Alex

[/ QUOTE ]

Toshiba LE Corp. sells TKH-21.
One LED is used.
Others have TKH-23 and the tkh-26 prize, too.
http://www.flashlight-fan.com/flame_page/frame_galaxy.htm
http://www.flashlight-fan.com/flame_page/english/frame_tkh21_en.htm
http://www.flashlight-fan.com/flame_page/english/frame_tkh26_en.htm

And Micro Illuminator
http://www.flashlight-fan.com/flame_page/english/frame_microilluminator_en.htm
microillumi4.jpg

MicroIlluminator vs Arc-LE


Beat regards
BON
flashlight_en.gif

http://www.flashlight-fan.com/
 

AlexGT

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BON

Interesting little light! the links are Japanese! I can´t read them, altavista translate says it runs on 4 batteries, are they LR44´s? other pics ? beam comparison to the Arc AAA?

Any english page for more info on that light?, how much does it cost? does it have reflector? Etc.

Cool light!

Alex

Alex
 
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