LiteFlux LF5XT - the ultimate AA light?

Introducing the new LiteFlux LF5XT!

the LF5XT is the first AA light to use an electronic tack switch with MCU controlled user interface.

here are some LF5XT 3D images.






a cutaway drawing.




various internal components making up the LF5XT.




real life photo shots of the actual tack switch, spring and LED driver/circuit with MCU.

this shot show one side of the circuit board.



this show show the other side of the same circuit board.



i have been told by LiteFlux that it was a great and difficult challenge to come up with a circuit to power up the MCU using an AA (1.0V - 1.5V) power source. i know nothing about LED circuit with MCU design, so i would appreciate if anyone can elaborate and enlighten us on LiteFlux claim.

the information that i am posting below are what i currently have from LiteFlux. these information may change without my knowledge.

Specifications
LED : CREE XR-E R2 bin
Approximate LED current at 100% output level :
500ma when using alkaline & NIMH,
800ma when using 14500.
Approximate LED current at 2% output level :
9ma when using alkaline & NIMH,
14ma when using Li-Ion 14500
Input voltage : 1.0V - 4.5V (AA/14500)
AA battery chemistry : Alkaline(1.5V), NIMH(1.2V), NICD(1.2V), Primary Lithium(1.7V) & rechargeable Li-Ion 14500(4.2V)
PWM Frequency 7800Hz.
Dimension = 101mm length. 20.5mm diameter.
Weight = 53 grams.
Material = 6061 T6 Aluminium Alloy.
Tail press button machined from 6061 T6 Aluminium Alloy and HA III finish.
AR Coated glass lens.
NATURAL and BLACK HA III finish.
O ring seal at lens, both end of battery tube and tack switch.
Tail cap provides 2 holes, 2 elongated holes and 2 slots. Stable tail stand.
All parts can be dismantle for cleaning and maintenance.
water resistant.
Lanyard, Spare O-rings, silicon lubricant, user manual and wooden gift box.

Operation Modes
the LF5XT has 5 operation modes. the factory default setting are.

Mode 1 = 50% brightness output
Mode 2 = 15% brightness output
Mode 3 = 2% brightness output
Mode 4 = 50% brightness double flash beacon
Mode 5 = 15% brightness SOS

1 click (1xC) turn on the light.
2 clicks (2xC) jump to next operation mode. Mode 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - Mode 1.
1 click (1xC) turn off the light.

Types of Output
there are 4 types/styles of output in LF5XT.

Constant brightness
Strobe - 8 frequencies
Beacon - single flash & double flashes with 8 frequencies for both.
SOS

the brightness of all 4 types of output is user adjustable from (was 8%) 2% to 100%.

the output of all 5 operation modes can be change by user to the above mentioned 4 types/styles. for example, you can set all 5 operation modes to have

5 different % of constant brightness or
5 different frequency and brightness of strobes or
5 different frequency and brightness of beacon or
5 different brightness of SOS or

any combination of the 4 types/styles in ANY order you preferred.

Quick Access
in addition to the 5 operation modes, the LF5XT provides quick access to the following while in all 5 operation modes.

100% constant brightness - press and hold (PH)
Random strobe at 100% brightness - one click plus press and hold (1C+PH)

Release the hold on the tack switch and the LF5XT reverts back to the previous operation mode.

Special Functions
the LF5XT also has the following functions.

1. Momentary-on function.
factory default is OFF.

2. Rechargeable battery NIMH & Li-Ion over discharge protection.
factory default is OFF.

3. Operation Mode setting.
That is right! the LF5XT allows the user to select the desired number of
operation modes. your LF5XT can be a 1 mode light, or a 3 mode light or
a 5 mode light!

Minimum is 1 operation mode.
Maximum is 5 operation modes.

4. RESET
Restore the EEPROM to factory default settings.
Light default to Mode 1 = 50% brightness.
Operation mode default to 5 modes.

5. Last used mode memory on/off function.
Users can decide if they want this memory function to operate.
Factory default is ON.

Battery Voltage report = 5 clicks (5xC) in any operation modes.
Brightness % report = 5 clicks (5xC) only while in output setting menu.

both reports use the same format.
1 flash = 1
3 flashes = 3
.
.
9 flashes = 9
2 quick flashes = 0

for example,
0.9V is 2 quick flashes, blank one second, 9 flashes.
100% is 1 flash, blank one second, 2 quick flashes, blank one second, 2 quick flashes.

Logarithmic plus Linear Brightness Adjustment.
as many LiteFlux users have pointed out, the linear brightness adjustment of LF2X, LF2, LF3, LF4, LF5 caused some difficulty in setting the user desired brightness level.

well, the LF5XT now has both logarithmic and linear adjustment for the brightness setting. Logarithmic adjustment to quickly jump to the level you want, and linear adjustment for macro adjustment to the exact output level % desired.

the exact output level % can be determined using the brightness % report (5xC) while in the output setting menu.

each logarithmic increase steps raises the output by 50%.
eg. 10% -> 15% -> 22% -> 33% -> 50% -> 75%

each logarithmic decrease steps reduces the output by 33%.
eg. 75% -> 50% -> 33% -> 22% -> 15% -> 10%


that is all for now. i will add more info later.

please tell CPF members what do you think of the LF5XT.

thank you.
khoo

reserved for more actual photos and LF5XT user manual.

there is still one more unrevealed function of the LF5XT which i think makes it the ultimate AA light.

Both black and natural HA III finish.








bezel head side shot.



5 sided crenelated bezel.



tail shot with the aluminium HA III button.



tail cap shot showing the checkering, keyring holes and slots.




Operation of LF5XT
the LF5XT operates on two types of switching commands.

CLICK (C) = Quickly press the button and release. the timing for pressing and releasing the button must be less than 0.4 seconds.

PRESS & HOLD (PH) = Press the button and hold it down for more than 1 second.

when there are multiples CLICKS (C) commands (2xC, 3xC, 4xC, 5xC), the time interval between clicks must be less than 0.4 seconds.

when there are combination of multiples CLICKS (C) plus PRESS & HOLD (P&H) commands (1xC+PH, 2xC+PH, 3xC+PH, 4xC+PH),
the time interval between clicks and press & hold must be less than 0.4 seconds.

the complete User Interface (UI) of LF5XT can be navigated by
a certain number of CLICK (C)
and
a certain combination of CLICKS (C) PLUS PRESS & HOLD (PH)

1XC : Power on.
the LF5XT has last mode memory activated by default. it will turn on at the last used operation mode. with last mode memory turned off, it will always come on in operation mode 1.

1xC : Power off.
with last mode memory turned on by default, the LF5XT will save the last used operation mode before turning off. with last mode memory turned OFF, it will NOT save the last used mode.

2xC : Switching operation mode.
each 2xC command will switch the LF5XT to the next operation mode.
Mode 1 -> Mode 2 -> Mode 3 -> Mode 4 -> Mode 5 -> Mode 1 -> Mode 2 ->...

5xC : Battery Voltage report.
same indication format as the LF2X, LF2, LF3, LF4.
1 flash = 1
3 flashes = 3
8 flashes = 8
two quick flashes = 0

for example,
0.8V is indicated by two quick flashes, one second blank (which indicates a decimal point) and 8 flashes.

3.6V is indicated by 3 flashes, one second blank and 6 flashes.

PH : 100% constant brightness output.
While in any operation mode, a PH command will give the user 100% constant brightness output. releasing the button will bring the light back to previous operation mode.

1xC+PH : Random Strobe at 100% brightness.
While in any operation mode, a 1xC+PH command will give the user random strobe at 100% brightness. releasing the button will bring the light back the previous operation mode.

3xC+PH : Output setting Command.
This command is use to enter the output setting menu to adjust the brightness % and strobe/beacon frequency of the relevant operation mode.
This same command is also used to enter the output setting menu to select the 4 different types of output for each operation mode.

there is no need to cycles through all 5 operation modes' output settings in order to adjust the brightness or frequency of one operation mode.

if the user is using operation mode 3 and wants to adjust the brightness %, just 3xC+PH will enter the output setting menu for mode 3 only. All other operation modes settings are unaffected.

if the user is using operation mode 4 (Strobe) and wants to change the
output from Strobe to SOS, just 3xC+PH will enter the output setting menu for mode 4 only.

in other words, the user can adjust the output of any operation modes directly. just select the operation mode you would like to change and do a 3xC+PH.

4xC+PH : Special Function setting Command.
This command will enter the special function menu to

turn momentary-on function - ON/OFF

turn rechargeable battery over discharge protection - ON/OFF

RESET - reset all operation modes to factory default setting.

adjust the setting of one more special function which, if i may say so, is unprecedented in any flashlights that i know of.

YES! it is time to reveal the special function which i think may make the LF5XT the ultimate AA light. this function is unprecedented in any flashlight that i know of.

it is called the Operation Mode number setting

as i have mentioned in post #1, the LF5XT has 5 operation modes. BUT now the user can select how many operation modes that he/she prefers for his/her LF5XT!

yes!
you can select your LF5XT as a 1 operation mode light, or
you can select your LF5XT to be a 2 operation modes light, or
3 operation modes or 4 operation modes or 5 operation modes light!

minimum operation mode is one.
maximum operation mode is five.

isn't this function brilliant!

now lets go into detail about how to adjust the 4 special functions.
while in any operation mode, performing the 4xC+PH command will enter into the special function setting menu (SFM).

When the light enters into the SFM, it will be indicated by
one flash, 2 seconds stop, one flash, 2 seconds stop, repeat.

the SFM has (was 4) 5 functions to set.
1. Momentary-on.
indicated by 1 flash, 2 seconds stop, repeat.

2. Rechargeable battery over discharge protection.
indicated by 2 flashes, 2 seconds stop. repeat.

3. Operation mode number setting.
indicated by 3 flashes, 2 seconds stop. repeat.

4. RESET.
indicated by 4 flashes, 2 seconds stop. repeat.

5. Last mode memory setting.

select any one of the 5 functions by performing 1xC and note the indicated signal. keep performing 1xC until the desired function is selected.

1xC : move to next function.

2xC : move to previous function.

3xC : exit SFM & go back to the last operation mode without saving any setting. acts like an ESC key on a keyboard.

3xC+PH : enters into the selected function. acts like an ENTER key on a keybaord. this command is also used to save setting and exit back to SFM.


1. Momentary-on function setting.
indicated by 1 flash, 2 seconds stop, repeat.

from SFM select this function setting using 1xC and note the indicated signal. enters into this function setting by performing 3xC+PH.
ON : indicated by a 2Hz flash signal. i.e. fast flash
OFF : indicated by a 1 Hz flash signal. i.e. slow flash

1xC : to toggle between ON & OFF.

3xC : exit SFM & go back to the last operation mode without saving any setting.

3xC+PH : save setting and exit back to SFM.

to exit SFM, perform 3xC+PH again will bring the light back to the last operation mode.

2. Rechargeable battery over discharge protection function setting.
indicated by 2 flashes, 2 seconds stop, repeat.

from SFM select this function setting using 1xC and note the indicated signal. enters into this function setting by performing 3xC+PH.
ON : indicated by a 2Hz flash signal. i.e. fast flash
OFF : indicated by a 1 Hz flash signal. i.e. slow flash

1xC : to toggle between ON & OFF.

3xC : exit SFM & go back to the last operation mode without saving any setting.

3xC+PH : save setting and exit back to SFM.

to exit SFM, perform 3xC+PH again will bring the light back to the last operation mode.

NIMH : low battery warning level - 1.0V
NIMH : shutdown level - 0.8V

14500 Li-Ion : low battery warning level - 3.0V
14500 Li-Ion : shutdown level - 2.8V

low battery warning signal : the light output will fluctuate high & low 3 times every 25 seconds.

fluctuating output is used as low battery warning signal in order to avoid confusion with strobe, beacon and SOS.

shutdown signal : the light will flash in 2Hz frequency for a few seconds and then shut down.

3. Operation mode number setting.
indicated by 3 flashes, 2 seconds stop, repeat.

from SFM select this function setting using 1xC and note the indicated signal. enters into this function setting by performing 3xC+PH.

the light will start flashing to indicate the operation mode number.

Mode no. = 1 : 1 flash, 1 second stop, repeat.
Mode no. = 2 : 2 flashes, 1 second stop, repeat.
Mode no. = 3 : 3 flashes, 1 second stop, repeat.
Mode no. = 4 : 4 flashes, 1 second stop, repeat.
Mode no. = 5 : 5 flashes, 1 second stop, repeat.

1xC : increase the mode number, 5 is maximum.
2xC : decrease the mode number, 1 is minimum.

3xC : exit SFM & go back to the last operation mode without saving any setting.

select the desired operation mode number using 1xC & 2xC.

3xC+PH : saved the setting and exit back to SFM.

to exit SFM, perform 3xC+PH again will bring the light back to the last operation mode.

4. RESET.
indicated by 4 flashes, 2 seconds stop, repeat.

from SFM select RESET using 1xC and note the indicated signal. enters into RESET by performing 3xC+PH.

Once 3xC+PH is performed, the light will

restore the EEPROM to the factory default setting.
exit SFM and go to operation mode 1 output at 50%.

5. Last Memory Mode function setting.
indicated by 5 flashes, 2 seconds stop, repeat.

from SFM select this function setting using 1xC and note the indicated signal. enters into this function setting by performing 3xC+PH.
ON : indicated by a 2Hz flash signal. i.e. fast flash
OFF : indicated by a 1 Hz flash signal. i.e. slow flash

1xC : to toggle between ON & OFF.

3xC : exit SFM & go back to the last operation mode without saving any setting.

3xC+PH : save setting and exit back to SFM.

to exit SFM, perform 3xC+PH again will bring the light back to the last operation mode.



ok.here is another photo showing all the components that make up the LF5XT. there are 5 pcs of copper parts, 6 aluminium parts, 4 O-rings, 1 AR coated glass lens, 4 PCB and one gold plated spring.





more to come tomorrow! gotta go to sleep!

thanks.
khoo

the switch sounds alot like the novatac switch....:thinking:

Crenshaw

Good lord... Can't wait!

Looks interesting. How do you switch between modes? Is it a cycle, or is there direct access?

It sure looks great! It has more than a passing resemblence to the NDI, with a similar dark grey color and knurling pattern. I can't wait to see some beam shots. It certainly has a lot a features, but without the right beam and tint, it can't be the ultimate. When is it supposed to be released and is there a suggested list price?

this what i want - with Cree emitter :thumbsup:

nanotech17 said:

this what i want - with Cree emitter :thumbsup:

Click to expand...

*cough* LED : CREE XR-E R2 bin *cough*

Interesting!


:wow:

It sounds like they have really nailed it on the switch and control circuit. This is great! An MCU controlled setup on AA is unique (other than Eternalights but they use 3x AA in series) so I imagine the challenge of getting it to work from a voltage as low as 1.0 volt was difficult in finding the right IC's to work with. This light's got my attention big time! Looking forward to more details and pricing.

Also :twothumbs to LiteFlux for finally coming out with a tailswitch version AND really doing it right! It would be great to see more MCU controlled switching lights as they can use a better quality switch which runs on lower current and that usually equates to a lighter and better feel to the switching.

Thujone said:

*cough* LED : CREE XR-E R2 bin *cough*

Click to expand...

*cough* and lumens rating *cough*

nanotech17 said:

*cough* and lumens rating *cough*

Click to expand...

All my point was is that it says clearly it will be a cree, so your post seemed unnecessary. And I am glad that there are not any lumen ratings posted along with rendering of a light. They would almost certainly be made up if they had listed them... I think waiting till they have a release candidate light would be prudent. Their in house test units may put out 180 lumens on an eneloop, but that doesn't mean much if the release version ends up being 135 lumens...

I don't get it. I have no trouble programming a Novatac or FLuPIC, but when I read the intructions for a LiteFlux I go into brain lock.

matrixshaman said:

It sounds like they have really nailed it on the switch and control circuit. This is great! An MCU controlled setup on AA is unique (other than Eternalights but they use 3x AA in series) so I imagine the challenge of getting it to work from a voltage as low as 1.0 volt was difficult in finding the right IC's to work with. This light's got my attention big time! Looking forward to more details and pricing.

Click to expand...

Looks like a reverse clicky.

This would be really interesting if it had a CR123 tube to go with it! That would be a fabulous option.

Judging from the head diameter, it wouldn't work though.

I really doubt it is a reverse clicky - or at least I've never seen one on a MCU controlled switching setup. It would be fairly contradictory to use one for such a setup anyway IMO.

OK, I need a refresher course, or to learn what I never knew before. What does MCU stand for? What is the advantage of an R2 over a Q5?

micro controller unit
R2 is a bit more efficient than Q5 for Cree LEDs

Doesn't every light with adjustable output have a Micro Controller Unit? I have not seen this term thrown around the forum before, so is there something special about a MCU?

Does greater efficiency with the R2 mean just greater user time, or does it promise greater output as well over a Q5. Are there different tints available for an R2; how does its tint compare to a typical Q5, which in my experience is somehat cold with most lights.

nanotech17 said:

Looks like a reverse clicky.

Click to expand...

The description actually makes it sound like an electronic switch of the hds and novatac ilk...