Any word yet on Firefoxes FF5?

[Alex1234]

I had my ff5 open just to see what was inside. It definitely seams like daunting task.

[BVH]

The lamp change is not too bad. The most difficult part for me was while inserting the open frame type ballast into the head, the two 28 awg switch wires have to be started down and fished down a very deep hole. There's barely enough wire length to see them enter the hole. Once down, the tiny hole in the head and the tiny hole in the bottom plate of the ballast must be perfectly aligned or you'll chop the wires when securing the ballast down. Then, the switch wires at the switch mounting hole must be cut very short because there is no way to push any excess "working" wire length back into the hole so you can seat the switch chip but...and you need extra wire length to make the very tiny solder connections. Part of the problem is that my manual dexterity is not what it was at 40. The issue with the replacement lamps will be that the electrode wire that goes thru the ceramic base is significantly shorter than the electrode on the lamp that came with the light. On the bottom side of the ceramic base, there is a grove from center point extending out the outer diameter. The electrode is designed to protrude from the hole, immediately bend in the grove and extend to the outer diameter. Then it is bent back on itself 180 degrees and extends all the way across the diameter of the ceramic base. I think there is only enough electrode to make the initial bend in the groove to the outer diameter and then maybe only 25% to 30% of the way across the entire diameter. Will this matter? I don't know, maybe not. I used my original lamp, not my spare. The actual electrical connection relies only on the wire with copper puck soldered on the end from the ballast being pushed up against the electrode and it is held in with a doughnut of hard silicone rubber forced up into the ceramic base. There is no actual positive connection, just friction by the doughnut. No Pun intended there. By the way, all replacement lamps are 4300K, no 6000K's (5500K)

Lamp Change: With special 3-hump tool, Unscrew the bezel. Lift out the front glass and pull the reflector out as far as the power wire will allow. Remove the kapstan tape around the ceramic base. Unscrew the ring nut securing the ceramic base to the reflector. Remove the two tiny clips holding the lamp top electrode and power return wires in a groove cut into the reflector. Back the bulb and base out of the reflector while maneuvering the top lamp electrode out of the reflector hole at the same time. The lamp bottom quartz stem just floats in the larger ceramic base, only the electrode going thru the hole and bending in the groove holds it somewhat in-place. Reverse to install.

Much as I really enjoy this type of work, I would not do it regularly for others who wanted it done. Once is enough for fun.

[badtziscool]

Wow. Thanks for the details BVH!

[LuxLuthor]

Memo to self: Do not burn out the FF5 bulb.

[BVH]

I added: "With special 3-Hump tool". Gotta have it or a no-go unless you're ok damaging your bezel.

[Alex1234]

I added: "With special 3-Hump tool". Gotta have it or a no-go unless you're ok damaging your bezel.

My defuser got stuck on my ff5 and after trying as hard as I can to get it to unthread the whole bezal unthreaded. No need for a bezal tool for me lol

[ampdude]

My defuser got stuck on my ff5 and after trying as hard as I can to get it to unthread the whole bezal unthreaded. No need for a bezal tool for me lol

LOL! Also good to know!!!! I would really like a special bezel tool available though.

[BVH]

My defuser got stuck on my ff5 and after trying as hard as I can to get it to unthread the whole bezal unthreaded. No need for a bezal tool for me lol

Now that IS interesting!

[LuxLuthor]

I continue to be impressed with this FF5 for its size. Quite an accomplishment in such a small package.

[BVH]

Custom made FFV Bezel removal tool for sale in the mall.

[cchurchi]

I just ordered a FF5! Really looking forward the the 100 watt output. I have an FF3 and FF4 that are just fantastic lights. I have used them both hundreds of times through the years. I take them out for night snowshoe hikes and fire them up when they're frozen solid with 0 issues.

Long ago i had a Wolf Eyes 24 watt HID that I used for night hikes but the ballast was always dying or the bulb would explode. That was interesting to see because what ever was in the bulb ate off the coating on the reflector in about 15 seconds. I was like NNOooo!

So what batteries would you guys recommend for the 100 watt draw of the FF5? I currently use Panasonic NCR18650 with 3400 mAh. Not sure they can handle that much current. Thanks!

[badtziscool]

The FF5 is a beast! You’ll love it. I think you’ll need higher drain batteries though. I use Sony VTC6 flat top cells and they fit and work perfectly.

I just ordered a FF5! Really looking forward the the 100 watt output. I have an FF3 and FF4 that are just fantastic lights. I have used them both hundreds of times through the years. I take the out for night snowshoe hikes and fire them up when their frozen solid with 0 issues.

Long ago i had a Wolf Eyes 24 watt HID that I used for night hikes but the ballast was always dying or the bulb would explode. That was interesting to see because what ever was in the bulb ate off the coating on the reflector in about 15 seconds. I was like NNOooo!

So what batteries would you guys recommend for the 100 watt draw of th FF5? I currently use Panasonic NCR18650 with 3400 mAh. Not sure they can handle that much current. Thanks!

[40kaufman7@gmail.com]

I’ve been using my FF5 every night for a few months. Man do I love this thing... the massive wide beam is just gorgeous and seems to go on forever. My first HID light so I don’t profess to be an expert but I’d take it over my Imalent MS18 in a heartbeat!

Can’t wait for a 1,000 watt FF6 (:

[Parker VH]

So the link in post #5 is for Neals Gadgets? If I go directly to Neals Gadgets and do a search for Firefox the only thing that comes up are the accessories or am I missing something?

[BVH]

https://www.nealsgadgets.com/product...hid-flashlight


Look at the top of the page for any discount codes

[Parker VH]

Thanks Bob. Just out of curiosity, why did you sell your FF5's? I value your opinion on these and other lights as you are very knowledgeable on the operation and function of HID lights.
Thanks for the link. Haven't decided if I'm going to order one or not.

[ma tumba]

I wonder if there is a technical reason for not implementing a low mode, so that it has, say, 10W, 30W, and 100W. This would be a lot more practical, imho

[BVH]

I have very little use for any of my lights other than my pocket-carry EDC. I wish it wasn't that way because I love using them. When the latest and greatest are introduced, I thoroughly enjoy picking one up just to see what it can do. A few hours playing and my needs are taken care of. Time to let them go to someone who will use them. Plus, when "your" used to being around the real heavy iron and seeing what they can do, the handhelds obviously don't compare in performance. That is a downside to having the heavy iron. It's more difficult to be impressed. I will say the FF5 is a great performer and for a very reasonable price even with no discount.

[XeRay]

I wonder if there is a technical reason for not implementing a low mode, so that it has, say, 10W, 30W, and 100W. This would be a lot more practical, imho

Yes there is, about 30-40 watts is the normal bottom end of this technology (depending on the bulb and electronics) with a bulb that could be run in the 70 to 100 Watt range. Can't reliably sustain an arc for long bulb life down below that. We make dual wattage ballasts and have played with tri power levels too. As an example it could be 40/60/80W. Philips and Osram have made 25 watts HID bulb products but you would not want to run it very much higher than 40 watts.

[ma tumba]

Yes there is, about 30-40 watts is the normal bottom end of this technology (depending on the bulb and electronics) with a bulb that could be run in the 70 to 100 Watt range. Can't reliably sustain an arc for long bulb life down below that. We make dual wattage ballasts and have played with tri power levels too. As an example it could be 40/60/80W. Philips and Osram have made 25 watts HID bulb products but you would not want to run it very much higher than 40 watts.

I see, thank you.

I think that in this case I would like to see an LED/HID combo one day. Something that looks like manker mk39

[Parker VH]

So what do you have for your EDC light?

I have very little use for any of my lights other than my pocket-carry EDC. I wish it wasn't that way because I love using them. When the latest and greatest are introduced, I thoroughly enjoy picking one up just to see what it can do. A few hours playing and my needs are taken care of. Time to let them go to someone who will use them. Plus, when "your" used to being around the real heavy iron and seeing what they can do, the handhelds obviously don't compare in performance. That is a downside to having the heavy iron. It's more difficult to be impressed. I will say the FF5 is a great performer and for a very reasonable price even with no discount.

[BVH]

It's been my edc for a few years so I think it's a 4-7's Mini123 with Turbo head by Vinh in Stainless. The 123 in the std and this version have been my EDC's since they came out years ago. I think this one does 1200 or 1500 Lumens but rarely use that level. The turbo head throws a very long beam this this size of light.

[Parker VH]

Did a quick search but can't seem to find anything on this light specifically so I assume it's pretty old. Always looking for a good EDC light.

It's been my edc for a few years so I think it's a 4-7's Mini123 with Turbo head by Vinh in Stainless. The 123 in the std and this version have been my EDC's since they came out years ago. I think this one does 1200 or 1500 Lumens but rarely use that level. The turbo head throws a very long beam this this size of light.

[BVH]

Did a quick search but can't seem to find anything on this light specifically so I assume it's pretty old. Always looking for a good EDC light.

Vinhs mod:

https://skylumen.com/products/fourse...30269019521047

Factory link:

https://darksucks.com/collections/fo...i-turbo-mk-iii

Mine is the older version of the Goliath with White1 spec on Vinhs page. I've found over the many years that I don't care for a push button EDC. I like the twisty switch.

[Parker VH]

Thank you very much. Does this light have a decent combination of throw and coverage area? Not just a real tight beam pattern?

Vinhs mod:

https://skylumen.com/products/fourse...30269019521047

Factory link:

https://darksucks.com/collections/fo...i-turbo-mk-iii

Mine is the older version of the Goliath with White1 spec on Vinhs page. I've found over the many years that I don't care for a push button EDC. I like the twisty switch.

[BVH]

I think there's good flood along with the prominent hot spot at distance. If you want more flood than throw, I'd get the non-turbo head and higher Lumen/less mcd led, I think it was 1200 Lumens IIRC.

[Parker VH]

Thanks Bob. I won't hijack this thread any more. Still deciding on buying the FF5.