TK's Emisar D4 review

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2

Updates since initial release

Between the small first batch and second batch:

  • Firmware updated to V2

Since the second batch:

  • XP-G2 3D tint added (now available in ~3900K, ~4900K, ~5800K)
  • Screws added to hold down MCPCB tighter
  • AR coating added to lens (not the purple type, doesn’t make the beam turn green)
  • XP-L HI 5D tint added (now available in ~3900K, ~5100K, ~6600K)
  • Green finish changed to a grainy texture
  • Cyan finish added (with grainy texture like a garden pot or chalkboard)
  • Pocket clip option added (clip-on type, very very firm)
  • Throwy versions (D1 and D1S) now available
  • Frosted optic available as an option for a smoother floodier beam
  • 219c changed from 80CRI (somewhat cold and slightly green) to 90CRI (looks warmer and more rosy)
  • MCPCB updated to rotate emitters for a round corona instead of a pinwheel pattern
  • Titanium + copper version added


Firmware upgrades (old; v1 -> v2)

2017-07-15

I tested the thermal behavior today. It gets way too hot. I don’t think it will damage itself, but it could burn skin. For now, I would recommend regulating the temperature manually. And I think I will be replacing the thermal regulation code.

This brightness-over-time graph is the behavior I measured on my grey light. It took almost 4 minutes to reach a level which did not exceed the thermal ceiling, which is far too slow. So I plan to make that a lot faster, and to make the thermal limit configurable.

(graph is from zak.wilson’s ceilingbounce app)

2017-07-17

Better thermal regulation. Not perfect, but a big improvement. It responds faster and it doesn’t over-shoot the equilibrium point.
(this would make more sense if it also had a temperature graph, but it certainly felt a lot less scorching on my fingers!)

On a related note, the attiny85v has a thermal sensor and 10-bit ADC. For this project, I managed to get it to provide about 11 or 12 bits of precision. :smiley:
(it’s over-sampling and using noise to slightly increase the resolution… which may sound silly, but it improved the results so I’m keeping it that way)

2017-07-17

After a couple minor tweaks, I tried a runtime test with a full 25R cell until LVP kicked in.

I had the thermal limit set to 45 C (ish) for this test and pointed a fan at it the whole time. Output stayed fairly close to a stable level after the initial peak, but it actually got slightly brighter over time overall. I suspect this might be due to the cell voltage getting closer to the emitter Vf, so there may have been less heat. Toward the end it also becomes very clear that the thermal regulation is fighting against the typical direct-drive sag curve.

So… aside from being a little bumpy, thermal regulation seems to be working pretty well.

Additionally, I made LVP drop in smaller steps, I added mode memory, and I calibrated moon to a range of 0.2 to 0.4 lm. It’ll need to be tested with other emitters to make sure it works on all of them though.


2017-07-20

I think it’s nearly ready. Here’s the new UI so far:

Changes from the original version include:

  • added full thermal regulation with user-calibrated ceiling
  • added mode memory on click-from-off (default 100% 7135)
  • made beacon use current ramp level
  • made double-click toggle turbo (not just one-way any more)
  • made LVP drop down in smaller steps
  • calibrated moon to ~0.3 lm on Emisar D4-219c hardware
    (somewhat higher on Cree emitters)
  • blink when passing the 100% 7135 level, for reference
  • fixed display of “zero” digits
  • fixed/cleaned misc internal things

2017-08-01

It seems Hank has been having some difficulty accessing BLF lately, probably due to the Great Firewall of China. Probably an ongoing issue, which is why he doesn’t post very often. He has been trying to post to let everyone know the sources are available, but the firewall keeps getting in the way.

The source code is now available from Intl-Outdoor’s D4 page:

He links to a zip file with the D4’s current code in it.

I also added the code to my repository and created a new D4-specific branch which will only contain stable releases:

Within both of those, you probably want to click “Browse the code”, “Tom_E”, then “RampingIOS”.

3

Thanks for the review TK the output numbers look awesome!

Are both the D4s you bought Nichia?

4

Yes, both pieces are Nichia 219c 5000K. I like it better than the other tint options. :slight_smile:

5

Very detailed review! :+1:

Now I’m even more psyched about my Nichia-filled D4 that should arrive on Monday. :smiley:

6

Damn that green looks good I wasn’t quick enough ended up going for the black Nichia D4 can wait for it to arrive

7

Thanks for the info. Saved me some money. I’ll wait for mode memory, perhaps unglued board etc.

8

Very interested in light output of other emitters. Really want to scoop one of these up.

9

Thanks for the nice review. It’s a nice looking light and all but it is sadly enough not for me :cry: . Without the option of presets, and always starting on low or turbo this light lost much of it’s appeal for me. I need to be able to roughly guess how long I can run the light and with only ramping mode this is impossible. Any reason why the config mode was taken out?

Damn I honestly was looking forward to his light, checking intl-outdoors site and the thread everyday. It’s a pity cause I’ve looking for a quad for some time now. I almost bought the S42 but the nichia version was out of stock when I tried to order it and then the reviews came in before it was in stock again. Then there was the deal for the S41 but I held out because of the D4. A quality build light like this for such a low price. Aaaaaaaah I really hope future version will have the config mode.

10

LOTS of output, should be tons of fun. I’m really hooked on those 18350 lights. Between these, Astrolux and the BLF A6 I’m hoping some of the parts LEGO. Lord knows I’ve got a few of every part possible. Please some one put the Copper idea in his head. Those pure beautiful Copper heads could really prolong step downs. Great work ToyKeeper I look forward to your improved tinkering.

11

Green tube and bezel + copper head + unglued boards = I’d buy it NOW!

12

Top shelf review. Looks very interesting….

13

I forgot to mention, awesome review!

14

Thanks for the great review!

This one would be a huge turn off for me, but I will probably end up making my own variant of the FW anyways.

Ps. Was it really Foy? Note the “The” in the “The end”. :innocent:

15

Thanks for the review! Looks like what the S42 should have been. And the green is realy nice too.

16

Pffft, whatever. I’d never make a mistake like that!

Or maybe you just wanted to underline the undermine the joke? :smiley:


17

Thanks for the review
Cute light for sure

18

Dammit, fuming I missed out on getting the green one. Or any LOL.

19

Thanks for the review! This is another must-have, despite all the driver-related bashing. Who needs flat regulation when you can have 3,800 lumens instead? :slight_smile:

Just one question… how long does the full ramping take, and can the ramping speed be adjusted?

20

Thanks for the awesome review :slight_smile: ,
looks hard to beat for the $ right now(ok pretty much impossible to beat!). Only down side for me, would be no level memory and having to ramp up a bit for a usable level(dont use sub lumen levels 99% of time). Still, very tempting…………… :slight_smile:

21

If it was slightly more moddable(glue), and had access to a # of pre set levels I would buy this instantly. I like this so much I might just get it immediately upon restock anyways. Will be waiting for lumen readings from the XP-L version from whoever is willing to do it. Keep up the good work TK.

I wanna know what this entails.