TK's Emisar D4 review

My opinion about UI is
From off
Long click min
Click - saved ramped mod
Two Click - max mod

And some idea about ramping. Now there are 150 levels and it is impossible to tell which one is selected now. Idea is to make 2 mode of ramping one with 150lv and another with only 10lv. Mods are easy to distinguish and have nice spacing. The ramping time is the same ,but mods change every 0.25c

This is already implemented in the new D4 code. Additionally, it has:

  • Loosen + tighten tailcap, then click: Go to maximum 7135 level (~140 lm with no PWM and no FET).

I implemented those two UIs in 2014 in the ā€œFerrero Rocherā€ project. Theyā€™re called Ramping_UI_table.c and Baton.c in the firmware repository. I plan to make updated versions for the D4, but it wonā€™t be part of the production run. Theyā€™re example UIs or test cases for a new generic code base.

Jay, the 100%7135 is back! I love the work you do on the D4 Toykeeper! :slight_smile:

Thank you for the switch info didnā€™t want to pry on the retainer until someone had some info, so thanks TK I can pry away,
Do you think Hank will have any replacement switches and boots, mainly switches, drivers would be great also, thank youā€¦

Oh, good news, thanks you. Such UI is much more convenient.

Great info :+1:

So is there any chanc that Hank will sell the D4 with YOUR firmware on intl outdoor ?

The idea as I understand is that what Toykeeper is developing now is to be in the D4ā€™s that Hank is going to sell on intl-outdoor.

The improvements made by TK to the firmware will make the D4 a really good flashlight for sure !

This is why I waited :wink:

Both level65 and 10 lumen are good values for such a small EDC light as default memory values. However, I certainly prefer level65 (133 lm) for two reasons:

1) It is a very symbolic value that portrays the essence of the light and driver; a true flashaholic should/could understand and appreciate the meaning of this output.
2) ramping to a comfortable 600-ish lumen output is much faster from single click level65, than it is from single click 10 lumen output. Edit: percentage wise itā€™s faster.

I vote for 133 lm level65 as default.

Efficiency vs. output curve is nearly flat, then falls of the cliff and is again nearly flat.
350 mA is the cliff top. It should be easily reachable.
But it should be also easy to tell on which side of the cliff the flashlight is at any given mode. Otherwise there will be nasty surprises of battery draining much faster than it should.

Making 350 mA the default level is a great way of making it easily reachable.
However, ramping from low, one can easily pass it without noticing. I donā€™t like it and I think it should be somehow communicated to the user.

It always amazes me how, regardless of the amount of work put in and the level of achievements attained, thereā€™s always ALWAYS gonna be someone saying ā€œI donā€™t like it!ā€

I think youā€™re doing a fantastic job on this TK, taking it to the next level with your simulations and total expertise. You know, of course, that when the dust settles on this and youā€™ve got it where you want it Iā€™m going to HAVE to get a green one, right? :wink:

I did not say that I donā€™t like you work TK, just this aspect of UI. It was meant as a discussion-opener really, though the topic was meant to be slightly different than what DB Custom stated. :wink:
I did not say that I like it either. Now I do: Thank you for your great work! :+1:

Iā€™m glad I waited, thanks TK!

Great review and pics, thanks!

Iā€™ve been deciding between the Manker E14 II and Astorlux S41, so this looks interesting, wondering roughly when the revised versions will be available.

Also signed up for the TLF/BLF FW3A xpg3 triple, somewhat similar but triple w/tail switch.

The FW3A is much different in that the tail switch is an electronic switch, not an easy feat to accomplish. :wink:

The FW3A also has that ā€œdirect from the latheā€ look and feel. Two fairly different lights that I will likely end up owning far too many of.

Any info when this will be available directly from Intl?