Yeah, I see what you are talking about. They significantly improved it for the V2 version to the point you really have to look to see the machine marks.
The other factor is feedrate. Slower feedrates would improve the finish but also increase the costs. At this point we are splitting hairs over a few percent of throw that no one will be able to notice anyways. I mean who can really see the different between 1.3 miles of throw and 1.34 miles? lol
So there comes a point where you have to make the tradeoff between quality and cost. In this case I think we have come out way ahead on the deal considering the cost of the light.
It is not official yet but with a few minor tweaks I see no reason it could not be approved in short order.
The firmware is the only big thing that has to be figured out. I am going to flash a new firmware on it when I get home and see if that was the problem.
Did the BLF user that hand polished his reflector then send it back out to be recoated?
If not, then that is why he lost output. Nothing to do with surface smoothness. You can’t confuse the 2. You need smoothness and a proper finish such as plasma vapor deposition or equivalent.
Surely the reflector is being turned, not milled, no? Even with a ball end mill, milling would require a huge number of steps to get anywhere close to a smooth surface. If it’s turned, the surface finish will depend more on spindle speed and tool feed rate.
A CNC lathe will still approximate the curve with a series of steps in the radial and axial directions, but the machine resolution should be more than enough so that the steps aren’t visible.
Slowing the feed rate more then they have now would start increasing the price with very little to any tangible benefit. So we have struck a good balance at this point of performance and cost. Besides the specs I am very happy with the results.
Even the specs would not technically hurt performance as they are so relatively small but cosmetically they don’t look good.
In fact, the difference is not perceptible. Then I wonder if the throw of this torch will be distinguishable from that of the TN42vn with throw of 1940m.
What exactly is the TN42vn that can do 1940 meters, or in kcd: 943 kcd? Is it still using a XHP35 HI or a dedomed XP-G2 or something else? I sure would rather have 1300 kcd over 943 kcd any day.
1300 kcd = 2280 meters (1.4 miles)
943 kcd = 1940 meters (1.2 miles)
In this case, a 38% bump up in kcd produces a 17.5% bump in distance.
Ohh, ok. The TN42vn that can do 940 kcd is a dedomed XP-G2: (i.e.: pencil beam), hotel room window vs. the entire hotel at a distance, as a rough difference.
Probably this has already been mentioned, but I would add a crenulated steel bezel for several reasons:
1 - the flashlight would be nicer!
2 - When working I often put the torch upside down on the ground and a steel bezel would avoid risk of scratches.
3 - If the torch drops on the ground by the edge of the head it gets not dinged. The steel bezel distributes the impact on the whole circumference of the head.
4 - A crenulated bezel can used to break a window glass if needed.
I mean the Acebeam TN42vn modded by Vihn (SkyLumen.com): https://skylumen.com/collections/v54-lights/products/tn42vn-throw-king-pre-order-only
Of course you are right, but I am not sure that a throw of 2280m is very distinguishable from a throw of 1940m as the difference is just 15%. Look at this comparative test between the Acebeam X65vn (1,575m) and the Thrunite TN42vn (1940m): Giants of the throw in the sky of Rome!
The big difference in numbers is not so visible in the real world. Also, The X65 keeps a larger spill that makes you to understand what you are lighting. Look at the top of the dome: the X65 allows you to see the tower bell behind the Dome and the trees around. With the tight spot of the TN42 you need to explore here and there to understand the environment. I would like if the the BLF flashlight would have a beam pattern like that of the Acebeam X65.
The GT is so large and heavy that even a titanium bezel won’t stop it from breaking in a fall.
So just don’t drop it.
You also don’t want to be using this to break windows, the circumference of the head is so large that all you will do is just damage the flashlight and scratch the glass because of force distribution.
Also, the design is finalized, a steel bezel would add cost and manufacturing complexity.
