I think many chinese manufacturers aren’t too fund of moonlight modes. I can understand why, though. In my personal experience moonlight modes can be a bit alienating in the normal rotation for most users because they are so low.
I wouldn’t mind if they don’t include a moonlight mode for a simpler operation, but they should at least have them well spaced out. If they want only three modes something like 10 => 40 => ~200 lumen would be nice, I guess.
The Thrunite T10 is a similar light and has around 0.3 => 10 => 250 lumen, but the jump from 10 to >200 lumen is a bit too high in my opinion. I think the T10’s settings are good for enthusiasts who know what to expect from a light with those modes, but without some setting between 10 and >200 lumen you probably won’t satisfy most needs. Something around ~50 lumen is good enough for a quick walk around the house or dimly lit streets.
With only three modes some compromises have to be made, but I think if in doubt I’d optimize for muggle usage with a light like this. See the popularity of the BLF 348. One of the most popular lights despite its simple operation. I think there’s definitely some demand for a high CRI light with a simple UI.
This looks like a nice light but I wish it offered more light output like the Manner E11,UT-01 and EDC05. I would have jumped on this if that was the case.
Today I received an E3 that I bought for my grandmother (219C 4000K), and took the opportunity to disassemble it a bit and take a look at the insides. Here are my findings:
- the build quality is as good as I’ve come to expect from jaxman
- the driver is 17mm and it looks like any 17mm driver would work in it without issues
- the switch and its washer are a bit smaller than my X6’s, but anything that fits in an X6 or an S41 tailcap can probably be made to fit with a little sanding
- tailcap button is ~12mm
the ledboard is 16mm and it’s glued in :person_facepalming:
I’m really disappointed by the glue, if a host version was made I feel this would be a good candidate for a 14500 build with a 3A LD-A4 and an ILC-0, but I’m sure my grandma will like it as it is
I don’t have an accurate way to measure the inside of the head but it looks to me like the mcpcb space is around 18mm and the rest of the inside is 19mm wide, here is a pic to get an idea:
Hum, I don’t know if it is possible to ask Jaxman to not glue the things. When ordering , maybe we can try that!
I also wanted this available as a host, only, but if that is not possible, I’ll get the full light, unglue it and arrange it as I want!
Despite we have to look to manufacturers point of view - specially these that are not “major players” - I agree with you in some things :+1:
^ That is an extreme low current for a moon mode on NiMh battery whatever the light output is, considering that the circuitry and MCU consume some power too. I have not seen a flashlight that boosts from a NiMh that gets the current draw so low. Btw, what is the light output at moon mode?
I think it is very good of you to pay attention to the current draw in moon mode. :+1:
Djozz and Jaxman, please indulge my ignorance, but is this a “not-so-good” thing?
Sorry but I don’t master these “drain” and “consumption” language, and I don’t know how is it good or bad in terms of efficency/runtime/max and min outputs :person_facepalming:
Also, does this have to do with the LED as well?
Thanks in advance!
Looks very nice Jaxman! I like it! Will have to add this one to my growing collection of well made Jaxman lights.
For me, starting with the lowest mode and stepping up to the highest is a requirement due to my poor memory. I tend to blind myself if they come on in high.
The High CRI Nichia 219C is also an appealing emitter choice to me, hope that’s available when it’s time to order.
Already having the UV tube light (U1) and the triple (E2L), along with the M8 and Z1 and the X1 as well as the M2, this small light will have it’s own distinct place in my line-up. Thank you for thinking of this. I don’t normally use NiMH in these small lights but in this case I might have to make an exception and keep it low for the glow. Who knows though, I could get some crazy idea to shove 2 14250’s in the tube with an XHP-50.2…. maybe hosts really are needed?
Edit: Couldn’t resist, just ordered one with the Nichia 5700K 219B. I know, I know….
In very low output/current levels, the power draw of the circuitry adds significant to what just the led draws. example, the BLF-A6 driver in lowest moon mode may have 2mA through the led but the MCU/voltage divider or whatever, adds another 2.5mA (these are numbers that I think I remember). And the BLF-A6 driver is pretty good at this. I know that led4power pays extra attention to the power draw of the circuitry in his drivers to maximise runtime in moon mode, it is a bit lower even than the BLF-A6. This may be done by designing the hardware right, but it certainly can also be achieved by software tweaking, I know that TomE has done a lot for the Q8 driver to keep the MCU power draw as low as possible in lowest setting (something with putting the MCU to sleep). But other drivers may be pretty wasteful which reduces the runtime in moon mode drastically.
If the driver is a boost driver, the current that the circuitry uses (and does not go through the led) may be a bit higher because of boost losses. Mind that the 8mA that Jaxman measures is at 1.2V, so after boosting there is just maybe 2.5mA leftover to divide between circuitry and led. So if the led lights up at all, the power draw of the circuitry is lower than that.
And I hope your grandma likes it as well 
