The focus of this thread:
- to create an interest list for a Sofirn manufactured AAA twisty with 5mm high CRI Yuji LED (one version in 3200K, other version in 5600K). Price mentioned by Sofirn is 6 USD.
Update 2018-07-24
Thanks to Djozz Sofirn is willing to produce a AAA twisty flashlight with high CRI Yuji 5mm LEDs, in two versions, 3200K and 5600K.
Titel of this thread is changed to reflect the new focus.
Update 2018-07-03 jon_slider contacted Fenix USA and their answer was that Fenix could produce such a light; however the minimum order quantity is 1000 pieces. He also tried to start a Kickstarter page, however that was rejected.
Update 2018-06-23
vinhn sells a modded version of the E01 on CandlePowerForum for USD 48. His modded light is unpotted however.
Background
The quality of light output of the 97 CRI Yuji high-cri 5mm LEDs is simply incredibly good. Unfortunately there are no commercially available flashlights with this fantastic 5mm LED installed at the factory. Thanks to Djozz Sofirn is willing to fill this specific niche.
We also asked Fenix to produce a special Yuji edition of the Fenix E01, however their minimum order quantity was 1000 pieces. This is too big of a hurdle to take at his moment.
Design goals for a high CRI 5mm twisty AAA flashlight
- true unicorn light: fantastic value because of high quality and low price
- high reliability based on robust design (design goal: as bomb-proof and torture-proof as Fenix E01)
- preferably “fully potted electronics driver board” (similar to Fenix E01:https://i.imgur.com/qyFo1JM.jpg )
- high-CRI output (thanks to the Yuji 5mm LEDs)
- small (71 mm x 14.2 mm)
- light-weight
- cheap (Sofirn stated 6 USD)
- constant-current
- no (visible) pwm flickering
- simple operation (single mode
- preferably true battery vampire which also works with on a drained battery with a voltage lower that 0.9 Volts
- long runtime (first regulated, and with depleted battery also long unregulated runtime) (design goal is at least the runtime of a Fenix E01)
- waterproof (IPX8)
- tailstand capability
- runs on plain AAA batteries (alkaline, NiMH, or L92 lithium primaries)
- preferably a polished aluminum reflector for at least some throw to increase to usefulness of the <10 lumen light output
What would be good use cases for such a low-lumen light (around 10 lumen)?
- gift light suiteable for non-flashaholics or children
- reliable back-up light (for scenario’s where you want the Fenix E01 as a second backup for your first backup light)
- stash-away light (coupled with a lithium primary for stashing away in your car, survival bag, medical kit)
- keychain light for people prioritizing robustness over lumens output.
Why not a do-it-yourself mod of the Fenix E01?
Because of the potting of the electronics, a do-it-yourself mod of the Fenix E01 is quite a hassle.
And after modding, the light will be less reliable because of removing the potting. There is also a chance of damaging the electronics when removing the potting. There is a real chance of damaging a Fenix E01 if you try to mod it yourself. Modding would also result in lower reliability afterwards.
Interest list (list in Google Docs):
slowtechstef 5 #1
Geuzzz 2-3 #4
Henk4U2 1 #5
severide 1 #6
djozz 1 #7
Kindle 1 #9
iamlucky13 2-3 #10
TheShadowGuy 2 #11
richnpc 2 #12; #41
johnpc 1 #15
QwertzHz 1 #16
zeroair 1 #17
Ozythemandias 2-3 #18
zipelgas 1 #37
derfyled 1 #40
bmengineer 1 #42
brad 1 #61
dhvl1357 6 #62
Gunga 2-3 #63
D10ten 2 #64
k-wong 2 #65
jacktheclipper 1 #67
cu42 1 #71
Phlogiston 2 #80
Cerealand 2 #82
nydude 1-2 #83
The Whispering 2 #84
skinny_tie 1 #85
twisted raven 1 #86
xikteny 1 #87
dealgrabber2002 1 #88
Reserved.
Reserved.
I wish you luck on this one. If you manage to get Fenix to do this, I will certainly get a few.
+1. And it’s a very big if, IMHO. But I’m a sucker for tiny shiny lights.
I always think long and hard before I say something really stupid.
I’d be interested. Good luck!
I’d buy one, nice!, but I will admire you if you get Fenix to do special editions on request! (never heard of that)
link to djozz tests
“I used to think that top environmental problems were biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and climate change. I thought that thirty years of good science could address these problems. I was wrong. The top environmental problems are selfishness, greed and apathy, and to deal with these we need a cultural and spiritual transformation. And we scientists don’t know how to do that.” (Gus Speth)
It is always good to have dreams.
In case Fenix would not be interested in such an innovative special edition, then perhaps another good candidate manufacturer for high CRI 5mm Yuji twisty AAA could perhaps be Reylight?
I think the combination of high CRI, high reliablity due to fully potted electronics, high runtime (15+ hours on single AAA battery) at a low price point (sweet point >15 USD) is currently not available commercially. Therefore such a light could be an interesting commercial niche.
Also because it could be attractive to both “flashaholics” as well as “muggles”. Key to selling however, would be explaining to people the benefits of high CRI. And why a potted flashlight at this price point is so special.
I can already imagine a video with torture tests
.I would absolutely be in.
I am in! I’d probably get 2-3 if the price is reasonable. Warm preferred, but will order either way.
As far as E01 torture tests:
5 Story Drop Test
5mm LED AAA Abuse Testing
Edited to add, I have a picture of what we’re going for, but the Sunwayman I previously modded will NOT withstand a 5 story drop. Mine died from a 5’ drop.
2nd Edit – not sure the picture is actually showing up. It will have to wait until after work.
Vinh at Skylumen has been modding E01’s with Yujis. They’ve been quite well received on the other forum; I have one myself and it’s an amazing little light.
I’d be in for 2, at least.
I am waiting for Vihn to ship my EO1, so I’m am in. Vinhs are $48 and he doesn’t repot them.
Nice! When did this happen?
Last I heard, he had done warm LED mods in the past, but then Fenix changed their potting compound and he could no longer get the driver clean.
And now I see he did a batch of Inova X5vn, too.
I appreciate you bringing this up, although I will first hold out hope for Fenix doing a run. They should be able to afford to sell them at lower cost than Vinh modding them by hand.
Also, the fact that there is interest in this light even at custom prices is more evidence Fenix should do a batch of Yuji E01’s.
Plus they would still be fully potted. Being cheaper would also make it easier to give them away as gifts.
If Fenix was to sell them at $15, they would be my favorite budget AAA light on the market.
I definitely appreciate Vinh’s work modding these though. They seem tough to crack open and mod, but it also gave me a chance to try a Yuji for the first time.
@richnpc: Nice! What CCT did you get? I got the 3200k variant.
Interested!
Even if Fenix doesn’t take it on, I’d be interested in something comparable.
I’d buy one!
I would be in.
In for 2 or 3
Normally I would be interested but I already have a Yuji GIU and imho a Yuji E01 would not be an improvement.
I highly recommend the Gerber Infinity Ultra as a Yuji host. Easy to mod with low temperature white threadlocker and only the inductor coil is potted. Lots of o-rings. Decent clip for hatlight use. Can use AA or AAA batteries. The “tail switch” is great. Kind of tailstands
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Thanks for your suggestion for the Gerber Infinity Ultra (AA/AAA) as a “cockroach” light with high CRI emitter.
That one is certainly an attractive light as well
On the Gerber site, the Infinity has a MRSP of $22, AKA €18.50 in our currency.
I can buy it on Amazon.de for €33.95 and I have to pay €9.80 for shipping from Germany to where I live.
Only speaking for myself: not an option if you live in Europe.
I always think long and hard before I say something really stupid.
Output is way lower also on the Gerber.
I think what is important here is to keep in mind the general design pattern of a high CRI cockroach light, a niche that is currently not addressed in the flashlight market:
1. high CRI (Yuji 5 mm led)
2. high reliability (twisty design, potted electronics, single mode, robust 5mm led that does not need a lens)
3. low-price (simple design, cheap 5 mm LED)
4. long runtime on readily available cells (AAA / AA alkaline cells) with battery vampire driver
Hopefully Fenix is interested in making a high CRI cockroach flashlight, because they only need to swap in the Yuji led in their E01 and all would be great, because they already have a good driver and reliable potting.
However if they are not interested, than I would be more than happy if another manufacturer (Lumintop?, Reylight?, Thorfire/Sofirn?) produces a Fenix E01 clone as long as they put in the Yuji 5 mm led, and fully encapsulate the driver with a good quality potting material.
Hi Stef, if a light must be designed from scratch, I like to be in for helping with ideas and contacts.
A website thing: if you keep the interest list in the second post, every update gets subscribers of this thread a notification email (if notification mails are turned on like I have) and a click on the link in the mail gets you to the updated list instead of new posts in this thread. If the list is in the first post this does not happen, updates of the first post do not generate notification mails.
link to djozz tests
“I used to think that top environmental problems were biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and climate change. I thought that thirty years of good science could address these problems. I was wrong. The top environmental problems are selfishness, greed and apathy, and to deal with these we need a cultural and spiritual transformation. And we scientists don’t know how to do that.” (Gus Speth)
> Wants a cockroach light
> Suggests Reylight or Thorfire/Sofrin
. . . . .
thanks I move the interest list to the first post
So to explain what this initiative is about:
Basically I and other flashlight lovers as well want a high CRI flashlight that has the reliability of a HDS but only costs 15 USD.
Currently this particular combination of flashlight parameters is not commercially available.
A really simple solution to this unaddressed need is modding a Fenix E01 (high reliability) with a Yuji 5mm led (high CRI).
However instead of hacking the E01 flashlight itself, with the leverage of the BLF (and possibly other flashlight communities such as CPF or TLF) collectively we can hack Fenix the company, to do the modding work for us.
Let’s call this process meta-hacking
If we tell them how to built it, they can do it.
Then on the definition of cockroach light:
- cheap
- reliable (potted electronics)
- long runtime on common alkaline cells (battery vampire circuit)
- simple twisty design
Any Chinese flashlight manufacturer can built such a flashlight by copying the Fenix E01 design and put in Yuji LED. Given they are willing to do so. Let us provide them the motivation by making clear there are buyers.
I’m no expert, but I think potting shitty electronics might still result in an unreliable light
Light reviews:
Skilhunt H03 RC | Nitecore P12GTS | Lumintop ODF30C | Convoy C8+ | Odepro KL41 | BLF 348 | Lumintop C01 | Lumintop HLAAA 2.0 | ThorFire VG10S | Blauer LT100 | BD Moji XP | Emisar D1S | Sofirn SF14
Charger reviews:
XTAR VC4 | XTAR PB2
Absolutely true: garbage in, garbage out
That is why Fenix is the number 1 choice for this project as they have a track record for building reliable stuff.
If that option does not work out, I am sure there is enough expertise in the international flashlight enthusiast comminity to design a driver that is at least as reliable as the one in the Fenix E01. If not by just simply cloning it.
I am no electrical engineer, perhaps someone could chime in to explain how to build uber-reliable (flashlight) driver boards. I am certain though that potting by encapsulation makes circuits able to better withstand environmental stress such as vibration, temperature shock, moist.
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