[New + Review] YLP Unicorn 1.0 (1x18650, LH351D, backlit side switch, magnetic tail, TIR lens, ramping)

[clemence]

@ToyKeeper

@BlueSwordM

What kind of driver is YLP using?

Is it a linear FET driver or a buck driver?

If I understand correctly, it’s a linear FET. As INFERION said in the Unicorn thread, “Initially, there was an impulse (boost). YAL will have a linear (without PWM).” So it was originally going to use a boost driver, but was changed to a linear FET. The firmware’s UI diagram is named Indigo_Linear_UI.png, and he was talking about using an opamp. It’s all there in the thread for anyone who wants the details.

It looks like it’s using an attiny85v in a QFN package, plus a small FET running in linear mode. The FET seems to be a Vishay SiA448DJ. That info is from December though, and may be out of date.

[AEDe]

There is Attiny25 in Unicorn.
There are several versions of user manuals: short , full and from Inferion himself last two only in Russian

Small review
And several graphs
Termal regulation test 1
2

[ToyKeeper]

Thanks for the extra details, AEDe. I’ve been getting information from blurry photos and automated translation sites, and the information isn’t always clear.

I wonder why he used t25 instead of t85 like the Meteor. It seems like a strange step backward.

[fnksb]

Advanced English manual is here:

unicorn-1.0-advanced-um_eng.pdf

[fnksb]

@clemence

Yup I know. I meant no linear, linear + FET, or linear + FET + PWM (worse). Simple buck drivers already cheap these days.
[Clemence]

Yes, but a good linear driver (for one-LED flashlight) will be better for flat regulation than a cheap buck driver =)

[varbos]

Looks pretty interesting. Are they designed in Russia and manufactured in China ?

[fnksb]

@varbos

Looks pretty interesting. Are they designed in Russia and manufactured in China ?

Yes
YLP is the top branch of the Russian brand Yarkiy Luch (“Bright Ray”), which supplies flashlights from China to Russian customers, sometimes modernizing these lights according for Russian needs.

YLP (Yarkiy Luch Professional) deals with adjusting the best OEM-models for the requests of Russian users, while also developing original YLP-lights, such as Panda, Unicorn, etc.

http://ylplight.com/en/o-kompanii/

[AEDe]

@ToyKeeper

I wonder why he used t25 instead of t85 like the Meteor. It seems like a strange step backward.

I can say that Unicorn is almost low-end flashlight. Here the price is about 30$ and free ship. for big city, while even skilhunt H03 is about 50-60$.
So it is just cheap flashlight but with good design and SW.

[hasddie293]

I hope there already own could share the “beamshot”…

[Copernik]

Beamshots:
1
2
3
4
5
6

[bmengineer]

[marcus_z]

Looking good, especially sizewise
I do hope the button is recessed enough to help with accidental activation. Eagerly awaiting your review!

[Scallywag]

@bmengineer

Looking forward to your review.

[andyxxx]

@marcus_z

button is recessed enough

Yes. And pretty tough. Harder than Zebra mk4

[hodor]

Nice colour

[hodor]

@Scallywag

Looking forward to your review.

Patiently waiting :innocent:

[bmengineer]

OK all you impatient folks, my full review is done and posted, with a few excerpts in the main post. Go give it a read!

[hodor]

^{reading now}

[bmengineer]

@hodor

^Hodor

Glad to hear it!

[Scallywag]

Glad to see your review, bmengineer. I’ll give this a shot, and my short review post when I follow up will be based on direct comparison to ZL SC62W.
Okay, now for the real question:
Any places to buy besides YLP’s website currently? Also, any coupons?
edit: I swear I can read. The end of bmengineer’s review features a code (I won’t post it here, so he can get some click-through) and mentions that YLP’s site is currently the only place to get it.
So, when/if it becomes available elsewhere, that will be good info to know.