Good news: Sofirn has received 20 samples of the XP-E2 deep red (660nm) with the bin code XPEBPR-L1-P20-30-B-01 from Cree. Engineering is now starting to build a prototype.
I also asked them to try making the C01S driver programmable with reversible mode order. They said it was possible (3 modes, 2 mode groups). We need to wait and see if there's any sense in having three modes on C01R as deep red tint probably needs 2 modes (low and high) only. But it could be useful for the brigher, more performing versions, e.g. with SST-20. The bad news is that prices are expected to increase with a more sophisticated driver and more LED options. However, this will all be reflected in the poll I am going to create later on.
No offense, but I'd rather keep things simple (and reasonable in terms of costs, too). While I do appreciate a high grade of customization on big lights like LT1 or SP36, I'd recommend not overstraining customers on small keychain lights that will mostly be used in one mode-configuration forever. ;-)
If 3 modes are made, I think that deep red lovers could be interested in a very low mode. So 0.1–5–100%
Not sure though, it is not 100% my type of flashlight.
In general it would be nice if a (mode order) programmable driver is made for the C01S, not just for the red version.
I haven’t experienced this myself, as I only have one C01 variant, and it’s not my EDC.
… but …
I view glue as one of those things that is easier to add than to remove. While it’s true that most will never have a reason to open the head, this IS BLF and access is important.
If they do wind up gluing things into place, can it at least be a low to medium heat-released type of threadlocker?
The problem is a small design flaw: the battery tube and the bezel share the same pill-threading, tighten the bezel too much and the battery tube will not have enough threads leftover to reach the driver. They should have made the pill a tiny bit higher (and risk a larger gap between head and battery tube) or create a hard stop for the bezel. Or screw down the bezel medium tight with a drop of glue in the threads. I agree that weak glue should be sufficient.
Nice to see this progressing. Does someone remembers what I said around 3 weeks ago? Red emitters, due to their low Vf, could be driven harder without surpassing the driver's maximum rated power. Pretty sure the driver could be fitted with a 0.2Ω sense resistor (R20/R200), driving photo red emitters at ≈472.5mA.
.
