the new version of the Lumintop Tool aaa w pebbled Tir is a better hatlamp due to the more even field of illumination. It does not have an eSwitch, it has a mechanical clicky (wont tailstand). It does not come in High CRI
these aaa lights do not run on the Highest mode for long, I mainly use the Medium mode. The lumintop version starts on Medium, which I like better than the Massdrop version, which starts on Low.
I specifically dislike the Ti version on High mode, because the brass ring on the head gets hot to touch, while the body stays cool.
The Massdrop versions w N219c make 110 lumens (briefly), so there is no reason to buy the Cool White version, imo. The medium modes are essentially the same. To get the $20 discount, you have to buy something that costs a minimum of $30.
The copper version is a LOT heavier than the Aluminium…
(note, both lights have LED swaps, that is not the tint of the 219c)
The 219c is greener, pictured in the middle:
ps
I just got a shipping notice for the drop Cu Tool I ordered… woohoo!
Well, that’s a bummer. Maybe because of the Nichia 219C? My Jetbeam-U is very efficient. Nice design. Simple UI stepping from low—>high. Mode memory, which is fine because it’s not a primary task light for me. Would be nice if they had a copper version, though.
No taxes/vat for the UK - you’ll have to look at your own countries policies tax/vat I suppose.
How they ship it from the USA for $2.38 is beyond me - in fact I’m pretty sure it’s not possible.
Lick, thanks for the link to Zeroair’s review and comparison of the different flavors of the Massdrop and Tool (post #50). It is very useful.
jon_slider, thanks for the additional info and beamshots (post #60).
I definitely prefer LMH and would most likely use low and medium the most. The level and runtime on low and medium are more important to me than the high specs.
It’s possible that I’ll end up not ordering any of these for hat brim use.
I’ve always got the Folomov Pen L1 in my shirt pocket for hand-held high CRI use.
cyclops, thanks for the idea of adding $5 expedited shipping to get to total order of the aluminum up to $30 to take advantage of the $20 off coupon - I just might take that route.
Ha ha… The best part is US get free shipping to my understanding while to my location is $2.38… Still, that’s fair enough with total $12.38 shipped to my location.
There was a change to the Lumintop drivers that lowered the runtime on High to 30 minutes instead of 1 hour. Im not sure why, my guess is it was caused by increasing the output of the highest mode.
But I still think the Cu Tool is a classic worth buying.
changing LEDs changes output, not runtime, or regulation
fwiw
my copper Tool w sw45k makes 77 lumens, and on the same battery my JetU w Optisolis 6500k makes 72 lumens. The other modes are also similar between the two lights.
I much prefer the Tool because
it can clip to a hat
it does not have last mode memory
I prefer a tailswitch to a twisty
If you want a copper twisty, I highly recommend the Maratac aaa CU
.
To me, High CRI is THE most important thing, and from an AAA light, Im happy at 20 lumens and I dont expect to use them at 100 lumen levels
The Jet U driver runs flat regulated on High, which I concede the Tool does not, but the Jetu does not come in High CRI, does not clip to a hat, and I dont like memory. (because I forget, lol)
my shipping notice email says the package originated in Shenzen China
USPS Tracking info says:
November 20, 2019, 9:26 pm Arrived Shipping Partner Facility, USPS Awaiting Item Shipping Partner: INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE Your item arrived at a shipping partner facility at 9:26 pm on November 20, 2019. This does not indicate receipt by the USPS or the actual mailing date.
The conclusion is most headphone makers have no idea what they're doing. KZ seduced me with its promise of replaceable cables, its nice sounding for bassheads, like the ATR and the ZS3, and ER4. But the cables on them suck, they are really heavy and don't go on your ears normally, they go over the top, if you like that style. I don't think you need to do too much research, they're super cheap! If you don't like them you're out $6 or so and you can get another IEM!
They look identical best I remember. Its been a week or so since I was in it messing around. That review has some pretty useful info in it, thanks. I didn’t ever find out what exactly the 6 pin ic was either. I did find another driver where the PAM2803 was used and had a similar 6 pin ic. In that driver the 6 pin ic was a mode controller. Apparently it was made just to add modes to a led driver in a small package. Not certain that this 6 pin ic in this driver is the same but with no mcu on board it about has to be.
Mine has different markings on the 6 pin ic but I couldn’t find a datasheet for it either. The CFC6F is a boost controller and its very common in AA and AAA flashlight drivers that can also run li-ion batteries. It runs direct drive anything above the vf of the led. I changed the high resistor out for a much lower one and there was no current chnage using a AAA Eneloop. I went back and looked at some of my test data from the Sunwayman V11R which uses the same PAM2803 and the numbers from the input volatge to output current was on par with what I had tested before with the V11R driver. I wanted to see if I could increse the current but I think this is about max using a eneloop battery.
I think I got this labeled right.
You can check the resistance of each with a DMM. I think high measured less than .200 ohms (my DMM doesn’t measure very accuratly down that low).
Med measured around 1 ohm and low 10 ohms. Changing low to 100 to 500 ohms will give you a lower low. Mine has a 500 ohm and measured about .5 lumens.
These appear to be 0402 size resistors, tiny and fun to solder. Just be careful not to shoot it across the room when picking them up with tweezers, never to be seen again :person_facepalming: .
I don’t mind neutral & slightly cool tints for short use EDC lights. I usually have 2 lights on me. And in a moment when my primary EDC is in another room or somewhere else, the Jet-U in my pocket does the trick. I also prefer tail switches, although I don’t mind twisty types that lend themselves to one handed use. I do agree that AAA lights shouldn’t be super bright. No reason for it in that small a form factor, due to very limited thermal management and reflector size. Plus, it’s a near field flashlight type. So max of the Lumintop is OK with me. Anyway, I’ve grown more curious to see how good it is, compared to my other AAA lights.