I was going to wait until the review but, what the hell. I took my new Ultra Fire UF-980L apart tonight.
Worth noting is how the emitter/heatsink screws into the head . . . it does not seat or stop either way. If you screw it in from the top or bottom, it just keeps going until it falls out. This is important because if it is not screwed in to the proper depth, either the battery tube will not seat or it seats easily and the GITD o-ring gets pushed out from under the bezel. I think the best way is to screw on the tube then screw in the emitter/heatsink until it's snug at the bottom. The bezel should then tighten down without deforming the o-ring.
Hope these pictures help. All I wanted to do is change out the switch boot. One thing leads to another and before you know it, parts are scattered from hell to breakfast.
I didn't use a flash. Up this close, a camera mounted flash fires over the top of the subject. (can't afford a DSLR 'cause . . . well . . . you all know why) I usually use natural light in the kitchen but it was nightime and I didn't want to wait so I used Reveal lights in the master bathroom. Worked out better than I thought.
Wow. Gorgeous macro photography once again. And its nice to see the inner workings of this light. What are your overall impressions now that you've pulled her apart? Or are ya saving those impressions for the big review? Either way, thanks again Foy for your time and skill!
Did I see right that here is no heat conducting aid between the emitter base and the pill? Is the emitter held in place on the pill only by "reflector pressure"?
OT I can only imagine why you're foying in the bathroom. Has it anything to do with your wife? (would be the reason in my case :bigsmile: )
edit: oops, you answered my last question while I was writing this.
The star is mounted on the threaded aluminum "heatsink" and it appears these threads are the only thing in contact with the flashlight body. I'm guessing this may be why I measured 135°
I spotted right away the possible weakness of this design. How about adding some thermal grease to that thread? But while looking at it, I thougt I could well crank up the amps of my x-8 a bit. I think if your 980L can manage this heat without to melt, the X-8 would do it even better.
Nice pics, Foy! Looks like the driver is not soldered to the brass of the pill. Any chance we can get you to lift the driver loose and take some pics of it so we can see what is driving this thing at such high amps?
The only thing I can find to not like about that light (besides the bezel) is that seam where the tailcap meets the body tube. Strange they did not build some sort of distraction design into the body at that spot, a ring or a different direction knurl, even a rubber "cigar holder",to hide the seam itself. Almost like they forgot something.
Thanks for the pics, E. Kinda hard for me to tell from the pics but do you recognize the make and/or model of the driver? I also take it the driver is just press fit into the pill afterall?
Thanks for the pics, E. Kinda hard for me to tell from the pics but do you recognize the make and/or model of the driver? I also take it the driver is just press fit into the pill afterall?
It is not a driver that I recognize, but I am almost positive it is direct drive on high. It actually was soldered in two spots when I pried it out so be careful if you try to remove it.
Yeah troop, I don't like that either and it won't tighten enough to hide it. Not a deal killer, mind you . . . this light has been so damn much fun. I know I gotta write an objective review but I can tell you right now - I dig this light big time.
Foy, I & others love your macro photography!!!! Bet its sold more SF's (& now UF980s) in the last few months than any other advertising they may be doing! I assumed u were shooting a DSLR, with a point n shoot even more impressive! If by chance you're using a Canon point n shoot like me, check out CHDK here, a very sweet software hack that offers raw images among many other advanced features usually found only in DSLRs. Also may want to consider some 5500K CFL bulbs in a cheap clamp-on shop type reflector, & use it with some aluminum foil glued on to cardboard (for light reflectors) for a DIY studio ... this is one of my favorite links.
Sorry 4 the thread hijack, just gotta offer the thumbs up on your awesome macro work!!!!
