Looks heavy for a 1*18650 light, how much does it weigh Wayne?
I have one of his lights. Its built like a TANK! I picked it up used and it is a work horse. This one has to “feel” impressive too. I like that solid chunky feel in my NON EDC lights. I wouldn’t EDC this bad boy.
Good work!
The 18650 is the more common and available battery. A 26650 could be used. I normally use the 26650 when it is needed for more power output, like the Big Bruiser that pulls 10A.
Yes, the catadioptric lens is the one you reference.
I have been considering what price to ask, and when I might sell one. I only have a couple of these lenses, but have more coming. Probably I need to ask around $200, for this short version. If anyone is interested in being a Guinea Pig, and buy one from me, send me an email: waynej@elektrolumens.com
The main reason I start a thread like this is to see if there is much interest in an idea I have for a flashlight. With so many views and posts to this thread, seems like there is good interest.
Wayne
20 ounces, with battery installed.
Wayne
thanks for volunteering the parts info, i hope you find many willing collaborators on this site =)
there is an interesting beamshot of an mc-e on the carclo site
http://www.carclo-optics.com/optic-10158
it really is a thin lens with good looking performance. i wonder what the applications for it are, the previous luxeon version seems to have been out since 2008 without significant flashlight adoption. considering it is a solid piece, i suppose the weight reduction is minimal. perhaps it is just easier to mold a TIR lens for higher efficiency.
The MCE LED with this lens produces a 7 degrees beam, and cd/lm of only 39. The 4 dies of the MCE make it not a good choice if one wants a narrow beam. The XML is a better LED choice. I stopped using the MCE LED a long time ago, because it is expensive as far as LEDs go, not as bright as the XML LED, and also the large die size. One good thing about the MCE is it has a number of wiring possibilities, and I used to drive it up to 5A mounted directly on a copper sink, with no overheating issues.
Wayne
i think we know the mc-e is well outdated… the beamshot allows us to see how well this lens really focuses though, as the 4 dies are clearly defined.
for user reference, you may wish to warn anyone disassembling the light about the danger from this post.
it does seem a shame this optic isn’t used more. looking at the design, the coma/corona is much reduced compared to a tir.
really looks to be a great light =)
I was able to take a few beam shots last night:
Check out my Elektro Lumens facebook page for more beam shots.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Elektro-Lumens/241747626036389
Wayne
Looks good but out of my price range. 
I have not made a final decision on price., or even if I’ll be selling it. If I do a production run of 100, then I can offer it at a lower price.
Wayne
Single 26650 and easy to get to the driver and led would make this an awesome light. I wonder how many kcd it would be with a dedomed emitter and driven as hard as one cell can drive it
I could very easily make it to use a 26650. My thought is that the 18650 is more common.
I’m looking at the XM-L2 mounted on a sinkpad, to be driven hard. Could be DD. I probably will do this, just for fun. My guess is that it would run 5 amps or so. I used to run the MCE LED in my first EDC-XML flashlights at 5 amps and even sometimes more. As I mounted the MCE LED direct to copper, it would take amazing power levels (and get quite hot too!)
I’ll take a pic of the heat sink with the LED and circuit board. The board is attached at the base of the sink, same as with the EDC-XML-R, and is super easy to get to, swap out, replace, whatever. The LED is about as easy to take out. Any LED used has to have a small dome in order to be used with the lens.
Removing the LED lens doesn’t seem like a good idea to me. It exposes the LED die, and probably shortens the life of the LED. I know others do it, and I’ve done it too. I didn’t see much benefit from removing the dome.
As a flashlight manufacturer and retailer, one has to think of reliability. Putting things right to the limit, sometimes the limit is exceeded and poof. :Sp
Wayne
Yeah, I under stand that which is why I think it would be good to make all components easily accessible so if the end user is easily able to do it if they wish
Propabilly not more than 200 kcd in a dedomed xml but this is just a guess
As I began as a flashaholic on CPF in 2001, modifying flashlights, then designing my own flashlights, then quitting my job as a computer programmer to go into business for myself (my advice, do not quit your day job), I always give consideration as to how easy it will be to modify my flashlights.
Wayne
I’m thinking on making a few more of these to sell. Just been considering whether to keep with the 18650, or go with the 26650?
Wayne
I vote for 26650 for the following reasons:
- 26650 has more mAh = longer runtime
- 26650 body tube would probably look more balanced with that head
- You can use 18650 in a 26650 tube (not vice versa ;))
- 26650 tube can accommodate also 3xAAA in series (in a pinch)
The light looks very interesting. :) Probably don't have enough extra money for that though. :(
I'd be really interested in a 26650 version. What kind of price range would we be looking at? I really think an xml2 dedomed and pushed hard would do well over 200kcd in this host. Would like to find out first hand though
For now, until I get a CNC production run going, price would probably be around $150 - $200. I know it’s a bit out of some people’s budget, but it takes quite a bit of time to manually machine something like this.
I’m considering buying some XM-L2 LEDs that are mounted on Sinkpad boards, then run it direct from the 26650. I don’t know if it would hit 200kcd, but might make 100K or 150K. The flashlight weighs almost 20oz, pretty massive. But if I bore out the body to 1”, will drop a few ounces, and reduce mass, but I could make it a bit longer and make the sink bigger, or add more pronounced cooling fins, etc.
Wayne
Out of curiosity would that optic fit an mtg-2 easily?