Why don’t you just message Simon and ask if he can upgrade to the new driver if you order your S2+ now? He’s done it for a member or two already and only charged them a dollar or two to swap drivers. Simon is the most accomodating seller I know.
I’m certainly seriously considering this option, as for my lighting purposes (light painting), I’d prefer black or even colours, to clear or DT (though as the clear looks absolutely stunning in the C8 and L6, I’m certainly not adverse to it). Do you think that Simon would also install the AR glass on request as well (as it is a bit of a pain to swap later on)? I’m guessing AR glass will also be included in the clear/DT S2+ ?
However, I don’t want to trouble Simon (who I understand is a very busy man) if the clear S2+ is going to be released imminently.
I don’t know about the new clear C8 but i just received a clear L6 and i have to admit i’m somewhat disappointed.
It does not look like bare aluminum or titanium or stainless steel… it looks like cheap silver spray paint. It is mate and grainy. From some distance it’s ok but up close… it could be ‘silver’ plastic. :person_facepalming:
I guess it’s a matter of taste.
Edit: OK after handling it a bit more, the ‘clear’ coating is growing on me and it is not as bad as i make it sound. Still… it looks like ‘painted’. I think i’d rather have it bare aluminum with or without a varnish or coating.
I’ve gone ahead and asked Simon to add to the new driver/firmware and AR glass to an order for 3 black S2+ (in 1A, 4C, and 7A tints). Lets see how I go! (Didn’t ask for the BLF discount as I think I’m already asking a lot).
Pat, there is no “varnish” and there is no “coating”, it’s the same anodization as the black flashlight except for the black dye added in the process. Essentially, there is no black water trapped in the microstructure of the ano.
Same light, same quality, same surface hardness and durability, with the exception that small nicks, scratches and dents won’t show up as well on the silver finish as the black one.
All sorted. Cost $1 extra for new firmware in each Black S2+. Big thumbs up to Simon for going out of his way to keep us Flashaholics happy. :partying_face:
It looks like it’s silver-anodized (silver dye used instead of black). So, it should be a lot harder than bare aluminum but visually similar. A bit more shiny, and a lot harder to scratch. And if you wear through the anodizing it should be difficult to spot.
On another note, my empty Convoy C8 seems to weigh a bit less than an empty Kronos X6. It’s slightly bigger but slightly lighter. I haven’t tested throw yet but the C8 reflector is significantly larger so it likely throws a bit better. It’ll be fun fine-tuning the focus before I measure it… I kinda took it apart right away to get the driver out.
Life has been a little turbulent lately, but I got some pictures… A capacitor and diode are a little too close to the MCU so they prevent contact with four of the pins (of which two are needed). Someone probably just didn’t realize that SOIC8 keep-outs were needed around the MCU. It’s pretty unusual for customers to want to reflash ROM like we do.
About 15 seconds with a file and your SOIC clip will fit right on there.
The cap can be moved over to the next set of pads, and the diode can be swung around a bit, maneuvered to give clearance. Looks like it really is true what they say about the devil being in the details.