Makes sense to keep it this way if it allows some flat tops to work as is. But perhaps drop any mention of reverse polarity protection, if there are any besides the first post driver design section. While technically it is there, it’s only of any use if you put all cells the wrong way around and they make contact.
I’m not sure I’d trust the wrapper rubbing against the brass ring to keep preventing contact for very long. This is definitely a light where you’ll want to double check cell orientation before screwing it back together. That should be made very clear to buyers.
Good point fixed, will add a line in bold in the manual to be cautious with cell orientation.
Yes we want the enclosed manual to be post 3 top part and the basic Narsil operations with the menu options
PD said, “Some of you have noticed I’m not around much anymore. However I was in this from the beginning so I’m honored to have been sent a sample.”
That goes for me too. (sorry about that)
First and quick impressions.
Awesome and Impressive!
Looks and feels great! I dont have any ‘expensive’ lights to compare but did hold some. So I can say that I dont have to idea that I’m handling a cheap or budget light.
Anodization is flawless, together with the sharp white laser engraved text and the nice looking stainless bezel the outside looks like a real expensive light.
I really like that the battery tube has no text on it, the only text you see is on the top part of the head en at the bottom of the tailcap.
Speaking of battery tube, the knurling and design is just perfect. Sharp enough to have a good grip but not too sharp to hurt or damage your hand.
It has nice cleanly cut square threads with enough engagement. The o-ring could engage a bit heavier, but I’m sure it seals up good enough.
Contact board at the tail looks good. nice big traces. It’s held in place with 4 screws. Also here too are some nice cleanly cut square threads.
The driver board in the head has a nice brass contactring with some black plastic insulating rings around it. I really like it that you can see the Q8 in via’s in the driver board. It is held in place with 2 screws for easy acces.
Driver itself looks good.
The reflector is (/was, once taken out it will get dirty and or damaged, be carefull!!) flawless. It feels really heavy for a reflector! Its machined from a big piece of aluminium. It has a nice cutout for the wire’s and 2 cutouts for the screws that are holding the led board down. The reflector itself is held down on the led board by one screw in the middle.
The led board is a good looking thick piece of copper, it’s secured by 2 screws. It has some nice big looking traces.
I have some pictures, I’ll try to post them tomorrow.
Nice Thijsco!
No need for apologies man! You said you were busy and yet managed to do major part in feedback and design and CAD files for the GT! While still being engaged in the Q8, so doing a lot, yet not posting here but heck all the other things are a lot as it is!
Thanks!
And Thorfire should be well aware that BLF folks will be watching “over time” and raising BLF’s own version of the red flag if the quality starts to be nibbled down a bit at a time.
Yes, past projects have typically had quite a few hiccups. I hope Thorfire will be better than most, and considering how the samples turned out, things look very promising.
Everyone I’ve showed Narsil to loves it. I give people a choice of whatever firmware they want, and so far everyone has gone for the ramping UI. I think it’ll be a huge hit.
I rather enjoy the Q8 vias too. It’s a nice touch, in a light full of nice touches. It also makes for a good thread mascot:
Is it too late to add those final details, as shown, in the PCB mask? It could make the light a real conversation piece!
I was curious about one thing. I know the mcpcb has 2 screws holding it down to the shelf for heat transfer, but does the bezel and lens also push down on the reflector like on most flashlights?
(Giving better and more even heat transfer between the mcpcb and shelf)
There might be a slight, very slight; difference. Tom E did some testing on this but I can’t find it right now. If I do I will post a link to it. But IIRC, the difference was very slight.
Another thing to consider is all boobs are not created equal. Some like tiny boobs while others prefer large… some even solder giant boobs on their cells. I think this boils down to personal preference or either that is just how theirs turned out.
Either way…. I’m sure your boobs will be more than adequate.
I’ll try to find a link to Tom’s post on batteries & post the link.
… Thanks… 
