Who is still flashing his/her own drivers?

Flashlight Modding and DIY Parts
1

You can see the archived poll results on the Wayback Machine:

https://web.archive.org/web/20221220093741/https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/72813

2

I just started flashing drivers, did my first a week ago. A little bit confusion came up about all the FW variants, clicky/e-switch, fuses etc - but it all worked out after all! this place is amazing.

3

I design my own drivers using a MCU that (to my knowledge) no one else here uses, so I gotta flash’em to use’em.

4

I tried some months ago…
Fried 3 convoy drivers, succeed with one.
I don’t know why, wiring is done like it should, I use the right USB thing, the right drivers and yet it’s a random result…
I gave up but it sadden me :weary:

5

I never did it :expressionless: No tech, no knowledge, no “Cisco”, no Flash! :person_facepalming:

6

I still flash drivers on old lights (to new FW, mostly biscotti on the BLF-17dd FET drivers wall used in the past) and lower cost lights that I build just to build something but on my better stuff like actual EDC and more used lights I buy RMMs (mtn electronics) drivers and pay the few cents extra for him to do it. I like supporting the writer of the FW threw him (and also of course supporting him) and I definitely feel his driver is worth the extra ~$1.50 over a comparable China driver…

7

I wish to flash drivers one day. But I don’t have the equipment to do it, so I haven’t learned how either. Because of this, I try to get lights that already have a decent UI.

8

Maybe someone can put together a kit w/ the hardware and the software on a usb drive, and sell it to BLF members. Maybe a business idea for one of the sellers on BLF. I for one, would buy it for sure.

9

I’m really keen to start flashing drivers but I’ve had a bit of trouble gettinting everything working with macOS. I think the problem is the USBasp so I bought a different programmer but I haven’t had time to try it yet.

10

I really enjoy writing my own firmware and flashing it. Though I find myself coding things I’ll never use, just because I can :person_facepalming:

11

Are you referring to something like this?

I have some good lights that have Pic’s with crappy firmware that need upgrading. Got one of these on order and have a lot of learning to do.

12

I havent flashed a driver for probably 1-2 years. I got someone to help me through PM, which made all the sense. Just reading the instructions was still way too complicated :--)

13

I just got the USB gear, but my soldering skills and tools are lacking, so I haven’t even tried yet. I think I’m going to start upgrading all my old Convoys to biscotti.

I’m a programmer by trade, and I’ve done arduino stuff with my kids for science fair projects. Customizing drivers looks like fun.

14

I have this problem as well and not just with flashing drivers. Some seem to understand what is being written but I have no idea. If it was not for the patience of a few members here in particular TomE I would still be at a loss. :beer:

15

+1

16

If you’ve done Arduino stuff, does that mean you’ve flashed those chips before? If so, this stuff will be VERY familiar to you. I think there’s at least one guy around here who actually developed his flashlight driver UI using Arduino tools. :partying_face:

17

* raises hand *

18

will the real ToyKeeper please stand up, please stand up, please stand up

19

I purchased a USBASP programmer device several weeks ago, so I could try flashing Biscotti to a Convoy C8 (it uses old firmware) and also to reflash the BLF Q8 (either the NarsilM v1.2 or Anduril).

I first tried the Convoy C8, but had no success (the avrdude “test” command does not recognize the driver; the Convoy C8 driver indicates “ATTiny13”). Since I had not success, I didn’t continue to try flashing the BLF Q8.

But after reading other people with success on how-to flash the Q8, I decided to try it on the Q8, and was happy to finally flash it successfully!

However, the Convoy C8 still won’t flash. I even bought a Convoy Biscotti firmware driver (7135x6 Biscotti) and also attempted to re-flash it (just for testing purposes), but for some reason, the USBASP programmer device does not recognize it either.

I’m no good at soldering/de-soldering, so I can try flashing only on flashlights that have easily accessible driver chips… and so far only the BLF Q8 seems to have that feature (just unscrew 2 screws, turn over the board and connect the USBASP programmer device).

20

I used a Raspberry Pi to flash my driver, it was relatively easy. My technical background has nothing to do with software/firmware development.