I really like the look of this. If sales go well then you could offer different LED options. For example as well as 12 SST20 + 1 SFT40 you could offer:
12 Nichia E21A (or 219B) and 1 SST20. Not so much output but warm white and high CRI
12 Samsung LH351D and 1 Osram Boost HX. Should give some more output and throw.
12 XHP50.2 and 1 SBT90.2. This would require a different MCPCB and maybe different reflector but it would be very fun! Similar to the Acebeam X80, which fits loads of XHP50.2 LEDs in a small space
I think you have a good point, but to me this merely proves that the ability to use both channels at the same time is not important. The two sets of LEDs are designed for different things, flood vs throw, and there is no application when one would need to run both. There are some two channel lights where I might want to run both at the same time, as for tint ramping, but this is not one of them.
IMO this is a solution in search of a problem. Keep stock Anduril II with two separate channels exactly as is.
In the future, if you want to contact a specific person on BLF, the private message system is much more effective. The only reason I saw this thread was because someone else notified me about it.
So… I responded in a PM.
One detail which would really benefit from public feedback though… Do people actually want to ramp smoothly between flood and throw, or would it be better to switch instantly? The tint ramp takes several seconds from end to end, and that might get annoying. I’m not sure about anyone else, but I usually want flood or throw, not something in-between. And I usually want to switch quickly from one to the other.
But that’s just me. What are everyone’s thoughts on this?
Oh, also… I’m guessing this light uses a contact ring like a Q8, but that requires button-top cells… and I don’t think I’ve ever seen an unprotected button-top 21700. Do people already have button-top 21700 cells laying around, or would they need new cells for a light like this?
Personally I don’t think a smooth ramp between flood and throw makes much sense, but a 3 steps ramp : flood, flood+throw, throw, yes maybe.
Another option is a flood+throw turbo, for the absolute max output, maybe accessible with 2H or something else, regardless of the flood/throw position.
And I was thinking of something similar for tint ramping, if I understand correctly, the middle tint power can be configured between 100 and 200 % (TINT_RAMPING_CORRECTION). But rather than having an uneven output tint ramp, you could have a turbo with 100% on both channel, so, middle tint, regardless of the position on the tint ramp, again by a different press than 2C, or maybe replacing 2C because I’m not sure if the tint of the turbo is really important anyway. Then as it thermally throttles down it goes back to the position on the tint ramp (that might be complicated to implement? )
On a flashlight that has 2 relatively powerfull channels that might not sound necessary, but with low power channels, say 2x(2xE21As) driven at 2.5A for each channels, if you’re on the cool side for example and go to turbo, that’ll only be 2.5A which leaves a bit to be desired for a turbo, 5A that’s more like it.
(Sorry this is slightly off topic, plus there isn’t any Anduril tint ramping flashlights yet)
Seems like nitecores hu60 flood/throw interface could definitely be as useful in a flashlight. It could be nice, in the woods, where terrain and vegetation changes to be able to adjust the amount of both. But, I think it would go unused unless there are at least 2 buttons and a very easy interface
Ramping between flood and throw is a terrible idea, IMO. Most will want instant access to flood or throw. I would hate to have to ramp through flood to get to throw and vice versa. While Anduril can be modified for use with two separate channels, Wurkkos already has the physical driver from the HD20 that has everything needed aside from a few Anduril bells and whistles. My suggestion is to work with Toykeeper and develope an Anduril type software for the HD20 driver. You could use it in the new dual led headlight as well as this one. No need to reinvent the hardware wheel. Just design new treads for the tire. A simple solution not requiring new driver hardware to be designed.
As for the LEDs, great choice in SST20 and SFT40. Just make the flood available in 2700k and 4000k and the SFT40 in 5000k and 6400k. Like a warm edition 2700k/5000k and a neutral edition with 400k/6400k. LH351D would be a great option as well for the flood with a little more output and, I think, less heat compared to SST20.
You’ve taken care of the finning and everything else. 3*21700 cells. By backlit buttons they mean the switches with led backlighting that you already use. If you keeper helps design the UI, you could use RGB in the switch if the hardware allows. Even without RGB in the switch, you could use the green & red LEDs you have already to blink out the exact battery voltage instead of the main LEDs. Whole voltage in green and tenths in red. Two step lockout like in anduril2 should be a must. Click for moon and click hold for low. I love that feature.
Just keep things simple. Don’t overcomplicate and work with what you already have. New code for existing hardware is always the best choice when it already does what you need.
The HD20 interface would be nice if free from the known bugs. It is essential that mode memory works reliable on both channels. Triple click for switching is a good choice.
I seem to be the odd one out here but I would probably make use of different flood/throw combinations. Sometimes you want lots of throw but need a little more light at your feet.
One option would be to allow this to be user configurable, like brightness ramp speed. This makes Anduril more complicated, so doesn’t come without down sides.
The you could set it like this:
0 - immediate switch between flood and throw
1 - still only flood and throw available but a quick smooth transition between the 2 for effect
2+ - slow down ramp speed so you can pick any combination
the whole discussion about the beam ramp is because
I don't have any 2 channel flashlight, if I want to see something far, I just go for TURBO. So from my perspective it was ment just as digital zoom feature, and we just set it once to our liking (not something for active use).
We must first discuss if we want
no beam ramp, all led go 100%
some implementation of beem ramp, it could be even instant on 3 levels, 100% flood - 0% throw, to 50% flood - 50% throw, to 0% flood - 100% throw, to preserve flood and throw working at the same time.
beam ramp, by ramping.
two channel flashlight, and instant switch between throw and flood.
I'm good with all, it will just change, if I use this feature actively, or just one in a while, depending on where I want to use it.
My vote is instant switching. I see the appeal of being able to ramp between them but I think the slow ramp would be annoying and instant switching would be better.
I’m impressed Terry. The first pass design is pretty well executed IMO. I really think the SST20 and SFT40 combo is the right one. Arguments could be made for LH351D, most notably the availability of 5700K 90CRI to better match the SFT, but the 3535 footprint allows this to be an option later.
Only idea I’m going to throw out there is a dual switch UI. One for throw, one for flood. Both with the same FC11 or Anduril UI. Already have two output channels, why not have two input channels? Curious what others think here. I can see it both ways.
That is really helpful, and we can also supply button top 21700, then we don’t have any issue with the battery.
Thanks Toykeeper for pointing out this potential issue, and tactical_grizzly for solution to solve.
Hi all, thanks for your constructive post/suggestion, now I am chating with Toykeeper about the throw/flood ramping, maybe not smooth from throw to flood, but ThrowOnly—-FloodOnly—-Throw&Flood(3 emit styles) similar to tint ramp of LT1 Lantern, once emit style is selected, you can ramp from 1% output to 100%(this part is still unknown, should be workable, but still need confirm from ToyKeeper), feel free to comment how you think about this.
Please join us, comment, speak out your idea, and let’s make another great light to this community.
Hereby, I would like to thank Toykeeper a lot, words can not express well.
Similar to the Acebeam X80, which fits loads of XHP50.2 LEDs in a small space