Aloha and welcome to BLF photon1k!
Welcome photon1k. I initially thought the same thing as you, that an xm-l would be wasted on a AA light. But consider that if one wants a single AA floody light with great tint, then an xm-l makes perfect sense. It doesn't cost much more than an xp-g, runs cooler, and puts out more light...even at 1 amp.
Me too! The potential host is slightly smaller than the Akoray K-106 / Trustfire F20. I think that's fairly compact, although it's not as incredibly compact as, say, the Ultrafire UF-H2.
Good point. I just don't know how much the manufacturer would scalp us for exotic mods.
So, here's a brief summary of what we're arriving at, based more or less on the majority opinion here:
- Price: As low as possible :-) We'll just have to ask Manafont for a quote from their supplier based on these next criterion:
- LED type: XP-G or XM-L
- Mode arrangement: The jury is still out. We'd all love infinitely variable I think, but I suspect this could be really expensive.
- Mode memory: Yes, although if we end up with only 3 modes with no strobe instead of infinitely variable I personally don't think it's strictly necessary.
- NiMH and 14500 support: Both. Mrlite proved that it can be very bright and efficient with a dual-capable driver.
- LED tint: Neutral (5000K?)
So, can anybody suggest an infinitely variable or programmable driver that is affordable and easily available in China? We could maybe suggest this to Manafont, maybe their supplier could use it.
You know what I would like? I'd like a multi-mode 1xAA OSRAM light. They're very hard to find.
It would be interesting, but I don't know how many drivers there are out there for flashlights that are efficient for Osrams.
I just noticed that the E09 is different from the E03 in that it does not have the finger grooves. I am really liking this E09 now, but I'd actually like it if we had options on colors it came in. At least just to give us an option other than black if we prefer.
Thanks for the warm welcome everyone.
You make good points Match. I have been caught up in the efforts of others to explore the max output the XM-L is capable of, and I forgot that it has other things going for it too. Now that you mention it, I am one of those who like a floody light, dislike green or purple tints and running cooler is always a good thing.
Mmm. XML farka e09 neutral tint low-med-high;)
Having another look around, does the E09 have TIR optics. I hope we get a reflector version. (OR both!!!! chuck in a lens too)
Regarding Infinitely variable UI, infinitely variable is good only if the UI is simple enough to use. complicated variable UIs are worse than 3 mode simplicity. The Nitecore D10 is an AWESOME example. It has ramping, AND most importantly shortcuts to high and low, making it a really easy and actually USABLE ramping light. Cant stress that enough.
The D11 is my pet hate, it has ramping which itself is cool, but NO shortcuts to high and low, so if you turn it on, you many need to wait up to 7 seconds of ramping to get to low... = blinded, and sore thumb, IMO cool but not practical. Their shortcuts become disco modes, because we need direct access to SOS more often than low brightness....
So I would like to see the D10 UI, in a budget light with a electrical soft switch (signal level tactile switch) like in the C10A Sunwayman. Ideally also lower lows and minimal parasitic drain. But As much as I would like this, it seems that it might require a redesign of the switch mechanism, which will all cost money to develop/design and write a good UI code. Knowing what its like to get a good torch, I can see this failing badly..
Seems its unfortunately safest to stick to what we have,
Farka E09 (prettier body for that simple look)
Farka E03 (has finger grooves which I dont mind. Has newer emitter, but does it have better run time?? cant remember)
On Another note.. Can we have Xeno remake the G95 (Cant remember if im posting for a BLF light or the Ideal light lol). Regardless that was one pretty torch!!! Seriously good looking SS torch, and an extremely compact 18650 while looking good. It was a 3 mode twisty, but I wouldnt mind that given its looks and 18650 support. Theres also a G105.. Nicer battery tube, not as sure about the head lumps, would love the G95 body on the G105 tail.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=257218&page=1
if you go with ANY multi-mode (besides infinite) i suggest the T20 style for mode change.
that way you can change the mode just by twisting the head right and left a little. (head twist to disconnect and make connect with some sort of contact. upon reconnecting it changes to the next mode)
this allows for use of a forward tactical.
and i agree that 1xAA is a bit wasted on XM-L
you dont get "alot" more light on an XM-L vs Xp-g at 1 amp. you gain a few lumens which would not be noticeable (trust me i tried it)
also there is PLENTY of flood on XP-G. so if we are stuck on 1xAA, go XP-G. a buck or two cheaper per led will make the flashlight that much cheaper. we are budget here.
properly driven at 1.5 amps, this sucker would still overpower ANY flashlight Lowes, depot, sports authority or dicks carries.
if we go XM-L, i dont see why we would go 1xaa.... just seems like a waste of money.
But not for 14500 
Also, if we add TIR lens... it will be a pocket thrower 
This FARKA has some sort of focusing lens. Would be nice to see a wall beam pattern.
for what? 5 mins?
even a quality 14500 will run for no more than 20 mins.
id say a waste of time. 3 amps on a 900 mah battery.
TIR lens will loose too much light to be worth it
Don't know exactly how TIR lens works, but why it will loose too much light?
There is nothing to help the light escape in front which is ordinarily collected by a traditional reflector. Tir optic don't go along with reflectors (usually).
I have a feeling were confusing TIR with Aspherics
TIR is usually in the 90-96% efficiency range (similar to reflectors), while aspherics are in the 30-70% range of efficiency.
a TIR = total internal reflection lens is one that looks like a cone shaped solid plastic with a flat front, imagine if there was to be a piece of plastic that filled the volume within a reflector. The light travels within this plastic, and reflects off the plastic/air interface as if it was a reflector. These lenses usually sit over the emitter and are able to capture most (95%+) of the light from the emitter. They usually produce a well defined wide spot of light. Imagine a narrow spill light but with constant mid level brightness across the whole area.
An aspheric lens is one like those in magnifying glasses, a convex lens which only converges the light that goes Through it. It has high losses because it needs to be placed away from the emitter to focus, and is not in close association with the emitter. A large amount of light that is emitted from the LED sideways does not go to the lens (about half in a compact aspheric torch), and is therefore lost as energy heating up the torch instead. However aspheric lenses can be focused to make a very tight spot (image of the die) with no spill light. Flood to throw torches use aspheric optics. The flood option comes from bringing the lens out of focus.
Reflectors are common, and give a good mixture of throw (central hotspot) and flood for general mixed use with high efficiency 95%
TIRs make great general purpose flood lights and work lights for close range work requiring very smooth beam patterns, also high efficiency 95%
Aspherics are Great throw lenses, however can be very inefficient (50%). They can be improved by having very big lenses, or complicated optical systems that increase the capture of light, however there are diminishing returns, and efficiency is difficult to obtain economically.
Okwchin,
That was a fantastic explanation...you beat me to it!
i find this to be opposite of true.
the TIR optics i have are POORLY designed, and being such that they are clear on the sides, what you are missing is alot of light that they CLAIM is collected, yet ends up INSIDE the flashlight
a reflector however doesnt allow that lost spill and throws it out the front, in a direction you can at least use it
any optic, clear on the sides, means light will PASS THROUGH THE SIDE. this equals LOST light. if you dont believe me, take your LED and TIR out of the flashlight, set it on the table and see how much light ends up on the desk, a decent amount. i have yet to see a chinese TIR (or quality ones like LED lenser) give 95% efficiency. while guestimating, i would say more like 70%
but much better than any other LENS of course. not better than a reflector.
Would be nice to see it in practice: same light with different type of lenses and with reflector.
Just curious: from past experience - how long does it take for such a custom light to reach production?
Are we talking weeks? Months?
Should I buy another light meanwhile? ;)
Interesting numbers! I havent as yet got the gear to measure the actual performance of my TIRs, and yes, we do see light going out the back of the reflector. I think thats due to random reflections from the parts of the TIR that arn't exactly meant to be part of the reflective optical system. (mounting tabs, rounded moulding edges, moulding sprues, etc..
The theory behind TIR relies on the interface between the optical plastic and the air. For a given difference in refractive index, if light hits the interface at a low enough angle, it will be totally reflected back into the material (thus the name Total Internal Reflection). This is how fiber optic cables work (in simple terms). In a TIR, the angle of incidence between the light from the emitter and the sides of the TIR are supposed to be within this angle that allows internal reflection, and therefore losses are only from the losses through the material (giving 98% efficacy or something) however there are factors that can cause light to be lost, again related to quality and design.
1) Optic is too small compared to the emitting source (small optics, big leds) - results in a decrease in the ability for the optic to focus the light in the case of a reflector, but in a TIR, can actually cause light to be lost out the back because the light begins to go past the angle of incidence required for total internal reflection (less is reflected, more is refracted (out the sides)). I havent explained this too well, but its because the LED is wider, relative to the reflector, so the outer edges of the LED emit light which to the reflector are outside of its ideal focal point. Ray diagrams here would help.
Just thought of an example, looking into a fish tank, you can see through the far side of a fish tank if you look straight into the tank at right angles to the far side, however if you start looking through it at an angle to the far side, you will start to notice that the far side will start to look shiny and you cant really see out of the tank. Thats light that your seeing from somewhere else that has been reflected of the inside surfaces of the tank.
2) Optical quality of interface - TIR relies in the interface between the optical material and the outside air. Any contaminants, oil, fingerprints, scratches!!, dust will alter the ability for light to be internally reflected, and will result in losses
3) Moulding quality/Design - Many optics simply have rings at the outer edge to facilitate mounting the optic, however these become involved with light from the emitter, but the non ideal shape means light gets reflected around randomly. This may account for another 2-5% of light, which you will see as rings outside of the normal light output (out the front, sides, back, anywhere)
4) Design - TIRs Should be coupled with the intended emitter (as reflectors are) because they Should have been designed to accomodate the emissive characteristics of particular emitters. Many chinese lights save money by using generic TIRs, which for us means TIRs for luxeons (or their cheaper alternatives) for newer emitters such as crees. These don't work as well because they are difficult to focus accurately, without more complicated mounting systems, and are likely to induce more losses again.
Overall there are many places where light can be lost, but the story is not to different for any optical system. Cut the budget enough and there will be losses in performance. Reflectors are also high efficiency in theory, but the reflectivity of the surface, dust contamination, shape of the reflector, all these apply all the same.