2 x option 1
Interesting question about what mode to start the light on ..if it has a firefly do you want it to start on low ,,on one hand that seems to make sense ....lights that start on high also seem to make sense . I kind of like lights that don't start on max since I'm almost always turning them down. Med/Low/moon/turbo..??
tough question ...
Looks like you're doing a great job covering lots of bases here Rey I appreciate your efforts and look forward to this light too
Sounds like everyone wants high PWM. So mode order seems to be the big sticking point.
I can see the merit to both arguments… For large lights, starting in high usually makes the most sense. BUT… Having superlow “firefly” mode makes starting low and progressing up make more sense.
Mode memory is a key consideration in this as well….
I think if there is NO mode memory Firefly>Low>Med>High order might be the way to go. Switching down to firefly from high could be totally useless in scenarios that require superlow light. You’ve already blinded yourself!
If there IS mode memory H>M>L>FF could work OK. If you want super low light just leave it in that mode. Easy. Only a quick on-off scenario would mess that up. Would definitely want a short amount of time until memory kicks in. I’d say no more than 1 sec.
What do you guys think?
I’m right there with you. Memory or FF-L-M-H would be my preferred option. But I guess there are a lot of guys who don’t spare a thought about low/ff mode and want to start with High…. a tough call for Rey :bigsmile:
To me starting out on high is utterly pointless because you will have blinded yourself or disturbed whomever/whatever you were trying to not disturb in the first place. If you want high then give it a couple quick taps and you are there - no harm no foul except a couple extra clicks for the truly lazy. If they use High mode all the time then memory will keep it there for them. Personally I prefer no memory and starting on low.
Sounds like everyone wants high PWM. So mode order seems to be the big sticking point. I can see the merit to both arguments… For large lights, starting in high usually makes the most sense. BUT… Having superlow “firefly” mode makes starting low and progressing up make more sense. Mode memory is a key consideration in this as well… I think if there is NO mode memory Firefly>Low>Med>High order might be the way to go. Switching down to firefly from high could be totally useless in scenarios that require superlow light. You’ve already blinded yourself! If there IS mode memory H>M>L>FF could work OK. If you want super low light just leave it in that mode. Easy. Only a quick on-off scenario would mess that up. Would definitely want a short amount of time until memory kicks in. I’d say no more than 1 sec. What do you guys think?
I'm stuck with picking a preferred mode order and memory or no memory. I kind of like the idea of having no memory and starting in firefly and progressing to high. That way you never blind yourself turning the light on. I don't think it's a big deal to toggle modes to get to high when you want high. I'm picturing in my mind walking into a room to check on a sleeping baby or out camping and grabbing the light inside the tent to get prepared when nature calls. In these situations having memory or starting in high mode won't work too well (well memory mode would work if you had remembered ahead of time to set the light in firefly or low).
Then there's that driver program that Dr. Jones came up with which has been touted as being the best of both worlds. I'd have to look it up again. Is it ok/legal to use it?
EDIT - looks like I'm right there with JohnnyMac! Seems I'm in good company!
EDIT #2 - here's what I was thinking (copied two posts from here and here):
luxdrv, for usual flashlights with a clicky. Key features: Ramping; programmable (i.e. modes are configurable by the user, by a number of taps), the number of modes can be changed, too; battery indicator. Special UI that allows to have many modes without the need to cycle through all of them (short-cycle memory). See luxdrv.
luxdrv doesn't really have a main and an extended mode group, they are all in a row, but the UI (actually sixty454's idea) starts from the 1st mode like the no-memory flashlights, but actually combines that with memory: After using a mode (for >1.5s) the next time you switch it on it will use the same mode (memory), and the next mode after that is the 1st mode again. No need to cycle through all the modes. This effectively hides every mode behind it's predecessors, without making reaching it too troublesome.
It's pretty effective if you have your favourite modes at the start of list.I found sixty454's idea very expedient.
-Garry
OK so I am not alone. Good.
Can’t lie, at first I was all for H>M>L… but after more thought, it really defeats the whole idea of having a firefly mode. (Unless there is mode memory.)
How about a hidden beacon mode? Anyone else see this as helpful? Hey, and while we're at it instead of S-O-S it could do B-L-F in morse code! :)
-Garry
Well, Rey could always just sell us the host without a driver and let us put our own in. TrustFire will never install a Nanjg driver as they will want to use their own. A Nanjg 105v2 will let us chose 2,3 or 5 modes, whether it starts out in high or in low, and whether it uses mode memory. It even has moon low. As a bonus we'd get true 3.04A output and very high PWM. Offer the option to get one without a driver installed and drop a Nanjg v2 into the package for us do-it-yourselfers. Offer the option of the complete light as planned for those who don't/can't mod.
Just thinking out loud and don't expect Rey to take this serious.
How about a hidden beacon mode? Anyone else see this as helpful? Hey, and while we're at it instead of S-O-S it could do B-L-F in morse code! :)
-Garry
I’d be up for no memory and moon/low/med/high/beacon modes. Dump crappy SOS and strobe and go beacon. Very useful if outdoors for locating camp or other campers. Never have to see it if you don’t need it either
Just thinking out loud and don't expect Rey to take this serious.
I'm not sure how anyone can take you serious anymore with that avatar! (I get a laugh every time I see it!) And just in case you change it, here it is:
-Garry
(Sorry for going off-topic.)
The following in RED is what i edit.
I start a new thread here, post #1, and everyone can see it more easily.
Here is a review of original A8.
BLF version will be:
H/M/L/Firefly. 100/30/2/0.05~0.1%.
NW XML T6 3C. (cool white optional)
1k Hz PWM (2K HZ)
2.8A Current
18650 tube available. (from J18)
Driver available. size:16.7mm diameter. Picture here
2.5$/pc.(send together)
just the driver.6$.(ePacket,HK,SG Mail)
Option: (order 2pcs,2$ discount, 3pcs 3$,……. )
1.only the light. China Mail: 23$.
ePacket,SG,HK MAIL:25.5$.
2.with a TF Flame 26650 battery+TR-005 charger+gift box. (EU,US or UK plug)
China Mail:38$
SG,SE MAIL:42$
45$ for a DHL 3-5 days’ shipping. (USA only)
Any idea about the new name?
(something wrong with the poll,less choices than I input)
1. BLF Christmas 2012
2.BLF Fatty
3.BLF A8
4.BLF LONSHIN (=Long+Shine)
5.ReyLight
You don’t have Trustfire A8, BLF Edition listed as an option. It’s what most people are asking for.
I could probably due without beacon personally. I do like the idea of it being hidden if it is added though.
I'd say some sort of "press and hold for 5 seconds" to trigger beacon. Beacon being something like 1 second on, 10 seconds off. Definitely hidden well, but easily accessible.
-Garry
I'm in for some (two-three-four?), both options.
I have to agree with JM & GB: FF-L-M-H without memory would be my #1 choice, but I'll be happy also with H-M-L-FF with memory.
Firefly + 26650 will be a great combination. Runtimes up to what? 3 months? ;)
For a primary firefly flashlight the A8 is a pretty hefty chunk. I always wear tactical pants, so I can handle a lot of gear. Bigger lights are no problem for EDC. The A8 really is a big weight that I am always aware of dragging down my pants. This is not an easy pocket carry light.
NW XML T6>3C. (cool white optional)
So no U3 CW option? Just T6 CW?
I'm in for some (two-three-four?), both options.
I have to agree with JM & GB: FF-L-M-H without memory would be my #1 choice, but I'll be happy also with H-M-L-FF with memory.
Firefly + 26650 will be a great combination. Runtimes up to what? 3 months? ;)
Talk about nightlight
You don’t have Trustfire A8, BLF Edition listed as an option. It’s what most people are asking for.
+1
Well, Rey could always just sell us the host without a driver and let us put our own in. TrustFire will never install a Nanjg driver as they will want to use their own. A Nanjg 105v2 will let us chose 2,3 or 5 modes, whether it starts out in high or in low, and whether it uses mode memory. It even has moon low. As a bonus we’d get true 3.04A output and very high PWM. Offer the option to get one without a driver installed and drop a Nanjg v2 into the package for us do-it-yourselfers. Offer the option of the complete light as planned for those who don’t/can’t mod.
Just thinking out loud and don’t expect Rey to take this serious.
+1
If I end up with this light, It’s a 90% chance I’m going to change the driver to a Nanjg105C anyway.
I guess if everyone is excited about start mode and memory I have to say I don’t know why.
If a light has memory that I can set, I generally set it for low. And invariably I have to ramp it up and then forget to reset it to low.
If it always starts on high, I want low and have to click through modes.
If it always starts on low, I want high and have to click through modes.
If it doesn’t have any memory, it will start one level past the one I want.
Sometimes, I won’t be sure of the level and will click through all of them once or twice anyway, just to be sure. Especially lights with moonlight where I have to look to see if it is on or off.
And finally, even with all these lights I will always pick up the wrong one for the start mode I prefer at the moment.