Mini review of MINI :D

I received today another CW, WW and WW with photodiode. I like the WW version, its nice but I am not too happy with the self adjusting version, It flickers a lot :expressionless:

Maybe the photodiode is too sensitive? Try to put some light diffuser on it.

Thanks for help Chloe :slight_smile:

I presume that also, will try the trick with difuser, thanks, if it works I may try to use white nail polish :bigsmile:

In the meantime, you can wave the mouse over this image :p

Is the 3 LED version with photo diode noticibly less bright on full brightness than the 6 LED version (without photo diode)?

Does the 3 LED one have PWM or is it the flashlight causing the flickering?

Yes, about 50% J) Just joking :stuck_out_tongue: actually, it appears they are about the same intensity if 3 LED is not even stronger, yes you read that right. Can’t test them both in the same time obviously but 3 LED version apperas “a hair” stronger.

3 LED Mini is flickering :frowning: It seem that the led intensity control depending on a photodiode input is straight forward, IF -> THEN, without any averaging and when the ambient light is on some margin LED intensity “jumps” up-down.

Did you try to adjust the sensitivity:

Does it flickers even when on full brightness?

Be careful adjusting those pots, they can be delicate.

Yes, I tried to adjust the pot but it only affects to photodiode sensitivity, flickering is present mostly in lower part of intensity scale, no flickering on max…


Maybe a cap or two to smooth the flickering? Nice collection! :bigsmile:

I thought so too but since I am not electronic expert I would not know where to put it, across which component (presumably somewhere after component that controls current supplied to leds)!
Thanks :bigsmile:
P.S. If you make a short circuit across one of the 39R0 resistors this little puppy will shine even brighter on MAX, same applies for 100, 200 and/or 102 resistors on 6 LED version with TSA :stuck_out_tongue:

This ramping Mini paired with the ML-102 is honestly all I ever wanted from a Zebralight. I was always put off by the modes. Now I have a nice portable floody moonlight, and it’s modular too. Maybe I am strange but I love solutions like this. Thanks again, Sirius9!

You’re welcome Chloe and congrats on your 4K post :party:

Thank you! Maybe I need to delete one post and vanish into obscurity like so many before… :ghost:

It took me a while to find a large enough value surface mount resistor but I made the USB light from FastTech moonlight with 1.3K. It draws 0.1mA more than the Mini. >.< I do have an SMD diode but with that it is too low. Maybe changing the two diodes to slightly higher but I am not that fussed.

Here’s a small comparison pic with the Mini on the right (with Tungsten white balance the Mini looks slightly pinkish and the FT slightly green):

With auto white balance the FT looks greener while the Mini looks more neutral:

i agree with chloe()

i bought one from the 1GBP shipped seller linked before and ordered another. if you have a monitor with usb ports it’s fantastic for ambient lighting (and keeps the level in memory :/) love fade in/out on power and the reversible design too, so well built!

I just got my shipment of MINI's:

I ordered four via this ebay seller; two each of the cool white and warm white variety. Now $2.35 shipped, was higher when I bought mine (I paid $2.93/each). I do prefer the warm tint for normal use, not sure if I'll be using the Cool ones as much. Also, they seem to get quite hot when running on high-mode for an extended time. Not sure how hot, I'm planning to check the temp when I get some time to play with them more...

I do like the low-mode and the ramping function. I bought these to use with my ENB triple-18650 power bank but unfortunately, the lowest low mode seems to draw so little current that the ENB shuts off completely after a few seconds of runtime. On high, it seems to work well though, and I think this would make a nice long-runtime camping/outdoor lantern for times when a lot of light isn't needed.

I've just ordered one of these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/271405911472

...to use with the ENB bank to allow two of the Mini-type lights to be used at once for double-light or to allow 360-degree lighting with one mini facing each direction...

These do get a bit hot if left on high.

I received the cool white version this week. I am not as impressed, it is slightly greenish white, feels a bit sickly, so I might mod it.

I tried to capture this in sunlight but my camera is biased to make the cool white look white.

Here is a comparison instead with cool white Cree XP-E (left) and cool white Mini (right). The white balance makes the Cree look more blue of the two. It may be a personal and subjective thing but I find the CW Cree is rather cool and doesn’t feel sickly.

Got my touch-sensor one recently.
I bought the 1 GBP (Great British Pound) one, warm white.
It is slightly hinting towards a mustardy greenish tint.
Touch sensor sometimes doesn’t sense my touch…
PWM noise on low…
Gets a little hot on high…
Yet, it’s a nice lil’ device.
Makes me smile.

The daylight sensor one is on it’s way to me also.

I received mine with touch sensor, WW, ordered for GBP 1. I didn’t notice PWM on highest or lowest mode. On other brightness levels I could only notice it by looking at PC fan. When powered from computer’s USB it gets warm, but not too hot to touch on high. When powered from 220v to USB adapter on max it gets much hotter, too hot to touch.
I like the tint, didn’t notice any traces of green.