Intl-Outdoors used to have some EOSlamp 3-mode drivers that are pretty good. They seem to tolerate all of 2.4 v., but less than 3.0 v.; they go single mode with 2 alkies, but give 3-modes with 2 Eneloops. Maybe Hank could get his hands on some more of those drivers. They were advertised as 3-mode plus strobe, and always start on low. Mine always start on low, but none of them had a strobe as a 4th mode.
I’ve converted three of my old Fenix L1Ps to the EOS drivers and XP-G2 emitters, and I really like them with a single Lithium primary. Using the old L2P bodies, I have the option of running 2 Eneloops for some really lengthy run times.
EOSlamp offers a rather pricey “Van 32” 1xAA that appears to be the equivalent to my modified Fenix’s in both output and physical dimensions. A group buy on the Van 32’s might be an option.
Thorfire TG06 with a 219C or XP-G2 2C, better driver for those who are bothered by PWM and who like me want mode memory. ML/L/M/H mode order as the default. I would be one happy clam. :)
I never saw the EOSlamp driver from Intl-Outdoor but not really interested in a single mode driver. They may have been the LD-20 or LD-30, which have a lot of variations.
I did get a couple of single mode NiMH drivers from RMM recently to try that out again, with the 4/3AF NiMH cells I’ve been swapping into my last year’s 18650-size lights.
RMM said in his thread he’s had a multiple mode driver in the works, nothing ready yet.
The LD-30 drivers I’ve tried are tolerable with two NiMH cells, but with a white emitter (think it’s a DX Nichia B, I forget) the voltage drops really fast and the light gets really hot.
After maybe 20 minutes of runtime at high, the white emitter light drops to moonlight and won’t recover for more than a few seconds of mid or high level. I’d think most of the energy went into heat, not light. Not long enough to walk the dog or pick up groceries from the market nearby.
Strangely enough perhaps, I set another one up with an amber XP-E2 (from RMM) (also using two 4/3AF) and it has a low mode that’s not quite moon-low but will last at least a week or more continuously on. Wonderful nightlight. Haven’t yet run it long enough to have the light go out, I get impatient to check the voltage and recharge the cells. Patience.
These are both using a Solarforce 2x body and dropins wrapped up in copper foil).
I must say… I have acquired an Orcatorch T11 and like it! It has mode issues, disco modes not hidden but other than that it is pretty good. I would like to see a lower low, but Turbo is good on it. It also has about an 18mm smooth reflector, it will throw for a single AA light. It is glued tight, and I do not know if they would work with us on any of the nit picky issues… I can ask!
I have one of these as well.Got it yesterday in exchange for a review. I wish it had the ability to run off a 14500 and mode memory, but all in all a decent light. Now if I had paid the $45 asking price. I would be fairly disappointed
There would probably be too much argument over whether to design it for AA or 14500 cells. There are drivers that can do well with one or the other but a true boost/buck driver is a bit more complicated, probably limited to sane output, and proprietary as well. The next driver I’d like to see is an ax2002 based buck driver adapted to Attiny use for 1A Max mods. No heat issues in Minimags using 2 X liion and great run time in C/D Mag mods.
I agree with your summation! I also have water tested mine for 30 minutes at 2.5 feet and it stayed dry and on! I really wish it did not have disco modes or they were hidden. It does have impressive throw for it’s size. Price is to high as it stands.