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Off-topic Chatter
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Money refunded. Thread Closed.

I decided that I really, really liked the last Solitaire I modded and I want to make some more. I have figured out what to do, to improve them and I am willing to do a batch.What I will do is order the lights from the laser engraver with a logo on them:The color Options are: Black, Blue, Red, Green and Purple. (You choose your color).The lights will be modded as follows:A 20 degree TIR optic.A Nichia 219 High CRI LED.A 10mm Aluminum mcpcb, backed by a 3/8" x 18 gauge Copper disc.The positive terminal housing is brass tube with the wires and two AMC7135 chips inside of it and the positive contact is Copper.The regulation is two AMC7135 350mA chips. I am adding the Option of just One 7135 Chip. (I figure I will get about 600-650mA to the LED for 2 chips and about 325mA for one chip). There will be no modes, just On/Off. Tighten the bezel for On and Loosen the bezel for Off.The battery needs to be an IMR 10440. I will offer Efest IMR batteries, (for an extra cost).The tail cap will have minor file work on it.The light will come in the Maglite presentation box.I estimate 125 (+/- 10%) Lumens OTF.Run time should be around 20 minutes straight, before the battery gets too low. My tests show the Efest IMR will go about that long and still be right around 3 volts. *** An IMR is a necessity. *** The light gets hot very fast. Your hand is about the only heat transfer there is. I hand held my test light for 20 minutes, but my old hands don't feel much any more. At least hand holding it would let you know when it gets too hot to handle.I will not start this build until the middle to end of September. Shipping would start around the Second Week of October, or before if I can. I have to order two components from China and the rest will come from the US.I will have this thread open for Reservations until there are 25 reservations, Or until August 18th, 2013.If I do not get 25 reserved, I can not do the run, because any less and the price goes up, for me and for you. That's the reason for doing 25 minimum. If I do not get the full 25 reserved and pre-paid, your money would be refunded to you.The reason for reserving is because I need to know how many of each color light and how many batteries I need to order.Pricing is as follows:One light shipped First Class CONUS $35.00USDOne light shipped International Airmail $45.00USDOne Efest 10440 battery is $4.00You can only reserve One light per person. If for any reason, all 25 are not reserved by August 11th, 2013, I will ask if anyone who has already reserved, wants a second light. You can only reserve a maximum of Two Efest batteries per person.Pre-Pay:I need you to pre-pay for the light simply because I do not have the cash to be able to buy all the components and batteries in one shot myself and they need to all be bought at one time, to get them here for the build and for a decent price. oldlumens (insert the @ sign here) gmail.com is the PayPal address. If for any reason, this build does not happen, your money will be fully refunded.When you post in this thread, I need to know:What color light you wantTwo 7135 chips (standard) or One 7135 chip (Optional).Zero, One or Two BatteriesAfter posting and paying, PM me with your name and shipping address.

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You used to hate working on these things but it gets addicting, doesn’t it? Please put me down for a black one with 0 batteries and I’ll add at least 2 more if there’s room on the 11th. You might also consider an option for a single 7135 as these make a great edc and the option for higher run time might attract more buyers. Heat sinking is a non issue with a single chip. I will continue to support this idea until it happens so jump on this please, folks and keep me from having to wait.

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Thanks RBD. I added the option of just one 7135 chip and for just one, I will probably use a 380mA chip.

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+1, 2 best options.

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Well, the good news is there are still 24 available.Tongue Out Sort of looks like another bust, but that's the way to learn I guess.

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How much would it be for a BLF etched group buy with no mods? Let everyone make their own flavor. I’d line up for that one. Or maybe there’s just not enough interest for more than just a few at a time.

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I guess that’s a good question. I hesitate to ask why things are the way they are. I probably wouldn’t like the answer.Wink

I am probably better off sticking to one of a kind lights, or just making a few at a time. I would imagine if I just made 2 or 3 of these with no logo crap on them, with just the mod, they might sell better. Although it may just be the price. It seems high for something I have made, but I guess I should clarify that this coming season, I won't be loosing any more money on modded lights and in fact, I intend to make a profit on them or I won't be doing mods. It's just the way it is. If they won't sell at a profit, then I don't need to do them, but one of a kind lights usually do sell better than this. "BLF lights" have almost become run of the mill now, with all the runs of them that were sold this year. Maybe it's just the wrong thing at the wrong time, I don't know...

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I think one of the main attraction with your lights are that they are unique. No one are the same. That makes them more attractive. Especially with your budget friendly prices.

In this case with the Solitaires, price is also an issue. There are many people on BLF that can do emitter swaps and such, there are decent AAA lights available for around 10$.
Take the Ultrafire M5. 9$ from FT A bunch of people recently got that light for close to nothing, many are probably still waiting to receive theirs. A few have probably gotten their “fix” when it comes to AAA for the moment???
Im not saying that is on level with your modded light Solitaire (it isn’t!) , but its way cheaper, and for those who does emitter changes, they can easily transform it into whatever they want and still use AAA battery or li-ion/IMR.

For many international buyers your Solitaire would cost 49$ with a battery needed to use it. That is a lot of money for a little compact light with a simple UI. And it would not be that unique, since there are 25 of them.
If you don’t have a light that is brighter, better UI, nicer tint, cheaper, etc etc, than what is out there, it has to be unique. Preferably unique combined with technically good and desirable.

I think its reasonable that you make a little profit. A small profit can be used to cover various expenses related to modding. I have been asking myself why you sell your lights so cheap. If lights are constantly sold in around 5-60 minutes then they are underpriced! I hope you lights will still stay budget though.

A few tips for the future.
-For people who does not mod, there have been a serious lack of XP-G2, and XM-L2 lights, this is an empty hole in the market that you should be able to take advantage off.
-Most production lights are only sold with CW, some with 3C tint. If you offer more emitters/tints, or even the ability for buyers to choose the emitter of their choice that could for many make you lights more attractive and unique compared to what they can buy. It would also give some a new excuse to buy another one of your modded Mini Maglites. Non-modders rarely have the luxury of testing various tints, unless they buy certain Convoy lights or stuff from intl-outdoor. You seem to mostly stick to 3C, and Nichia 219. Widen the amount of emitters you use (check my signature for “inspiration”).
-When selling a light, consider to show price for the light + shipping price. For some buyers in some countries it could be an advantage knowing the value of the light due to taxes and such (Or do you mark package value with shipping price + content value combined? Maybe just mark them with the value of the light)
-Hard driven lights and copper MCPCB is something that never gets old and many crave for.
-You seem to hold tight onto the regular Nanjg 105C. For many, those are a thing of the past. Personally I have never liked it much. Qlite are to me much more desirable due to several things. Speaking about Qlites. Moonlight mode is something many desire, or want to try. A feature not available in most budget lights.
-Exterior mods are to many cool thing and something many do not dare to try due to lack of skills. You are great at it, so keep doing them and making your lights into a one-of-a-kind.

My tips may not be the best, but some of them might help you a little. Maybe some of my rambling also helps explain why 25 of these lights are probably too many considering the price and all. Do not take it personal that people are not rushing in to buy this batch of lights. We all love seeing your builds!! And a bunch of us would love to own a true O-L light! :slight_smile:

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Hi.
Everything that I have gotten from you has been great.
Count me in.

one w/2chips
1 battery
Red

Paypal on the way

10

Well, I guess I will address some of it. I don’t think it much matters for this thread anyhow.

For this particular light, the Nichia is it. The only optic I have ever seen that will fit in a Solitaire is the 11.5mm and it will not fit an XP-G. It will rip the dome off one real quickly, so the only led that will fit is the Nichia or something like an XP-E or XB-D maybe.

As far as keeping with the current trends, unfortunately, I just don't tend to do that, I can't see a reason for XP-G2 or XM-L2. The little bit of increase in lumens just does not justify it for me. I think it's just me. I just can't see the difference in lumens. If I can buy an XM-L T6 for $2.50 and an XM-L2 for $6.00, I will take the XM-L every time. Same with Copper stars. It's all just for status. You just can't see the difference by eye between 1000 lumens and 1300 lumens and 99% of the Chinese lights people buy, don't even come near what they claim anyhow. Copper is not necessary in a flashlight, other than in our own minds. The Nitecore EA8 was living proof of that. With all I did not agree about in that light, I learned that heat sinking has to only really get out to the body quickly and that was being done with that light, which proves the huge heat sinks just are not necessary after all.

As far as the NANJG, I usually buy from the cheapest source. That's the way I get them. I don't buy from International Outdoor Store, they have high prices on their drivers and leds. I don't think much about moonlight mode as I find it useless. I guess what I am getting at is I just build what I want, not what anyone else wants. That is exactly why I do not do custom builds for others, because I would have to make them the way they want, not what I want.

I think that probably explains why I do better at one of a kind lights, because everyone knows I won't be copying it again and they know even if it does not have the exact emitter or "mode" they want, it's still one of a kind. In turn, it also explains why I have failed with the last try on a run like this and on this try. One of a kinds are what I do, so be it....

I really should have learned from the last time I did this. It does not work for me and for whatever reason, no matter how much I want it to happen, it will never happen and all I do is get pissed off, which is easier to do as each year passes.Frown

As far as International goes, I don't know what to say. It costs a lot of money to ship out of the USA. The US government subsidizes China, so they will be encouraged to ship to us, (why do you think the postal service is broke, it isn't because of costs in the US, it's the subsidies), but we have to pay thru the nose to ship out of here. It sucks, but life sucks, so it is what it is.

Take this build for instance; Etched Light $7, led $5 Star 50 cents, TIR, chips, copper, brass, plastic, wire, solder, AA, etc... Another $7. Now factor in Electricity, wear and tear of tools, etc... Don't even bother, it's already a loosing proposition. Then add Bubble Wrap, Mailers, Tape, labels, printer ink and postage. Hell, I'm having second thoughts about it..., so I possibly make around $10 per light. I'm just not willing to do it for the sheer joy any more. It's no longer joyful.

As far as one of a kinds this year, if I start doing MT-G2 lights (which I really want to), they are going to be well into the Non-Budget category, with a single LED/Star over $20 and a higher priced driver, they will not be budget lights (closer to $100+ lights), so if I don't stick to those cheap XM-L T6 lights, it ain't happenin is it?

Are these lights too expensive? Yep, I guess they are. If I don't make $10 bucks, then the lights are $25 CONUS and $35 International. Then there would probably be sales, but I am just not going to do it for free any more. Done enough lights for nothin and not doing it again this fall, simple enough.

I'm done ranting, stubbed my toe stepping off the soap box... Again....

I will refund the money to you two guys by the end of the week, if nothing further seems to develop.

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Maybe wrong timing. A lot bought their $35 budget for this month on SupFire M6. :beer: