Somewhat off topic but I am trying trying to get Banggood to give us a GB on a complete hardware package. I think it will come in handy for those that want to flash their own or learn how to flash their own.
Several companies employ open source programmers. Canonical for example. Also a little guy named google. And the software is all over. Firefox, chrome, android are some very visible examples, plus a ton that people use and don’t realize. Like the forum your on right now, BLF, it runs on Drupal.
I’d be in on a flashing kit group buy for sure. I’d like flashing hardware, but can’t really justify it at the full price people were quoting in the flashing thread. If it were in a GB, though, I’d definitely want to partake.
Also, in the interest of getting to 500 faster, I suggest mentioning the FET+7135 driver in the subject and OP, and a bullet to say that the non-turbo modes are partially regulated. Surely, it would influence a non-zero number of extra people to join the group buy. Right now reading the OP, you get the impression that the driver doesn’t have any 7135, and the link points to wight’s thread for the driver without any 7135.
Finally, I’m currently in the list for 2 in NW. If it’s going to be $20, I’d want at least 3 in NW
Fair enough, I thought it was an oversight. I wasn’t thinking about how it hasn’t been confirmed yet. If it’s a conscious decision to wait for confirmation, I have no intention of trying to tell bugsy how to run his group buy
Good suggestion XP-R, but like TK said we have to get confirmation from the factory on whether or not they can make the more advanced FET+1. Some of the components are very close together on that one. With the holiday over there, everything is at a standstill at the moment.
When they give some feedback, updates will be made. Bugsy’s all over it. Pestering the power’s that be almost daily.
A groupbuy would be great so that everyone is working with the same hardware, but buying them seperately isn’t as expensive as some think. I got my USBasp and SOIC8 clip on ebay for under $15 total. Sure, it’s cheap, but it functions just fine.
* All updates to OP are at the end of this post but ABOVE the interest list.
I like easy to carry tube lights. One of my favorites is the Eagle Eye. Eagle Eye has a new model designated the A6 and comes with a an XPL emitter, 2.8A 4-mode driver. See here at Banggood
Most of us already know the Eagle Eye quality from the X6 and my EE F30 has treated me very well. For me it is natural to want this EE A6. It is a tube light like the F30 with a Xiaozhi styled tube/barrel.
What I am proposing, if it can be done, is to have Eagle Eye and Banggood manufacture us a BLF Edition with a A17DD-SO8 driver (designed by our own Wight). The idea behind using that driver is that it can drop right in because it is single-sided and we can eliminate the moon vs amps debate as well as it will give the many the ability to change mode levels to suit.
7 modes with stepdown at high (no blinky) and of course the lowest possible low
AR Glass (I remember reading that it already comes with it but I cannot find that reference again)
BLF-SE engraving (subject to Kronos’ approval)
Guessing that approximate cost would be $22-$23
Unfortunately to pull this off would not be quite as easy as it sounds. In order to achieve this we would need:
Quantity of 200 to get the engraving (probably not so hard)
Quantity of 500 to get the copper without increasing cost (500 is the minimum run Maxtoch will do for mcpcb and if true to form this unit should have 16mm mcpcb). Less is possible but cost will increase.
My math that inspired me to attempt this group buy:
Subtotal parts 16.24 plus shipping plus cost of flashlight (EE A6 ~$19) = $35.24 +/- vs GB of $22-$23 (or even less if we can get the same success of the X6-SE)
To me that is a huge savings.
UPDATES:
12/31/14: Was informed that EE WILL indeed use the A17DD-SO8 driver if we can get enough interest to move this thing forward. Also have lights on the way to test with the A17DD-SO8 driver so everybody can see what the driver truly is capable of. FYI - I know it sounds like I am hyping this driver but I would not be so excited about this driver of I did not think it or see that it was capable.
1/6/15: Stock lights are on the way to be modified with Wight’s driver so that this light/driver combination can be tested and demonstrated. The actual production run (light and driver) will be by EE. The A17DD-SO8 driver will not be manufactured for sale separately nor does anybody have permission to do so except by individuals for personal use. (The A17DD-SO8 driver will be available in the future from RMM’s store: http://www.mtnelectronics.com/)
I would really like to know if this is possible and if there is any interest please post here.
1/7/15: There are 4 main things that separate this from a stock Eagle Eye A6
BLF Logo
The A17DD-SO8 driver
Copper for the emitter
User’s ability to flash firmware
1/20/15: Samples arriving. Preliminary results are good. See post #304 and beyond for DBCstm’s tests. The below numbers are with no spring bypasses, just the A17DD-SO8 driver and copper star.
1/26/15: I have been working like crazy so I did not have the opportunity to swap the driver and the emitter in my sample until tonight.
Wow! Even with a laptop pull this light blows everything away!!Throw a 25R in there and this thing shoots the moon
The beam profile, even though it is subjective to the individual, is fantastic. Not a flood but definitely a large spot with a nice spill. Sort of what I would like to see possible but not with a triple. It is not a thrower like the LS D80 Kronos is working on but I never expected it to be either. I can still light things up several houses away
The Xiaozhi styled tube/barrel feels real good in the hand and something else that is welcomed is the deep scallops that allow you to get to the switch (sometimes I have to wear heavier mechanics gloves at work vs surgical styled gloves)…and this thing still tail stands.
The driver, as it is and I requested be setup at the moment, has 7 nicely spaced levels that run from the lowest low (battery dependent) to all out (again battery dependent). You can refer to the OP for the link to Dale’s numbers. I have yet had the opportunity to take my measurements but just by the output visible to the eye Dale’s numbers are spot on.
Where we currently stand on progress is as follows:
Waiting on samples for others (aside from Dale and myself) that got tied up in shipping
Have another person on the team that is experimenting with code and UI’s and attempting to get the most reliable low (or moon) possible
When the UI is finalized by the team we will ask Banggood to manufacture samples there and send them (they have a holiday coming so things will get slow on communication)
Everything so far is going as planned and expected and very well may end being not only a great light in BLF tradition but also the most versatile light available. Many many thanks to the team working hard on this behind the scenes, and of course all BLF’ers for the support!
2/2/15:303 units!!!
As mentioned before, the review team is working on the A17DD-SO8+1 7135 driver and its firmware and it is sounding very promising After PM’ing with Banggood tonight we can all expect to see production samples after the Chinese holiday.