A buck (also boost-buck or boost drivers) pulls more from the battery to drive the higher Vf emitter at the same current (higher power output).
A linear driver (like this or that) drops less voltage from the battery in its MOSFETs (behaving as variable resistors) to drive the higher Vf emitter (burns less excess power).
It would be awesome if Getian would be willing to do something like this.
I also feel the pain of scarcity of high output high CRI LEDs 3V and I also can’t wait for something better to appear.
But I also note that 3V variant of FC-40 might be super-awesome. But it may be meh instead. Depending on tint. I’ve heard your batch of FC-40 is greenish yet rngwn was able to source more neutral tint. I suggest that you try to talk with Getian about it.
Simon, I noticed that you removed all single battery positions from your store, why? Your prices were good and even if delivery was slow, it was reliable.
What is currently known is that 6V and 12V LEDs can be produced, and 3V LEDs can theoretically be produced, but the gold wire on the chip will be very long. It depends on whether the factory is willing to do it.
In my opinion, I don't necessarily see the lack of 1S / “3V” FC-40 emitters as a hindrance. I see it as an opportunity for developing more powerful and better switching (boost, buck, or boost-buck) drivers, which is also of service to other 2S or 4S emitters (XHP series).
I also think we need better springs, a lot better; springs capable of handling 10+A with nearly no voltage drop. Literally, like if they were properly bypassed. Current high-current springs… don't suck but suck.
There is till some light left after the calculated distance, just not much. And maybe your measurements are a bit off. Try taking measurements at 10+ meters.
I’ll try at 15 meters and see what the result is. I measured at 15m with the Convoy L21A and only got 50m less. Currently measured at 9m since that’s the length of the hallway.
The light intensity reaching the hill is proportional to the beam candela, so probably about a factor of 2 between the C8 and L21A. A factor of 2 is not a dramatic change in light to our eyes. So it makes sense that if you can see the L21A reach the hill you can also see the C8 reach the hill, even if it is half the intensity.
The moon has come out from behind the clouds more for the C8+ shot so guessing that made it look brighter? I’ll try again eariler tomorrow before the moon is up.
Received yesterday Convoy S21B with XHP50.2 4000K. All expectations are met, almost perfect EDC. Color shifts and artifacts were not noticed, pleasant light, + glued DC-Fix tape, it became even better. The driver took 12-mode, set it to (50, 10, 1, 0.1) and turned off the memory.
I tested the stepdown. Room temperature, without cooling - in 50% mode (~ 1000Lm) in 8 minutes the flashlight heated up to 50 ° C and dropped about 15% of the power, then the temperature rise stopped, the flashlight entered a thermostable mode with an output of about 800Lm. I am very satisfied.
What else would I like? Built-in charger and possibly Anduril. I would like to replace the steel spring with a shunt with a bronze spring.
It seems to me that the S21B version with the XHP70.2 4000K emitter will be very interesting, I think it will not be difficult to release a new reflector. The result is more fill light and more lumen.
Thank you very much, the Convoy S21B turned out great, my favorite convoy is now!
The best thing about Convoys is that they don’t have Anduril. Flashlight enthusiasts might like it, but muggles that I know find it frustrating to use, and prefer simpler UI.