Flashlight User Interface Cheatsheets

LED Flashlights – General Info
101

This is a crosspost from Joechina's thread for his Narsil M Cheat Sheets - just as I wrote about his, your cheat-sheets are a fabulous piece of work!

Would never know where to start without your diagrams handy. Incredible firmwares between Tom E and ToyKeeper's offerings.

Between all the various versions, settings, configurations in just Narsil, Bistro & Anduril, plus juggling all the other niche, budget and designer flashlights with their own UIs, it's becoming impossible to figure everything out without a guide. And I consider myself a techy, flashaholic with a good memory!

I'll even admit that many of the more advanced UIs I frequently end up resorting to a Reset, just to make sure I haven't left it in some ridiculous mode or advanced setting!

Was just wondering if there are any plans or status for the NarsilM v1.3 guide?

It's the default UI on the Astrolux S43 since 2018, and Banggood are even linking to draft documentation in their product pages:

Operation Instroctions:
Click Here To Get: User Manua1
Click Here To Get: User Manual2 ( Detailed Explanation Of The Manual )

Assume Joechina provided these and agreed to their dissemination, although there is no official version available on his Google Drive yet...

Also - as useful as the pocketable charts format from Joechina are, I love the diagrammatic flows you put together for Anduril. Any chance you might create something similar for NarsilM?

All the best and thanks again for all the hard work and continued efforts,

ARH

102

I didn’t see LuciDrv in there….

lucidrv programming instructions (copied from CPF)

This is the successor of lupodrv with a somewhat more intuitive programming UI; it also features two mode groups.

Two mode groups: You can have two mode groups for different situations (e.g. one for indoors with moon and low modes, and one for outdoors with high/med). Each group is fully configurable with up to 7 modes and it’s own memory type (see below).

Mode locking: Select any mode and use it for a second, then activate mode lock (see below). Then that mode is locked, it won’t change to next mode any more (unless you unlock it again). Good for tactical or signaling purpose.

Programming: You can change any mode to a different brightness, strobe or beacon; you can change the number of modes (1-7) in each group, and you can change the memory type for each group (see below)(no-memory, classic memory, short-cycle memory).

Configuration menu (programming mode): Select a mode and use it for at least a second. That mode is then the selected mode for some of the actions below. Then enter programming mode by 8 rapid taps (half-presses; the light must be <0.2s on each time). You have to be quite fast, however it’s no problem if you tap a few times more.

Shortly after those rapid taps a blinking signal will be shown. This serves two purposes: It indicates that the light is now in its configuration menu (programming mode) and awaits further input, and it also serves as battery level indicator: The number of blinks indicates battery voltage, about one blink for every 0.1V above 3.0V without load (~12 is full, ~4 is pretty empty). If you let them pass without tapping the button again, the config menu is exited without any change.

If you want to change the configuration, you need to ‘input’ more taps while the blinking signal is active, the number of taps specifies the action. Note that the timing is more relaxed in the config menu; you have to be swift and uninterrupted, but by far not as rapid as the 8 taps above. However you must hit the exact number of taps.

Once you entered the config menu (by 8 rapid taps) and see it’s signal, tap the button a number of times to do the following:

1 tap: Mode lock; lock the selected mode (see above). If locked, unlock.
2 taps: Switch between the two groups (also lifts a mode lock).
3 taps: Set brightness. The light will ramp the brightness up and down twice in 16 visually linear steps (the output doubles/halves every 2 steps). Tap once when the desired brightness is reached to change the selected mode to this brightness (constant brightness).
4 taps: Change the selected mode to strobe.
5 taps: Change the selected mode to beacon (a blink every ~10s)
6 taps: Delete the selected mode.
7 taps: add a mode; the new mode is inserted at the position of the selected mode. Example: If you have 3 modes, L/M/H (with M selected), then add a mode, the result is L/M/M/H, i.e. the selected mode is doubled, and the first of them is selected. It can then be changed by entering the config menu again.
8 taps: Set the memory type for the active group to no-memory.
9 taps: Set the memory type for the active group to classic memory (cycle through all modes).
10 taps: Set the memory type for the active group to short-cycle memory (after memory kicked in, skip to first mode; see above).

Battery monitoring: Whenever the battery falls below 3V under load, brightness is reduced (about half). The reduced load usually brings up the voltage a bit. When it drops below 3V again, brightness is halved again - and so on, down to a very low level. It will not switch off and leave you in complete darkness though.

PWM frequency is 18 kHz.

Note: The brightness ramp hast 16 steps, from #16(100%) downwards the output halves every 2 steps. The lowest modes however deviate from that due to limited PWM resolution, also the actual output on the lowest modes depends on hardware variations like LED forward voltage.

The levels (in %) are: ~.2 .7 1 1.5 2 3 4 6 9 13 18 25 35 50 70 100

New features for lucidrv drivers sent since September 2013:
Disable programming (proglock): Solder a connection from the 4th star (the rightmost one on the images below) to the outer ring to disable programming (some conductive paint etc. might work, too). Mode locking and switching between mode groups (1 or 2 taps in the config menu) will still work, but all config options below that won’t. Remove the solder bridge to enable configuration changes again.

103

Thanks for posting the information :wink:
Actually lucidrv2 has an external link (redirecting to an image) in the part “Others” in the end of the post#1 :wink:
Still, thanks for posting it :+1:

And I wish DrJones was still around :beer:

104

Hi all,

Although I'm a long-time flashaholic (with a special interest in tiny lights, AAA and 10180), I'm new to all these great UI. I've just found out that thanks to a few voluntary developers (thumbs up and thanks to them) and the BLF community, it is possible to find not-so-expensive flashlights whose UI is far more versatile than those of the "high-end" manufacturers.

At the same time I must confess I'm a bit puzzled, although CRX's post is extremely useful. Hence a few questions:

Are these UI compatible with forward clicky switches?

  • Can they be used with two-button flashlights (e.g. tail switch + side switch), and corollary question: are there any double-switch flashlight who carry one of these programmable UI?
  • Once you have bought a flashlight with such an UI, is it possible to upgrade the UI if it is modified in the future? For example, I see that the Anduril UI doesn't allow to activate Strobe when the light is ON, only from OFF. If this became possible some day (which I would appreciate), will I be able to modify my UI so that it has this new possibility?
  • How do these UI relate to the "Biscotti" firmware, which I have seen mentioned several times in flashlight descriptions?

Thanks in advance for your help.

105

I'll give it a try:

Can they be used with two-button flashlights (e.g. tail switch + side switch)

--> Anduril has pretty nice support for it. Works well with a fwd clicky power switch. Comes ON at the last used level. The fwd clicky acts as a momentary mode - as long as you hold the button in, it's ON, let go and it's OFF. Can be used for signaling, etc.

Are there any double-switch flashlight who carry one of these programmable UI?

--> Not sure. I got a modded Nitenumen TK-35 running Anduril2 with the feature supporting the power switch enabled. I have several other modded lights with the 2 switches but all are running Narsil or Anduril without the support - they work fine. Power switch has to be ON, then use the side switch to turn the LED ON.

Once you have bought a flashlight with such an UI, is it possible to upgrade the UI if it is modified in the future? For example, I see that the Anduril UI doesn't allow to activate Strobe when the light is ON, only from OFF. If this became possible some day (which I would appreciate), will I be able to modify my UI so that it has this new possibility?

--> Yes and No. The UI's that are open source, yes you can download the latest but you have to know what driver and what features you have - basically the right software for the right hardware. Some of the lights now have external contacts on the backside of the driver to allow pogo pin programmers. On other lights, you may have to remove the driver and use a special clip/USB dongle. Sometimes a driver can pop out or be accessible with normal tools, but others you may have to de-solder wires to get the driver out, then re-solder to re-assemble.

How do these UI relate to the "Biscotti" firmware, which I have seen mentioned several times in flashlight descriptions?

--> Biscotti is one of those listed above in the first post. Not sure what you are asking. ToyKeeper wrote most of these, including Biscotti.

106

Subbed

107

Thanks Tom E for the explanation.

To be more precise about my search: I'd like to find a flashlight that would be both tactical (using the tail switch) and EDC (using a side switch). I've just bought an Olight M2R which almost fills the bill, but I will return it because:

  1. The tail switch is slightly recessed and somewhat hard to press with the thumb, therefore difficult to keep it halfway between "too hard = Strobe" (which I may want to use but not always), and "not pressed enough" which causes the light to flicker.
  2. The UI doesn't satisfy me: when ON in EDC mode, you can access Turbo and Strobe through the tail switch, but releasing it will cause the light to turn OFF instead of returning to the last EDC mode. Other users have complained about this in various reviews.

So I'm hoping to find a similar flashlight with a more usable tail switch, and a more customizable UI.

Battery should be 18650 (it will be my first light with such a battery), form factor cylindrical (no big head), size about 1" x 5".

Since I understand that there may be very little options with two switches, a one-switch light (preferably forward tail-switch) might do, as long as the UI allows:

  • Instant access to moonlight for night bathroom trips
  • Other EDC modes without memory (I don't like to be blinded by High when I only want Low)
  • Easy access to Turbo and Strobe against an intruder, be the light ON or OFF.

Sorry, I had overlooked this UI in this long post.

108

Your search will never end. Better to just get multiple lights with each one serving it’s own unique purpose. :wink:

109

Interesting feature, do you have examples of such flashlights?

Another question: when you buy a light with a certain UI (say Anduril), can you later modify it to another UI or do you have to stay with Anduril (and its future upgrades)?

110

Many of Hank's lights do have the pogo pin interface and he sells the programming adapter:

D4S2: https://intl-outdoor.com/emisar-d4sv2.html

Reflashing kit: https://intl-outdoor.com/components-6/gears/reflashing-kits.html

I believe a few of the new Astrolux lights have it to, but there's a different pin configuration. Here's a pic I took of the FT03 Mini showing the pins in the upper left:

Again, you have to match the software to hardware, but yes - you can buy a light with Anduril and change it to something else. The good thing is Narsil and Anduril were designed for the ATTiny85 MCU so they are usually compatible. I say "usual" because depends on the hardware. Anduril also supports more MCU's than Narsil does.

More info on programming/reflashing keys/adapters here: https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/72815

111

Thanks Tom for the additional info.

For my first 18650 light, I might well choose either the Convoy S2+, or the Astrolux S1 = BLF A6, both highly praised by many BLF members as far as I can read.

But I am puzzled by the many offers available on the Chinese sellers websites, with different LED tints (that's OK, I know I prefer neutral or warm, preferably high CRI), different drivers*, different UIs. Not sure they have the Anduril or Narsil UI, this is not always clear from the descriptions.

*BTW, I understand 7135*n means more or less current (the higher n, the higher the current). But how does this translate into lumens? Also, will the n value affect all modes, i.e. is the moonlight mode twice as dim on a 7135*4 WRT a 7135*8?

Another newbie question, sorry: what is FET and what does it mean in terms of flashlight behavior?

Thanks, but to be honest this is all Greek to me

112

The different numbers of 7135 chips will affect the brightness in each mode. The S2+ gets very hot within a few minutes on 100% with 7135x8, but will generally just get warm at 35-50. If you want to run the light continuously on 100 maybe go for the 7135*4 version. The lumens per current will depend on the LED you are using (and battery V), as some emitters are more/less efficient than others, though visually you probably won’t notice. The Biscotti UI is easy to use and configure, and more preferable over the older 3/5 mode UI which had annoying mode memory timer. You can’t go wrong with the S2+ as your first 18650 light.

113

Thanks Stephenk for the clarification about the 7135*n, and your feedback on the S2+.

Re. the UI, after taking a deeper look at the first post of this thread, I realize that the UI which would best answer my requirements, is the Anduril Aux (i.e. latest version?), thanks to the manual memory: a fantastic addition as it allows instant access from OFF to #1 Floor, #2 your favorite brightness of choice, #3 Ceiling and #4 Strobe.

I've read advice on BLF to buy the Convoy S2+ directly from (its creator?) Simon @Aliex, who can customize the lights upon request when ordering. Do you think he could and might agree to change the UI from Biscotti to Anduril Aux?

114

There is no “Anduril aux” and it will only work with an e-switch light, so not with the S2+.

115

The caption of the second graph in the first post is: "Anduril UI Aux", so this is what I was referring to.

Thanks for the information.

Do other UIs require an e-switch, i.e. do not work with a mechanical one?

116

"Anduril UI Aux" probably means Anduril with AUX LED support. AUX LED's are simple surface mount LED's of various colors. Anduril has special support for like 4 different channels of output for AUX LED's, so you can do fancy things with them, using 4 different colors for example, and having then ON or blinking, simple control over 2 output levels, etc.

Flashlight firmware is mostly designed for one or the other: for a power switch or electronic switch (e-switch).

Power switch versions are called "clicky firmware", as noted in the OP.

FET: abbreviation for MOSFET, and in our terms, a FET is generally used for maximum amps/output - no limit, just what the battery(s) can provide and the LED(s) can draw. The 7135 devices limit amps to 0.35 amps each, so 8 x 7135's would produce 2.8 amps at most.

117

The more sophisticated UI’s like Narsil and Anduril require an e-switch (electronic contact switch). Meaning that the driver always has power and the switch is simply sending a signal to the driver and it can read how long you’re holding the button down.

Mechanical switch lights in the tail actually control battery power. When you activate the switch you are cutting off all power to the driver. Thanks to capacitors, it can tell the difference between a short cut in power and a longer cut in power. This requires a very different designed UI.

The software has to be designed to work with a specific driver. You can’t just mix and match different software to different Hardware.

118

If you want a compact 18650 light with Anduril then your best best is the Noctigon K4. However a Convoy S2+ is about a quarter of the price if you are happy with the last mode memory of Biscotti.

119

Thanks, I think I'll choose this one, for want of any guarantee to have the "manual memory" feature if I order a FW3A, and despite the higher price tag and weight.

120

Hello, do we know when someone make diagram for Anduril 2? I saw for Simple UI but not for advanced.