Received it today . It included the extension, which I didn't order, but nice!
Pretty much all as promised, and then some. I ordered the holster though separately, that they kindly packet into the same box.
I also got a spare Z1 lens today from BangGood, which hoping I can swap for the cracked one in my Cometa.
I notice slight, minor styling changes in the Z1 from my first Z1 bought way back when first released. I love the lens cap - I'd order a few if they were available. On the AliExpress store for the Z1 parts, all items are grayed out accept the spring. Actually the spring is the one thing not included in the kit (unless I missed it), but I got a ton of them anyway.
I’m stuck with two of the Cometas and quite disheartened over them not using the Jaxman host.
Not sure what I’ll build but I don’t think I’ll be happy until I’m holding the real deal in my hand.
Please put me on the list for one host.
Thanks
Some details of my current modded Z1 done last year are here: https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/28881/43. It does 216 kcd with a de-domed XM-L2 U4 1C, stock driver resistor modded.
It would be interesting to find out how a XHP35 HI in a Z1 compares in throw. There's been quite a few modded Z1's posted, some with MT-G2, etc.
I think my problem is I heat the wires up too much, and the solder flows down the wire, causing it to get really stiff. I think we should get Tom to make a “how-to” video of building the Z1 with emphasis on soldering technique.
Mine arrived today. The package “tracking” worked very well
I placed the order Jun. 06 2016 at 15:37
It was delivered today, June 25, 2016 at 8:27 am
The two Jaxman Z1 boxes were in an E-packet plastic envelope with no additional wrapping or padding. The E-packet was sealed and encircled very well with security tape. The E-packet and the boxes inside were completely intact with no tears or rips.
The actual Z1 boxes appeared to have had a rough trip, they were bent up and squished in… BUT the contents were all intact with no apparent damage at all.
All in all my experience was excellent from the ordering process to delivery.
Oh boy, dunno if I'm that good . The great Pai Mei once said: It's the wood wire that should fear your hand, not the other way around. No wonder you can't do it, you acquiesce to defeat before you even begin.
Here we go:
pre-tin the pad if not already, pre tin the wire, but always, I mean always use flux on pre-tinning wire ends and pads, and every time you use the soldering iron - doesn't matter the solder has flux in it already.
I did not flatten the wire initially, no, but I did pin down the wire end tightly, using my favorite bent head needlenose pliers shown below. I try to sneak them in pics from time to time
With an open pill top, this should be easy. I added a solder blob to the small wedge solder tip of my Hakko 888, the pressed down from the side on the wire - hold it a sec or two so everything melts nice, then pull it off stroking sideways.
I use about 700F temp on the iron, always use a small wedge shape tip no matter how small I'm soldering. A pointy tip doesn't get enough heat to the joint you are soldering.
Also, I don't follow the rules - I almost always apply solder to the tip of the iron, then apply the tip to the joint, hold a sec to heat up things - always seem to get a good flow, again, no expert would recommend this method, but I can't afford another hand to hold the solder in, to apply the solder and iron tip together.
Needle-nose pliers I use, Z1 on left, Cometa on right
Just in case you didn't get it, Pai Mei is the Chinese master from Kill Bill...
Once upon a time in China, some believe around the year one double-ought three, head priest of the White Lotus Clan, Pai Mei, was walking down the road, contemplating whatever it is that a man of Pai Mei's infinite power contemplates – which is another way of saying "who knows?" – when a Shaolin monk appeared on the road, traveling in the opposite direction. As the monk and the priest crossed paths, Pai Mei, in a practically unfathomable display of generosity, gave the monk the slightest of nods. The nod was not returned. Now, was it the intention of the Shaolin monk to insult Pai Mei? Or did he just fail to see the generous social gesture? The motives of the monk remain unknown. What is known were the consequences. The next morning Pai Mei appeared at the Shaolin Temple and demanded of the Temple's head abbot that he offer Pai Mei his neck to repay the insult. The Abbot at first tried to console Pai Mei, only to find Pai Mei was inconsolable. So began the massacre of the Shaolin Temple and all sixty of the monks inside at the fists of the White Lotus. And so began the legend of Pai Mei's five-point-palm-exploding-heart technique.
What about solder tip style? Does that make any difference ???
I can do super nice little petite ‘blobs’…. but the super nice flat like Tom E posted is eluding me totally. :person_facepalming:
I have been pre-tinning & pre-flattening. Wires are being held pretty good but I’ll double check that. Maybe I need more heat……
Whatever it is… the flat solder like in the picture I have not been able to duplicate… or even come close. :person_facepalming: …
Thanks for the advice …… :+1:
EDIT: Oops, I didn’t see post 496 till after I posted this one. It may have answers.