Looking for my perfect zoomie

[Qubeet]

Kind of driver’s UI. 4 modes are simple UI that is unconfigurable. It’s a Convoy’s thing.

4 modes: 0.1%-3%-30%-100%

12 groups:
1.click the switch to turn the flashlight on/off,tap the switch to select mode
2.if flashlight is turned on,tap the switch 20 times quickly to enter into config mode.(On a visual interface,as long as you click on an option, it means that the option is selected. The flashlight has no visual interface. It flashes to represent an option, and “tap the switch in the flashing process” means to select the option.)
Option 1 (normal-flash 1 time + buzz-flash): tap the switch to enter into sub-option to select the mode group,If the user has no operation, the config mode will enter option 2.
-------------sub-option 1.1 (normal-flash 1 time) : tap the switch to select mode group 1 (0.1%, 1%, 10%, 35%, 100%, strobe, biking, battery-check)
-------------sub-option 1.2 (normal-flash 2 times) : tap the switch to select mode group 2 (0.1%, 1%, 10%, 35%, 100%)
-------------sub-option 1.3 (normal-flash 3 times) : tap the switch to select mode group 3 (100%, 35%, 10%, 1%, 0.1%)
-------------sub-option 1.4 (normal-flash 4 times) : tap the switch to select mode group 4 (1%, 20%, 100%, strobe, biking, battery-check, SOS)
-------------sub-option 1.5 (normal-flash 5 times) : tap the switch to select mode group 5 (1%, 20%, 100%)
-------------sub-option 1.6 (normal-flash 6 times) : tap the switch to select mode group 6 (100%, 20%, 1%)
-------------sub-option 1.7 (normal-flash 7 times) : tap the switch to select mode group 7 (0.1%, 1%, 10%, 50%, strobe, biking, battery-check, SOS)
-------------sub-option 1.8 (normal-flash 8 times) : tap the switch to select mode group 8(0.1%, 1%, 10%, 50%)
-------------sub-option 1.9 (normal-flash 9 times) : tap the switch to select mode group 9 (50%, 10%, 1%, 0.1%)
-------------sub-option 1.10 (normal-flash 10 times) : tap the switch to select mode group 10 (1%, 10%, 35%, 100%)
-------------sub-option 1.11 (normal-flash 11 times) : tap the switch to select mode group 11 (100%, 20%, strobe)
-------------sub-option 1.12 (normal-flash 12 times) : tap the switch to select mode group 12(100% only)
Option 2 (normal-flash 2 times + buzz-flash): tap the switch to active the mode memory or inactive it,If the user has no operation,flashlight will enter into the last mode.

[Kurt]

Thank you! Wow, sounds a little complicated. I will read it a few times to try to digest it :D.

[Chris100575 (Chris)]

It isn’t really, there are 12 available groups as listed above, you can choose which one you want to use on your light. I mostly have mine set to 1%, 10%, 35%, 100% and memory off.

Setting the mode group and memory on / off isn’t too hard and there are videos on YouTube that demo it for you. For me the main two reasons for getting the 12 group driver are that you can have a buck driver instead of a linear, and the ability to disable memory so that the light always starts in the lowest mode.

[Kurt]

Thank you! I guess i will get one soon!

[lawallac]

Any confirmation on how how the zoom works. I know there was some discussion if it an electro lensing film like the Manker Crown? Does it adjust the position of the LED or reflector more like a Mag focus or other zoomie? I see some space when looking at the side of the reflector that could be where it could move. Really hoping it’s nonmechanical though.

[Kurt]

Sorry, one more question: how do I know what the brightness is at say 35% or 100%? I have a Fenix FD41 ( use it at 350lm, zoomed in/focused mode) and Mi Nextool (use it at 560lm ). I like them both but am always looking for something brighter with reasonable runtime (at least 4 - 5 hours)

[Chris100575 (Chris)]

If you want to know the actual lumen number there’s no easy way unless you have the equipment to measure it. With Simon offering a range of LEDs it’s just not practical for him to publish the numbers for every single option.

You could probably get a fairly rough idea by measuring the amps at the tail-cap and then looking up the datasheet for the LED and doing the maths. If it’s the run-times you’re after dividing the load in milliamps by the capacity of your battery in milliamp-hours would give you an idea.

[zoulas]

This seems like a game changer. Optical zoom, not mechanical.

Fenix LD45R flashlight digital focusing review + beamshots

[lawallac]

I really would like it if fenix would get rid of the push and wait to turn on and push and wait to turn off. I have several of their lights and I hate that ui. Even their tactical click on and momentary makes you cycle up the modes. At least they didn’t put strobe in the cycle. They are top tier build quality but well below average ui. If they made the ld45r with a ww and a 90.2 variant I would order all 3 if it had anduril.

[Athecal]

Bro bro, zoomies on my rifle are a necessity. Even throwy lights that aren’t zoomie have enough spill to wash out my scope. 0 spill, long throw is the way. Even when not on a rifle being able to focus a beam on a small area can be beneficial when trying to identify things at long range. Yea I realize that it is throwing less light than it could which seems counter productive on paper, but in practice sometimes limiting your field of view allows you to focus on what is being illuminated and process that smaller amout of information better.

[electronvolt]

Okay, but that is a very specific use. I speak of a flashlight for exterior general use.

Greetings.

[Firelight2]

My understanding is the LD45r uses an electronic lens. Maybe liquid crystal. Basically it is completely clear with no current applied. When current is applies it turns into a lens.

In the case of the LD45r, throw mode is when it is clear. The lens is turned on to diffuse the beam for flood mode.

It is all electronic. The lens and bezel have no moving parts.

[Firelight2]

This thread combined with my recent receipt of a bunch of neutral white 5000K SFT25r leds has had me reviewing my old stash of zoomie flashlights.

Previously, most of my zoomies had dedomed 519a or XPL hi in them. The SFT25r is a marked improvement for a zoomie. It’s not high-CRI, but it appears to be brighter than 519a, More importantly the new LEDs are much more intense and have a round die.

Too bad zoomies aren’t quite as popular as they used to be. There aren’t many small zoomies available anymore.

[smurcod]

I’ve gone from an SST40 to SFT40 to Yinding 5050 to Kaidomain L70 to (soon to be fitted ) SFT25R in my Z1. The Yinding didn’t survive long enough to evaluate it , but it did have a small spot compared to the others. The L70 is too big IMHO.

This is for the same distance, but the exposure compensation can’t be locked on my mobile. IIRC the SFT40 and L70 had the same exposure compensation value. The Yinding didn’t last and was already damaged in the photo. Fitted with a 5 Amp driver for the Yinding, 8 Amp for the others.

The only issue with making all the changes is I had to enlarge the hole on the black LED star retainer on the Z1. Now going from the 7070 back to a 3535 is going to be a problem. I haven’t seen that part sold anywhere as a spare part either.

[smurcod]

This would be of interest to you as well: LED test / review - Luminus SFT-25R (6500 K 70 CRI) - good thrower LED in 3535 standard footprint

https://www.reddit.com/r/flashlight/comments/1en35ut/nmd_sft25r_8a_buck/#lightbox