When trying to help people decide on a light it seems that they come to the problem with many of the same preconceived notions ..
What common misconceptions do new members typically keep making ?
- Drivers like the BLF-a6 driver that have a lot of features are “overly complex and not intuitive ”…. <<<<== not true.
- All lights should have a side switch /// or /// rear ckickies are hard to manipulate .
- Cool white isn’t a tint but neutral white and warm whites are .” I don’t want a tinted light ”
Thinking that potentially dangerous FET based lights are a good starting place to learn beginner modding skills on.
Differences in batteries (power cells). I have guys that I work with that want a light modded or just ask for a light like one I may have at the time. I take care of it and it never fails. They totally missed the part where I thoroughly explained that in order to get the light to work to it's best and brightest here are the type of batteries you need to use. I always recommend a brand and even where you get them along with a trusted charger and it is a deal breaker if they do not read and understand the proper care and use of Lithium Ion cells, I also include URL's for this information.
Every time, never fails. Only my repeat customers (so to speak) get it, all others have no clue I ever explained any of it.
I started modding lights in 2015 and had the most difficult time when sourcing parts. Most standard parts are fine (resistors, caps,…) but good FETs (ie SIR800DP-T1-GE3) or similar parts are hard to get. For the mouser or digikey shipping rates you’d buy an entire flashlight.
The rear clicky feels different in every build, at least for me. Not a big deal and I need to understand the new firmware options out there that no longer have that problem.
these are not mistakes but hurdles and misconceptions I had to overcome. BLF really helps though.
I forgot 7135's... Doing a mod on a sk68 I ordered a board with 8 7135's stacked... LOL BIG mistake on my part. I really screwed that one up. This was just maybe 4 months ago lol...
where are you?
in the usa digikey offers usps first class.
as for the fets i often rob them from junk laptop boards.
i never recycle a late model motherboard as they often have these kind of parts.
I’d have to say one of the most PREVALENT misconceptions? Perhaps one of the last to go away?
…is that “only lens diameter increases throw, focal length does nothing but affect beamshape”
Lumens………Lumens……… Lumens
There s a lot more to lights than lumens. Tint, intensity, beam distance, runtime, heat dissipation.
Bob