There are so many clones out there of sk68 which itself is a clone of another flashlight. Clones of e01 etc.
Basically, the clones are just PHYSICAL CLONES and not clones that replicate the driver itself.
My question is, technology being what it is nowadays, I really ask myself how hard is it for a el-cheapo chinese manufacturer to dissemble a driver and copy it? I might be wrong but it does not sound like too much hardwork or complicated.
Any knowledgeable person has any ideas on this issue?
PS: I chose chinese manufacturers just to avoid posts avoid patents.
They don’t do that ’cause it costs them money. They source a host that at least appears similar to the original and then slap in whatever components they have at hand or can obtain cheaply. They have little interest in replicating the lights function - only the appearance, because that’s all they need to do to sell it.
also, driver is not just a bunch of electronic components soldered together on a pcb, main thing that makes driver tick is code writen in the MCU and that is not so easy to replicate, you need expensive computer geek that knows programing language like C :bigsmile:
There is a reason why they often sand off the IC markings. Many of the drivers are quite trivial in their circuit design as well as software, so they need to find a way to make copying just slightly more expensive than buying.
The MCUs usually have some kind of read protection, so you can’t simply steal the software.
I think you will find the MAJORITY of el’cheapo drivers i.e. the classic 3 mode (hi/low/strobe) and the 5 mode (hi/med/low/strobe/SOS) are all the same chip design. These are so simple they do not even have uC in them. The ‘modes’ are done in hardware as it were. To actually invest in a uC is more money than a sub $15 flashlight is worth.
Anyway, follow the money. They are produced for the minimum money possible. If they can save 1c they will. A uC costs ~80c, a controller costs ~10c. Which would you choose?
You can also get a suitable mcu for a couple of cents (if the volume is right). No reason to take those super expensive Attinys.
But yeah, you are right, especially the switching drivers in the cheap lights look more or less the same. And it’s the sane thing to do. Less parts and ‘development time’ shrinks to a tea-break or two.
Fine. I get those points. BUT still, why have no manufacturers ‘found’ out how ZL is pulling off 280 lumens from an eneloop or why has say the Quark moonlight mode not yet been copied/figured out?
You could of course insert any other manufacturers and any of their unique features. I mean, this market is loaded with not so ethical manufacturers…surely, they must be somewhat doing that?
