7 and 99 cents ) S2+ is $9.99. Don’t see now, but it happens often.
Found another sign of cheap flashlight. White plastic spacer window is too narrow for XP-L case and hangs on it, so reflector probably puts too much pressure on diode itself, and not heatsink surface around, when you assemble flashlight back.
Not good, Utorch. CREE LEDs aren’t made of steel )
I like that old worn out look too. I have one that I baked in the oven on 500f for about an hour. Came out looking good, kinda rootbeer colored. Maybe if I take some fine sand paper to it in some spots I can get that worn out rusted look to it. It’s cheap enough that if I mess it up too bad it won’t break my heart.
I bought the Utorch for use with a battery tube & cap from a faulty Sofirn. This gets pretty close to, IMO, the ideal length for an EDC and no switch. The cap is just loose enough for pressing with a momentary operation. In this instance, it's a twisty but at the tail... with good knurling.
This picture contains lights with a preferred combination of UI, clip and/or form factor. I really like the deep carry clip from the Nitenumen with the UI, 1500 lm output of an SP32A.
That is a great idea. I have a Sofirn tube and tail that I thought would work perfectly. Unfortunately I stole the tail spring off of it for something. I can’t remember what for. I will find a new one around here someplace I’m sure. I have some similar pocket clips as well. That will make a great EDC. Thanks for mentioning this.
The 3/5 modes with Convoy written on the spring side can be reprogrammed to Biscotti but :
For programming to work one has to cut the connection from pin 5 to ground on the pcb (easy job with any small sharp cutting tool).
All 7135 are not equal, some don't want to work at very low light level (short On time). Off the 3 3/5 modes drivers i modified recently 1 didn't work at 0.1% (no light at all) but everthing else was seemingly ok, solved by replacing the 4x7135 on that one.
Whatever you do don’t buy the stepless version it’s horrible. Different pill so can’t be changed like the non stepless version.
First mode is for setting the stepless brightness, second mode 70 lumens, third mode 740 lumens. There is nothing in between.
Would have never purchased if the description accurately described the modes. The manual also is wrong about the modes. Hopefully I can at least get a partial refund for the 10 I got….stupid flash sale prices lol.
Appreciate sharing that information. Can you take a picture of that model and post it here? (if you have both the dimming and regular, kindly post side by side too)
There is no ring for stepless dimming, it’s unscrewing the head a half turn starts the ramping from low - high or high - low. Tighten the head to lock in the brightness setting
It’s not actually too bad after playing around with it tonight.
You can ramp from any mode except Strobe & SOS.
Modes:
1. memorized ramp brightness
2. low 8%
3. high 100%
Realized I could select low, rotate the head to ramp up to increase brightness or select high and ramp down if/when needed.
Ramping lumen range - 20 up to 740
You’ll never need to cycle through SOS & Strobe as rotating the head resets it back to the first mode setting. Tapping the switch then cycles back through Low & High.
I’ll upload pictures tomorrow
Had a another look and another driver could be fitted but soldering to the pill is required
I had an S2+ and 18350 tube just waiting to be used. I also had a P60 host with a Nichia 219C D240 not getting much use. So, voila, I swapped emitters:
And the Nitecore head strap wasn't getting much use either.
Edit: the XP-L MCPCB was coupled to the Utorch pill with a thermal adhesive. I actually bent it a little getting it off but flattened it w/o problem.
Once the Nichia was installed, I took some amp readings and got 2.8A with a LIttokala 18650 and 1.5A with an Efest IMR 16340. And no blue-lit dimming at 2.8A due to overdriving the 219c.
This isn't some awesome mod but it's a little feel good project on a sick day. I guess you could say I have two types of fever, today.