TK's Emisar D4V2 review

Yes, ToyKeeper has explained in previous posts here that the firmware was extensively tested. For example:

When looking at USBASP boards, what are we looking for in the specs? Will this one on Amazon work? I could wait two weeks for the one ToyKeeper recommended here, but I can have the Amazon one tomorrow. The programming key-pcb from OSH PARK is out of delivery today, would like to get started on this.

I think the cheapest “prime” equivalent I could find is this one:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AX4WQ00/

It appears to be the standard old school one we have been using for a while now, but no promises. At least if it doesn’t work you can return it

Can you link me to that please?

Ultimately, Hank is the person who has responsibility to make sure the product is properly tested. Toykeeper is not a tester. She has responsibility to make sure the features work, which she did. Should she have caught the “suicide bug”? Perhaps. Certainly if she was a tester, yes. But, she’s not. The bug is hers, but it’s not her fault it wasn’t caught.

The D4v2 is a small project, and likely lacks the resources to hire a proper tester. I think Hank assumed Toykeeper would cover testing, but as it turned out that was not enough.

More than anything, I think what is learned is that Anduril is becoming far too complex to properly test and manage, at least for the small projects it is used for. There are just too many features, or perhaps the code has become unwieldy after lots and lots of editing, or the hardware it runs on introduces too many variables to control.

If you want a safe light with reliable features, get a light with a simple interface, preferably from a big manufacturer.

Pocket-rockets from small companies with tons of features are looking inherently unsafe. But they are fun. Think of them like hover-boards. Fun, but they might hurt you if you’re not careful, and under worst-case scenarios might even catch fire.

Post one on this thread:

You will also need pogo pins. Once you get everything, you’ll have to put it all together. If you are new to soldering/reflow/etc you can either take this wonderful opportunity to learn a new skill or wait for the Emisar kit to be developed (should be easier to assemble).

Apparently Hank immediately began getting things together for the kit. I’ll just wait for it.

Even large companies aren’t immune… I recall something about the Samsung Note 7 not too long ago.

As far as I am aware, TK did extensive testing of the code on this light, as she presumably does with anything she releases. The issue here is that this bug is fairly obscure and easy to miss unless you happened to have the light in muggle mode, not physically locked out, were using a discharged battery, and left it alone for about 15 minutes (or more even). She hasn’t mentioned exactly how she tests her code or the lights themselves, but from her posts (and the quality of her contributions) I feel she is pretty thorough and consistent. She shouldn’t have to justify herself to those causing drama in this thread by outlining her testing procedures

I am a systems administrator, and work with thousands of machines each day… Bugs get through. The software running on these machines is made by some pretty large companies (Microsoft, Apple, Canonical, Oracle, Adobe, etc) with large budgets. I’m certain they have many testers for their products, and yet mistakes are made. I think a lot of the time it is because it is nearly impossible to predict all the ways someone could break the product. In my field we joke that the “users” (people who use the systems we are responsible for) are the best at finding new ways to break things. Sometimes it isn’t even the fault of the software provider, it is just user error.

I agree that when using something potentially dangerous, you should be aware and careful.

I own several tools, which could cause damage to property or even loss of life if used improperly. Most of these do not come with a manual outlining all of the ways one could hurt themselves. Instead they usually give you some basics (“saw is sharp”, “caution HOT!!!”, “don’t look down the barrel”) and leave the rest to common sense. For me, a device containing a high energy cell with the ability to cause fires or occasionally explosions is something I take serious. Long ago, when someone did something objectively dumb and hurt themselves, an older brother or uncle would probably make fun of them and they would learn the lesson “I should not do that”. These days it seems that person would see this as an opportunity for litigation and some sort of settlement. I wish people took more responsibility for their own ignorance, and reacted proportionally to the situation.

The above is not directed at you “WalkIntoTheLight”, and I appreciate your comment.

Thank you for that link.

She wrote it. ToyKeeper did not test extensively her new “safe mode” for more than 5mn.

Here is the result of her “methodology”:

Not only that she didn’t test it more than 5mn, moreover she didn’t even use fresh batteries for her test :

The actual link is . .

https://oshpark.com/shared_projects/ABh5pwX8

Is English your first language?

Here is a definition for Extensive

It is inherently a subjective word. For example:
I feel that her testing was pretty extensive, but perhaps your point is that it could have been more extensive. I agree that it could have been more extensive, but not that she was negligent in not being more thorough.

The other bit is that she said:

Which does not mean she spent less than 5 minutes testing “muggle mode”, rather it means that she didn’t do a test of muggle mode in the “off” state past 5 minutes in with a half-empty cell.

The button popped off on one light… this is not the intended function of the light, but it is hardly the house fire you seem to be imagining.

this is willful ignorance. Obviously she tested the light for more than 5 minutes. She probably spent more than 5 minutes carefully replying to some of your comments.

If you registered here cause you bought a buggy D4v2 i’m sure one of us could help you get your light fixed in the coming week(s) but your posts aren’t really contributing anything to the topic.

If you are in the US I will offer to help you flash yours when I get the flashing parts and successfully fix my own.

Remember, you are buying budget Chinese flashlights from a very small shop with little manpower. This is the cutting edge of the hobby and as such you are an early adopter and get all the fun and not so fun perks that go along with it.

If you want a compact light with an advanced UI from a US company maybe I can suggest Zebralight though i’m pretty sure they are not willing to share anything about their testing procedures.

I like your response better than mine. Thank you for keeping a cooler head.

If the guy just wants help to fix it, I’m sure there are many on here willing to help a newcomer out. Once I figure mine out I’d be happy to help anyone I can reasonably. I assumed from his tone that he was here to drum up some “cause” for some sort of frivolous something or other. Seems that the trolls are targeting TK because she is here in the US and possibly accessible instead of an untouchable (realistically) foreign entity. To me, this all stinks of “Caution: HOT!” on coffee cups and “ouch! my back!”

This reminds me of the Boeing MAX, must not have had any full time testers either?

Humans are fallible. I wish the “age of outrage” was over already…

Agreed, nowdays everything must be escalated to OMG the world is ending status so more will jump on and echo OMG the world is ending. This is mere noise and really does not get anything more done and sure does not resolve anything faster or more accurately.

I for one love the D4V2 and will never have regrets about picking one up and will pick a second up for a play/firmware modding platform. I am not worried, my girls 12 and 16 love my lights, use the heck out of them and also understand they are tools, not toys.

There is hope for the next generation!

I haven’t received mine yet, but I’m excited. Starting with the BLF Q8, I became a ramping acolyte. I learned about Anduril shortly after that and flashed it to my Q8 and then a D4S. Every light since then has either had Anduril or gets it soon after it arrives (I’ve modded a few headlamps looking for the “perfect” one… still looking). The D4V2 looks absolutely fantastic. I hope there is eventually a Cu/Ti version of it.

Dude… I am in my mid 50’s! :slight_smile: I am not sure there is hope for most of the next generation.

But, we digress… Let the doom and gloom continue!

Boeing knowingly and willfully skipped testing and ignored results that would have cost them time/money.

If someone signs up here to ask “Please help me get my light fixed”… awesome. We can help.

But if someone signs up to ask “Please give me a damning sound bite so I can call in a drone strike”, there’s no reason to cooperate.

Of course, one can’t always tell which is which, but it sure sounded like bait… and that impression has only been reinforced by later comments.