[EDITED] REVIEW - Eveready ReadyFlex Floating Lantern (EVFL45SH)

[Lynx_Arc]

Re: REVIEW - Eveready ReadyFlex Floating Lantern (EVFL45SH)

I have two of these one is exactly the same as this Gold one and a Silver one too. The only thing that I didn't like is the "next mode" memory to them in that you turn it off and it came on in the next mode in sequence. I fixed that on my cheap lights though.

 

[UnknownVT]

Re: REVIEW - Eveready ReadyFlex Floating Lantern (EVFL45SH)

I have two of these one is exactly the same as this Gold one and a Silver one too. The only thing that I didn't like is the "next mode" memory to them in that you turn it off and it came on in the next mode in sequence. I fixed that on my cheap lights though.

Yes, that what annoys me as well.
But I do like it for its very compact size.

The unlabelled light is the 18650 ConvoyS2+/Jaxman E2 (please see: Jaxman E2 (bargain Nichia 219B highCRI) and Convoy S2+ 18350 body)

How did you fix it?

In the meantime, having only 3 modes I just have to remember to change modes until the one before I want.

I'm not too sure if next mode "no memory" might actually be better for me than ones that reset to the default mode (High) -
I prefer to start on low - it actually works better for me (as long as I remember to go the High before turning off) to get the light to turn on Low.

That UltraFire SK98 had a much wider beam circle than this SkyWolfEye TLY-6501 (same beam size as the SK68 on wide)

This means the SK98 has a very useful and even flood on wide, and when zoomed can throw a long way -
thus working better for my use than any lantern I've used.

 

[Lynx_Arc]

Re: REVIEW - Eveready ReadyFlex Floating Lantern (EVFL45SH)

In order to fix the "next mode" memory you have to access the driver board and use a pencil (graphite) to smear it across the right diode which will in effect "drain" the memory based upon how much is shorting across the diode. I used clip leads so I could test the operation of it and had to reapply more pencil lead twice to get it to work right. The more you put the shorter the memory is maintained after turning off. I first had it where you had to leave it off for a minute or two but found that I liked it best at 5 seconds or less.

 

[UnknownVT]

Re: REVIEW - Eveready ReadyFlex Floating Lantern (EVFL45SH)

In order to fix the "next mode" memory you have to access the driver board and use a pencil (graphite) to smear it across the right diode which will in effect "drain" the memory based upon how much is shorting across the diode. I used clip leads so I could test the operation of it and had to reapply more pencil lead twice to get it to work right. The more you put the shorter the memory is maintained after turning off. I first had it where you had to leave it off for a minute or two but found that I liked it best at 5 seconds or less.

Thank you very much -
I'll have to try this :thumbsup:

 

[Lynx_Arc]

Re: REVIEW - Eveready ReadyFlex Floating Lantern (EVFL45SH)

If you get too much just use a cloth and wipe off the excess and start over. I think too much it may only have one mode unable to remember long enough to go to the next mode.

 

[UnknownVT]

Re: REVIEW - Eveready ReadyFlex Floating Lantern (EVFL45SH)

If you get too much just use a cloth and wipe off the excess and start over. I think too much it may only have one mode unable to remember long enough to go to the next mode.

Thank you again for the follow up. Nice to know it's adjustable and reversible.

I am debating whether it's worthwhile on these 3 mode lights that are High>Low>strobe -
as I prefer to turn on Low -
either:
(1) As-Is always have to remember to turn off at High.
(2) Mod: Resetting back to High, will always require changing mode to Low - but has the advantage of avoiding strobe.

However I do have an Astrolux A01 current version with 5000K Nichia 219B (90+CRI) and PWM -
that does next mode "no memory" L>M>H>L>M>H>Strobe (L=firefly or moon mode) -

with this I would love it to reset back to L or firefly mode -
so I can avoid strobe, unless I deliberately wanted it.

 

[Lynx_Arc]

Re: REVIEW - Eveready ReadyFlex Floating Lantern (EVFL45SH)

Thank you again for the follow up. Nice to know it's adjustable and reversible.

I am debating whether it's worthwhile on these 3 mode lights that are High>Low>strobe -
as I prefer to turn on Low -
either:
(1) As-Is always have to remember to turn off at High.
(2) Mod: Resetting back to High, will always require changing mode to Low - but has the advantage of avoiding strobe.

However I do have an Astrolux A01 current version with 5000K Nichia 219B (90+CRI) and PWM -
that does next mode "no memory" L>M>H>L>M>H>Strobe (L=firefly or moon mode) -

with this I would love it to reset back to L or firefly mode -
so I can avoid strobe, unless I deliberately wanted it.

As far as I know it only works to remove memory from lights I don't think the trick will allow for skipping modes on them.

 

[ZMZ67]

Re: REVIEW - Eveready ReadyFlex Floating Lantern (EVFL45SH)

If they can't get C/D lithium cells under $5 each I somehow doubt they will go over well in stores. I have no idea how long Energizers patent has left they used to be 15 years but now it may be longer and it may be that when there is a few years left they may patent some process to make them others don't know about that is essential such that it they can keep anyone else from making them for another 15 or more years. I know I saw one company selling lithium AAs that you were talking about but they were a lot less capacity (less than half if I remember correctly) for about half the price (or more even) not much of an option. What would be nice is instead of a 3000mah capacity make a 1000mah capacity lithium AA for around the price of an alkaline battery it would be plenty to put in remotes that are only occasionally used.

I agree with you that C/D cells will have to be under the $5 price point to appeal to the average consumer. The off-brand lithiums I saw were closer in performance to L91s at least by their specs and the reviews but as I stated the price was still well over a $1.

Looking at some of the cheap lights you and UnknownVT posted it occurs to me that we are seeing decent LED lights at low prices quicker than good batteries at low cost. There are some desirable lights now in the sub $20 range and even more at sub $30.Even Olight who typically offers more expensive models has the I3E available at $9.99.

 

[UnknownVT]

Re: REVIEW - Eveready ReadyFlex Floating Lantern (EVFL45SH)

As far as I know it only works to remove memory from lights I don't think the trick will allow for skipping modes on them.

Correct.

I didn't mean I could skip any mode - (other than by deliberately not turning to that mode).

If the light is H>L>Strobe
and I wanted always to turn on Low
then As-Is with next mode memory, I always have to go through strobe to get to High to turn off there, so when I turn on it is at Low.

With your mod, then it loses that next mode memory and goes back to High?
So to get to Low I always have to switch modes - but I never have to go through strobe, because turned off it goes back to High (after a period)

Same with the L>M>H>L>M>H>Strobe
If the mod loses the next memory - then when turned off it goes back to the first Low mode (which is what I want)
and as long as I don't go beyond 6 changes I don't have to go through Strobe.

Right now, with next mode memory I have to remember if I was on the first High to turn off, or go through all the modes until I hit strobe then turn off to have the light come on at Low.

With the mod the light will turn on Low, and I can avoid having to go through Strobe.

Hope that was clearer?

Thanks

 

[Lynx_Arc]

Re: REVIEW - Eveready ReadyFlex Floating Lantern (EVFL45SH)

Correct.

I didn't mean I could skip any mode - (other than by deliberately not turning to that mode).

If the light is H>L>Strobe
and I wanted always to turn on Low
then As-Is with next mode memory, I always have to go through strobe to get to High to turn off there, so when I turn on it is at Low.

With your mod, then it loses that next mode memory and goes back to High?
So to get to Low I always have to switch modes - but I never have to go through strobe, because turned off it goes back to High (after a period)

Same with the L>M>H>L>M>H>Strobe
If the mod loses the next memory - then when turned off it goes back to the first Low mode (which is what I want)
and as long as I don't go beyond 6 changes I don't have to go through Strobe.

Right now, with next mode memory I have to remember if I was on the first High to turn off, or go through all the modes until I hit strobe then turn off to have the light come on at Low.

With the mod the light will turn on Low, and I can avoid having to go through Strobe.

Hope that was clearer?

Thanks

Yeah I sort of figured what you wanted to do. I've done the turn it off on strobe or high bit so I could get high or low the next time I turned it on but after having to remember to do that a dozen times and forgetting the other dozen times I got to where I didn't know what mode it was going to be in ending up often turning it on in strobe mode. I would love it if they came in L/H/Strobe or better just L/M/H but the only way for that to happen is to replace the board which drives the price up on the light and replacing the circuit tempts you to get a Cree board also which in the end makes your $3 light a $10 light that may still be cheap quality construction with not much better beam output and it loses its bargain status plus makes it more valuable going from a throw away light if needed to a "I better take care of this" type light for the work put into it.

 

[UnknownVT]

Re: REVIEW - Eveready ReadyFlex Floating Lantern (EVFL45SH)

Yeah I sort of figured what you wanted to do. I've done the turn it off on strobe or high bit so I could get high or low the next time I turned it on but after having to remember to do that a dozen times and forgetting the other dozen times I got to where I didn't know what mode it was going to be in ending up often turning it on in strobe mode. I would love it if they came in L/H/Strobe or better just L/M/H but the only way for that to happen is to replace the board which drives the price up on the light and replacing the circuit tempts you to get a Cree board also which in the end makes your $3 light a $10 light that may still be cheap quality construction with not much better beam output and it loses its bargain status plus makes it more valuable going from a throw away light if needed to a "I better take care of this" type light for the work put into it.

Thanks.

Yep, agree totally with what you say -
that's why your pencil mod is so good to me -
I didn't realize that one could mod the light so that it would reset the next mode "no" memory back to the first/default mode.

Well worth doing - thus keeping the bargain status - yet getting a light that is more usable.

Next I just have to figure out how to get the pill out on some, and then get to the circuit board.

Is there a particular tool you use to unscrew the pill, please?

Thanks

 

[Lynx_Arc]

Re: REVIEW - Eveready ReadyFlex Floating Lantern (EVFL45SH)

Thanks.

Yep, agree totally with what you say -
that's why your pencil mod is so good to me -
I didn't realize that one could mod the light so that it would reset the next mode "no" memory back to the first/default mode.

Well worth doing - thus keeping the bargain status - yet getting a light that is more usable.

Next I just have to figure out how to get the pill out on some, and then get to the circuit board.

Is there a particular tool you use to unscrew the pill, please?

Thanks

I only done 2 types of lights the Gold zoom 18650 light and a small AA zoom light. I have a reflectored 18650 light that doesn't have the next mode memory issue seems 5 mode lights don't have the problem only 3 mode zoom lights seem have the problem. I got the pills out by simply unscrewing it and then prying the board out with a small screwdriver.

 

[UnknownVT]

Re: REVIEW - Eveready ReadyFlex Floating Lantern (EVFL45SH)

I got the pills out by simply unscrewing it and then prying the board out with a small screwdriver.

Thanks.

The reason I asked about a tool for unscrewing the pill is because I have a few that seem very tight, recessed or difficult -

4 year old SK68

usually with this type I just use a screwdriver on one side and push, they normally give.
With this one - that didn't work - so I tried a pair of snipe nosed pliers fitting in the two slots,
but again the pill seemed tight, that the pliers would slip.

Astrolux A01 -

thin bladed screwdriver on any recess that would fit, doesn't seem to have enough leverage to turn the pill...

Thanks

 

[Lynx_Arc]

Re: REVIEW - Eveready ReadyFlex Floating Lantern (EVFL45SH)

On the first one if you can find a thick flat washer the diameter of the ring and cut it in half and use a large adjustable wrench it may work. The second one You may have to make a tool using nails and a large round dowel rod. Take a piece of thin tracing paper and cut it to fit down inside and you can poke the holes through it with nails and then take the paper on the end of a dowel rod and trace the holes (dots) on it and hammer the nails into the holes then maybe grind them off etc.

 

[UnknownVT]

Re: REVIEW - Eveready ReadyFlex Floating Lantern (EVFL45SH)

On the first one if you can find a thick flat washer the diameter of the ring and cut it in half and use a large adjustable wrench it may work. The second one You may have to make a tool using nails and a large round dowel rod. Take a piece of thin tracing paper and cut it to fit down inside and you can poke the holes through it with nails and then take the paper on the end of a dowel rod and trace the holes (dots) on it and hammer the nails into the holes then maybe grind them off etc.

Thank you!

Now that's great thinking...

 

[Lynx_Arc]

Re: REVIEW - Eveready ReadyFlex Floating Lantern (EVFL45SH)

Thank you!

Now that's great thinking...

Only if it works

 

[Lynx_Arc]

Re: REVIEW - Eveready ReadyFlex Floating Lantern (EVFL45SH)

If you don't have a thick washer that size you could fold over a thinner one pounding it flat on the folded edge to fit maybe grinding the edge if it gets too thick even.

 

[UnknownVT]

Re: REVIEW - Eveready ReadyFlex Floating Lantern (EVFL45SH)

If you don't have a thick washer that size you could fold over a thinner one pounding it flat on the folded edge to fit maybe grinding the edge if it gets too thick even.

Thank you for the follow up and additional ideas :thumbsup:.

The Astrolux A01 is really the one I'd like to try your pencil mod on.

Whereas with H>L>strobe 3 mode lights, from my usual Low - I have learned to double tap to "skip" the strobe, then press harder to turn off on high.

Although I agree, once in a while I do forget and find I turn on to strobe, but that's fairly seldom these days.

I like that SkyWolfEye TLY-6501 (the one you have in gold), because it is so compact -
and although it doesn't perform any better than 14500/AA lights -
the use of 18650 means theoretically it ought to run up to 5 times longer.
My sample's tint is a bit more purple/blue than the other cheapo lights -
but I like it, as it will do as well, if not better than any lanterns I have used,
but in a much more compact form factor...
and,
price was 1/2 that of the ReadyFlex -
of course the 18650 battery is going cost more -
but it is rechargeable ...

Thanks

 

[Lynx_Arc]

Re: REVIEW - Eveready ReadyFlex Floating Lantern (EVFL45SH)

Thank you for the follow up and additional ideas :thumbsup:.

The Astrolux A01 is really the one I'd like to try your pencil mod on.

Whereas with H>L>strobe 3 mode lights, from my usual Low - I have learned to double tap to "skip" the strobe, then press harder to turn off on high.

Although I agree, once in a while I do forget and find I turn on to strobe, but that's fairly seldom these days.

I like that SkyWolfEye TLY-6501 (the one you have in gold), because it is so compact -
and although it doesn't perform any better than 14500/AA lights -
the use of 18650 means theoretically it ought to run up to 5 times longer.
My sample's tint is a bit more purple/blue than the other cheapo lights -
but I like it, as it will do as well, if not better than any lanterns I have used,
but in a much more compact form factor...
and,
price was 1/2 that of the ReadyFlex -
of course the 18650 battery is going cost more -
but it is rechargeable ...

Thanks

I have two of the 18650 zoom skywolfeye lights a silver and gold one and both have different color (tint) LEDs one is bluish tint closer to the white I like the other is a warm/yellowish white. I fuel mine with laptop battery pulls i got from a local computer store that recycles them. It is rather easy to do the pencil mod on them.

 

[UnknownVT]

Re: REVIEW - Eveready ReadyFlex Floating Lantern (EVFL45SH)

In order to fix the "next mode" memory you have to access the driver board and use a pencil (graphite) to smear it across the right diode which will in effect "drain" the memory based upon how much is shorting across the diode. I used clip leads so I could test the operation of it and had to reapply more pencil lead twice to get it to work right. The more you put the shorter the memory is maintained after turning off. I first had it where you had to leave it off for a minute or two but found that I liked it best at 5 seconds or less.

If you get too much just use a cloth and wipe off the excess and start over. I think too much it may only have one mode unable to remember long enough to go to the next mode.

Just to make sure I have got the correct component -
is this it? (highlight in red)

Not my photo -
screenshot taken from this YouTube video, and enhanced a bit -
Skywolfeye TLY-6501 focusable LED 18650 flashlight from China / ebay review and teardown (RaT)
(it's gold same as yours!)
The reviewer didn't know how modes were changed until about 12:39, it's from a few seconds later when he attached the macro lens the screenshot was taken
https://youtu.be/hZuJIiZIGNo?t=12m39s

He is suggesting the component is a capacitor.

Thanks,