"You have insufficient privileges to post threads here" when I try to post in the Vendor Display.
Have you seen that same message?
You could post a new thread in general flashlight discussion or LED flashlights then you (or I) could report it and ask Big Ed to put it in Vendor Display.
Maybe post more than one if you want.
Yes, that's the message! I'll work up a doozie and get it posted in the next few days, and hopefully a kind mod will direct me in its placement... Thanks, Kitro!!
I am really excited to see the Lumenite II comeback, especially with a narrow cell 21700 body that resembles the proportions of the QT-L 18650. Less chonky than the 26650, which has been more difficult to get quality cells for lately. Which signals a trend.
I am absolutely thrilled with the performance of my QT-L Tiny Nuggets but the tinkerer in me is itching to try some alternative LEDs. SFT40, 519A, 219B, Osram W2, old XPL-HI, maybe even a Seoul 5W 365nm UV. I would really appreciate detailed feedback and opinions of others that may have already tried these or others with their results.
I would also really appreciate recommendations on the best tools for the job particularly for unscrewing the entire light engine. The narrow needle nose I have might work but I know it's not ideal. I imagine something like a 90° bent needle nose perhaps. I just want the best tool for the job so as not to risk any damage, which would be heartbreaking. If any of you could please recommend an exact make and model of tool it would be great!
Otherwise I have read that all that is necessary to remove the MCPCB hold down screws is a 7/64" hex Allen key, which I don't yet have. 7/64 is 2.78mm, so a 2.5mm (I do have) might work but I don't want to risk stripping the head. I figure a coating of Arctic Silver 5 on the back of the MCPCB is a good idea. I am very grateful to anyone that can share their experiences and lend any advice.
Lastly, can anyone advise me on how to remove the piston to replace the QTC material? I made the newbie mistake with one QT-L of overtightening to find the max output and fairly sure I oversqueezed the QTC. it no longer smoothly ramps when tightening, kinda jumps up levels but stays constant when set. Then just a smidge tighter and it's direct drive. So this one is the modding candidate now.
Thanks in advance to anyone offering their suggestions, opinions and help.
For Felicia and Paul, my sincere thanks for your persistence, determination, and hard work in materializing your dream for flashlights. You have accomplished something tangible that in my opinion has no direct competition. It's a brilliant design, beautifully executed. Count on me as a lifelong customer and loyal supporter.
Alrighty, I'm breaking yours down a bit for my answering ability...
The Lumenite II is still big. Husky isn't close, she's a Large Marge. However, the overall dimensions are almost the same as the original Qzark, if anyone remembers those. If not, I'll have photos as soon as we are done testing and I'll give y'all a comparison. The battery tube will accommodate both batteries, so this one will be a one-purchase-wonder (one cost for two battery types). I'll have more specs when we are closer to the drop.
We use needle nosed pliers for all the engines in all the flashlights, no need for 90*s! The only requirement is that the nose pieces fit into the holes on the engine. Here's a photo of the easiest way to do it, take the pliers and hold them in the middle (see photo, I'm bad with words) and let gravity help - hold the pliers still with your hand in the middle, while twisting the bezel loose from the engine with your other hand. The engine will stay upright, with the optic still on top (this is key, they are hard to clean. It may also stick to the oring at the top, so watch out). We use thermal paste (not sure of the kind, it was my first bulk order of the stuff), just make sure it's
not the kind that perma-sticks the MCPCB down and you're golden. The size of the screw hex is 7/64". I can mail you a hex key if you'd like, just let me know!!
Sidenote - I plan on having some hex keys for the next drop. We are slowly building a "mod kit" of sorts to be available soon, so if that's something you'd like to see, please let me know.
Flip the piece of QTC over, it acts like a reset button (for lack of better term) and brings back the ramping ability a bit. Additional QTC should be available on the site this year, also!!
Thermal Guy got you on the next part, just smack and swipe.
Last, but certainly not least, thanks so much for the kind words. The only reason we are still rolling is because you are all still interested - we love that some of y'all have been here for the last decade or so (aka: 90 pages)!! For everyone who has answered questions in our absence, we thank you for helping us make huge strides behind the scenes. This is going to be a fun year!!