Thetasigma
Flashlight Enthusiast
Hello guys, for those of you who avoid the Facebook scene, this is a new light I've been working on. I have a few reservation slots left if anyone is interested. I will be starting with the straight tailed version pictured below. Please PM me with an email address for contact and your options if you are interested. This light will be available with either a 14500 configuration using the programmable LD-A4 (3A) constant current driver, or the AA/14500 Reylight driver. As usual, payment is not due until a light is close to ready to ship.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1AbfeEdhDxtJ7a2PVY_tA0navOs6ESLg6WyduDfFaPyE/edit?usp=sharing
Pricing: $515 for Titanium, $465 for Mn-Bronze
Design Goal,
-Robust design
-Simple, reliable UI,
-Good clip options
-Upgradeable design
-14500 sized (possible to convert to AA/14500 as drivers become available)
-Good reflector, the McR-18S is quite compact but very capable.
Intro,
The Nova is a 14500 light meant to be capable in both primary and backup EDC roles. The choice of 14500 cells is due to it being the best of the
smaller cells currently, equal or better capacity than most 16340s, and better current capability. The Nova will be tuned with the purple Efest 650mAh 14500s in mind. Another benefit of using the 14500 size, is that the light, in particular the battery pack, can be made a little longer for good grip, but much slimmer. The OD of the body is only about a half millimeter larger than the typical 18350s, but durability is still present with thick walls. The 1" head is threaded in 3/4-28 instead of 7/8-28 to allow for the deeper fins for heat dissipation, more thermal mass around the fins, but still accommodate the excellent McR-18S reflector for a wide spilled beam with good throw, working well from close to long range.
Like all my lights, this light is entirely manually machined.
Function,
The closest relative for this light functionally would be the McGizmo piston-drive lights, except modes are handled by the driver, and instead of the complicated secondary piston around the battery, a Peak SS momentary switch is installed in the tail of the light, and acts as the piston instead, moving the battery into contact with both the switch contact and driver positive contact. With the light twisted into the off position the Peak momentary switch can be actuated to provide light for however long the switch is depressed, and when it is release it shuts off, so accidentally latching into ON like with a clicky switch, is not possible here. For constant ON, the light functions as a twisty with the momentary switch being a fixed contact once the light is tightened to complete the circuit. Another feature to be implemented that is not shown in the below proof of concept, is a electrically isolated wave spring to provide enough pressure against the battery to keep it from rattling along the length of the tube in the OFF position, as well as keep the battery from slamming into the rear switch if dropped while off.
Since the primary driver for the 14500 setup is programmable (LD-A4), the light can be set with mode memory so that rear switch can be used as a momentary and mode switching mechanism and twisty for constant on, or no-memory so that light functions as a twisty with a momentary option.
Grip,
My signature Acme grip will be used on these lights, as in the pictures. This turned out to be grippier and more aesthetically pleasing than the originally rendered knurl pattern.
Clip,
For the straight tailed version as pictured below, the excellent Darksucks Ti Eiger clip will be used as it is retained very securely by the switch, is low profile, and carries deeply. Other clips meant for use with the Peak momentary switch should fit as well such as the OR Logan clip.
For the flared tailed version the most likely clip option will be the OR SS clip.
Changelog:
v.1--Pictured below, two piece head, 3 fins
v.2--One piece head, 4 fins, small dimension adjustments
Darksucks Ti Eiger clip shown installed.
Prototype version, final version will have a single piece head.
Next to the compact AA Maratac
Flared tail on top, straight tail on bottom. Knurling will not be used on this light at this time. Both configurations use the same Peak momentary switch
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1AbfeEdhDxtJ7a2PVY_tA0navOs6ESLg6WyduDfFaPyE/edit?usp=sharing
Pricing: $515 for Titanium, $465 for Mn-Bronze
Design Goal,
-Robust design
-Simple, reliable UI,
-Good clip options
-Upgradeable design
-14500 sized (possible to convert to AA/14500 as drivers become available)
-Good reflector, the McR-18S is quite compact but very capable.
Intro,
The Nova is a 14500 light meant to be capable in both primary and backup EDC roles. The choice of 14500 cells is due to it being the best of the
smaller cells currently, equal or better capacity than most 16340s, and better current capability. The Nova will be tuned with the purple Efest 650mAh 14500s in mind. Another benefit of using the 14500 size, is that the light, in particular the battery pack, can be made a little longer for good grip, but much slimmer. The OD of the body is only about a half millimeter larger than the typical 18350s, but durability is still present with thick walls. The 1" head is threaded in 3/4-28 instead of 7/8-28 to allow for the deeper fins for heat dissipation, more thermal mass around the fins, but still accommodate the excellent McR-18S reflector for a wide spilled beam with good throw, working well from close to long range.
Like all my lights, this light is entirely manually machined.
Function,
The closest relative for this light functionally would be the McGizmo piston-drive lights, except modes are handled by the driver, and instead of the complicated secondary piston around the battery, a Peak SS momentary switch is installed in the tail of the light, and acts as the piston instead, moving the battery into contact with both the switch contact and driver positive contact. With the light twisted into the off position the Peak momentary switch can be actuated to provide light for however long the switch is depressed, and when it is release it shuts off, so accidentally latching into ON like with a clicky switch, is not possible here. For constant ON, the light functions as a twisty with the momentary switch being a fixed contact once the light is tightened to complete the circuit. Another feature to be implemented that is not shown in the below proof of concept, is a electrically isolated wave spring to provide enough pressure against the battery to keep it from rattling along the length of the tube in the OFF position, as well as keep the battery from slamming into the rear switch if dropped while off.
Since the primary driver for the 14500 setup is programmable (LD-A4), the light can be set with mode memory so that rear switch can be used as a momentary and mode switching mechanism and twisty for constant on, or no-memory so that light functions as a twisty with a momentary option.
Grip,
My signature Acme grip will be used on these lights, as in the pictures. This turned out to be grippier and more aesthetically pleasing than the originally rendered knurl pattern.
Clip,
For the straight tailed version as pictured below, the excellent Darksucks Ti Eiger clip will be used as it is retained very securely by the switch, is low profile, and carries deeply. Other clips meant for use with the Peak momentary switch should fit as well such as the OR Logan clip.
For the flared tailed version the most likely clip option will be the OR SS clip.
Changelog:
v.1--Pictured below, two piece head, 3 fins
v.2--One piece head, 4 fins, small dimension adjustments
Darksucks Ti Eiger clip shown installed.
Prototype version, final version will have a single piece head.
Next to the compact AA Maratac
Flared tail on top, straight tail on bottom. Knurling will not be used on this light at this time. Both configurations use the same Peak momentary switch
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