Data's SPY005: Ginseng's First Impression's
Some time ago, Dave contacted me to discuss his SPY005 concept. I provided what input and feedback I could toward his well-conceived project and let him know that I'd be pleased to help him field test the design. Well, that was some time ago and now I'm honored to have been asked to do just that.
Let me say up front that I have neither solicited nor been offered any inducement or compensation for this field testing. After I am done, this unit goes back to Dave. He was nice enough, however, to send me a small aluminum paperweight/paperclip cup. Retail value on that honorarium is probably on the order of $10-15.
Here goes.
Fit and Finish
One would never be able to tell that this unit was a pre-production prototype. The machining is top notch. The curves are organic and fluid. The carved grip pad areas on the sides of the light are well-executed. The joint between the chromed head and the HA-3 body is tight and even. The interior of the bezel has six accent notches cut into it, providing a nice bit of textural detail.
This is a 2x123 light with the cells arranged in an over-under side-by-side arrangement. This allows for a super compact design that fits the hand well and is easy to hold AND easy to use, simultaneously.
Popping the rear cap shows that the attention to design and tolerance is there. The cap retention method is innovative in that it is essentially zero-length and very positive. The main O-ring seal appears to be able to provide at least a splash-proof seal. The sealing around the cap-release pin is less clear.
Comment on cosmetics:
The grip pads on this pre-pro unit are cut so that the tops of the lands are flat and the valleys are gently radiused. This results in an inviting sort of "flow" when you hold the light in your hand and run the pad of your thumb along the grooves. Very nice. An alternative cut pattern might be one such as the diamond checkering pattern found on the grips or stocks of firearms. It would not be out of line to expect to see such a pattern on this unit. I'd have no trouble believing you if you told me this was made by Beretta or Sig to go along with a commemorative pistol offering. It's that nice.
Functionality
The bezel is small enough and the body flat enough that it is an effortless carry in any pocket. In fact, it even fits in the coin pocket of my jeans. This is a small light whose dimensions completely belie its versatility and performance. Overall, it is a significant demonstration of good industrial product design. Here is a picture of it sandwiched between my Blazer MicroTorch lighter and Benchmade MiniRSK.
This is a multi-output level light. And as such, it has a level selector/switch. The unique aspect of this light's design is that it positions the rotary selector directly under (or over, depending on how you orient it) the head in an over-under configuration. Very slick, very intuitive and much more practical in use (especially one-handed) than almost any other variable output configuration I've seen or worked with including the vaunted SF U2.
The knob is a small chromed cylinder with 10 notches cut out of the front edge. The finish on the knob is high polish and bright plated. When I first heard that Dave was planning on this finish, I expressed concern that it might result in a slickness when gripping it. In the worst case, this could translate to imprecision of level selection, mis-selection or inability to turn the knob at all if one's hands were more than damp.
As it turns out, when the hands are normally moist (not as from perspiration, water or oil) there is no problem whatsoever activating the switch and selecting at will and with confidence. In this circumstance, the smooth surface is precisely what provides "lock up" with your finger pads. However, when the hands get dry, as mine tend to do, grip declines quite noticeably even when gripping with the thumb and forefinger in an opposed pincer arrangement. This brings us to...
Comment #1 on the selector knob/switch:
While I suspect that the knob finish will work well the majority of the time for the majority of users, I can envision a fair portion of conditions under which switch operation might be compromised. To address this concern, It might be worth considering an alternative finish. For example, an aggressive media blast followed by bright coating might serve to enhance grip yet still provide a reasonably elegant finish. I'd point to some of the work done by Endeavor as examples of a similar approach. Alternatively, a slip-on, replaceable rubber grip ring might serve while providing a more utilitarian appearance.
While I am testing this light, I've applied some self-gripping splice tape to the knob to increase the grip and operation of the knob is now sure and confidence inspiring.
This light has six output levels. The lowest of which corresponds roughly to the "low" setting of PALight Survival. Though not as dim as the "always on" level, it is still pretty dim and I suspect well suited to use for middle of the night excursions to the can or to check on the baby. The highest is bright. About on par, as I recall, with my Smooth Operator which runs a U-bin Lux-3 driven by a Wiz2 at 1000mA. In other words, bright. The spot is well-formed from about 6" on out and is uniform. Very nice.
Levels 1-5 seem well-spaced but level 6 is very close to level 5. That is to say, the two brightest levels are too close in my opinion. The selection action is very, very good though. The detents at each level are positive in action and accompanied by a clearly audible "click." There are some who might prefer a more silent action, but as it is now, the combination of tactile and audible feedback is right on. Perfect IMO. I used the light while wearing a pair of Mechanix gloves and operation was flawless.
To select the highest of the six levels requires 6 x 36 degrees (216 degrees total) of rotation of the selector knob. This corresponds to turning the knob from 12 noon to 7:12 on the clock face. If using the opposed thumb-forefinger grip, this necessitates turning it as far as your fingers will allow (before contacting the bezel and thus limiting rotation), lifting your fingers off the knob, bringing them back to the starting positions and then turning some more. That is, you can only reasonably access level 3 (possibly level 4) on the first twist and then on the second twist, you can reach level 6. These last two points brings us to...
Comment #2 on the selector knob/switch:
In my opinion, more than three levels is excessive for a general purpose use light that is expected to perform under varying conditions of background light and illumination demand. The eye adjusts rapidly enough to facilitate adaptation to three coarse, though well-spaced levels of output on targets. Additionally, the light is typically either scanned around, directed to follow a moving target, or is trained upon a region where movement of objects of non-uniform lightness is occurring. Under these conditions, the ability to select from a multiplicity of fine gradations in incident illumination is unlikely to provide any benefit to the task.
And so, this brings me to another recommendation. In my opinion, limiting the output to three levels achieves the following benefits:
1) The total range of rotation is cut in half from 216 degrees to 108 degrees. And following on this change...
2) The user can access all the levels from off to highest and back again without removing his fingers from the knob. This provides total and positive control of the lighting condition.
3) The three levels then become readily identified and the position of the selector can be mentally indexed so that the user knows with confidence what level he is at.
The lens in this unit is a gently domed glass window. In fact, it is so gently domed that I did not even notice it until Dave pointed it out to me. My recommendation is that unless there is a good reason to stick with it, to replace the unit with a flat lens. The gentle dome should not provide for any benefit in performance, design or cost as far as I can tell. The question of whether and what type of anti-reflection coating has not been settled as far as I know.
One final note on use that I have to make, sorry Dave, I'll disinfect the unit before I return it
, is that the unit lends itself well to "mouthing." That is, it is light, small and with a near perfect profile for gripping between the teeth (or with lips over teeth) while both hands are employed in a task. In this respect, it is superior to my L4 in that 1) is does not have that extreme, flesh and enamel shredding knurling SF likes so much and 2) it is shorter, thus is less stressful to carry comfortably in this way.
Impression so far
This is an impressive light. In terms of the logicality and thoroughness of its design considerations it is a significant enough event. However, couple this with an amazing balance of performance and ergonomics, and it is the most significant "Small & Bright" class light I've encountered. Innovative, well-crafted and well-considered, it is a giant among the tiny.
I look forward to putting this gem through its paces in the coming week.
Wilkey