The Nightsword project

[The_Driver]

Have you thought about outside funding? You could start a company, employ 1-2 people with experience and increase the speed of the development considerably. Production would require additional people anyhow if you want to supply people with their lights in a reasonable time frame. Kickstarter might be an option.

A good example of an expensive specialist tool that was funded through kickstarter is the Chronos 1.4 High-speed Camera. The minimum bid was 2499$ to get one and there were multiple more expensive options. They raised almost 500,000$.

 

[get-lit]

Nice update, but I'm left wondering how you can possibly develop this from the ground up and reach the point where it is suitable for production in any resonable time frame. Are you an electrical engineer? Why not just outsource the custom electronics to someone or some company who have experience in this field? I say this especially because of the safety concerns with high-voltage high-power electronics. The complexity seems very, very high to me.

Have you thought about outside funding? You could start a company, employ 1-2 people with experience and increase the speed of the development considerably. Production would require additional people anyhow if you want to supply people with their lights in a reasonable time frame. Kickstarter might be an option.

A good example of an expensive specialist tool that was funded through kickstarter is the Chronos 1.4 High-speed Camera. The minimum bid was 2499$ to get one and there were multiple more expensive options. They raised almost 500,000$.

The igniter and power supply design are actually not at all complex to me at this point. Yes there's many variables but they are second nature now. I have the schematic sorted out and I've wired up the components to run tests and determine suitable component sizes for the boost phase transition to normal operation. I already intend to outsource the igniter/PS PCB design and manufacture, but if the costs are more than I can handle, I'll go the Kickstarter route. But, if my schedule does not open up to allow me the time required to move this along much faster, I may instead open this to a collaborated project.

 

[get-lit]

I think the Nightsword Project is a long drawn out April fools joke

Okay I'll bite.. As you read through the thread, you'll see that improvements to the design were continual through the entire period. Sure I could have finished this project with the initial plans within the first year, but compared to the evolved plan...

1) The performance would not *remotely* compare
2) The durability would not compare
3) The weather resistance would not *remotely* compare
4) The focusing system would not compare
5) The beam adjust mechanism would not compare
6) The user operation would not compare
7) The cost would be a roughly two thousand more

Two separate paths I had to choose from...

1) Some people will be disappointed in the completion time due to refinement.

2) A lot of people will be disappointed they invested in something not nearly as good as an eventual second version that costs much less.

I really did not want the result of path #2 to happen, so I went with path #1.

So although I understand the frustration and amusement, I'm much more glad no one is disappointed to find themselves in boat #2. That means a lot to me, because this community means a whole lot to me.

Also in this time, I've had significant personal struggles which have forced me to put my own aspirations such as this project aside for extended periods of time. So far I've invested tens of thousands, while more than half my income I gladly give to child support which is the best investment a father could make.

If I could start over...

I'd still choose path #1 but would not have discussed it during the process. It's been such an exciting endeavor, I couldn't resist sharing along the way.

Also, much of the input I'd received along the way has really helped steer this ship in the best direction. So without feedback through the sharing of concepts and considerations, I honestly don't think I could say the result will have been as good.

The project has reached a point at which further discussion would not affect the final product. At this point everything about the project hinges on the completion of the power supply because the housing is built around it. The power supply is a huge milestone to tackle and will take more time and money. In my view, these are worthwhile sacrifices because the power supply *will be* what enables this to kick the crap out of anything this project had been geared for all along. But I promise, there will be more disappointment and amusement in the time it will take. So I suggest everyone enjoy the other areas of the forum in the meantime.

 

[BVH]

There's no other area of the forum as exciting as this thread! I am so very glad that you chose to be open to discussions and opinions of other members here. Great things come to those who wait and the NightSword WILL be Great! I'll still be the first member in-line for one when it's ready - if I'm quick enough to beat all the rest of you!

 

[Rasher]

I've just started browsing the site, came across this. Wow, just..., wow! I look forward to the end result, I am amazed at the things skilled builders can imagine and create.

 

[karlthev]

It's an amazing light in the que!



Karl

 

[BVH]

Anything new and exciting to report?

 

[JasonOk]

When and where can i buy one lol. I'll volunteer for beta or sacrifice a first born:wave::wave::wave::wave::wave:

 

[Leica]

Is it for sale?

 

[Magio]

I had forgotten all about this thread. Pretty sad there havent been any recent updates.

 

[BVH]

Hope Springs Eternal. I sure hope they become available.

 

[Juggernaut]

Making my bi yearly check in on this thread. Also a good boost to the top so any new members can see the craziness of this project. Hope things are still moving forward at some rate. :thumbsup:

 

[Ceya!]

BVH , yah still here.

Get Lit , do you. This is your project and knows what it needs.
Glad your here doing it.

Yep I'm back.

S/F,
Ceya!

 

[Mr. Tone]

get-lit, any progress or setbacks on this project? We're all rooting for you, this is one of the coolest projects ever undertaken on CPF to my knowledge. I have a feeling BVH's Paypal has been locked & loaded for some time in case you ever have one of these badboys for sale. 😉

 

[PhotonMaster3]

I'd love to buy this too my friend!

 

[IlluminatedOne]

Don't think he is coming back, he was last on in 2018, hope i am wrong as i always wanted one of those insane lights.

Hope he is well whatever he is doing now.

 

[Ceya!]

Yeah. I was hoping to see his project come to reality.