This forum dead or dying?

[IMA SOL MAN]

I think what made CPF popular was because the members were on the cutting edge of modifying incandescent lights (pre LED), CPF was pushing the envelope, innovating, inventing, going where no one had gone before. Now, you can go to Walmart and for a few dollars buy a cheap China made flashlight that is way bright enough for most consumers, much brighter than the old incans back in the day.

 

[Chauncey Gardener]

My two favorite Oveready customs.

 

[dc38]

My two favorite Oveready customs.

View attachment 81156

I really like the cigar ring on the c2's...terrible for pocket carry though

 

[Chauncey Gardener]

I really like the cigar ring on the c2's...terrible for pocket carry though

Yep. Winter coat pocket carry only. I sold it before realizing I was a collector. It was just too nice for anything but being a shelf queen.

 

[Jean-Luc Descarte]

It's not dead, just not as hyped as it used to be. The reasons why have been mentioned aplenty in the thread, and I make an addendum: the focus seems to have gone from the development of flashlights to the usage of them.

 

[Monocrom]

When I first came here, inca. was King if you desired output. And, if you wanted the best of that.... You had to custom-make such a light, or contact a member who knew how and pay for it! After a few months, you'd get your light. Nowadays, you go online, go to a certain brand's website (we all know which one it is), and with a couple of clicks of a mouse; just order one to be delivered to your door in a couple of days with expedited shipping.

When it's that easy, there's much less excitement. Much less to discuss or talk about on CPF.

 

[dc38]

When I first came here, inca. was King if you desired output. And, if you wanted the best of that.... You had to custom-make such a light, or contact a member who knew how and pay for it! After a few months, you'd get your light. Nowadays, you go online, go to a certain brand's website (we all know which one it is), and with a couple of clicks of a mouse; just order one to be delivered to your door in a couple of days with expedited shipping.

When it's that easy, there's much less excitement. Much less to discuss or talk about on CPF.

Yet another example of my position that while the pursuit of convenience breeds innovation, achieving that convenience kills innovation.

 

[aznsx]

The story w/flashlights is starting to sound familiar to me, and I'm not sure what differs from what I saw so-called 'PCs' go through decades ago (although I was not a participant, as I was working with commercial stuff by then). For another example, I went through similar things with car audio stuff decades before that.

In the early days, one often must 'build it themselves' from pieces to get what they want / need, and that actually helps drive the commercial markets / development. Years later, I bought an amp off the shelf (for example) that was better than anything I had built. I would laugh at the idea of building one myself now. There is indeed a pattern here, but I do not see it as a bad / negative thing at all for the associated market segments. I see it as a natural and positive process. Like time, change never stops. I guess I can move along with it, or get run over by it;-)

 

[dc38]

I guess I can move along with it, or get run over by it;-)

A spike strip can do both.

 

[Sabrewulf]

Seems like it. The forum isn't very active, well compared to my other hobby forums.

 

[sharkeeper]

If it were like 2005 or so there would be folks like Styropro building kilowatt LEPs sweeping the skies outshining the infamous GE/Sperry carbon arc WWII searchlights!

 

[IMA SOL MAN]

 

[nfetterly]

This thread seems to have gone off track here, but...
Lots of Oveready (my Ti 18650 Boss is absent). Of course all the 6Ps / extenders are bored for 18mm cells.
Not all 6Ps have drop-ins
From left

Triple E head on Leef
Orange 6P with extender, with trit bezel. This one has been carried by far the most out or these & has some marks - and would not be for sale.
Similar to Chauncey - this is a favorite.
GITD 6P with extender
"Fire" with Zero rez tail with attachment to clip onto
"Ice" (blue)
Black HAIII
Natural HAIII
Black HAIII
Chromed Diamond pattern by Oveready ("3P" plus extender to make ""6P"
Wasp with Zero Rez (but available with triad trit tail)
"Lava" "3P"
C2 Scout head, large trits (2) on body with trit triad tail - I believe this went back for LED upgrade, if not it's SST-50 4500K (wonderful light)

 

[Monocrom]

Love my Leef-bodied SureFire M4, and my SureFire M6 with the custom-made 18650 battery-cabby on the inside. And, if I said I use either one.... I'd be a dirty, dirty liar.

Still love them though.

 

[jarobi]

Every now and then I'll break out my ROP, throw an AW into my Pila IBC charger, and pour out a forty in memory of the old days.

 

[nfetterly]

Love my Leef-bodied SureFire M4, and my SureFire M6 with the custom-made 18650 battery-cabby on the inside. And, if I said I use either one.... I'd be a dirty, dirty liar.

I typically carry my lights in industrial settings. When I worked in a mill (versus being a supplier) I liked my 3x18650 with WA1185 (think I have that right, since sold) with AW soft start 3 level switch. Not exactly EDC friendly.

Up until ~5 years ago ALL my lights were custom / small batch (like Oveready, McGizmo) or modified.

Last week I bought an O-Clip Ultra (arrived 2 days ago) - spot / flood & UV. It is ~1.5" tall. Alot smaller than it looks in photo below
I can live without the UV. But the form factor, from a major manufacturer, for under $40??

 

[Monocrom]

Every now and then I'll break out my ROP, throw an AW into my Pila IBC charger, and pour out a forty in memory of the old days.

I feel old.

 

[tsask]

I was thinking about this same thing, some excellent posts here on this topic. Just to add some commentary on the course of events here, since early 2000, I'd say 25 years ago and the period shortly thereafter LED technology was making breakthroughs almost every week. This facilitated much of the discussion, debate and traffic here at CPF. Some of us can think back to what was then new and more efficient technology with greater power and smaller offerings such as the Nuwai Q3 , and now chuckle compared to what's available today. What was initially a hot product, now would be regarded as obsolete. back in the day it was a hot item as were other now long since almost forgotten mainstays of the LED flashlight community like the ARC AAA-P. Oh what memories

 

[ABTOMAT]

This thread acts like CPF used to be all about modding, but I remember the threads obsessing over every new Surefire model as they were announced. And then again when they'd (occasionally) reach production. I've had a U2 for almost 20 years thanks to that.

 

[Chauncey Gardener]

This thread acts like CPF used to be all about modding, but I remember the threads obsessing over every new Surefire model as they were announced. And then again when they'd (occasionally) reach production. I've had a U2 for almost 20 years thanks to that.

HEY! Let's not forget about David Chow and 4Sevens! That guy and his lights drew a crowd. .... and he was always having a sale and offered 10% off for CPF members. Good times. Good times, indeed.