Foursevens Preon P0

[Houdiny]

How do you know they are "updated"?

Well, I asked if their new batch was revised in any way and was told that the new batch was "supposedly updated".
I still hope that the P0 isn't faulty by design. If the new o-ring is the only thing that got changed there must be a reason for that. Perhaps they just turned their quality control up a notch, so the flickery and not-mode-changing P0s a few of us experienced don't get to the customers any more.

 

[Streamer]

They haven't had time to remedy...I seriously doubt they have "updated" the issues we have been discussing on the "eneloop" problem and the misfits that go along with it (i.e. IC's in the way of eneloop node and resulting short circuits).

 

[jorn]

I think 4sevens and the "dqg dude" buys the pill from the same company. They look almost exactly the same. The layout on the driverboard is identical on both. There are some extra holes in the p0 board, and slightly different coulor. They have different outputs so i guess they can't be exactly the same. My DQG have been my trusty edc for some time now and with no issues or hickups at all. So im not worried about the design. The only thing i worry about, is the pill coming loose and make my light twitchy when i dont have the time to fix it.. Or a drop on the head will crack something on the driverboard. (i removed the protective/anti-rattle foam pad for smoother twist action, and thats the reason why i felt the need to drop test my P0.)
I would like one of those "one modes" :) played around with a qtc pill and it worked out really nice when in hi mode. Ramping P0 :) (worked really nice both when the qtc were placed on the pill, and in the bottom of the tube.) Qtc is magnetic, so it was held secure in place by the magnet, but a pain to fish it out :)

 

[kaichu dento]

no one should have to monkey with a light to make it function... I wanna buy 5 of these Preons but I am gonna have to wait for the next version. I cannot gift out a light that can have complications

+1
I wanted to buy at least a few but the excitement of a tiny light with nice low level is greatly diminished by the need to fiddle before being able to reliably use one.
Some have been lucky and others not - I'd like to buy mine after the bugs are worked out and they could easily have had much higher sales levels initially if they'd done all the trouble shooting before shipping them to all of you guys to do it for them.

 

[this_is_nascar]

Prior to purchasing my (2) P0's, the last thing I purchased were several E05's and Revo's. Boy, how time and fame has changed the customer service provided by 4Sevens. I used to get an email reply with 24-hours. Now, an email to CS goes for a couple/few days before getting a human response. I guess 4Sevens will evenually become like most other small companys that went big, forgetting about quality customer service.

 

[jorn]

He sold out pretty quick, so higher sales could not be possible i guess :)

I dont think the ic's is getting moved just so the eneloop nipple will fit. You can't rotate the ic's, then the legs are exposed. And its no room to move them any wider apart. If the pill is getting loose, it's no big deal. The hi-lo ring on my malkoff gets loose now and then, and no one complaints about it. I think this light is mutch better than it sounds like here :) I got many exellent aaa lights to choose between, but the P0 rides on my keycain.

 

[127.0.0.1]

they need to use MLP instead of huge SMD IC's they chose

that would fix everything

costs more to make

or put the IC's on the other side of the board

or bury them in epoxy

 

[4sevens]

Customer service post removed in violation of dealer/manufacture policies

 

[jorn]

or put the IC's on the other side of the board

or bury them in epoxy

Both sides of the board is packed. The glow disc covers up all the stuff on the top side.
Epoxy woulden't help eneloop users.

 

[127.0.0.1]

I just got my hands on one and checked it out. now I know the eneloop problem better.

they do need to spec MLP IC's
that way they can keep the design intact but the IC will be far more flush to the board
and allow room for eneloop heads

or make the light 2 threads longer and bring the pos contact up

 

[Got Lumens?]

I just got my hands on one and checked it out. now I know the eneloop problem better.
they do need to spec MLP IC's
that way they can keep the design intact but the IC will be far more flush to the board
and allow room for eneloop heads or make the light 2 threads longer and bring the pos contact up

I agree, about the components specs. In height there's currently ~1mm battery shoulder clearance. The space between the components and center needs ~0.25mm more. Raising the contact ~0.50mm in height(3/4 thread) requires retooling and conflicts with design concepts. Energizer Lithiums are working fine. Let's wait and see what develops. I too want to use Eneloops.
GL

Edit: There are only two components that are causing the problem of not being able to use Eneloops.

 

[JulianP]

I agree that a flashlight should work with all types of batteries, including eneloops. Having said that, I've now used my Preon P0 for five days with Sony's Cycle Energy rechargeables, with no problem whatsoever. Being a CPF member and subscriber to this thread, I have nervously turned it on and off many times per day thinking it would soon malfunction. This did not happen. In a couple of weeks I will order a few more Preons, for other family members and for my bedside. As a night owl, I have taken to walking around the house with the Preon on moonbeam, to retrieve stuff like my cell phone and iPad. When I need both hands, I just put the Preon in my mouth like a cigarette. It's so light that it can be held this way for a few minutes with minimal discomfort. Weird, I know, but it's yet another use for this flashlight. Okay, no eneloops or 10440's, but until something better comes along, this is it for me.

 

[Flying Turtle]

Being a CPF member and subscriber to this thread, I have nervously turned it on and off many times per day thinking it would soon malfunction.

This sounds so familiar.

I've only tried using some old Energizer and Duracell NiMH's, with no problems.

Geoff

 

[rdrfronty]

Ok guys, I understand most like eneloops. They are great batteries. But I don't see why wanting to use them would warrant modifying a new little light just to make it fit. I mean if you really like tinkering with stuff and knowing these little lights are pretty cheap, sure ok, to each their own hobby. But what is really wrong with using the standard alkaline that comes with it? I've been using the Preon as my edc for about two weeks now using the duracell that came with it. It's hard to say just how long it will last, but I'd be surprised if it doesn't over a month. And with the cost of a AAA Duracell I should be able to keep it powered for a year for $5. So why take a chance of screwing up a perfectly good little light with a big button top battery like the eneloop? I guess if you really use your edc a bunch at work, etc. I guess an eneloop starts makes more sense. But at just over the cost of a gallon a gas to power my Preon for a year as a edc-I'm pretty content with a good alkaline.
I guess I just love my little preon and couldn't see chopping on it. Of course I haven't been a flashaholic as long as most here and am afraid to mess up any of my new prized possessions :)

 

[swxb12]

Out of the box, I'm having the same type of flaky mode changes with Duracells, Eneloops and Energizer Ultimate Lithiums. Considering returning it now :(

 

[jonnyfgroove]

My P0 is showing signs of wear and potential shorting and I've only used the included alkaline.:shrug:

 

[127.0.0.1]

Ok guys, I understand most like eneloops. They are great batteries. But I don't see why wanting to use them would warrant modifying a new little light just to make it fit. I mean if you really like tinkering with stuff and knowing these little lights are pretty cheap, sure ok, to each their own hobby. But what is really wrong with using the standard alkaline that comes with it?

because this is in the gift-light category and no one wants to be gifted a flaky light. like getting coal for christmas...

almost all similar lights simply -work-

no one wants to be locked into alkalines because eneloops have more benefits than simply 'being rechargable'

 

[jorn]

Out of the box, I'm having the same type of flaky mode changes with Duracells, Eneloops and Energizer Ultimate Lithiums. Considering returning it now :(

Tighten the pill.

almost all similar lights simply -work-

no one wants to be locked into alkalines because eneloops have more benefits than simply 'being rechargable'

The only, even close to similar light, is the DQG. Overalll, the cheaper P0 feels like it's better buildt. The rest is huge compared with the P0 and DQG. And youre not locked into alkalines. Eneloops is the only NIMH i know of that might not fit.

Here is a pic with some other current controlled aaa lights.

 

[rdrfronty]

However the thing about gift giving is that non flashlight people likely never heard of eneloop and would usually use energizer and duracells. But flaky lights certainly would be a poor gift. My light is working flawlessly, but I guess I'm one of the lucky 1/2 of the owners. Guess they are a hit & miss.

 

[Got Lumens?]

My P0 is showing signs of wear and potential shorting and I've only used the included alkaline.:shrug:

As Jonny mentioned above, There seems to be some tollerance differances in the PCB driver boards. My second sample that has used only Duracell alkaline battery does show a slight wear mark on one of the chips. I am confident that this will not cause future problems as there is some side to side give(0.15mm) with the battery and appears to have stopped with no further wear.

because this is in the gift-light category and no one wants to be gifted a flaky light. like getting coal for christmas...
almost all similar lights simply -work-
no one wants to be locked into alkalines because eneloops have more benefits than simply 'being rechargable'

I agree. This is not a problem for CPF crowd, but poses challanges to the non-flashaholic and public that are not adept at cleaning, connections, and proper lubrication that most flashlight in this catagory require.

I think one solution to this problem would be for Four Sevens to develop and sell a maintenance kit for thier flashlights. A simple and easy to understand guide that explains causes of flicker/dim output(dirt/debris/weak battery/etc.) and how to remedy them using the kit.

I am sure that Four Sevens is aware that some folks like and want to use Eneloop and square shouldered button batteries in these lights. We await to see a response. Either a driver PCB change, or a non-recommend for square button cells is needed to put this to rest.:candle:

GL