Friday, June 13, 2014

Photon Freedom Review

Photon Freedom – The best button cell flashlight!?




Before I went AWOL, I had planned to do a review of this little flashlight.  To this day, out of all the keyring lights that run on button cells, this has been my favourite!  I have taken the Photon Freedom all over the world with me on various travels.  You can see here an example of a keychain setup I take for travelling HERE.  While the Photon Freedom is not overly bright, it's light weight, flexible, reliable and has a good runtime.  It crams a lot of versatility and hidden features into a very small package.

At the Grand Canyon


Pros:

-Great UI – has adjustable brightness levels that ramps up or down.  Gives you instant access to full brightness with a single click.  Or if you want to preserve you night vision, you can hold down the button and ramp up from low to high.  Sos/blinky modes are available, but tucked away for emergencies
-Unlike some cheap fauxtons, I haven't had any issues with it accidentally turning on.  If it does become a concern, you can set it to signal mode where it will only turn on whilst the button is pressed down.
-Comes with a neck lanyard and cradle for the Photon Freedom.  The cradle comes in handy as a way of storing the light that also prevents accidental activation.  See HERE for an example.
-Comes with a hands-free magnetic clip.  The magnets allow you to attach it to anything metallic.  You can clip it to things such as your hat, becoming a make-shift emergency headlamp.
-Quite a few hidden features/modes – will go into that later
-The ''white light version” uses 2xcr2016 lithium batteries – I feel these lithium button cells are better than the alkaline button cells in the streamlight nano/egear pico light.  I haven't done any objective tests, but I feel the lithium batteries maintains it brightness for longer.  They also work better in extreme temperatures.
-Comes with a life time warranty:  https://www.photonlight.com/pages/Photon-Guarantee-and-Warranty-Service.html
-Comes in a variety of colours (including pink!) and different coloured LEDs.
-Specs suggest 12hr+ runtime.  I wouldn't be surprised if this were true, but I would assume the later stages would be at a much, much reduced output than at the start.




fauxton, photon freedom, different fauxton, abitax tag light, streamlight nano, egear pico lite


Photon Freedom, hands free clip, neck lanyard with cradle.  The original quick-release clip is quite large.  I've switched it to a smaller mcgizmo clip (see above).


Cons:

-I feel the keyring clip included is a little too big – I've switched to a smaller mcgizmo clip instead
-I got a special version that is camouflage in colour (I don't think they make this style body anymore).  Aesthetics aside, this probably wasn't the best choice in colour, if you drop it in grassland it could be hard to find.  However, there is a “Doug Ritter” version that is bright yellow in colour, which should make it easier to locate when dropped.
-Very prominent PWM if not at max brightness.  But considering it's size and other features, I'm pretty forgiving of this.  Most of the time, I'd be running it at max brightness anyway.
-Not very bright (~5 lumen), but generally enough for keyring use, especially with a fairly fresh batteries.
-Beam fairly ugly, typical of most other 5mm LEDs.  Has a purplish tint and quite 'ringy'
-Costly compared to cheap fauxtons you can buy from many of the chinese electronic webstores


Beam typical of most 5mm LEDs

Camoflauge colour probably wasn't my best choice.  More difficult to see in nature environments


Photon Freedom hidden modes:


These were found in various threads in CPF and EDC forums, which I will link to at the end of this article.

Signal/morse code mode:
Keep clicking the button 5-6 times until the light only stays on momentarily. In this mode the photon freedom will only turn on whilst the button is pushed down.  To turn it off signal mode, hold down the button until the light turns off.

50% mode (potentially useful if you want to prolong your battery life using blinky modes):
From OFF Push until “first light” and then Release quickly. You can now Push & Hold until it reaches the level you would like. It will be using half the power as usual, so “full power” is 50%. This effects all levels and the blinking modes as well. You can check that you are using this mode by setting it to “full power” and waving it back and forth. In 50% mode it will look like a dotted line (strobing or PWM). In normal mode it will be solid. It will return to normal mode when it is turned off.

Demonstration mode (light turns off after ~6 seconds):
This is the way the light comes when new. You can also return to this mode by removing the battery(s) and then Pushing & Holding the switch as you put the battery(s) back in. In this mode none of the blinking modes will work, but all the ON/OFF and brightness controls will work. The light will also turn OFF after about 6 seconds. To exit this mode Push & Hold for about 20 seconds (till it turns OFF) or remove and replace the batteries without Holding the switch.

“Auto off” after 3 minutes:
1) press the button rapidly 6 times, which puts the light into "signal/morse code mode."
2) Then press and hold the button for about 5 seconds until the light goes out (this takes the light back out of "signal mode").
3) Continue holding the button for another 5 seconds until there is a brief flash of light.
-Now the light is in "auto off" mode.  At ~3minutes the flashlight will slowly ramp down in brightness until it is completely off.
-To return the light to normal operation without auto-off, Repeat steps 1 and 2 above without doing step 3 (ie. Let go of the button before that brief flash of light)






Conclusion:

If you want something small and light, and don't need more than ~5 lumens, the Photon Freedom is worth some serious consideration.  Personally, I like the brighter modes and nicer beam available with 10180 lights, so that remains my format of choice for a keyring light.  However, the 10180 batteries don't last very long on higher modes, so you'll need to recharging them relatively regularly.

This is why I like having the Photon Freedom as my keyring travel companion.  The batteries usually last the duration of the trip (provided your not TOO heavy with it's usage), and I don't need to any extra chargers that I'd need with a 10180 flashlight.  I'll often EDC an AA/AAA flashlight when travelling, so usually ~5 lumens is enough for keychain usage and an emergency backup to the EDC.



Links:

Good round up of information on the photon freedom:
http://edcforums.com/threads/photon-freedom-101-puting-it-all-together.43690/

Hidden auto-off mode:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?182818-secret-Photon-auto-off-mode-Freedom-and-Rex-3-min-w-ramp

For specifications and to purchase:
http://www.photonlight.com/led-flashlights/photon-freedom-micro-led-keychain-flashlight/#

Doug Ritter Version, also with some good ideas/info.
http://www.dougritter.com/dr_photon.htm

Another review from a serious hiker
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Lighting/Flashlights%20-%20LED/LRI%20Photon%20Freedom%20Micro%20Flashlight/Owner%20Review%20by%20Ray%20Estrella/

Extra Pictures of Packaging:




Saturday, May 17, 2014

TEC-S323 Isotope Fob Review

TEC-S323 Isotope Fob Review




With the recent addition of the diminutive “DQG spy” to my current keychain setup, I've been finding my usual Tec Accessories S3 glow fob, a little too large in comparison.  Looking around for a smaller alternative that is still encased in metal, brought me to the TEC-S323 Isotope Fob, also made by Tec Accessories.

I've been out of the loop with these sorts of things, but the TEC-S323 Isotope Fob appears to have been released around a year ago.  It is a metal housing built to hold a 3x23 tritium vial.  The dimensions of the Tec Accessories Isotope promise to be slightly smaller, thinner and lighter than the TEC-S3/A3/T3 glow fobs.



Specifications:

(Taken from the manufacturers website)
Material: Stainless Steel
Finish: Bead Blasted
Outside Diameter: 5.0 mm [0.197"]
Overall Length: 31.5 mm [1.24"]
Split Ring Hole Size: 3.0mm [0.118"]
Total Assembled Weight (without tritium vial): 1.8 grams [.06 oz]
Total Assembled Weight (with tritium vial): 2.0 grams [.07 oz]
Cost: $23 (not including the tritium)






Packaging and Accessories:


The packaging is pretty plain from the Tec Accessories.  Everything comes in a ziplock bag.  Included is a small container with a small split ring and 3 rubber plugs.  You only need one plug for the installation of the tritium, so the others are spares.  Another small cylindrical plastic container holds the metal housing and keeps it safe whilst in transit.  A card with basic instructions is included.

Please note that the tritium vial is not actually included, if purchased directly from Tec Accessories.  You need to buy the 3x23mm tritium separately, or alternatively Merkava from cpfmarketplace sells the Isotope preinstalled with the tritium.  Merkava is one of my regular sources for tritium, but there are a few others also on cpfmarketplace forums.

Packaging

Contents



Instructions:

Pretty simple to put it together... no need to mess around with any glue or adhesives.  Put the 3x23 tritium vial into the metal housing. GENTLY ease one of the rubber plugs on top of the tritium.  Place split ring through the appropriate hole.  I tend to use a pair of fine pliers to open the split ring.  With the rubber plug and the split ring in place, the tritium vial is very unlikely to ever come out by itself.

Pros:

-Smaller than the TEC A3/S3/T3 glow fobs
-Simple to install
-Feels well made
-It's subjective, but I like how it looks
-Once again subjective, but I think tritium in a metal housing looks more classy than a plain plastic tube
-Reasonably priced compared to other custom metal housings

Cons:

-Not covered by a plastic shell, like the TEC S3/A3/T3.  This means it's smaller, but also potentially less protected if something hits it through one of the gaps in the metal housing.  However as of this stage, google does not find any reports of broken tritium in the Isotope
-Even though the TEC “Isotope” has been designed to maximise visibility, I feel that the tritium is slightly more visible in the TEC S3/A3/T3.  I feels this is the case, because the plastic shell provides more “spacing” from the tritium to the metal housing.
-Tritium definitely not as visible when compared to a plain acrylic housing.

Nite Glowring, tritium in acrylic casing, Tec S3 Glow Fob, Tec Isotope Fob, DQG Spy


Conclusion

I suspect the Tec Isotope Fob will be a permanent addition to my current keychain.  I like how it looks, and the smaller size better suits my keyring setup.  My only possible concern is whether the housing provides enough protection for the tritium.  It would take a very unfortunate knock to break the tritium, though.  I guess we'll find out with time and usage...

My keyring setup

Wife's keyring


Links


Information on tritium and TEC Isotope Fob:
http://www.tecaccessories.com/PDF/TA_S323_vials.pdf

Manufacturer's Webpage:
http://www.tecaccessories.com/TEC-S323.TEC-S323-Isotope

Forums to buy 3x23 tritium and preinstalled Isotope:
http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/forumdisplay.php?108-WTS-Other-Personal

Monday, April 14, 2014

DQG Spy 10180 – Quick Review


DQG Spy 10180 – Quick Review






Additonal Photos:
 

Pros

Smallest 10180 that I've found – weights next to nothing
Simple UI – tighten for low, tighten further for high
No PWM – at least none that I can notice
Floody beam useful for close quarters
Good knurling
Tritium on the tail
Can tail-stand easily


Knurling


Cons

Minor issue – a few sharp edges at the tail, near the grooves for the split ring
Need to take a little care when changing batteries, I find it it relatively easily to cross-thread the threads.
Beam is pure flood with no hotspot – brightness fades off quite quickly with distance
Tritium seems quite exposed – I'd be a little worried it might break with keychain duty. I might try and encase it with some Norland 61, if I get a chance.
Difficult to operate one handed, as it's so small

Tritium feels a little exposed.  Some sharp edges at the tail end.

Wide pure flood beam



Versus the Quantum DD

-The DQG spy is significantly smaller and lighter than the Quantum DD.
-In terms of usability, I prefer the DQG Spy over the Quantum DD. I find with the QTC in the Quantum DD, you have to tighten it with a fair bit of force to get it to max brightness. The lack of decent knurling, compounds this issue further, as it's harder to get good finger support to tighten the light firmly.
-The tritium you can install into the Quantum DD, is longer in length. And since it is larger, it's also potentially brighter. Also, you can install two pieces of tritium in the Quantum DD without affecting tail-standing ability. With the DQG Spy, if you install a second rod of tritium, you potentially lose the split ring attachment.
-I feel the Quantum DD has a more modern futuristic look. I feel the DQG spy is more utilitarian in appearance.
-DQG has a wider and a “pure flood” beam. My version of the Quantum DD, is still a fairly floody beam but has a slight hotspot in the centre.
-Quantum DD comes with a charger. You have you source your own charger with the DQG Spy.

Size comparison: Modamag Drake, Quantum DD, DQG Spy, Streamlight Nano, Egear Pico Lite



Other thoughts:

There is also a brass version that is available for even cheaper! The DQG Fairy. Basically, it has the same 'guts' as the DQG Spy, but with a different exterior. Personally, I feel it looks rather plain, so I'm going to give this one a miss.

On my wish list, I'd like to see a version with a reflector or a more focused TIR optic. This will make the flashlight a little more longer, but I'd be happy to accept the trade off. The floody beam is actually quite useful for keychain duties, where it's mostly used to illuminate objects at close quarters. But realistically do we need a keychain light to blast 120 lumens, but only lasts for >10mins at this level? The reason why we (or at least I) have have such an overpowered keychain light is the blast the socks off the “unilluminated”, with their piddly 5-15 lumen button cell light/mag solitaire/iphone LED. A more collimated beam with a brighter hot spot, looks more impressive than a floody beam, particularly if your lighting up an object more than a few metres away.

Ideally, my perfect 10180 flashlight, would be something like the Modamag Drake, but without the PWM, a better looking exterior and an updated LED emitter .

Added to my current keychain duties

Everyone loves a knife and light combo right?  With the Spyderco Bug.



Specifications for DQG spy (taken from a sales page):

Dimension: 27mmx12.5mm
Netweight: 6 gram
Material: Titanium Alloy
Emitter: CREE XP-G2 R5 1A CW / 4C NW
Battery: 10180 Li-ion  (included)
Mode: Low (20mA)>High  (300mA)
Brightness: 200Lumens on High;  10Lumens on Low
(Editors note: According to some reviews High mode is actually only around 120 lumens)
Runtime: 10-15 minutes on High ; 4-5 hours on Low
Switch: Head Rotate switch; Tighten for on; Loose for Off
Come With Yellow / Orange 1.6x5mm Trit on the tail
This light can install 2 pcs of trit on the tail


Links:

Where to buy:


Other reviews/threads:

Friday, April 11, 2014

DQG Spy 10180 Photos!

Hi, yes, it has been a while since my last post!

I've just received a new 10180 keychain flashlight; the DQG Spy 10180!  This thing is an amazingly small beast!  Smaller than any other 10180 flashlight around.

I thought I'd share some photos, first up.  Hope to get some thoughts up about it in the near future.

Where to buy:
http://www.cnqualitygoods.com/goods.php?id=1987


This thing is puny!  It's smaller than my tritium fob... I think this means I need to find a new and smaller tritium fob!