DQG II AAA World's Smallest Titanium Alloy EDC

[Changchung]

The link works for me, but we are all of course aware that thats the AA version, not the AAA version.

That confuse me, can we use the same link to reserve the AAA model???

If not I need to know the price... Am I the onlyone???


SFMI4UT

[coyote]

woops, my bad. i linked to the wrong page.

here's the correct ones:

AAA R4 model here which is marked "Sold Out"

AAA R5 model here which isn't marked sold out.

but in either case, they should give you rough prices and contact info, should you wish to place a pre-order for the new ones.

fyi - i was just informed by ric's office that: "...We have got the notice from the manufactory that the samples of the improved DQG AAA (SS) have producted. but the real production need two or three week...." (misspellings and typos are as shown)

hope that helps...

[eneloops]

I'm interested, but would also like a titanium version of the CQG S1! That would be killer.

[Benchiew]

Are they still available? I click your R5 link and it says out of stock.

[shelm]

New Design stong tail available (not sure if we can keep the GIDT in NEW Tail)

Has this been really put into practice?
Was the tail part newly designed and made stronger?

Please Ric, some info on this if you cant provide photos, thanks!!

[coyote]

i just received notice from ric that the six new stainless units i ordered have been shipped.

[Draven451]

I wish would post on this thread to give us all an update. There are several DQG threads and it can be confusing. It would be nice if Ric started a NEW thread offering this latest version with pictures and details.

[Changchung]

I wish would post on this thread to give us all an update. There are several DQG threads and it can be confusing. It would be nice if Ric started a NEW thread offering this latest version with pictures and details.

+1 soon please...


SFMI4UT

[jabe1]

Ric,
Do you have an idea of pricing for this yet?

I saw in the group buy post, the ETA on a sample is only a few weeks out.

[stoli67]

I am still keen on a couple of titanium ones... Is there an ETA for these yet.

[petr9999]

I would also be interested in the titanium AAA, any idea of the cost and ETA?

[sebast]

Interested in Ti one, this flashlight is a keychain star!
Definitly in Neutral/Warm tint! Actual tint of my new R4 SS version is perfect

[okwchin]

Will the threads be more accurate than the DQG AAA III. My AAA II was very very nicely machined, head and body matched together, while all of the 10 AAA IIIs I just bought, the head and body are not as tightly matched in size, so the threads are looser and therefore feel rougher.

[coyote]

...all of the 10 AAA IIIs I just bought, the head and body are not as tightly matched in size, so the threads are looser and therefore feel rougher.

oh damn, that sucks! i have six on the way....

[bobjane]

Damn, I ordered a DQG III purely for the improved O-ring groove and claimed better machining.

We'll have to make sure that Ric is aware of and addresses this issue before the titanium version is made.

[diablo_331]

Well that's all I needed to hear. The search for my perfect keychain light continues I guess.

[okwchin]

Overall its still an awesome light for its price point and If I hadn't had a DQG AAA II to compare, I would have still said it was great. To put it in perspective, the threads on my DQG AAA II are just very slick, while the threads on my DQG AAA III are the just around the norm, when considering the ultra thin walls, and small threads that are used, its not too bad. Its just a little disappointing when I've played with something that was better.

[coyote]

my six arrived last night. two warm and four cool tints.

i disagree with okwchin - mine are fine. while a couple of them were a little bit rough, none weren't loose at all.

and with a little hand-work (working the head/body back and forth, then cleaning and lubing) to clean up the slight roughness, i'm quite please with all of them.

i like the beam better than the Tiny II (and the warm tint is incredible). the foam in the head stops any rattling. plus no problems with what batteries i use, which i did have with the first Tiny.

ok, the quality is not up to the level of a Sapphire or Mako, of course, but this is one teeny-tiny keeper. perfect for EDC in the watch pocket of my Levis or on a beaded neck chain.

no regrets at all!!!!

thank you ric.

[Fireclaw]

I also just received my DQG III R4.

Overall I'm pretty impressed. This thing is TINY, with a beautiful tint and beam pattern, perfectly spaced modes and good battery life on a lithium AAA primary.

However, when I compare it to my Fenix LD01, I'm not certain the DQG is perfect for keychain EDC. This is because:
(1) Despite being much shorter than an LD01, the DQG actually feels heavier than the LD01, because of the steel construction. Titanium might alleviate this.
(2) The light is easy to turn on one-handed. But I do wonder if perhaps it is a bit too easy to turn on. I think it very unlikely the LD01 would ever turn on accidentally in the pocket... its twist action is stiffer. And the only knurling on the LD01 is on the head so it's unlikely that the head would catch on your pocket while the body catches elsewhere in your pocket causing the light to twist. In contrast, the knurling on both parts of the DQG make for easy operation, but also make the light more like to come on in your pocket.
(3) For the same reason there's a risk that the head could fall off in your pocket and get lost. This is much less of a risk with the LD01.

SUGGESTION FOR FUTURE RUNS:
I would like to see more screw threads so there's less risk of the head falling off and so there can more margin between the off and on positions. This could be done easily by having the threads extend further back towards the rear or the light and having a longer head with more threads. The fully assembled light would still be about the same size.

Another thing that could be done with this is adding a slot for a second o-ring below the screw threads. Two o-rings would increase the tension in the twist mechanism and make it more secure and less likely to turn accidentally.

[coyote]

.... I do wonder if perhaps it is a bit too easy to turn on. I think it very unlikely the LD01 would ever turn on accidentally in the pocket... its twist action is stiffer. And the only knurling on the LD01 is on the head so it's unlikely that the head would catch on your pocket while the body catches elsewhere in your pocket causing the light to twist. In contrast, the knurling on both parts of the DQG make for easy operation, but also make the light more like to come on in your pocket.
(3) For the same reason there's a risk that the head could fall off in your pocket and get lost. This is much less of a risk with the LD01.

i find that it all depends on the lube i use on the threads. if i wash off all lube (using alcohol) it runs tight and a bit rough. with a heavy grease, it tight but smooth. with a thinner grease its easier yet. with a light oil, its very easy to twist. just adjust to your preference.

[damn_hammer]

The DQG II has been on my keychain since release. Not once has it accidentally turned on, or had the head come off.

Debating on whether to get a III or not. Wish they had gone to a center lug tail design. Even though that would have added length it would be more durable, and evenly hung for neck carry.

[robrick]

Why do we keep talking about S.S. versions when this is supposed to be a titanium thread?

[coyote]

because the DQG III SS was just released and the DQG III Ti version isn't out yet, but is coming in the same version with simply different materials...

[Cemoi]

this is supposed to be a titanium thread

Since I've never owned a titanium light, I take the opportunity of this thread to ask: what would be the advantage of a Ti version for this light?
As far as I understand, Ti is as strong (but is it as scratch resistant?) as SS, and as light as Al.
In the case of this light, how much weight would it save, noting that the SS version is said to weigh only 12g?

[coyote]

Ti is lighter than steel but heavier than aluminum (but is usually tougher than Al). the main reason we like them is the uniqueness, the look and feel. it is strong, lustrous, and corrosion-resistant. it is a rather expensive, but highly durable and long lasting yet is light in weight and causes no skin allergies. its inertness makes it a good choice for those with any allergies or those who will be wearing the jewelry in environments such as swimming pools. this material is often an indication of a high-end product so adds to the joy of ownership.

necessary? probably not...

Ti wiki: "...Commercial (99.2% pure) grades of titanium have ultimate tensile strength of about 63,000 psi (434 MPa), equal to that of common, low-grade steel alloys, but are 45% lighter. Titanium is 60% more dense than aluminium, but more than twice as strong as the most commonly used 6061-T6 aluminium alloy..."

[Cemoi]

Thanks coyote for this interesting information.

tougher than Al

How will it resist scratches from e.g. keys, compared to SS and HAIII Al?

[coyote]

i would suspect it depends on the Ti Alloy.

in the thread, starting at post 252, they're saying the Mako's Ti finish is holding up very well.

[jabe1]

The finish matters too. The Mako is bead blasted.

[coyote]

The finish matters too. The Mako is bead blasted.

true. if anything, bead blasted finish usually show wear faster, in my experience, which makes it even more impressive.

[sebast]

Ric, any news about Titanium?