Suggestion: Contact spring on both ends needed on the next Predator

[aimxplode]

Armytek please put an additional springing contact on the head of the next Predator to absorb recoil when used as a weapon mounted light! This is an example of a 4sevens with a spring on the head.

[AnAppleSnail]

Armytek please put an additional springing contact on the head of the next Predator to absorb recoil when used as a weapon mounted light! This is an example of a 4sevens with a spring on the head.

A foam disc with a spring coiled into it works pretty darn well. Has to be a beefy spring, and you need enough space inside.

[ArmyTek]

Armytek please put an additional springing contact on the head of the next Predator to absorb recoil when used as a weapon mounted light! This is an example of a 4sevens with a spring on the head.

Can you tell us what exactly happens with existing spring ? At this moment we havent plan to made additional spring. We have plan to make existing spring more strong. Because sometimes recoil is so powerfull what battery can lost connection with PCB for a while. Its depends also how long battery is.

[aimxplode]

Can you tell us what exactly happens with existing spring ? At this moment we havent plan to made additional spring. We have plan to make existing spring more strong. Because sometimes recoil is so powerfull what battery can lost connection with PCB for a while. Its depends also how long battery is.

Sorry for the crude drawing. With the current predator, there is no spring on the head. So, when mounted onto a rifle, the recoil thrusts the battery into the head's PCB. During extended use, this has the potential to destroy or damage the protection circuit in a Li-ion battery.

What I'm proposing is to add an additional spring to the head so that both springs will cushion the impact of recoil, thereby preventing damage to the batteries. The extra spring will also allow for the use of flat-top 18650 batteries, such as AW 18650's.

[Cavannus]

While using my Predator on line 2 (i.e. head loosened) I often experienced bad contacts: the light were briefly interrupted while I was moving the flashlight (and not necessarily shaking it!).

May this be caused by the lack of head spring? If so, I agree that springs on both sides would make the flashlight more reliable and more pleasant to use (bad contacts always give a feeling of cheapness).

[CheepSteal]

While using my Predator on line 2 (i.e. head loosened) I often experienced bad contacts: the light were briefly interrupted while I was moving the flashlight (and not necessarily shaking it!).

May this be caused by the lack of head spring? If so, I agree that springs on both sides would make the flashlight more reliable and more pleasant to use (bad contacts always give a feeling of cheapness).

Agreed. On my bicycle handlebars, if I use strobe or something on line 2, vibrations often make it cut out intermittently and change modes. This is how I crudely fixed the problem on a Surefire G2X:

Maybe something as simple as this could fix the contact issues.

[aimxplode]

Can you tell us what exactly happens with existing spring ? At this moment we havent plan to made additional spring. We have plan to make existing spring more strong. Because sometimes recoil is so powerfull what battery can lost connection with PCB for a while. Its depends also how long battery is.

I think adding an additional spring on the head would be way more beneficial than making the existing spring stronger.

[dajabec]

Just read this thread again. If anyone is unclear you can use flat top cells in the existing Predator. I do every day.

[aimxplode]

Just read this thread again. If anyone is unclear you can use flat top cells in the existing Predator. I do every day.

Does it have intermittent disconnection problems that cause mode change?

[dajabec]

I've never had an issue with mode changes with flat or button tops, except when the head is slightly loosened and you exert downward force on the head it will change modes. That happens no matter what batteries you use and is unrelated to this issue. Granted my Predator has never been used on a weapon so I can't comment on that. Another spring wouldn't really help me, but I guess it couldn't hurt either.

[Got Lumens?]

I have a Predator V1.2 in NW. I use both flattop and buttontops in it. I have not experienced mode changing with the head loose. Do you think this could be after it wears abit? I will investigate this further. I do agree that have a second springed connector in the head would greatly enhance it's reliability. I haven't weapon mounted mine either.
GL

[aimxplode]

I've never had an issue with mode changes with flat or button tops, except when the head is slightly loosened and you exert downward force on the head it will change modes. That happens no matter what batteries you use and is unrelated to this issue. Granted my Predator has never been used on a weapon so I can't comment on that. Another spring wouldn't really help me, but I guess it couldn't hurt either.

Yeah, with the head tightened, I don't have that problem. I just want it to be as reliable on Line 2 as it is on Line 1, which is why I think the extended contact with an extra spring would help.

[dajabec]

Try unscrewing the head 1/4 turn or more. After a certain point it won't change modes because of the play in the threads anymore.