LiteFlux LF5XT - CREE R2 - the versatile AA light! (Part 2)

[LED Cool]

(Moderator note: Continued from Part 1.)


LATEST UPDATE on LF5XT-NAT Q5 29th January 2010

due to the overwhelming response from the CPF community, the LF5XT-NAT are available for sale but only in very limited quantity. i received the last run (15 pcs) of LF5XT-NAT yesterday.

in November 2009, LiteFlux has run out of certain electronic parts and SME/MCU components to completely assemble anymore LF5XT. at that time what they have left over are the naturals colour heads, bodies, tailcaps, reflectors, lens, switches, circuits boards BUT they are missing certain electronic parts and components.

well instead of scrapping these parts, LiteFlux has gone ahead and ordered the missing electronic parts in order to make up a complete LF5XT. After waiting for 2 months, these parts have arrived and LiteFlux has assembled the remaining LF5XT-NAT. this is the last run!

the price of this last batch of LF5XT-NAT have been adjusted to US$50.00 due to the higher cost of the electronic parts ordered in very small quantity.

Price with worldwide registered airmail shipping is

cash paypal US$50.00 to teckkiat@hotmail.com

or credit card paypal US$50.00 to teckkiat@pd.jaring.my

please sent payment and post your order here and i will ship ASAP.

thank you for your support.
khoo


Latest update on 29th October 2009.

LF5XT-BLACK is sold out. only LF5XT-NAT are available for sale.
Special sale price still valid while stock last.

US$46.00 cash paypal to teckkiat@hotmail.com

or

US$48.00 credit card paypal to teckkiat@pd.jaring.my

this is the LAST batch of LF5XT-NAT for sale. Once they are sold out, they are gone.

please note that these LF5XT-NAT comes with hard anodized battery tube, NOT the brass battery tube as shown in the first post below.

thank you.
khoo


Latest update on 18th August 2009

SPECIAL SALE PRICE FOR LF5XT !!!

now only

US$46.00 cash paypal to teckkiat@hotmail.com

or

US$48.00 credit card paypal to teckkiat@pd.jaring.my

while stocks last.

both black and natural body colour is available and immediate shipping.

thank you.
khoo



(Latest update on 19th December 2008!)
From 19th December 2008 onwards, all LF5XT offer for sale will have the CREE Q5 LED installed. To tell the difference between a R2 OR Q5 version of LF5XT, these Q5 LF5XT will have a shinny silver colour button in the tail.

Thank you.
khoo

Introducing the new LiteFlux LF5XT!

the LF5XT is the first AA light to use an electronic tack switch with MCU controlled user interface.

here are some LF5XT shots. Both black and natural HA III finish.








bezel head side shot.



5 sided crenelated bezel.



tail shot with the aluminium HA III button.



tail cap shot showing the checkering, keyring holes and slots.



here are some LF5XT 3D images.






a cutaway drawing.



various internal components making up the LF5XT.




real life photo shots of the actual tack switch, spring and LED driver/circuit with MCU.

this shot show one side of the circuit board.



this show show the other side of the same circuit board.



i have been told by LiteFlux that it was a great and difficult challenge to come up with a circuit to power up the MCU using an AA (1.0V - 1.5V) power source. i know nothing about LED circuit with MCU design, so i would appreciate if anyone can elaborate and enlighten us on LiteFlux claim.

the information that i am posting below are what i currently have from LiteFlux. these information may change without my knowledge.

oh.here is another photo showing all the components that make up the LF5XT. there are 5 pcs of copper/brass parts, 6 aluminium parts, 4 O-rings, 1 AR coated glass lens, 4 PCB and one gold plated spring.




LF5XT beam shot



Specifications

19th December 2008 update :
R2 bin SOLD OUT! now all LF5XT comes with Q5 LED.

LED : CREE XR-E R2 bin. Approximate LED current at 100% output level :
500ma when using alkaline & NIMH,
800ma when using 14500.

Approximate LED current at 2% output level :
9ma when using alkaline & NIMH,
14ma when using Li-Ion 14500

Input voltage : 1.0V - 4.5V (AA/14500)
AA battery chemistry : Alkaline(1.5V), NIMH(1.2V), NICD(1.2V), Primary Lithium(1.7V) & rechargeable Li-Ion 14500(4.2V)
PWM Frequency 7800Hz.
Material = 6061 T6 Aluminium Alloy.
Tail press button machined from 6061 T6 Aluminium Alloy with HA III finish.
AR Coated glass lens.
Finishing : available in 2 colour - NATURAL HA III and BLACK HA III.
O ring seal at lens, both end of battery tube and tack switch.
Tail cap provides 2 holes, 2 elongated holes and 2 slots. Stable tail stand.
All parts can be dismantle for cleaning and maintenance.
water resistant for daily normal use. NOT suitable for diving or swimming.

Size:
101mm length. 20.5mm diameter.
Weight = 53 grams.

LF5X's Standard Accessories:
Lanyard
4pcs spare O rings
A small container of silicon lubricant for the o-rings
Instruction manual

Operation Modes
the LF5XT has 5 operation modes. the factory default setting are.

Mode 1 = 50% brightness output
Mode 2 = 15% brightness output
Mode 3 = 2% brightness output
Mode 4 = 50% brightness double flash beacon
Mode 5 = 15% brightness SOS

1 click (1xC) turn on the light.
2 clicks (2xC) jump to next operation mode. Mode 1 -> 2 -> 3 -> 4 -> 5 -> Mode 1.
1 click (1xC) turn off the light.

Types of Output
there are 4 types/styles of output in LF5XT.

1. Constant brightness
2. Strobe - 8 frequencies
3. Beacon - single flash & double flashes with 8 frequencies for both.
4. SOS

the brightness of all 4 types of output is user adjustable from (was 8%) 2% to 100%.

the output of all 5 operation modes can be change by user to the above mentioned 4 types/styles. for example, you can set all 5 operation modes to have

5 different % of constant brightness or
5 different frequency and brightness of strobes or
5 different frequency and brightness of beacon or
5 different brightness of SOS or

any combination of the 4 types/styles in ANY order you preferred.

Quick Access
in addition to the 5 operation modes, the LF5XT provides quick access to the following while in all 5 operation modes.

100% constant brightness - press and hold (PH)
Random strobe at 100% brightness - one click plus press and hold (1C+PH)

Release the hold on the tack switch and the LF5XT reverts back to the previous operation mode.

Special Functions
the LF5XT also has the following functions.

1. Momentary-on function.
factory default is OFF.

2. Rechargeable battery NIMH & Li-Ion over discharge protection.
factory default is OFF.

3. Operation Mode setting.
That is right! the LF5XT allows the user to select the desired number of
operation modes. i.e. output levels. your LF5XT can be a 1 mode light, or a 3 mode light or a 5 mode light!

Minimum is 1 operation mode.
Maximum is 5 operation modes.

4. RESET
Restore the EEPROM to factory default settings.
Light default to Mode 1 = 50% brightness.
Operation mode default to 5 modes.

5. Last used mode memory on/off function.
Users can decide if they want this memory function to operate.
Factory default is ON.

Battery Voltage report = 5 clicks (5xC) in any operation modes.
Brightness % report = 5 clicks (5xC) only while in output setting menu.

both reports use the same format.
1 flash = 1
3 flashes = 3
.
.
9 flashes = 9
2 quick flashes = 0

for example,
0.9V is 2 quick flashes, blank one second, 9 flashes.
100% is 1 flash, blank one second, 2 quick flashes, blank one second, 2 quick flashes.

Logarithmic plus Linear Brightness Adjustment.
as many LiteFlux users have pointed out, the linear brightness adjustment of LF2X, LF2, LF3, LF4, LF5 caused some difficulty in setting the user desired brightness level.

well, the LF5XT now has both logarithmic and linear adjustment for the brightness setting. Logarithmic adjustment to quickly jump to the level you want, and linear adjustment for macro adjustment to the exact output level % desired.

the exact output level % can be determined using the brightness % report (5xC) while in the output setting menu.

each logarithmic increase steps raises the output by 50%.
eg. 10% -> 15% -> 22% -> 33% -> 50% -> 75%

each logarithmic decrease steps reduces the output by 33%.
eg. 75% -> 50% -> 33% -> 22% -> 15% -> 10%

Price & Payment:

19th December 2008 update : Price revision

Cash Paypal to teckkiat@hotmail.com
1 set - US$62.00
2 sets - US$124.00

Credit card Paypal to teckkiat@pd.jaring.my
1 set - US$65.00
2 sets - US$130.00



US$79.00 each unit. shipped worldwide via registered airmail.

for those who would like to get both finish, i.e. Black and Natural HA III finish, the price is

US$155.00 shipped worldwide via registered airmail.

Cash Paypal to teckkiat@hotmail.com
1 set - US$79.00
2 sets - US$155.00

Credit card Paypal to teckkiat@pd.jaring.my
1 set - US$82.50
2 sets - US$162.00

Paypal Name : Khoo Teck Kiat

Please state clearly your order quantity, preferred colour, CPF ID, name & address.

By default, All orders are shipped with the gift box.

Shipping Date
Estimated shipping date is 6th June.


I will test each light for tint and check for the relevant accessories before they go out.

By default, the over discharge protection (OP) for NIMH & 14500 is turn off. if you want it on, i can do so before i ship them to you.

Thank you for your support.
Khoo

[LED Cool]

reserved for more info.

Operation of LF5XT
the LF5XT operates on two types of switching commands.

CLICK (C) = Quickly press the button and release. the timing for pressing and releasing the button must be less than 0.4 seconds.

PRESS & HOLD (PH) = Press the button and hold it down for more than 1 second.

when there are multiples CLICKS (C) commands (2xC, 3xC, 4xC, 5xC), the time interval between clicks must be less than 0.4 seconds.

when there are combination of multiples CLICKS (C) plus PRESS & HOLD (P&H) commands (1xC+PH, 2xC+PH, 3xC+PH, 4xC+PH),
the time interval between clicks and press & hold must be less than 0.4 seconds.

the complete User Interface (UI) of LF5XT can be navigated by
a certain number of CLICK (C)
and
a certain combination of CLICKS (C) PLUS PRESS & HOLD (PH)

1XC : Power on.
the LF5XT has last mode memory activated by default. it will turn on at the last used operation mode. with last mode memory turned off, it will always come on in operation mode 1.

1xC : Power off.
with last mode memory turned on by default, the LF5XT will save the last used operation mode before turning off. with last mode memory turned OFF, it will NOT save the last used mode.

2xC : Switching operation mode.
each 2xC command will switch the LF5XT to the next operation mode.
Mode 1 -> Mode 2 -> Mode 3 -> Mode 4 -> Mode 5 -> Mode 1 -> Mode 2 ->...

5xC : Battery Voltage report.
same indication format as the LF2X, LF2, LF3, LF4.
1 flash = 1
3 flashes = 3
8 flashes = 8
two quick flashes = 0

for example,
0.8V is indicated by two quick flashes, one second blank (which indicates a decimal point) and 8 flashes.

3.6V is indicated by 3 flashes, one second blank and 6 flashes.

PH : 100% constant brightness output.
While in any operation mode, a PH command will give the user 100% constant brightness output. releasing the button will bring the light back to previous operation mode.

1xC+PH : Random Strobe at 100% brightness.
While in any operation mode, a 1xC+PH command will give the user random strobe at 100% brightness. releasing the button will bring the light back the previous operation mode.

3xC+PH : Output setting Command.
This command is use to enter the output setting menu to adjust the brightness % and strobe/beacon frequency of the relevant operation mode.
This same command is also used to enter the output setting menu to select the 4 different types of output for each operation mode.

there is no need to cycles through all 5 operation modes' output settings in order to adjust the brightness or frequency of one operation mode.

if the user is using operation mode 3 and wants to adjust the brightness %, just 3xC+PH will enter the output setting menu for mode 3 only. All other operation modes settings are unaffected.

if the user is using operation mode 4 (Strobe) and wants to change the
output from Strobe to SOS, just 3xC+PH will enter the output setting menu for mode 4 only.

in other words, the user can adjust the output of any operation modes directly. just select the operation mode you would like to change and do a 3xC+PH.

4xC+PH : Special Function setting Command.
This command will enter the special function menu to

turn momentary-on function - ON/OFF

turn rechargeable battery over discharge protection - ON/OFF

RESET - reset all operation modes to factory default setting.

adjust the setting of one more special function which, if i may say so, is unprecedented in any flashlights that i know of.

YES! it is time to reveal the special function which i think may make the LF5XT the ultimate AA light. this function is unprecedented in any flashlight that i know of.

it is called the Operation Mode number setting

as i have mentioned in post #1, the LF5XT has 5 operation modes. BUT now the user can select how many operation modes that he/she prefers for his/her LF5XT!

yes!
you can select your LF5XT as a 1 operation mode light, or
you can select your LF5XT to be a 2 operation modes light, or
3 operation modes or 4 operation modes or 5 operation modes light!

minimum operation mode is one.
maximum operation mode is five.

isn't this function brilliant!

now lets go into detail about how to adjust the 5 special functions.
while in any operation mode, performing the 4xC+PH command will enter into the special function setting menu (SFM).

When the light enters into the SFM, it will be indicated by
one flash, 2 seconds stop, one flash, 2 seconds stop, repeat.

the SFM has (was 4) 5 functions to set.
1. Momentary-on.
indicated by 1 flash, 2 seconds stop, repeat.

2. Rechargeable battery over discharge protection.
indicated by 2 flashes, 2 seconds stop. repeat.

3. Operation mode number setting.
indicated by 3 flashes, 2 seconds stop. repeat.

4. RESET.
indicated by 4 flashes, 2 seconds stop. repeat.

5. Last mode memory setting.

select any one of the 5 functions by performing 1xC and note the indicated signal. keep performing 1xC until the desired function is selected.

1xC : move to next function.

2xC : move to previous function.

3xC : exit SFM & go back to the last operation mode without saving any setting. acts like an ESC key on a keyboard.

3xC+PH : enters into the selected function. acts like an ENTER key on a keybaord. this command is also used to save setting and exit back to SFM.


1. Momentary-on function setting.
indicated by 1 flash, 2 seconds stop, repeat.

from SFM select this function setting using 1xC and note the indicated signal. enters into this function setting by performing 3xC+PH.
ON : indicated by a 2Hz flash signal. i.e. fast flash
OFF : indicated by a 1 Hz flash signal. i.e. slow flash

1xC : to toggle between ON & OFF.

3xC : exit SFM & go back to the last operation mode without saving any setting.

3xC+PH : save setting and exit back to SFM.

to exit SFM, perform 3xC+PH again will bring the light back to the last operation mode.

2. Rechargeable battery over discharge protection function setting.
indicated by 2 flashes, 2 seconds stop, repeat.

from SFM select this function setting using 1xC and note the indicated signal. enters into this function setting by performing 3xC+PH.
ON : indicated by a 2Hz flash signal. i.e. fast flash
OFF : indicated by a 1 Hz flash signal. i.e. slow flash

1xC : to toggle between ON & OFF.

3xC : exit SFM & go back to the last operation mode without saving any setting.

3xC+PH : save setting and exit back to SFM.

to exit SFM, perform 3xC+PH again will bring the light back to the last operation mode.

NIMH : low battery warning level - 1.0V
NIMH : shutdown level - 0.8V

14500 Li-Ion : low battery warning level - 3.0V
14500 Li-Ion : shutdown level - 2.8V

low battery warning signal : the light output will fluctuate high & low 3 times every 25 seconds.

fluctuating output is used as low battery warning signal in order to avoid confusion with strobe, beacon and SOS.

shutdown signal : the light will flash in 2Hz frequency for a few seconds and then shut down.

3. Operation mode number setting.
indicated by 3 flashes, 2 seconds stop, repeat.

from SFM select this function setting using 1xC and note the indicated signal. enters into this function setting by performing 3xC+PH.

the light will start flashing to indicate the operation mode number.

Mode no. = 1 : 1 flash, 1 second stop, repeat.
Mode no. = 2 : 2 flashes, 1 second stop, repeat.
Mode no. = 3 : 3 flashes, 1 second stop, repeat.
Mode no. = 4 : 4 flashes, 1 second stop, repeat.
Mode no. = 5 : 5 flashes, 1 second stop, repeat.

1xC : increase the mode number, 5 is maximum.
2xC : decrease the mode number, 1 is minimum.

3xC : exit SFM & go back to the last operation mode without saving any setting.

select the desired operation mode number using 1xC & 2xC.

3xC+PH : saved the setting and exit back to SFM.

to exit SFM, perform 3xC+PH again will bring the light back to the last operation mode.

4. RESET.
indicated by 4 flashes, 2 seconds stop, repeat.

from SFM select RESET using 1xC and note the indicated signal. enters into RESET by performing 3xC+PH.

Once 3xC+PH is performed, the light will

restore the EEPROM to the factory default setting.
exit SFM and go to operation mode 1 output at 50%.

5. Last Memory Mode function setting.
indicated by 5 flashes, 2 seconds stop, repeat.

from SFM select this function setting using 1xC and note the indicated signal. enters into this function setting by performing 3xC+PH.
ON : indicated by a 2Hz flash signal. i.e. fast flash
OFF : indicated by a 1 Hz flash signal. i.e. slow flash

1xC : to toggle between ON & OFF.

3xC : exit SFM & go back to the last operation mode without saving any setting.

3xC+PH : save setting and exit back to SFM.

to exit SFM, perform 3xC+PH again will bring the light back to the last operation mode.

[qip]

Originally Posted by greenlight

The user interface seems really complex. Do I have to read all of that? Can the light just be activated in one mode as a twisty?

hope this helps ,i found it in the novel

4xC+PH : Special Function setting Command.
This command will enter the special function menu to

turn momentary-on function - ON/OFF

turn rechargeable battery over discharge protection - ON/OFF

RESET - reset all operation modes to factory default setting.

adjust the setting of one more special function which, if i may say so, is unprecedented in any flashlights that i know of.

YES! it is time to reveal the special function which i think may make the LF5XT the ultimate AA light. this function is unprecedented in any flashlight that i know of.

it is called the Operation Mode number setting

as i have mentioned in post #1, the LF5XT has 5 operation modes. BUT now the user can select how many operation modes that he/she prefers for his/her LF5XT!

yes!
you can select your LF5XT as a 1 operation mode light, or
you can select your LF5XT to be a 2 operation modes light, or
3 operation modes or 4 operation modes or 5 operation modes light!

minimum operation mode is one.
maximum operation mode is five.

[LED Cool]

Hi Yaesumofo,

your LF5XT-black was shipped on the 30th July. please check email for the registered airmail receipt number.

thanks.
khoo

[LED Cool]

hello TMG,

i have been off CPF and CPFM for the last 7 days because of PC problems and virus attack has crippled my PC ability to access the internet. i have just managed to restore broadband internet connection 30 minutes ago and will go to CPF to catch up on the various LF5XT threads.

i will post in CPF later.

thanks.
khoo

[TooManyGizmos]

Thanks very much , Khoo ,

Many of us are trying to solve a puzzle and can't.

There are either too many or not enough pieces involved.

Help is needed .

[Dark Vapor]

Khoo, just letting you know that I received the LF5XT and missing items for the LF2X yesterday. I like the UI (once you understand it) except for the slight delay when you first activate the switch, but I can live with it. This will make a good light for extended trips because the batteries can found almost anywhere. Now to find a holster for it. Thanks (also for the included lithium battery).

[LED Cool]

it has come to LiteFlux's attention that some LF5XT users are experiencing a tailcap tap/turn off issue with their LF5XT and some to a lesser degree. in order to satisfy your user experience with your LF5XT, LiteFlux has come up with 2 solutions for those users who are much disturbed by this issue.

solution 1.
Send LiteFlux an email (mountech@ms24.hinet.net) clearly stating your name, address and number of LF5XT you have and LiteFlux will ship you a pair of brass washers (thickness = 2mm) for each LF5XT free of charge. one washer to be use and the second washer as a spare.

pull out the gold plated battery spring and place only one brass washer to the bottom of the battery tube. carefully replace the gold plated battery spring and insert an alkaline, primary Lithium, NIMH or UNPROTECTED 14500 as power source for your LF5XT.

note: users who prefer to run their LF5XT using protected 14500 must NOT place this brass washer into the battery tube as it will results the rim of the battery tube not making contact with the negative brass ring in the head and you will not be able to switch on your LF5XT.

solution 1 will NOT 100% resolved the tailcap tap/turn off issue. it only increases your LF5XT resistance to tailcap tap when using alkaline, primary Lithium, NIMH or UNPROTECTED 14500 as power source. a really really hard knock will still turn off the LF5XT. but who actually use their LF5XT that way?


solution 2.
send your LF5XT (head only, no body) to LiteFlux clearly stating your name and return address. LiteFlux will install new codes to the MCU programming and ship it back to you by registered airmail with tracking number.

LiteFlux Co. Ltd.
No.42, Putou, Putou Village
Sanzhi Shiang
Taipei County 252
Taiwan R.O.C.

email : mountech@ms24.hinet.net


for USA customers, here is USPS link for postage to Taiwan. the head weight less than 1 oz and a 9" x 6" padded envelope weight less than 1 oz.

http://pe.usps.gov/search/jsp/search...9&dtype=2#hit0

priority mail international flat rate - $11.95 or
first class mail international - small package.
2 oz - $2.15
3 oz - $2.90

turn around time (shipping to Taiwan and back your country) varies depending on your location. 2 weeks to 4 weeks is the normally expected time frame.

for users in Europe, Asia and Australia, you can send your LF5XT head direct to Taiwan or to me in Malaysia and i will get it sorted out for you ASAP.

my address is
Khoo Teck Kiat
21, Regat Mansion
Taman Beauty
Ipoh 30250
MALAYSIA

email : teckkiat@hotmail.com


the new codes will detect the temporary disengagement of the battery (within 0.05 seconds) and restart your LF5XT. LiteFlux has tested samples with the new codes free falling from a height of 2 metres (6' 6") with tailcap
pointing down. so far these samples managed to remain on after they have hit the ground. the restart process is so fast that our human eyes are unable to register the process and LiteFlux said there is no flash or flickering when the light hit the ground.

also the light will restart at the same output level before it hit the ground.

LiteFlux wishes to thank you for your continuous product feedback and suggestions, and would like to express their appreciation for your support and patience. LiteFlux will continue to bring product improvement and innovative flashlights to you.

thank you.
khoo

[Citivolus]

Thanks Khoo. Should we email Liteflux in advance if choosing #2?

Regards,
Eric

[Kilovolt]

Thanks Khoo, I have emailed LF with copy to you asking for the brass washers.

[Zenster]

While a bit of a pain to mail back and forth to Taiwan, I'm going with Option #2 and will be sending the head back for reprogramming.

But I want to be clear that we get back the same head we send in because I really like the tint on mine and don't want to lose that.
I imagine that it would be easy to work this as a kind of "exchange" program where we may not the same head back. In most circumstances, that would be fine, but not if we get back a different tint from what we have already.

Sure wish the designers could have caught this little problem a little earlier.

I would imagine that all new LF5XT's sent out after today are aready going to be re-programmed.

[Norm]

Thanks for a solution Khoo as Zenster asked

But I want to be clear that we get back the same head we send in because I really like the tint on mine and don't want to lose that.

Will we receive the same head back?
Norm

[LED Cool]

Citivolus,

no need to email in advance. and no RMA number is required.
kindly make sure your name, CPF username, return address and the head colour (black or natural) of your LF5XT are stated clearly in your package to LiteFlux.

zenster & norm,
that is a good point. please put in this request in your package. i believe LiteFlux will send back the exact same head to you and everyone else who send in their LF5XT head because of two reasons.

1.cosmetic reason.
some may have used their LF5XT head such that it may have character lines, scratch or dents on it. so, to save cost, LiteFlux will most likely send back the same head to you. if you prefer a brand new head, please put in a note and ask them. LiteFlux may or may not oblige, that is up to them.

2.availability of CREE R2 bin LED.
well, these R2 LEDs are very hard to come by and because of reason #1, LiteFlux might as well work on the same LED pill. also IF your LF5XT head has flickering issue (1st batch shipped on 10th - 12th June), they will also fix it for you.

anyway, i will put in a word to LiteFlux about users request getting back the same tint. it is not like you are asking them to select a special tint because that would be time consuming.
i am pretty sure they will oblige on this simple request. after all, that is what customer service is all about.

thanks.
khoo

[Norm]

Thanks for the reply Khoo mine will be in the post to you tomorrow.
Norm

[Zenster]

Originally Posted by LED Cool

anyway, i will put in a word to LiteFlux about users request getting back the same tint. it is not like you are asking them to select a special tint because that would be time consuming.
i am pretty sure they will oblige on this simple request. after all, that is what customer service is all about.

thanks.
khoo

I am very happy with your level of customer service, however, how things work at the factory may not be exactly the same with how you do things.
They may not be able to offer the same level of individual service that you do. (And that's not to be critical of them, only to point out that a high volume factory is a different place than a service center or retail store).

So I trust your confidence in the factory, but before I send mine in, I'd appreciate hearing back from you after the factory has indeed verified that they can and will return the original heads to their owners.

[TITAN1833]

Khoo thanks for the two options"there is a 3rd",I am happy with mine it only turns off if hit hard,so I,ll keep mine as it is.
I would still be non the wiser if I had not read about this problem here.
Anyway if I get to lazy to use my thumb,to turn the LF5XT off! I can just drop it on it's tail.

[matrixshaman]

Originally Posted by TITAN1833

Khoo thanks for the two options"there is a 3rd",I am happy with mine it only turns off if hit hard,so I,ll keep mine as it is.
I would still be non the wiser if I had not read about this problem here.
Anyway if I get to lazy to use my thumb,to turn the LF5XT off! I can just drop it on it's tail.

Like I've said all along the LF5XT has many 'extra features' including one I just found thanks to orcinus - a light meter. I haven't determined the exact lumen level yet but if I put my 120 Lumen Novatac directly in front of the LF5XT at 120 Lumens the LF5XT won't turn on and at medium - probably 60 lumens it will turn on. So at some point I'll figure out what Lumen level is needed to keep the LF5XT from turning on and that will be my quick light meter test for other lights to see if they are reaching that level (which at this point I'm guessing is about 80-90 Lumens) Apparently the Sun is not as bright as my Novatac though as I pointed the LF5XT directly at the Sun here and it still comes on

[TITAN1833]

@matrixshaman
I hope you payed extra? for this useful "light meter" feature

[TITAN1833]

double post.

[Alexi*]

Khoo you have a pm.

[gadgetnerd]

Hi Khoo

Will you be able to let us all know when you have new stock with the reprogrammed UI?

I've decided I'll just order another one rather than mess around with postage etc, and give my sensitive one to someone who'll be so thrilled with the rest of the light that they won't even notice its sensitivity.

[yaesumofo]

Where is the LF5XT UI flowchart?
Yaesumofo

[TooManyGizmos]

mofo .. look for > LED Flashlights section > LiteFlux LF5XT Manual - Simplified!

[LED Cool]

Zenster,
LiteFlux has verified that they will send back the original head and LED pill to those who send in their LF5XT head for the MCU code programming.


gadgetnerd,
i have sent back all my remaining LF5XT for re-programming. i am making arrangement with LiteFlux to determined if they have enough LF5XT heads ready for a fast exchange or must wait another 2 days for the re-programming. i hope to get the new heads by the 15th.

alexi*,
PM received. please standby

thank you.
khoo

[Dark Vapor]

I think I might have found a solution w/o having to send in the head. I had tried detailing what I did w/ another post but I guess I typed too slow. Anyway, what I did was cut out a piece of eraser (Pentel Clic Eraser) about 1/8" (3mm) thick and placed it inside the tail spring. I took a spring from a Pentel Hybrig Gel, cut one end to about 3/16" (~5mm) long and stuck it on the positive brass nipple, which almost fit perfectly. I bent the cut portion in on itself to reduce abrasion on the battery. I only have mine set to mimimum and 50% bright (2 modes); don't know yet if it will shut off on higher brightness settings.

I've rapped my light on the table more than a dozen times and it did not turn off. This so far has work w/ the AW 14500 battery. The alkaline battery I tried sorta works but a harder knock will shut it down. I'm looking to replace the eraser with a rubber/polyurethane "washer" with inside/outside diameters of about 1/2" and 11/16", respectively, and about 1/8" thick to go outside of the spring. Making it thicker, I believe, will work with other types of batteries (nimh, nicads, etc.).

Maybe mines a fluke but if someone could also try this and see if it'll work on yours, then we might have another solution. Oh yeah, mine whines a little louder now but I can live with it. I'll see if the whining is still loud once I find that washer.

[Kilovolt]

Dark Vapor could you please provide a few pics of your solution.

[gadgetnerd]

I couldn't quite visualise what you were doing at the tail end (there are 3 springs at that end: one in the battery tube, one from the tailcap, one inside the tailcap), but I put a little spring on the brass nipple and it definitely helped a bit. What is the purpose of the eraser in the tail spring? Is it to add to the force exerted by the spring and prevent battery bounce?

EDIT: I read your post a few more times and did some thinking, and managed to implement your fix. I cut out my own washer out of urethane foam, it's about 5mm thick, fits inside the tailcap, with a hole in the middle large enough to allow the spring through. I combination with the spring on the head nipple, I've transofrmed my formerly extremely sensitive LF5XT, which would turn off if placed tail down on a hard surface, to one that requires a good whack (basically enough to hear the battery rattle inside) to turn off. Great thinking Dark Vapor! I'll post something to this effect in the LED forum.

[Zenster]

Sure, but this "fix" isn't much different from the "Solution #1" fix given by Khoo already in that what it does is to put more pressure on the spring so that when it's bumped, it takes more inertia for the battery to break connection.

The thing is, that solution is only an improvement at best, and it's going to have a varying effect that also depends upon the length of the battery. And as we all know, the various types of batteries are all of different lengths.

For those who simply want to improve the situation, that's a great way to go, but I want mine to be a permanent and total solution, and the only way to do that where you can "drop it from six feet and not turn off" (as reported by Liteflux) is to add the millisecond delay and reboot (by reprogramming) that actually fixes the problem.

So I spent the almost $3 to ship my head back yesterday (Aug. 6), and when I get it back, I'll be happy to report on how the "fix" went by doing some non-destructive drop tests as well as to report on how long it took to get it back from Taiwan.

[gadgetnerd]

Originally Posted by Zenster

Sure, but this "fix" isn't much different from the "Solution #1" fix given by Khoo already in that what it does is to put more pressure on the spring so that when it's bumped, it takes more inertia for the battery to break connection.

The thing is, that solution is only an improvement at best, and it's going to have a varying effect that also depends upon the length of the battery. And as we all know, the various types of batteries are all of different lengths.

For those who simply want to improve the situation, that's a great way to go, but I want mine to be a permanent and total solution, and the only way to do that where you can "drop it from six feet and not turn off" (as reported by Liteflux) is to add the millisecond delay and reboot (by reprogramming) that actually fixes the problem.

So I spent the almost $3 to ship my head back yesterday (Aug. 6), and when I get it back, I'll be happy to report on how the "fix" went by doing some non-destructive drop tests as well as to report on how long it took to get it back from Taiwan.

I actually tried fix 1 (washers under the spring) and it did very little. As far as I can tell the foam washer doesn't cause the spring to exert any extra pressure (as it is not inline with it) , it does however prevent the battery tube from being able to oscillate as readily when an axial shock is applied. The weak spring on the nipple also exerts little extra force, but it does prevent the battery from losing contact so easily.

I agree that the true solution is head reprogramming, but for those who don't intend really rough uses for their light, the Dark Vapor fix is more than adequate. I just can't be bothered waiting 3+ weeks for the turnaround I mail my LF5XT head to/from Taiwan.

[Citivolus]

Originally Posted by gadgetnerd

I just can't be bothered waiting 3+ weeks for the turnaround I mail my LF5XT head to/from Taiwan.

Brisbane/Taiwan mail can actually be very speedy, as it tends to do the Taipei/Brisbane hop in a single flight. I'd go so far as to say it would get to Taiwan before a surface package from Brisbane would get to Perth (or before a package from anywhere would get to Perth...)

If any locals would like to piggyback on my shipment, you are more than welcome to. I would just need to get the head from you by Monday (I'm in Redland Bay).

Regards,
Eric