I WANT MY FLASHLIGHT but I appreciate that you are sparing no pains to make it awesome. So happy that your daughter has been appointed "ombudsman". :)
Any surface will eventually get damaged... if not, try harder. So if the powder coating makes the flex more grippy and easy to handle, then it has my vote regardless of colour. Keep the vids coming - even if its bad news, it softens the blow of the wait.
I'd vote for the finer powder coating if you were counting. That would seem to give it a bit of non-slip grip if your hands wet or the flashlight was dropped in the mud. Dings happen on all my flashlights so I wouldn't worry much about that.
I've owned a number of Mag-Lites over the years. I believe they use anodized aluminum and that tend to work well for a while. It can get scratched and discolored. I've owned powder-coated racks and those are much more tolerant of abuse, so I would vote for the powder coating. How about powder coating in other colors? Does this exist?
Also I like the idea of interchangeable reflectors. Something along the lines of spot/flood reflectors depending on what you need.
I too prefer hard anodizing. I also like the idea of interchangeable reflectors as long as the the ability to switch them out doesn't affect the integrity.
And please don't feel bad about taking so long. I think most people don't realize how much development has happened long before most products are announced to the public. Being on board from the beginning feels like its taking a long time but personally I'd rather wait until it's perfect before holding it in my hot little hands.
Also, you might want to look into partial stippling for the reflector as a potential option, which can give a more even corona around the hotspot. Or perhaps interchangeable reflectors - I'd love to have one rigged as a powerful spot and another set up for a soft flood for area work.
FWIW, I'd much rather see HA-3 since as far as I know it's the toughest coating available for aluminum. Powder coating is great but has a high thermal resistance and thus isn't good for heatsinking.
Please anodize rather than powder coat. I have a lot of experience with the wear resistance of anodized aluminum surfaces in aerospace applications and would *highly* recommend it. A powder coat would scratch too easily and would be a masking nightmare for a part with threads.
My preference is for hard anodisation and then cover it with a quick and cheap pass of powder coating with the same color, so you get both the texture and the color incide the scratches.
Where is this happening? When is this ever going to finalize and be shipped? This was supposed to be done in October and/or December of last year. Many of us have paid for something we might not get? This is starting to be a product loss.
I think the powder coating does look a lot better and different to the anodised coat. Is it possible to double powder coat them with different colours so that when the surface is scratched the colour below will show through?
I love the updates, and feel that I've already gotten my money's worth in understanding what goes into making a great product. Take your time to make it right, it's not like I'm sitting in the dark!
Powder coating seems to me would insulate heat and slow dissipation of that heat from the light. It may be an insignificant ammount, but I feel it needs mentioning.
Show us the flashlight working. I'm beginning to believe you keep failing. Version 5 and you've never shown it on!
sarumonkee 1 month ago
I WANT MY FLASHLIGHT but I appreciate that you are sparing no pains to make it awesome. So happy that your daughter has been appointed "ombudsman". :)
mjspieglan 1 month ago
Any surface will eventually get damaged... if not, try harder. So if the powder coating makes the flex more grippy and easy to handle, then it has my vote regardless of colour. Keep the vids coming - even if its bad news, it softens the blow of the wait.
schmickwah 1 month ago
I'd love a black powdercoat finish over the silver color I wanted. My hydroflask is powdercoated and it's tough enough compared to hard anodize, imo.
BrainbugRain 1 month ago
why are you reading "The Art of Deception"? Are we being deceived?!
erikhulse 1 month ago
@erikhulse to be clear, I am joking... lol
erikhulse 1 month ago
yeah the finer powder coat does look better. I just cant wait for mine.
KusuriRX 1 month ago
Oh, and anodizing is still plan #1 although I do like the powder feel.
TheHexbright 1 month ago
@TheHexbright
Type III anodizing or ceramic coating is the only way I'd want mine.
only8vgti 1 month ago
In general- a bunch of people say take all the time we need. We appreciate support, but I disagree. We need to get this done. Thanks!
TheHexbright 1 month ago 3
@TheHexbright I agree, get it done. This is a flashlight, not the space shuttle. If you wait for perfection, it will never get done.
sumatra2die4 1 month ago
I'd vote for the finer powder coating if you were counting. That would seem to give it a bit of non-slip grip if your hands wet or the flashlight was dropped in the mud. Dings happen on all my flashlights so I wouldn't worry much about that.
coloradosunsa 1 month ago
I've owned a number of Mag-Lites over the years. I believe they use anodized aluminum and that tend to work well for a while. It can get scratched and discolored. I've owned powder-coated racks and those are much more tolerant of abuse, so I would vote for the powder coating. How about powder coating in other colors? Does this exist?
Also I like the idea of interchangeable reflectors. Something along the lines of spot/flood reflectors depending on what you need.
luisemunoz 1 month ago
I too prefer hard anodizing. I also like the idea of interchangeable reflectors as long as the the ability to switch them out doesn't affect the integrity.
And please don't feel bad about taking so long. I think most people don't realize how much development has happened long before most products are announced to the public. Being on board from the beginning feels like its taking a long time but personally I'd rather wait until it's perfect before holding it in my hot little hands.
cyberfloatie 1 month ago
If it matters, I vote for the powder coating with a slight texture to it.
Thank you for the regular and informative updates. It's obvious you're making one helluva torch, and I'm proud to be a Backer!
mjdye 1 month ago
Also, you might want to look into partial stippling for the reflector as a potential option, which can give a more even corona around the hotspot. Or perhaps interchangeable reflectors - I'd love to have one rigged as a powerful spot and another set up for a soft flood for area work.
OddlyIncredible 1 month ago
@OddlyIncredible - Yes, I am for one of the designs. I meant to mention that.
TheHexbright 1 month ago
FWIW, I'd much rather see HA-3 since as far as I know it's the toughest coating available for aluminum. Powder coating is great but has a high thermal resistance and thus isn't good for heatsinking.
OddlyIncredible 1 month ago
How does powder coating hold up when the light heats up? I expect the coating acts more like an insulator. I vote for hard anodizing.
dakavanagh 1 month ago
Please anodize rather than powder coat. I have a lot of experience with the wear resistance of anodized aluminum surfaces in aerospace applications and would *highly* recommend it. A powder coat would scratch too easily and would be a masking nightmare for a part with threads.
mwiktowy 1 month ago
My preference is for hard anodisation and then cover it with a quick and cheap pass of powder coating with the same color, so you get both the texture and the color incide the scratches.
aigarius 1 month ago
Where is this happening? When is this ever going to finalize and be shipped? This was supposed to be done in October and/or December of last year. Many of us have paid for something we might not get? This is starting to be a product loss.
wendellverli 1 month ago
@wendellverli It is happening in the US. Yes, I made the mistake of making a promise of a ship date. You will receive a product.
TheHexbright 1 month ago
I think the powder coating does look a lot better and different to the anodised coat. Is it possible to double powder coat them with different colours so that when the surface is scratched the colour below will show through?
dannytsanguk 1 month ago
I really like the powder coating! :)
On a side note: What does that Mac Mini do on your shelf? :D
Ahti333gm 1 month ago
I love the updates, and feel that I've already gotten my money's worth in understanding what goes into making a great product. Take your time to make it right, it's not like I'm sitting in the dark!
klubar 1 month ago
I love how you work on this product, how you keep us updated and how your daughter does the camera work!
Take all the time you need to make this flashlight perfect - I have some other lamps here to use in the meantime :-)
bigwaftube 1 month ago 7
Powder coating seems to me would insulate heat and slow dissipation of that heat from the light. It may be an insignificant ammount, but I feel it needs mentioning.
PushingD 1 month ago
I'm digging the power coating.
Could you test laser engraving it?
mgregggphone 1 month ago
Hard is probably best but I wanted to see some options.
TheHexbright 1 month ago
fine powder looks amazing. this torch is going to be BEAST. keep us updated brother!
ratballbag 1 month ago
Might want to hide "The Art of Deception."
Kidding aside, probably whichever kind of coating you choose will be the best choice for me. Waiting patiently.
dheineke 1 month ago 6
I vote hard anodizing. Engraving powder coating won't be easy. I really am looking forward to my engraved hex.
mpechner 1 month ago
Man... PC sure looks good though! Plus you can do any color under the sun. I vote PC - But not if that prolongs my wait any longer :-)
BoyNamedStacy 1 month ago
Thanks for the update! Look forward to the finished product, it just keeps getting better and better. :)
volksbugly 1 month ago
Still can't wait. Christmas 2012? Maybe?
oisiaa 1 month ago
Time for bed....
cambendy 1 month ago