I'll put a plug in for Doug Ritter's customized Photon Freedom micro light. I've carried one for about three months now and I really really like it.

It is tiny - much smaller than the AAA Arc. I didn't even notice a change in the pocket volume.

It is powerful enough to do what I need and always there when I need it. To be honest I was shocked by how much light comes out of this tiny thing.

The extra black collar around the LED bulb does a GREAT job of keeping the bright light from shining back into my eyes. Some may think the isn't such a big deal, but when it is real dark out I find myself very sensitive to back-light (a real problem I've experienced with some semi-transparent cases used by Princeton-Tec flashlights).

The yellow color makes it easy to distinguish it among the keys, and though it is applied to the surface of the plastic, it has yet to scratch off. Being banged around all day along-side keys this light takes quite a beating, but you'd think it was brand new. This little thing is tough!

The logic behind diming (important for conserving battery time) and using the special features (I don't use them much) is pretty darn natural. I'll have to admit that when I first got it I was concerned that I'd have to memorize the manual, but it turned out to be easy to learn.

The only real drawback is that it doesn't use more common AAA or AA batteries, but those would make it too big to fit comfortably in my pocket alongside all the other stuff, and besides I don't use the light for long periods of time, only when caught without a flashlight.

I really like those little yellow lights.

In thier defense, it won't be tne microprocessor that fails. A uP has no moving parts. They are just as rugged as an LED.

What will fail is the clicky switch, but no sooner than on a simple LED coin light. You just click it more.

Ironraven,

My past experience with microprocessors has led me to believe they are significantly more fragile than a LED. I spent many years tethered to an anti-static grounding cord while I worked on microprocessor controlled equipment. These little gizmos can be very sensitive and fragile. The only way I have ever destroyed a LED is too many volts (D?oh) or physical breakage (ala my previous Photon keychain light). I don't have any specifics on the li?l brain in the Inova, but I am making assumptions based on past experience.

Hey, even if it was just as rugged, I still don't get it. <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> I'd rather have them spend another 25 cents on a better LED, clip, casing, or whatever, than to blow the R&D time and costs on a superfluous component. What next??? An appendix? I can loan them mine, I?m not using it. (What was God thinking? I?ll have to send him a flaming e-mail about that little doo-hickey).

Also, I just plain don?t like how the switching functions in the new Inova. ?Hated it!!!? <img src="/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> I can?t just ?press and let go?. If the timing is wrong, I don?t get the desired outcome. More clicks, more wear, shorter life-span. Still not getting it. And just fagettabout the translucent case. It belongs on my son?s gameboy or some other non-critical kidde toy.

I took a virtual stroll over to the Inova Web page. As is all too typical with many companies, the web page is a tad behind the times. OK, grossly behind the times. Not a single mention of the microprocessor microlights, which is the only style being sold at Target and a few other retailers I hit today. Hello Inova?(Yo, McFly!) Either dump your web guy or wake him up and get him busy.

I checked amazon, but they don?t list the Inova model number with the pic. I don?t know which model they really have. It?s a bit like the web sites selling the Gerber Infinity Ultra, but still showing the pic of the old CMG flashlight. What the???

I have no clue if the old analog style light is still being made. I?ll have to do more web surfing then e-mail verify model number before laying money on the table.

If all else fails, I?ll see if Photon still has a ?switch only? model and put a small bit of heat shrink tubing on the LED to shield the sides (and maybe provide a smidgeon of protection). If Photon is only making microprocessor versions I will have to take out a second mortgage on my house and hoard large quantities of ARC AAA lights. (Not that there?s anything wrong with that). <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Cheers, TR (aka cranky old AnalogMan)

KenK,

The "Doug Ritter's customized Photon Freedom micro light" is a possible option, though a bit pricey. Though I will cut them some slack for putting some of the extra cost into a better LED. I do like the LED baffle/shield, but again, for me, it seems to want to make my morning cocoa as well as lighting the way.

I am curious. Per the details:

"An additional "signaling" mode can be accessed by tapping the button several times in rapid succession. When in the signaling mode, the LED will illuminate only while the button is pressed and goes off when it is released."

Can the Photon be left in this "signalling" mode? At least this would give my thumb control over the light.

Thanks, TR (techno-curmudgeon)

> Can the Photon be left in this "signalling" mode?

Yes.

I suspect the Photon Freedoms switches vary in their stiffness. Some switch more easily than others. If you think yours is likely to latch itself on by a momentary pressure in your pocket, you can leave it in "signalling mode" so it goes off again when the pressure is released, and doesn't run the battery down.. I think this kind of thing, with the dimming, makes the circuitry worth having despite the loss of simplicity.

Basic Photon configurations:

Photon 1 - squeeze (momentary) only, simple and reasonably water resistant. Change batteries with pocket knife or strong fingernails.

Photon 2 - squeeze (momentary) or mechanical slide switch (constant on), simple, water resistance compromised because of the hole where the slide switch is. Need #00 Philips screwdriver for battery change.

Photon 3 - computerized, two button interface, 3 levels, I don't like this one very much. Not sure of battery change even though I have a few of them.

Photon Freedom - computerized, 1-button interface, dimmable, flasher modes, reasonably water resistant, change batteries with pocket knife or strong fingernails. Drawback: can turn on in your pocket and kill its batteries except in signalling mode which adds complexity.

Photon II is my favorite of these, not much can go wrong. If it gets wet, open it dry it out. Battery change isn't that big an issue, you do it at home. In the field, carry a spare light.

LED color: red, orange, and yellow LED's run at low voltage and use a single CR2032 cell. These aren't super-bright but have TREMENDOUS runtime, like several days nonstop. Green, blue, and white (i.e. shorter wavelengths) use higher voltage (two CR2016 cells, lower capacity and half the thickness of the CR2032) and are much brighter but don't run nearly as long. Green was originally shipped with a CR2032 and brightness is not that bad. White and blue can run on a CR2032 but they are rather dim that way. The Photon Freedom's dimmability makes this unnecessary--on low mode you get lots of runtime.

I have a white Photon II and a red knockoff on my keyring. They don't take much space and the red is handy for night uses and can provide days of minimal light if needed.

See the links I pasted earlier for cheap Photon II clones.

Thats the last one I bought for my wife. It kept popping apart in her purse and the battery would fall out and funally half of the metal connections got lost.

Even with the higher cost its still more cost effective when you consider how many stupid coin cell batteries you will throw away and how many coin cell lights will need to be replaced over the life time of a decent AAA light. I have wasted too much money on coin cell lights over the years and finally gave in and bought an Arc. I held out for a long time not being willing to spend the $ but once you add in the cost of replacing the batteries and cost to send the coin lights back under warranty and reaplcing them when they come open and half the parts get lost then you come out ahead.
Its just like any other tool, buy a good one once or keep re-buying cheap ones over and over.

Paul,

Nice spec list on the photons.

I've been trying to locate a miniscule size, reliable, momentary switching, red LED light to hang on my Short-wave radio tether for low profile use at night (quick check the freq without waking the wife).

Not being able to find an Inova 1 or a Photon 1 or 2 for sale, I went into my son's room and pinched the photon 1 I gave to him many years ago. I had forgotten how much better the momentary switching is on the Inova. The photon seems to need to be pushed "just right" to get the light on steady. Too much pressure needed too. I pulled it apart and finally checked out the switch. It is as simple as it gets. When you are pressing down on the light body it just pushes one of the LED legs onto the side of the battery. I would like a bit more contact area. I'll probably do something to increase the contact area for a better connection on both sides of the cell. At a minimum I'll shim the body to keep the cell from jiggling and put a bit of conductive grease on the contacts.

I've never had to open up one of my Inovas, so I don't know how they accomplish switching. I'll have to dig around to find one of these for a bit of exploratory surgery.

From my feeble memory, I recall the momentary switching of the photon 1 and 2 was never impressive. The slide switch of the Photon 2 isn't quite as good as the Inova slide switch in my experience. I've owned 5-6 of the photons and inovas over the years.

The exposed LED on the Photon was still an issue. I clipped a small piece of electrical tape and wrapped it around the base of the LED. Much less spill, but still not protection for the LED (compared to the Inova). My original photon light ended up with a fractured LED on my keychain. The light output reduced dramatically after the failure.

I went back to Target one more time to play with the new Inovas. The momentary switching just isn't there for me. Most of the time I needed a couple more pushes on the switch to get it back to "off" mode. The glowing body pretty much removes it from competition anyway.

Comparing old to old, I still think the Inova did more "right". Comparing new to new, I don't like the photon or the Inova (for my needs). Looks like I need to start from scratch and start looking for a new solution.

Cheers, TR

> Photon II is my favorite of these, not much can go wrong.

Do you not find that the slider "constant on" can latch on in your pocket? I much prefer the "Freedom" because it has the momentary-on signal mode. And it's dimmable. It sounds like it is more water-proof, too.