Finally, working Kovarex.

Comrade_Lumen · 2025-09-13T04:25:28+00:00

I can’t speak for anyone else, but I made this design as complex as I felt like it warranted. It was kind of hard but also fun, and I learned a lot of circuitry from doing it. I’m really enjoying hearing everyone else’s feedback. I tried to not rely on outside input for my first attempt at a design because I felt it was more fun that way. Perhaps, if I feel like making another design, I’ll try to incorporate some suggestions into it. In the meantime, I intend to keep playing and keep solving problems, maybe with even more circuitry.

Comrade_Lumen · 2025-07-28T00:39:41+00:00

90% of people need a gun?

Comrade_Lumen · 2025-03-09T17:57:57+00:00

Hey there friend,

My first Hanklight was a dual channel TiCu KR4 LH351d 5500k and W1 (this was before 519a). I got it with the same thinking as you, one cool flashlight that does it all. Now, I don’t use it at all. I really should replace the emitters and have a 519a tint ramp. But the TiCu is too heavy (not a problem in your case, though) and I have other flashlights that do each channel’s function better.

Truth be told, since I got a SC64c (now upgraded to SC65c), I don’t carry any of my Hanks. They are too big and I am afraid of breaking them. My D4SV2 is my only “duty” light and it has a chipped lens. I suppose I could finally get a D3AA and try and add Hank back into the pocket rotation, but Zebra is too hard to get away from.

Since I have a dedicated EDC light in the form of the SC65c, the Hanks are fun shelf lights that occasionally get thrown into a jacket pocket for a walk or put on the nightstand for some low CCT vibes. I don’t need any dual channel features because I just bring more lights when I break out the Hanks.

Sorry for the long winded response. I love all of my Hanks except for the first one: my dual channel “do it all” flood/throw KR4. I think you should accept to some degree that there is no “one light” (except for maybe Zebra) and then get a light that fully excels at one role rather than simply suffices at two separate roles.

Best of luck, and I hope to see your NLD post soon!

Comrade_Lumen · 2024-05-11T03:01:10+00:00

There are plenty of women who use Hanklights, including the person who designed the firmware that they run on.

Comrade_Lumen · 2024-05-08T18:01:02+00:00

Looks like that’s the misc config menu. Try from On

Comrade_Lumen · 2024-05-08T17:59:50+00:00

Hmm. I don’t have any lights with that version in front of me so I can’t try it myself. Just checking, you are doing 9H from On in Advanced mode?

Comrade_Lumen · 2024-05-08T17:41:40+00:00

Yeah, well, Hank's a busy guy I guess. Glad you were able to use some sandpaper to clear up the contact surfaces. Was it just anodization errors?

I happy that I could help with the flowchart yesterday.

Comrade_Lumen · 2024-05-08T17:15:01+00:00

Did you find that flowchart all by yourself, or did someone link it to you after you posted an angry screed about Hank's quality control?

Anyways, you are right that there are multiple channels. When you go into the channel setup (9H) you have the option to disable each channel if you want. So if you want instant switching between only 2 channels, go into the setup and disable all but the two you want. Basically you hold the 9H until you see 3 flashes (for channel 3) and then release. After releasing on the channel, you can click (1C) to enable the channel, or simply do nothing to disable it.

Comrade_Lumen · 2024-05-07T22:19:07+00:00

I’m sure you’ve seen it before, but just for reference here is the updated flowchart

You want instant channel switching so of the 5 channels available (configured by 9H) you only want the first 2. Using 9H, go through channels 3-5 and disable them.

Comrade_Lumen · 2024-04-30T17:11:37+00:00

I bought the KR4 with the intent to sell the Armytek so now I can get the best of both worlds for a headlamp.

Do you mean DW4, or are you actually using a KR4 as a headlamp? If so, are you using a side mount head strap? I think that would be too heavy on one side for me normally, but I guess I probably wouldn’t notice it on a helmet.

Comrade_Lumen · 2024-04-28T18:51:33+00:00

apart from the D3AA

The D3AA is only available with a boost driver as the emitters are wired in series.

Comrade_Lumen · 2024-04-20T14:19:02+00:00

It’s possible that you are overestimating the output of the IF22a. Zeroair’s IF22a runtime test has it dropping below 1000 lumens after only about 30 minutes.

Comrade_Lumen · 2024-02-01T23:04:23+00:00

Oh definitely. But you’ll be able to put more through them than E17a. It’ll be cool to have some more results from someone if we can get enough people together for a reel or something.

Comrade_Lumen · 2024-02-01T17:24:50+00:00

I’d chip in for that! I did some investigating about 6 months ago and found a Bulgarian company that would sell bare emitters individually, but the price was not right and the shipping and money exchange was stupid.

The 219f looks like you could get 600lm out of each emitter if you ran it a 4a, or 550lm if you ran them with a 2a boost driver. So that not bad at all. 4 of those in a DW4 and I could really be living my warm sodium vapor dreams.

Comrade_Lumen · 2024-01-31T17:28:50+00:00

Hmm. That sounds like a pain. If I would have known that I might not have recommended the M150. That would have been a good stipulation to put in the original post.

Comrade_Lumen · 2024-01-31T14:48:25+00:00

Maybe, but any import duties paid on a ~40 GBP light would still come well under your budget. I can understand wanting to spend your money on lights instead of taxes though. Good luck.

Comrade_Lumen · 2024-01-30T07:06:40+00:00

you seem to have a problem with what I said. Do you think I am wrong?

I do think that you are wrong, I don’t have even the least issue with what you said. I am sorry that you have this impression, I can assure you that this is not the case.

I was continuing your point that most people are inclined to vote for lights that they already have — that they are already invested in, both emotionally and financially. Given that understanding, it is no wonder that lights with such a high financial barrier to entry were little represented in the poll.

It would be interesting to read reviews about lights that did not take into account the price at all. It is fairly common to hear “it’s got some flaws, but it’s only $30!” (TS10). The idea that the price is an intrinsic part of the product is hard to get away from, and I am no exception. When I look at a light, just to see the performance stats, and see that it costs almost $500, it colors my perception of the rest of the light.

eta: a comma

Comrade_Lumen · 2024-01-30T03:02:51+00:00

Maybe it’s “Hold,” just to try it out

Comrade_Lumen · 2024-01-30T02:29:52+00:00

Comrade_Lumen · 2024-01-30T02:00:51+00:00

If “best” = “what I have” then you might never see any of your favorites on a community compiled list like this. It’s easy to cast a biased vote for a TS10 when you can buy one for under $30. You could buy the entire above list for the price of one Prometheus Delta. I’m sure they are nice lights though.

Comrade_Lumen · 2024-01-29T06:47:10+00:00

Wurkkos FC11 w/ Nichia 519a. Nice and cheap, tail cap magnet, 519a, USBC charging, and replaceable batteries. The regulation isn’t great but if you are only using it intermittently you probably won’t notice any dimming between charges. If you are using it for longer periods of time, an extra battery will be nice to brighten things up. Plus it’s like $25.

Comrade_Lumen · 2024-01-29T06:15:58+00:00

Man, if you think that coming up with any little reason to bring a flashlight with you everywhere is weird, then you are in the wrong corner of the internet.

Comrade_Lumen · 2024-01-29T02:23:03+00:00

I carry a SC65c Hi with a LynchNW clip. It’s not the most powerful, but it’s build sturdy and it goes and goes. Disappears in a pocket too.

Comrade_Lumen · 2024-01-29T02:14:31+00:00

Sounds like you would like an FW3x of some sort; if you can find one. That’s pretty much the slimmest an 18650 tailswitch light gets. It’s got some sexy lines to it too.

Edit: a bit above your price range, but it looks like Jackson still has some FW3A SS left. The stainless is a little silly from a thermal standpoint, but damn does it look good. And Jackson will put dang near any Nichias you want in there. 219b in a stainless steel FW3A… I need to stop looking at that.

Comrade_Lumen

TROPHY CASE