I have to be very careful how I present this because the components from this new "LionHeart" are NOT installed in the actual light, but instead are inside a commonly available production host (actual body when all test phases are complete will be custom machined, which I am finding out is a very satisfying concept - dang you, Keith!) which is being used as a Test Mule to check out fit/function/form, etc., much like how the original Fox 1x123 Xenon light was used as a test mule for the VIP:

It uses a Luxeon 3 TWAK Star underneath the new IMS 27.5mm reflector and runs off an anonymous (at this time) rechargeable power source.

But the beamshots to follow were all against a very worthy opponent, the Streamlight 3AA Tasklight. But not any old stock Tasklight; this one has been modified with all resistance pulled to run off 3AAs in DirectDrive, a TWOK Luxeon 3 Star, and Kroll clickie:

It is a monster among slim, AA-cell Direct Drive lights and easily produces over 2,000 lux.

Here's a beamshot from a few feet away against a baseboard, with the LionHeart on the right:

Note how the SP 27.5mm reflector's hotspot is tighter and brighter.

And here they are shining on the ceiling about 20 feet up (again with LH on the right):

Notice how the LH's hotspot is now even more pronounced and brighter than the DirectDrive TWOK'd Streamlight Tasklight.

And finally, a lux meter reading from the LH (taken after some other tests plus the beamshot photo sessions so the rechargeable power source is definitely Not fresh any longer):

That's 2,360 lux from one meter away. The rechargeable power source features very consistent output over its usable charge life however, so even topped off it probably won't get much brighter than this.

But then I kinda feel like it's bright enough already, don't you?

This ~4" long LionHeart will come out a little later this summer, and hopefully we are all pleasantly surprised at the reasonable final cost, especially for a custom-bodied light.

Please stay tuned...

6.24.04

Oops, this just in:

Note the "black" bottom of the reflector cone and spacer leg tips. This differs from the initial prototype samples sent to me from IMS and it appears to measure shorter in the spacing ring area around the opening with which the shoulder of the Luxeon meets, meaning the 27.5mm reflector's ideal focal point may have been adjusted CLOSER to the HD Luxeon's dome lens. The prototype samples had the vacuum metallized coating all over the bottom edge of the hole and leg tips, making them thicker and thereby standing taller above the Luxeon.

Also upon closer inspection the textured reflective surface of the reflector itself is less coarse, in fact almost mirror-smooth, presumably to increase lumen output - which is a good thing.

Looks like this project might actually be a go after all...

UPDATE 6-28-04:

It has been decided that due to existing popularity as well as favorable performance characteristics, the rechargeable power source for the LionHeart will be the PILA line of batteries.

But please DO NOT go out and buy them yet if you don't have PILAs, because I have negotiated a better "group buy" figure on both battery AND the rather expensive charger, to reduce your final costs. I will provide them to you at this same exact cost if you don't yet own the appropriate PILA setup.

The final battery version has not yet been decided upon because of girth/length vs. power reserve considerations still being tested and considered. But rest assured I already have a rather favorable preliminary quote on the necessary PILA pieces.

Also, due to limitations in the supply of certain internal LionHeart components, I must restrict transactions to one LionHeart per person at this time -- after all this is still top-secret alien technology and the MotherShip don't return fer 'nother two an' a half Andromeda-rises! (We's Western aliens, if y'all noticed muh accent)

Your kind understanding on everything above is deeply appreciated...Or else yousa gotta steppa outta de line... :italianmobster:

7.13.04

Here they are:

Obviously the change will be in the battery tube's shape/surface treatment in the middle portion. Also the taper where the head narrows down to the control module - this area will be finned to soften the chunkiness (as in the black silhouette graphic shown in one of the earlier LH posts).

The flat bottom (for tail standin' - Yay!) is where the LionHeart logo will be laser etched, ideally framed by the round cap shape.

That is all I can reveal at this time...Thank You for your patience!

UPDATE 7-16-04:

There have been many twists, tweaks and changes to the final configuration and functionality of the LionHeart. Rather than wade through all the posts, here are most of the specs/features as very nicely summed up by bindibadgi:

Under 4" long, about ~1.25" wide at the head

27.5mm IMS reflector

T-bin Luxeon III

2mm thick glass UCL

Bead blasted (possibly)

Laser etched logo

Tail standing capability

Uses rechargeable Pila Li-Ions

Estimated run time of 100+ hours on Low

High is brighter than High on VIP using BH

Single electronic button interface for one handed use

Near 100% efficiency at all 64 brightness levels

Smoothly scrolling dimmer function

Momentary function

Water resistance at minimum

Final selling price guaranteed to be less than $200 (and probably lower) including Pila battery/charger setup

All references to the "SP" have now been changed to the "LH" or LionHeart. Thank You!

UPDATE 7-18-04:

The LionHeart Prototype Body is DONE, see pictures below:

Here it is just standing around, minding its own business:

Notice the knurled finning. This was in response to numerous contacts via e-mail and PM about how the knurled fins created a brand identity unique to the VIP's look, and which we wanted to carry forward in this next light. Our proto machinist Otokoyama commented that it looked like, "a mini-VIP with a big chest"...and yes Paul, that is indeed the chest of a lion, a LionHeart chest.

It will have the same grippy feel of the VIP as well as its thermal dissipation properties - just in case you plan to run it on High often.

In fact running at High for a long time is a very real possibility with this light. Tests last night of the finalized proto board (set up on the bench to exactly replicate the actual LionHeart drivetrain including full dimming capability, powered by a freshly charged Pila 150A battery) driving a TWOK-binned Luxeon III - and I assure you that EVERY LionHeart will have a Lux3 of this bin code at minimum - resulted in a run time of 80 minutes on High, with fully 40 minutes of this runtime period producing light output clearly BRIGHTER than my own beloved VIP on HIGH with its BULKHEAD in place.

Here are a couple views of it laying on its side, from 3/4 front and 3/4 rear angles:

And just in case you didn't know, the high-class and very fancy "LionHeart Logo" will be prominently laser etched onto the face of the rear cap:

I know the light looks huge in the above photos, but here is a comparison next to a standard VIP, just to keep things in perspective:

And just a lil' bit of info to show you that I'm more open minded than some might think - as of late I have been hemming and hawwing about getting the LH done in HA3 Natural...

The LionHeart. Coming sooner than you think...

UPDATE 7-31-04:

Still getting some questions like, "Hey Charlie! So whut's yer tahm-table lahk on them there Lah-yun-Horts?" despite my already posting it in both threads (here and in the Sign-Up thread) - but I realize some may not want or be able to search for it, so here is a cut n' paste:

"Here is the approximate timetable:

I expect the actual production LH boards in my hands in about two weeks, after which I will complete the finalized LionHeart prototypes and run a bunch of extensive tests, requiring up to perhaps another week or so to complete. And then if I encounter no unanticipated problems I will announce the prepayment acceptance period.

Also at that time I will give the go ahead to the CNC shop to start cuttin' metal, which is usually another four weeks until I actually get them delivered to me. Barring any unforeseen holdups regarding the finish (HA3 Natural plus some held back from the platers to be built as bare aluminum lights) and logo etching processes, we would then schedule a series of HAT events to get the lights built and out to your waiting hands.

But first I will still likely personally build a couple dozen units (as I did with the VIP) to work out the most efficient assembly methods including the sequence and timing of when and how the various components will go together."

Thanks for your patience...

UPDATE 8-2-04:

How the switch and dimming functions work:

From when light is "OFF":

1) press and release - latch on, or

2) press and hold - momentary on (light goes off as soon as you release)

3) if performing #1, re-press and hold button on - the light will now smoothly SCROLL upwards (get brighter) until it reaches its max brightness, at which point it will "pin" there (remain at brightest setting). No "wrapping around" which will cause no end of pain, especially to the anally inclined ("Dang! Went past max brightness again! Now how in the heck do I reverse it?").

4) IF you do not want to be scrolling upwards (BRIGHTER), you simply release and re-press, immediately causing it to now scroll downwards (dimmer).

5) Release when desired level is reached (it only takes 3.2 seconds to go from end to end of entire brightness range)

6) Press-release to turn off.

Okay one more UPDATE:

One of our fellow LionHeart development partners (the one who is designing and PWM programming all the electronics for this project) has ordered enough parts to build 500 (that's FIVE HUNDRED) boards - so uh, I really wouldn't worry about missing out on this one, if ya know what I mean...

Plus I am unsure how I will ever top this light anyway. Originally I thought the VIP would be the end-all be-all of small LED ights, but hey, it's only got THREE levels - plus you can tell all too easily whenever you switch between one level and the next - whereas transitioning up and down through all 64 levels of the LionHeart will be totally - smoof!

Coupled with the new IMS 27.5mm reflector, throw will be unsurpassed for any light of this head size. Of course, we could add a Maglite-reflector-sized accessory head later, heh heh...

Absolute maximum run time on the lowest setting might just possibly never be known due to the lack of days in most reviewers' week(s) to wait that long.

You can operate it with just one hand (in fact it is not even conveniently possible to Use two hands - try it when you get yours).

You will never have to buy batteries again (well, ya might after you recharge it 500 times).

And again, there will be enough for everyone this time. Really.

Latest update, 8-11-04:

There is an "anti-green" color constraint in the electronics, meaning no matter HOW DIM you set it to, the color will be as white (or blue-white, as I personally prefer my Luxeons to be) as when on all-out High. Cool, eh?

UPDATE 8-16-04:

It's ALIVE! I feel no words are necessary at this time (besides, I'm kinda all choked up with emotion at this whole birthing thing and can't talk much right now):

More info and pics to come when testing is complete.

As for comparisons to other lights, I am sure any of the newer lights coming out will more than satisfy the need to see far into the night. But it is also important to look at other features besides full power. And while exploring throwing capability certainly does illustrate one dimension of a lighting tool's utility, I'd also be interested in exploring -- the other 63 dimensions...

(can we say "Bonus FeatureS"?)