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This is my blog about creating a startup LED flashlight business. I'm a designer, fabricator, and strategist and I'm passionate about making ideas real. I believe that products are about people, that they should be built to last, deliver real value, and that we need to do a better job than we have in the recent past.

Most of my career has been contract or freelance work and I've crafted products and strategies for both big international companies and startups. I also used to work in the "industry" fabricating special effects for film and TV, along with the occasional hot rod. Bottom line, I love making things.

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Monday, December 12, 2011

The Alpha "Shorty"

Hi all,

I've had some special requests for a more compact Alpha...and this is the only "finished" light that exists. It uses a smaller battery, but otherwise it's identical. These will not be offered for general sale because they require a special battery and charger that I don't (at this time) have for sale. This light will run on a RCR123 or 18350 sized battery but it must be an IMR chemistry cell to handle the massive current draw. Run time is...not very much. It's a real pocket rocket though.

Smaller size...same punch
These are special order items only, so please email if you are interested. It looks cute but it can be dangerous if used with the incorrect batteries...so I consider this an "advanced" flashlight. For example, if you don't know what RCR123, 18350, and IMR chemistry means...probably not for you.

This one-off light gets a fancy fluorosilicone o-ring
Fluorosilicone is about 10x the cost of a normal Nitrile o-ring and is the material specified by the US military for use on jet aircraft fuel lines...and stuff like that. Part of what makes them expensive is that they have an "indefinite" shelf life. Nitrile o-rings expire after 10 years. I told you these are made to last right? Do you think I should start using the blue o-rings on all of my lights? Comment below!

14 comments:

  1. Yes, offering blue fluorosilicone O-rings standard on all Prometheus lights would further add to making the brand exclusive. Seeing that most of the components on your lights are top-shelf and the Alpha is suppose to be a "forever light", why not offer military grade O-rings. Also, that color blue is killer and adds an elegant "pop" to the front end.
    Love, love the shorty! Any chance of offering one that takes primary CR123 batteries too?.

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  2. Jason...Holy cow. Super awesome concept and execution with the shorty. A definite winner. I absolutely positively second the yes for the fluorosilicone o rings. So much so that I am wondering if I can get a set for my alpha! Lmk!

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  3. very nice look with the fluorosilicone o-ring works great with the finish. 10x the cost, but what is the difference is price overall, that is what should be considered in some ways, though with your higher end lights I would say it would be well worth it. If nitrile cost $10 and these cost $100 though then it would add too much to the price, though I am sure it is a very reasonable cost difference in reality.

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  4. Blue O-Ring FTW!!! :)

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  5. I was reading that flourosilicone o-rings have a lower abrasion resistance; might that be a problem for the o-ring on the tailcap?

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  6. They have about the same abrasion resistance as silicone orings that many manufactures use. I also say that if there is anything there that's abrading the orings then you also have another problem. Also, standard procedure is to open the head of the light to change batteries.

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  7. Jeez I type "also" way too much!

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  8. Definitely and the blue looks good also!

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