Hey everyone,
While most people outside the EDC community see the obvious utility of carrying a wallet, keys, watch, and many people would add pen and/or a knife to that list, the convenience of carrying a flashlight every day often isn't apparent until you just start having one handy all the time. Even then, a tiny keychain flashlight might help to read a menu or find something inside a bag but is rarely enough to light up a dark walkway or cast a beam very far.
Our series of AAA lights make a decent amount of light at 110 lumens but are only compatible with non-rechargeable AAA alkaline cells - that's convenient, but for most flashlight enthusiasts Li-Ion cells are required equipment. In developing the Vega light, we wanted to first preserve all the core elements the AAA lights that made them popular (over 10,000 units sold):
1) Knurled body for easy grip
2) Reversible and removable steel pocket clip
3) Choice of color temperature (Natural or Cool)
4) Titanium switch on a flat tailcap so the light will 'tailstand' on a flat surface.
However, we also wanted to incorporate some great member feedback from discussions about AAA lights into this AA design:
1) More lumens! Of course, a bigger alkaline battery will accomplish some of this, but to go from 110 to 650 requires a higher voltage - a new AA battery will produce about 1.5 volts, while most freshly-charged 14500 cells put out about 3.7 volts.
2) Rechargeable option - Alkalines are cheap and easy, but to get the maximum performance from almost any LED device, Li-Ion cells are the way to go. So, it was important that we made this light compatible with 14500 cells. And if NiMH is your thing, those will work here as well.
3) Magnetic tailcap - A number of members had specifically requested this option, and we think it's a great feature - even if it adds a few grams. Anywhere you have a piece of steel, you have a mounting surface - think shed, toolbox, closet shelving, etc. This is a great way to cast ambient light in a larger space, but it's rare to find a light that has this feature but also fits into a pocket and puts out enough power to light up even a small space.
Also worth noting is that both LEDs on this Vega model are Cree XP-L HD units; whereas the Nichia LEDs on the AAA light lose a bit of brightness in exchange for the warmer, more natural color temperature, the two different CRI levels offer nearly the same output.
Thanks to everyone who gave feedback about past drops and helped with our development of this product! Community-driven design is what we are all about, and this product would not have happened without your support and input!
A quick housekeeping notes before we get started: Members who join the drop in August will see their transactions processed on August 31st. Members who join in September will see their transactions processed when the drop ends on September 10th.
Thanks and Carry On! - Jonas
UPDATED: One edit - the tailcap is made of stainless steel, not titanium. We've updated the specs accordingly.
While most people outside the EDC community see the obvious utility of carrying a wallet, keys, watch, and many people would add pen and/or a knife to that list, the convenience of carrying a flashlight every day often isn't apparent until you just start having one handy all the time. Even then, a tiny keychain flashlight might help to read a menu or find something inside a bag but is rarely enough to light up a dark walkway or cast a beam very far.
Our series of AAA lights make a decent amount of light at 110 lumens but are only compatible with non-rechargeable AAA alkaline cells - that's convenient, but for most flashlight enthusiasts Li-Ion cells are required equipment. In developing the Vega light, we wanted to first preserve all the core elements the AAA lights that made them popular (over 10,000 units sold):
1) Knurled body for easy grip 2) Reversible and removable steel pocket clip 3) Choice of color temperature (Natural or Cool) 4) Titanium switch on a flat tailcap so the light will 'tailstand' on a flat surface.
However, we also wanted to incorporate some great member feedback from discussions about AAA lights into this AA design:
1) More lumens! Of course, a bigger alkaline battery will accomplish some of this, but to go from 110 to 650 requires a higher voltage - a new AA battery will produce about 1.5 volts, while most freshly-charged 14500 cells put out about 3.7 volts. 2) Rechargeable option - Alkalines are cheap and easy, but to get the maximum performance from almost any LED device, Li-Ion cells are the way to go. So, it was important that we made this light compatible with 14500 cells. And if NiMH is your thing, those will work here as well. 3) Magnetic tailcap - A number of members had specifically requested this option, and we think it's a great feature - even if it adds a few grams. Anywhere you have a piece of steel, you have a mounting surface - think shed, toolbox, closet shelving, etc. This is a great way to cast ambient light in a larger space, but it's rare to find a light that has this feature but also fits into a pocket and puts out enough power to light up even a small space.
Also worth noting is that both LEDs on this Vega model are Cree XP-L HD units; whereas the Nichia LEDs on the AAA light lose a bit of brightness in exchange for the warmer, more natural color temperature, the two different CRI levels offer nearly the same output.
Thanks to everyone who gave feedback about past drops and helped with our development of this product! Community-driven design is what we are all about, and this product would not have happened without your support and input!
A quick housekeeping notes before we get started: Members who join the drop in August will see their transactions processed on August 31st. Members who join in September will see their transactions processed when the drop ends on September 10th.
Thanks and Carry On! - Jonas
UPDATED: One edit - the tailcap is made of stainless steel, not titanium. We've updated the specs accordingly.