Custom? (The start of Crystal Focus)

[erv]

about cost and availability : this thing will be accessible worldwide, and if can afford a bulk manufacturing with an acceptable end price, I'll probably sell it thru local retailers to minimize shipping cost and improve accessibility
I have a simple MHS setup at home : let me check
mmm... ID is about 30 mm, 3 mm smaller than my chromed tube. The module gets in without a problem. However, I tried, but I cannot have my AA pack (2+2) + the luxeon controller on top of it shoved in. Would actually have been the same with my previous design, width did not change. But guess a setup of 2 shorts Li ion will leave enough space at the back of the saber. Topology will then be from pommel to emitter :
- pommel + speaker
- module, SD card accessible
- batteries
- switch
- luxeon

Another topology with 4 AA pack is
- pommel
- module half sitting on the pack : the sd card holder uses only half of the board behind it, so the rest of the board is less thick.
I've tried it, this works as well.

[Firebird21]

Yay, more good news!

[gstealer]

Sounds sweet.

Can't wait for price/ availability

[erv]

Tim : I was wondering if you've tried an implementation of the sample I sent you in an MHS setup, with AA or Li ion. It would be nice to know if it's doable. That's now or never, after I start the production it will be too late. The new module is actually smaller in length than the old setup. Ah : other good news, I've tested my old setup (electronic duo) and it works at 7.4v
(just for those who were wondering)
Let us know, Tim !
Erv'

[erv]

mmm, pretty cool, the energy shimmering / candle effect was re implemented and improved within 2 hours
My saber module is close now to a real time operating system
Instead of choosing a mode among 7 possibilities, I decided to offer the two shimmering parameter, i.e. speed (rate) and depth, just like on a flanger or chorus guitar effect.
Speed is usable between 0 (static) and 10, but strange effect like a damaged saber can be provided with higher values. Depth is adjustable between 0 and 300, or so.
Just choose the effect you like
Back to force feedback motor... but first a little break...
Erv'

[SilentBob501]

Wow man I have no idea what your talking about, but I like it.

[Firebird21]

What erv said...

You know... I can test that thing for you too...

[xwingband]

lol, yes! I like what I hear too.

Maybe this would explain the shimmer better:
-To get a "damaged" saber effect you could go for a low frequence and increase the depth of it. That'd produce a larger spike of a out of sync saber.
-Slow frequency and low depth would be a slow "heartbeat of the saber"
-etc...

Man... I'm going to need to come up with a hilt for one of these bad boys.

Looks like Firebird is going for best Luke "Hero" ROTJ saber... Mayhaps I can shoot for the best V2 ROTJ?

[erv]

perfect explanation from Xwing!
I'll add that it's difficult to speak about a real "heat beat", since it's not a pulsing effect, but more a specific random variation on the selected LED current. It reminded me the way fake candle lights (small electric bulbs shaped as a flame, I'm sure you've seen this) behave, so I also called it a candle effect. This random variation make the blade more "alive" and it's pretty close to the aspect of the blade in the trilogy.
Low freq, high depth : damaged
high freq, low depth : shy effect, but noticable
low freq, low depth : depends on the value, but look quite unatural, like a bad electric contact on your flashlight that randomly comes back.
more than 10 speeds and 300 depth, it goes to 3000 configurations, lots of fun to explore

[Strydur]

There is more than enough room to fit it even inside a ribbed section.