Here's the current DRAFT users manual

[Stephen]

OK, two ways to get the latest manuals:

1. Go to google-site version of the website to download/view the PDF. Scroll to the bottom of the new page, and you'll see the links to the files. The current and all previous revisions will be archived here on the Google site. The old Build #1 manual is also there, just in case. You'll also find the programmers manual for the DSFlex Controller board (aka MaxFlex). Please note that builds 1 and 2 do not have the new 6-position flash mode programming menu. Builds 3 and lower do not have the max power level limit override at LOW battery function.

2. Just click HERE to open the manual for builds 2 and 3 in the Google DOCs viewer.

3. Direct link to the build 4 user's manual coming soon...

[Roger Huston]

Stephen,

Guess I should ask the question over here.

In the new flash setting, L3 to L5 lightning mode you say is good for the Headlight. I'm just wondering what you think of that mode for use on the taillight? Is the L5 lightning strike too bright at night?

- Roger

[Stephen]

Hey Roger,
Good question... I edited the user's manual to indicate that I wouldn't recommend using this mode at night with the taillight.

Even a short burst up to level 5 with the RED leds is pretty crazy, so for that reason alone I'd say it's better not to use it. BUT, the bigger reason not to use it is due to the way the taillight reports the battery status while in flash mode.

Once the battery is low enough to trip the medium warning level, the light will suspend what ever flash mode it's in with 3 seconds of steady burn at the highest level as programmed for the current flash mode, or in this case Level 5 (translate.. surface of the sun at night). At 1.5 seconds into the 3 second period, the light will blip once to indicate that you're at the medium (50% battery point). This process will repeat once every 10 seconds for a total of 5 times, before timing out. So if you use the lightening mode, you risk inadvertently blinding anyone behind you when the battery limits are detected. Same story when you reach the 20% level, except worse, since there is no "timeout" for this warning. Continues indefinitely every 10 seconds until the battery is depleted. Only other difference is that you get TWO blips now to distinguish that you're in the 20% range.

Just as a side note, I define 50% as the point where you've reached the middle of the useable time within a particular power level or mode. So, as an example, if you get 5 hours flashing on L5, then the 50% point would be approximately 2.5 hours remaining (give or take). There are definitely some tolerances at work in the circuit that make it hard to be too precise with the detection limits.

[Stephen]

Build 4 user's manual now available! Still making a few tweaks here and there, but fairly complete.
For now you can get it by going to the DesignShine google-site HERE and selecting it from the list of downloads at the bottom of the page.
More "tech-y" info on battery status indication.