How many of the other drivers out can even do boost-mode? The ability for a high powered laser to work off a single cell is just awesome, leading to smaller builds, single-18650 flashlight hosts, etc. Nearly all the drivers on Cajunlasers are buck-mode exclusively (X-drive, BlitzBuck), or linear (Mohgasm Driver). Some are just adaptations of the AMC7135 chip. Some of the boost-mode or boost-buck are huge compared to the Flexdrive (e.g. the FMT drive). I can only think of the X-boost as being on-par with what the Flexdrive ever was.
Flexdrives were as cheap as any of the other drivers that are out now--at least before they became scarce--at about $20 a driver. They went up over time as demand grew and supplies dwindled. Were they still available in quantity, they'd still sell like hotcakes, and many of those other drivers would probably never have been made in the first place.
The main claims to fame of these other drivers are: 1) they're actually available, and 2) relatively high currents which few diodes even need. The other drivers are rarely cheaper (ignoring scarcity), or smaller than the Flexdrive, and most don't have boost mode. Hell, the Flexdrive could probably manage most of the amperage needs with some tweaks, as it has been able to keep up in successive updates.
But there is still a need for the FlexDrive when building a red. (or any diode that doesn't have case neutral pins)
And as mentioned, it is unique in that it can buck as well as boost, plus easily configurable output ranges. With a pot as well.
Truly a one of a kind driver that is still needed...
Alright... I understand that the flexdrive was a great driver, that it set the bar for most other laser diode drivers today, and will probably continue to do so for the future.
However, you guys seem to be missing, or just not paying attention at all to this section of the forum... I hate to be advertising the E-drive, (I'm not a pushy person like that) but, the E-drive can really do anything and everything the Flexdrive can do, and better as well.
It's the same size, sports a potentiometer, full adjustability, active customer support (me) and much better availability than the flexdrive, which you have to wait several months on end for just to get one.
Oh, and the flexdrive costs $26 per, plus shipping.
E-drive costs $16, plus shipping.
I understand that legacy and tradition, and knowing full well how the driver works is definitely something to consider, yes, but from what I've been reading it's almost like you guys don't really notice other drivers...
I've worked my butt off, (Tsteele included) to get the E-drive born out there... It wasn't something that was just created overnight, and it took endless hours of redesigning, testing, and poking and prodding all while in college and in school to get it where it is today... Not to mention a good amount of money too.
The main purpose of it was to replace the flexdrive, that's why I created it. I wanted to help out the forum by giving a cheaper alternative, that's better, and carries more features than the flexdrive, while maintaining the positive aspects of it (size, adjustability, etc), and testing the HELL out of it, to make sure it's 100% stable spike free, etc, so that it doesn't have any of the problems previous new drivers have had.
I don't claim it to be the perfect driver by any means, no.
Sorry for my rant, by the way, but... just, understand that drivers do take a lot of time to research, and to create, and that they ARE created for a purpose.
Do I want the E-drive to become extremely popular, yes, I do, very much so...
Which reminds me. Does, ANYONE know where Dr. Lava had the flex-drives assembled? I'd like to inquiry on that, so the E-drives become much more available.