Rude Nora
how she works !
Versatile and intuitive caving orientated interface
2 LEDs, one spot beam and one full flood operating together or separately
7 power settings (4 General caving modes, plus 2 very high and 1 ultra low)
5 second next push off feature, always easy to turn lamp off
'Toggle' feature, back and forth between selected general caving mode and high output mode
5 stage fuel gauge, check battery capacity without removing helmet
Very low power consumption (0.006 mA) when lamp off (with battery connected)
in more detail ......
The Rude Nora has 7 power settings, mixing 2 LEDs, one smooth focused spot output (the one with the optic)and one full flood output (the one mounted on the colour anodised thermal facia) , with a user interface set up specifically for caving.
To keep such a versatile and powerful lamp as the Rude Nora, as simple as possible, the modes have been divided into two distinct groups.
Four regular settings (general caving) and three further settings (covering the very low and very high output options).
Modes 1 to 4 (and Off) are simply accessed in sequence on a single operation of the momentary push button.
These 4 modes provide an outstanding balance of light output and power consumption for generally getting about in caves. The Nora has a 5 second next push off feature on these modes, so that it is always simple to turn you lamp off with a single push. It's always best to be able to turn your lamp off without any fuss and faff, this being particularly useful when you meet someone underground.
The higher light output modes, i.e. really high (which are in reality used less frequently by the skilled and experienced caver), are accessed by 'push and hold' of the switch. If you are using any of the general modes 1-3 and the switch is pushed and held briefly, the lamp will select high spot (mode 5). This is useful when looking down a big pitch/ shaft or up a high aven. Next push returns you directly to the mode that you were caving in. This provides the ability to 'toggle' effortlessly back and forth between your preferred caving mode and the high power setting. An extremely useful feature. Similarly, in general caving mode 4, you can toggle back and forth to mode 6, full power on both LEDs (850 lumen), for those occasions that you really want to light the environment up.
The Rude Nora also features an innovative 5 stage fuel gauge, indicating remaining battery capacity without removing your helmet and counting little LEDs. This is accessed by 'push and hold' when the lamp is off. The lamp will flash between 1 and 5 times to let you know how much battery capacity you have used / have remaining. At the end of this sequence of flashes, the lamp will automatically default to ultra low (mode 7, 400+ hours). This setting is ideal when camping underground or peacefully prussiking up a very long pitch, but is also arguably adequate to cave on (at least if necessary).
In reality, this is far more simple and intuitive than we have probably just made it sound. The following flow chart should help.
norainterface.pdf
Please note (and as its states quite clearly above), lumen / duration figures are provisional. This basically means that I havnt had time to tie it up tighter than a ducks arse as yet. However, they won't be very far out.
Lumens based on manufacturer data, i.e. 150 lumen @ 350 mA (cool white). Figures allowing for LEDs being slightly more efficient at low power, ie < 350mA, and less efficient at higher output, e.g. High spot setting, mode 5. above
The power settings (4 modes + 3 modes + battery fuel gauge) are;
Mode 1
Low power, spot LED (55 lumen). Realising the most of low battery consumption by not mixing in diffuse flood LED.
Mode 2
Mixed low spot (50 lumens) and medium flood (150 lumens), an ideal general caving setting to maximise battery duration. Table above should read 16 hours (probably a little more), We've been messing around and optimising power settings during run up to launch. Many thanks to Speedy for pointing this out; will correct as soon as we've tested Nora at revised power settings. I honestly can't remember what level we settled on, so it might well be 18 hours, and in this case it's the graph and lumen figure that needs tweeking. I've lost track how many tiimes the above table has been modified during testing.
Mode 3
Mixed medium spot (190-200 lumen) and medium flood (150 lumen). An ideal, rather bright, general caving setting if you like plenty of light
Mode 4
Medium-high flood (280-300 lumen).
As the modes are in increasing order of power consumed*, the Nora features a 5 second next push off feature. If you have been using any of these settings for more than 5 seconds the next push of the switch is 'off'. This ensures that you do not waste battery power accessing higher consumption modes when you are conserving battery capacity, and that you can always turn the lamp off effortlessly.
(* Modes 3 & 4 consume a similar amount of power; mode 3 slightly more than mode 4)
Modes 5-6 are the very high output options, accessed by 'push and hold' of the momentary switch. When either of these modes are selected, a single push will return to the last mode, making it super easy to toggle between your favored general caving mode and these high output options
Mode 5
High Spot 425 lumen (distant focused beam). Extremely useful for checking out an aven or looking down a deep pitch. Push and hold switch from any mode 1, 2 or 3 to get high spot. Next push will return to respective last mode (1,2 or 3). Toggle between mode 1,2 or 3 and high spot setting at will. An extremely versatile feature, as far as we are aware unique to the Nora.
Mode 6
Turbo 850 lumen (maximum output). Push and hold from mode 4, for combined high spot and high flood. Next push will return to mode 4. Toggle between mode 4 and Turbo setting at will.
Mode 7
Reserve, est. 10 lumen (or Ultra low) setting is accessed by push and hold when the Nora is Off. The battery capacity 'fuel' gauge is also accessed at the same time. Firstly, the lamp will flash 1-5 times to indicate battery capacity and then default to mode 7 (ultra low). Next push is subsequently off. The ultra low setting has all sorts of potential uses and is essential in any high end caving lamp. The Nora offers by far the longest duration of any caving lamp available.
Battery Fuel Gauge
(See Mode 7 above). When activated, the battery fuel gauge will measure the remaining capacity of the battery pack being used and flash the lamp 1-5 times to indicate remaining level of capacity. This system was developed in our previous lamps, the Little Monkey and Hurricane, and is again used in the Nora.
Connecting Battery
When battery pack is connected up, the lamp will start in mode 1. This feature has been incorporated incase the connections between battery and lamp become damaged and have intermittent contact. If the battery connection is broken momentarily then the lamp will provide light. equally, this could prove beneficial if you are using a flavour of AA batteries that are not a great fit in the AA holder (AA batteries can vary) and if contact is intermittently lost when they are being bashed around. When the battery is connected and the lamp is off, the Rude Nora consumes just 0.006 mA.