33 replies to this topic

[frost vectron]

Alright here's the deal.

I will be making an LED flash grenade with blinking LED's. I just want to know how much interest there is in something like this. If I buy things bulk, it should cut costs down quite a bit.

If I were to produce many of these, would anybody care to buy them? It will probably cost around $6-9 + shipping per flash unit, though this is just an estimate.

Technical details: high-output white LEDs encased in a tube, powered by a 9v battery, LED's will begin blinking after firing a switch. Tube to be covered in pipe insulation to prevent damage on throwing. Size of the unit would probably be 3-4" long with approximately 1" diameter.

Also, I don't know how soon I could get these babies made, so I don't have a time-frame. It depends on general interest, I guess.

If this tickles your fancy, reply here (with an estimate of how much you might buy). If so, then I've got a lot of stuff to order and test before I could actually start production. A lot of tests need to be done (such as durability and flash effectiveness).

This is specifically aimed at Human vs Zombie players, but should be nice for any nerfer that enjoys night combat.

Here is a little resume of my experiences with LEDs and electronics (but please note that these grenades will not be utilizing luxeon-powered LEDs):
http://lightsabertemple.blogspot.com/
Enjoy!

Edited by frost vectron, 13 October 2007 - 04:13 PM.

[dart]

Thats is a nice concept. I would want to buy one if you make any.

Edited by dart, 13 October 2007 - 05:03 PM.

[hierarchy]

If they really did work I would deffinetly buy one of thoes. It would be perfect for a dark indoor game.

[Banshee]

It sounds like a good idea. You should look up on google and see if its been done, then alter their plans. And next time post something like this in the homemade section.

I might buy one though!

P.S. LED's are really expensive... you might want to look for more options.

[Nonsense Man]

Actually Led's are incredibly cheap.

[CaptainSlug]

You can buy packages of 100 ultrabright LEDs direct from china for $10-$20 shipped through this company: http://stores.ebay.c...1QQftidZ2QQtZkm

I buy from them fairly frequently.

Edited by CaptainSlug, 13 October 2007 - 06:07 PM.

[BustaNinja]

I was thinking of something like this but with flashing leds you wouldn't have the affect of a camera flash in a dark room. If you have some sort to presure switchs like I plan to do. But really. I like the thought of leds. I might alter your idea and add it to mine flash grenades.

[frost vectron]

I order from them, too CS. Good stuff.

[precisionnerfer]

Hate to be stupid, but wouldn't it blind you too? Or would you run behind a tree and shut your eyes and then shoot once they are stunned?

[Lynx]

I believe the idea is for this to be a room clearer. Other wise, I would turn away when I throw it. Not stare at the FLASH GRENADE...this is um, a questionable question to ask.

[frost vectron]

I suppose that it would.

Essentially the idea is that you use this when you have to get from point A to point B. There is little cover and the enemy is at large (think of a stairway). They know you are coming, you don't know where they are. Using this kind of levels the playing field.

Also, there is the idea of expecting the flash versus being taken by surprise.

You can also look away as you throw it towards a group. This means, flash grenade goes from being close to your eyes to being close to their eyes. Since you closed your eyes when the nade is mid-air, it will land near their eyes. It would additionally illuminate your enemies from a distance.

This could also be used as a room clearer, as Lynx said.

Anyways, I got this idea from the humans versus zombies thread, so it might not apply directly to nerf as we know it.

It's the same as putting a flashlight on top of you gun. It helps you see, but it also lets your enemies know exactly where you are. There are pros and cons, I guess.

[keef]

Yeah, it would be awsome, but I wouldn't use them for Nerfing. Its out of place using grenades and "bombs". thats what airsoft is for.

[badger]

Yeah, it would be awsome, but I wouldn't use them for Nerfing. Its out of place using grenades and "bombs". thats what airsoft is for.

It is much better suited for indoor wars, though if it is simply a small group of friends playing outside and not at an organized nerf war, then it is entirely up to the players what is allowed. You won't see these at wars like Apoc or DCNO, but just a small outing it would be better suited for.

[Foam Shooter]

My take on this is that it would be very effective in a nerf war but not it HvZ. I say this because in a nerf war you need the vision to line up your shot. In HvZ all they have to do is tag you so if you're in a hall way they are bound to get you either way. Now I guess if your a zombie you could use this to blind the humans so that they can't see you to shoot you or to throw a sock at you. Also how are you going to put pipe insulation on this, wouldn't it dampen the light.

On a better note this would be nasty to throw. Just picture this:
"Frag out"
You throw the grenade into the opposing team's base andveryone on your team put's on their sunglasses and the other team gets blinded and starts bumping into walls then your team just goes in and ambushes them while they can't see anything.

Edited by Foam_Shooter, 13 October 2007 - 09:32 PM.

[frost vectron]

There will be holes cut in the insulation large enough to allow full LED illumination.

It looks like there's a fair amount of interest. I'll begin working on a prototype so there'll be something tangible to look at and judge.

I'm pretty excited to get this thing going.

[Prometheus]

You'd want some form of capacitor discharge, which could be a little expensive.

[Thomas]

Love the concept, just not the idea of bright ass lights all up in my grill. Cause bright lights give me head aches.
Will they flash repeatedly, or just shine like a regular light?

[frost vectron]

I will be using flashing LED's.

I'm gonna try and do this as cheaply as possible, so it might not have all the bells and whistles that it should/could have (such as a timed delay before it sets off or an automatic shut-off timer).

[penguin807]

Sweet. I've toyed with the idea for flash grenades but never got around to actually making one. It'll be awesome to have somthing to expose the enemey's position without exposing yours.

Edit: Nevermind. Didn't see about the no delay. Oh well, I'll probably buy some and figure out how to put one on.

Edited by penguin807, 13 October 2007 - 10:13 PM.

[bobafan]

So pretty much one of these
but brighter.

[Lynx]

With about 5-10 ultra bright leds instead of 2 weak ones. A flash grenade would be great for nerf or pranks or Humans vs Zombies.

[frost vectron]

Sort of.

The difference is that all 5-10 white LEDs will flash on and off at the same time. They be pointed approximately omni-directional.

And I also want the grenade durable for tossing and aesthetically pleasing.

I'll probably churn out a prototype in sometime in December.

[h2player116]

Would it actually make you blind?.

[frost vectron]

No. That's just ridiculous.

[pwnchu]

I'm fairly sure real flash grenades don't make you blind. Any light powerful enough to permanently blind you would also crisp up your skin too (I think).