Newly following this thread after a long hiatus, I am not really understanding the merits of some of the design parameters.
An added note: I saw the picture with the flashlight underneath, and forgot about the fact (which I know from long ago) that the actual LEDs were on the top. Not using the LEDs in the flashlight. This invalidates what I said concerning the Q8 as a direct light source.
Texas_Ace supports the idea of removing the Q8 bezel and screwing in the lantern part. I really don’t think that is the optimal approach. It requires the user to carry around the Q8 bezel and the lantern if they may want to use the Q8 to do more than just being a lantern. And they have to exchange the functional units in the dark (and rain, snow, dust [think garbage in the threads], etc.). A Q8 would have significant other applications as a standalone flashlight. I believe the most versatile approach would be a clamp on the lamp portion to fit the Q8. This would make it easier to interface with other flashlight bases with different threads, sizes, and configurations.Why make the lantern diffuser dependent on a specific light source? Making this clamp adjustable (preferable), or offering selected alternate clamps, would greatly expand the possible purchasing population.
An adjustable stand for supporting the lantern would be necessary. For a camp light one can not really assume a nice even surface is available. So a set of tripod legs with an adjustable clamp will fill the bill.
So you have a lamp that takes multiple versions of flashlights and stands up well on an irregular surface. And all of the flashlights used can be simply removed for use as a flashlight. You now have a system that does not require a specific flashlight as its’ base.
Power is another issue. First of all, if you are configuring for multiple light sources, the direction of the development on power functions is not viable.
If things do not move to my suggested configuration, there are issues. If the light is used to charge phones and other things, they will be better served by the popular battery recharge packs with Li batteries in them.
If you want to use a battery charger pack to recharge an independent custom light source; this is not an optimal energy path to recharge a lamp. The battery pack is a set of cells (probably moderate capacity) and a voltage converter. There are power losses there. If you are going to haul around a recharging pack, use it for phones. If you want to charge the lamp from a battery pack; the energy issues are worse.
It is simple, and more efficient, to just carry some spare Li cells. If you want to charge phones, carry a pack to do this. In the majority of real world cases, the light will be the primary requirement; not the phone.
There are relatively inexpensive cell chargers for inputs of 120 VAC and 12 VDC. When the lantern light goes out, it is unlikely the user will say that it is OK, because by tomorrow afternoon the light will work just fine. Or an hour; or 5 minutes. Replacing discharged cells is quick and easy. Discharged cells can them be connected to a 12 VDC charger and fairly quickly be replenished by a transport device (car). Remote operations with a solar charger can be a similar situation. Leave the solar panel charging cells in camp, and you have fresh batteries when you get back. A set of charged cells in holders is lighter and quicker than other portable recharge approaches.
I really want the lantern light dispersing parts to work on the Q8. Other lights with my suggestions are a bonus which should improve the volume for manufacturing.