That don;t look like a good lantern for 360 degree lighting, and if its like Haikelite’s recent issues and poor customer service it wont be worth what they want for it. (I have been battling Haikelite for a crap dead MT01 i bought from them now since fall of 2017, and all i got was excuses, ignorance, a run around, and BS from them. They are on my red-flag list of manufacturers to avoid.
My apologies to everyone for the lack of updates, as mentioned above i did a job change, preparing for separation from my ex, and dealing with life’s hard times over the last few months. I am working on the prototype in the garage however, and will have the updated & simpler prototype ready to show, and with a cross section & specs info to see if we can get this rolling soon. With the disappearance of TheMiller from BLF for some time also made it more difficult, (Update: April,12,6:51-PM,2018) Just found out he posted recently again) We will need help with the rest of the remaining team and any help from new team members expertise to get this into a production model would be good. My experience with talking to manufacturers is not much as compared to what TheMiller was able to do as he did for the BLF Q8, he was a great key member who have the knowledge to work that step. Have patience everyone, I am still pushing on this project to make it a reality, regardless of the delays…
* Also Interest list is updated!
Don’t worry DBSAR.
As long as you are okay, everything is alright.
You need to stay healthy and happy.
Yeah… the thread management stuff can be done by other people, and I’ve been slowly making tools to make that easier, but it seems The Miller’s most important roles have been behind the scenes making things actually happen.
Very true. I can definitely focus time & work on perfecting the prototype & create the ultimate practical lantern that was originally intended, but i do need help with the logistics, development, communications with a manufacturer, (good candidates would be Thorfire, Illumintop, etc.) and a testing/developing team for specific parts as in the Driver design, ( as yourself have those abilities that i do not) programming, charging & USB incorporation ideas, and usability functions and working out the final production design to be practical, functional, and have the best of the lantern world while keeping the initial cost in a range where it will be a seller hit.
interested. please include me in the list
Thorfire would definitely be a good candidate. Especially with 3000 Q8’s already floating around. All they’d have to make is a head to your spec.
That is the plan, to possible make the BLF lantern interchangeable with the Q8 battery tube body/base. I wish i had an extra Q8 body/host so that i could incorporate that into the upgraded prototype. Thorfire built a great light with the Q8, and know they could do the same with the BLF lantern.
@ DBSAR: It sounds like you have a lot of issues on your hands that are way more important then a BLF camping lantern.
Take it easy and take care of your priorities first. The rest is luxury.
Cheers and thanks for the good work!
Nico
Thanks for the update, DBSAR; hope you’re able to find some joy and peace in this difficult season you’re going through. We appreciate you and can wait — your happiness/health is most important.
Interested!
I’m working on getting you a Q8 for further development. I will PM you as soon as I hear back.
That would be awesome. Right now I have the original prototype taken apart to re-design & simplify some parts, but incorporating the Q8 components to the revised prototype would be a benefit to its compatibility, and possibly lower cost of each unit if we can work it out with Thorfire to build the production model, as they already have the design CADs for the Q8 body parts.
If they will code me one from Amazon, I told them I would pay to ship it to you in Canada. I really want to see this project happen. This is the best lantern idea to come around in a long time. Hopefully they will respond to my email sometime tomorrow.
sounds great. This will enlighten my spirits to get this rolling. (which have been on a low side for awhile)
:+1: I’ll gladly toss in a few bucks toward shipping to Canada.
PM me if/when this happens, RobertB.
Ok, still waiting for a reply
interested
interested depending on price if I haven’t already posted. (cant remember)
*+UPDATES,April,16,2018 -
So with the help of fellow member here on BLF, RobertB and Miranda of Thorfire, we acquired a Q8 to use as a new prototype for the BLF lantern. it has been discussed before that building the lantern as compatible with the already awesome BLF Q8, will reduce costs especially if we work with Thorfire to build the production model, as they already have the blueprints and design criteria for the Q8.
- i do need to talk to talk to the developers & designers of the Q8 driver, as it may be possible to use that driver for the lantern, if i can figure out how to reduce the maximum output amps on it maximum modes to around 1.2 amps, ( or even up to 1.5 ~ 1.7 amps to the LEDs then somehow have it step down either by timing, or wired remote temperature sensor mounted on the lantern head. As we all like the mode-groups & programming of the Q8, they woudl probably work great for the lantern too. (only issue is if that will cut costs down, and if we can add the charging input, (and possibly the USB powerbank feature)
So once i receive the Q8, it will be focused on as the prototype for the BLF lantern. I hope the team from the Q8 development can chime in here with help & suggestions.
I have already spoke to Miranda of Thorfire on the thoughts of working with them to build the ultimate BLF lantern.+*