*BLF LT1 Lantern Project) (updated Nov,17,2020)

Good ideal though. :slight_smile: maybe can be something built as an accessory kit for the lantern once we get the lantern itself in production, ( kit could include a reflector, storage case or sleeve, wall-charger or solar charger & cable, etc.

Edit: going to do some photos of the beam pattern tonight on the V2 versus V1 & other lanterns.

I am interested, can I get on the list as well. Thanks!

I would be in for the kit and assume others would as well.

The only reason I bring it up now is that the pivoting or removable mounting design I had in mind might need to be tooled into the lantern from the get go. It could snap on the same way a belt clip does and slide around the unit while gripping the notch and suspending it away from the outer lens a bit to prevent rub marks. If it was plastic, it would be inexpensive, durable and would not scratch the ano. It could have a top and bottom groove to add stability.

kit options:
base
tripod

reflector
cable
case
solar charger
wall charger

you are #763 d0190535

Since the lantern is based from the Q8 body, it currently has a side 1/4-20 threaded tripod mount, and the reflector/shade could even mount to that point, ( its probably easy to leave that side mount on the production lantern model too for that.

Add me on the list for 1. Thank you! Super Excited!

DatBobaLife is #764

Thanks.

UPDATES, May,18,2018:

- Did some Beam-pattern comparison shots tonight of the new V2 prototype against the original SRK-based V1 prototype, the BLF Q8 with the best diffuser i found (and have tested that fits perfectly) and compared it to the best & most used other modded LED lanterns i have, a modded survival multi-lantern, a modded Noma dual-LED lantern, and a modded Coleman LED.

Photo below shows them from left to right:

First up, is a collage of the lanterns placed against a white flat, smooth back-drop to show the beam patterns of the lanterns, with a flat-plane below them to simulate a table or counter surface. The Nikon D5100 DSLR settings were the same for all 6 photos, (F5.6, S-1/180,) and all lanterns were on low or medium modes set so they were all roughly the same output, ( averaging 250 ~ 300 lumens)

Now here is where the details of my findings are shown…

- photo #1 is the V2 BLF Lantern prototype, with two down-firing XP-L 3000K LEDs. As of right now this new head design has the smoothest, most even beam pattern of all my lanterns with the least artifacts and least tint shift. This is due to the moderately frosted main lens/globe, (with not second inner globe) and the use fo 2 or 4 LEDS & senter post instead of one LED and side post design. Also, the trick here to get this smoothness and higher beam angle from down-firing LEDs, is both the top surface & bottom surface painted with a clean-white “Flat” coating, (not gloss white, or chrome coating like 90 % of commercially available lanterns we see on the market today. Chrome plating or shiny surfaces just adds glare, hard-lighting, and artifacts. ( as seen on the #2 , #4, #5, and #6 photos. Flat-white surface form my past tests reflect the most light in a smoother flood-pattern than polished or shiny surfaces, and with the top & bottom surfaces of the head flat white, the reflecting back & forth also “amplifies” the light out the sides, increasing efficiency and flood angles. Notice in photo #1, where the V2 has the smoothest pattern, least tint shift, and most down firing light for table illumination, and also the least hard-light glare.

Image #2 is the V1 prototype, with a single down-firing XP-L 4000K LED, it only has a bottom flat-white surface, but the top surface around the LED is shiny. for some reason this increases the tint shift and hard lighting, (though better than the other lanterns, its not as good as the V2.

- Image #3 is a stock Q8 with the diffuser. As most flashlights with diffusers, there is almost no illumination downward on the table that it rests on, and most of the light
is directed upwards. While ok indoors, but outdoors its impractical and has the most glare on the eyes of all these lanterns when resting on a table below the eye line.

- Image #4 is a much larger Coleman modified LED lantern, with single down-firing XP-L 4000K. while it has good table illumination because of its much bigger size, its diffuser and single LED produces some hard-light artifacts in the beam.

- Image #5 is a Survival Lantern i modified with a single down-firing XM-L 3000K LED, While its tall lens/reflector adds to the beam angle, it has some artifacts due to the shiny bottom surface.

- Image #6 is a modified Noma dual-LED lantern. with two XP-G2 3000K LEDs, This lantern has both down-firing AND up-firing LEDs, and in between them is a diffuser “tube”. While this design does increase the overall beam output angle, the up-firing LED does produce more eye-glare, and the framed lens adds shadows & artifacts.

Next up below, i added the bottom tripod mount to the lantern as talked about earlier in the topic, ( in this case i added a 1/8” aluminum plate inside the bottom cap, then threaded it with the 1/4-20” standard tripod hole. then sealed in the inside to make it waterproof.

then here below showing the V2 BLF lantern prototype on a camera tripod. This would be a great option outdoors at a camping area, where it will illuminate a larger area.

So as the above tests for the beam pattern smoothness and angle were done with two XP-L 3000K 7A emitters, the next test and modification will be swapping the XP-Ls for the new Samsung 351D 4000K emitters, ( using two at first then four of them to measure amp-draw versus output) to compare the new High-CRI 351D LEDs for lantern use. I also hope to add the USB charger function too over the next couple weeks, ( in this case it will be TP4056 1-Amp module-based, same as the V1 prototype has, to do a longer-term test of sustainability for run times per night versus charging-times per day using four 3200mah or 3400mah cells.

_ I als owill begin working on a cross-section drawing of the new V2, but we do need to get a CAD-design drawing after that to provide to Thorfire for a base to work on.

Very nice… so far , so good.

Would you please share what this diffuser is and/or where to get one? Thanks.

Awesome work!

The new prototype is looking great! :+1:

What method are you using for the lanyard on top? I have found these ‘crimp’ style ends to be unreliable.

My friend lost a ferrocerium rod when one failed. In the rare instances that I use a lanyard, I eliminate the plastic end and tie a knot instead.

I really like bottom tripod mount, and I think I’ll add one to my Q8. Did you modify the tail PCB in order to make room for the 1/8” plate?

Can you test the beam pattern when the lantern is hung a few feet above a table?

@DBSAR

The V2 prototype was already cool looking, now with the beam comparison I’m liking it even more, put a high CRI emitter and I might have to order a few more to donate to my scout group XD

I am all for high CRI as well. At this point though, I’m in even if this thing has a knock off CW cree LOL.

Has a price range been discussed for this thing? Trying to narrow down quantity I want vs can afford.

Looks great so far. Maybe you could also add some sort of rubber pads/coating to the bottom to give it a more stable stand on sloping surfaces like camping tables. And high cri would be great.

EDIT: i thank David below for noting my error in what you were referring to. :smiley:

the one i found for the Q8. Its the diffuser head from this flame light: Amazon.ca

It has a shoulder and clips on the Q8 bezel perfectly & locks in place. I am using the flame unit its self for another electric simulated campfire.

I agree, i don’t like those crimp ones either for that reason. I only use the “sleeve” type, which is much stronger and locks permanently on the paracord end. I also melt & fuse the paracord ends together to they are joined permanently too. The ones i like best are these with the built-in locking hook on the lantern lanyard, which is handy for clipping to a overhead guy rope, inside a tent with the roof loop hanger, etc. This type: 14.18€ |100 teile/paket Zip Clip Schnalle Reißverschluss Zieht Schnur Seil Enden Schloss Schwarz Für Paracord/Rucksack/Kleidung # C0015 B2|buckle display|buckle cuffbuckle hook - AliExpress

If i remember i will try to get an outdoor photo of the lantern hung a few feet over a table. A trick i do for these situations with lanterns is place a white paper plate over the top as a “hat” hood reflector which really increases the down reflection of light. :slight_smile:

Prices are not worked out yet, ( for the group buy and the retail after) which will be worked out by Thorfire.