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

Well, you lose brightness at either extreme because you have half the number of LEDs, unless the plan is to make that not happen by limiting the brightness when all 4 LEDs are on so that brightness is constant over color temp. If the color temp is adjustable, I hope it’s done in a way that the light remembers the color temp between power cycles so you don’t have to set it every time it’s turned on.

Personally, I don’t think 4 LEDs is enough to make adjustable color temp work. The two lanterns I have with have many more LEDs and a lot more diffusion for color mixing.

Example 1 / Example 2

To me, this would be even more reason to make the extremes more extreme. Then, you get a wider range of CCT that still includes all the emitters. However, if you think about a current regulated driver, the only light you’ll really be missing is the difference in efficiency going from one set of LEDs to the other (cooler CCT emitters get more lm/w output) and going from 4/6 emitters to just 2/3 emitters (LEDs are more efficient at lower wattage, so same current going to fewer LEDs will mean higher wattage per LED, so lower efficiency). Those differences in efficiency will probably NOT make a noticeable difference in output as seen by the eye. But, I still want a wide CCT range, because I just do! :innocent:

FWIW I really prefer a warm tint. As others have stated a campfire is around 2000k. I have the bld a6 with the 5a tint which is nice. Cool white lights all seem harsh and cheap to me. But to each their own. Understand that the majority of people want a cooler white than I would. That’s fine. Not asking for a change, just expressing an opinion.

I’m really excited to get one of these. Depending on how it all plays out,final specs and price I could easily see myself getting a second. Is there any projected eta? His summer, calendar year? Probably a bit early to know. Just figuring out my expectations.

qft, I am with you all the way , the warmer the better for me to. I am also wandering if it will have all those special and cool features that fw3a will have like candle-, lightning mode etc. IMHO It s cool and all but unnecessary and kind of stupid in a flashlight but in lantern like this absolutely necessary. This is where I would use modes like that, in flashlight I would never use it except maybe to show of but then again I am not a showoff.

I am also wandering if it will have all those special and cool features that fw3a will have like candle-, lightning mode etc. IMHO It s cool and all but unnecessary and kind of stupid in a flashlight but in lantern like this absolutely necessary. This is where I would use modes like that, in flashlight I would never use it except maybe to show of but then again I am not a showoff.
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Well you wandered to the right place. AFAIK, the lantern is planned to run Anduril, which is the same program that produces the modes you listed

nember 860 on the interest list for joechina

interest list number 861 for our Black Sabbath fan. :sunglasses:

interest list sorted by entry number

interest list sorted by user names

LOL! Seriously bro, I was just thinking “Man I’m really late to the party on this” And then I saw your post…… No worries. I’m good with being on it for two :slight_smile:

Please add me to the list for one of these beauties. Thanks!

Interested in a second one if price is right (#99 on list already).

MCT

Please, please make it a USB-C port. Then you could also use the single port for input and output.
But seriously, USB-C is so much better :heart_eyes:

added at number 862 on the interest list.

added a second lantern at number 863 on the interest list.

Thinking of doing a video for my youtube channel talking about the BLF lantern project this weekend. It woudl be easier to explain the features of its design. I wil be sending the Cross section drawing & detailed specifications off to Barry this weekend to get it rolling with Thorfire. :slight_smile:

sounds like a great idea, looking forward to it. :+1:

Hi all. Been following this project for ages but just realised I’m not down on the list.
This lantern is shaping up to be a very special little bit of kit.

Interested in two please.

Interested in one

INTERESTED!!

interest list numbers 864 and 865 for you

interest list number 866 for oto

interest list number 867 for Satisfaction

Interested in one

I am interested in one as well.

Geese is number 868 on the interest list

Welcome to BLF falcora, you are number 869 on the interest list for the BLF Ultimate Lantern

There appears to be a typo, “MH351” instead of “LH351D”. Just a note for the next diagram update.

If the hardware supports tint mixing, I’ll add it to the firmware. It’s not really my decision, but I hope it happens.

I think Nitecore makes something like that. The LR30, I think.

I was wondering about this too. Waterproofing the top of the lantern is probably important so it can operate during rain.

+1

The plan is constant brightness when changing CCT. And constant CCT when changing brightness. Except perhaps for a “natural” mode where CCT automatically goes up with brightness. Regardless, if it’s 6W on the warmest setting and 6W at the coolest setting, the plan is to make it 6W halfway between too… instead of 12W.

I’ll have to add an eeprom value for color balance, but that shouldn’t be hard. The main thing with adding features is just trying to keep the code size down so I won’t have to cut anything else to make room.

Maybe. I’ve been thinking about making sunset configurable. The questions there are a matter of choosing the most useful options and avoiding big changes in code size. There’s not much room left in the Q8, GT, and FW3A builds, and I hope to make things work on all platforms if possible.

Yes, that’s the plan.

I use candle mode quite a bit, especially in a lantern.

Depending on how things go, some things could potentially be removed though. Like, there might not be much point in keeping muggle mode, since the lantern doesn’t run hot enough to damage itself. And I’ll probably turn off thermal regulation entirely because the sensor isn’t near the emitters.