When will BLF bring out their own Headlamp????

Summing up, it seems that there are some irresolvable differences between 2 groups of users: the ones who want versatility and those who want low weight.
The versatile people want 2 outputs. This alone ups the minimum light size quite a bit, but also makes 18350 compatibility trickier.

I don’t think we should try to satisfy both groups with a single light.
Would it be fine to split the efforts into 2 lights, 18650 with 2 optics and 18650+18350(+18500?) with 1 optic?
If yes, would it be good to actually concentrate on making one of them and leave the other for later?

I think it should stay with 18650……two optics would be nice but one is probably best…. Nice versatile lumens range based on majorities needs… same with actual tint… good runtimes at mid to low…

I suspect like me most of us use a mid setting and BOOST to high when required…

User programmable bit like the BLF a6 firmware(so far only experinced this firmware) would be fantastic.

Would love to see a good boost to around 3000 lumens. As can be very useful in my line of work. but not essential…

Would prefer a standard Headlamp setup where led is in center not an L-shape…

Battery behind LED as battery box I tend to find gets damaged(wire) far to easily.

USB charging would be a plus and an IP8 rating would be fantstic.

There may be un-resolvable differences of opinion, but the actual technical aspects are resolvable. Again, even cheap headlights in the market have two channels for spot and flood, and those use AAA or AA cells (or even button cells) and are smaller and much more compact than a 18650 headlamp. Making one that uses 18350 should be doable. Personally, I prefer 18650 for power density. For less than double the size you get triple the mAh capacity.

If you’ve looked at the led4power sales thread lately, you’d know that he has a 6x 3535 emitter MCPCB and optic that fits in the head of a C8. Multiple emitters does not have to mean a huge form factor of the light. All the 10180 cell keychain lights being made lately have TIR optics. Two of those side-by-side would still be plenty small for a headlamp. For me, it would be too fiddly for a headlamp if it’s too small. However, for the ones who want super-compact, maybe a second light that runs on a 16340 and has one optic would be a great choice.

All my assumptions based on facts)
There are 3 main driver types buck, boost, linear(+ fet) and combination.
Boost driver is small even for 1500-2000lm. At that power small host of headlamp will head up to pain level for minute.

The reason for two optics is to have one for spot and one for flood. Trying to do that with one optic would be tricky to say the least.

Tint will be impossible to please everyone, but from recent polls we’ve had on BLF, most peole will be happy with a neutral light in the 4000K to 5000K range.

BLF created firmware has far exceeded the A6 capabilities. Not saying the A6 firmware is bad. Just saying if you like that, you will LOVE what we have for you now! :heart_eyes:

IMHO, getting a headlamp up to 3000 lumens would be nearly impossible to do and very dangerous if it were accomplished, both because of heat. Really, it doesn’t make any sense at all to put 3000 lumens on your head. I have a very nice headlamp that has max output around ~1000lm and that is more than adequate. I say we aim for that, and make it moddable for those who want more lumens to change theirs later. That’s easily accomplished by making the LEDs accessible from a removable bezel, and make sure the MCPCBs and the driver are all ‘standard’ size/shape parts. While we’re at it, we can make sure the optics are ‘standard’ size/shape so those can be changed if someone wants both flood or both spot or something else.

I’m with you on the ‘standard’ headlamp shape instead of L-shape. :wink:

I’m also in agreement about battery behind the emitter, rather than a separate battery box, although I have no experience with the latter to know whether I’d actually like it or not. I have had devices with small/thin connecting wires and those wires do always end up being the weak point where breakage happens first.

I’m for USB charging, but to be honest, I’m not totally convinced of its usefulness. I would probably change batteries and keep going rather than stop using the headlamp long enough to get it charged.

Can we resolve the differences in a technical way? You have a good point, let’s try.
Without increasing head size you could do 2 optics that have at most 12-13 mm diameter. Quite floody even with XP-L HI.
Throwier with a flat 1mm² LED like Osram KW CSLNM1.TG, but this one is probably only cool low-CRI. Any other options?
Also, a single flood emitter won’t be as efficient as a triple.

What other ways we can use to achieve the dual-beamness?
TIR based zoomie? Adds some weight, but could be interesting.
Triple TIR with different LEDs in different cups? Similar to small individual optics. DC-FIX could be applied to a subset of cups.

As to battery choice:
Personally I find my Skilhunt H03 quite heavy. Without the 2nd strap I have to strap it very tight, not comfortable for a longer period. I suppose I could use 18350 more comfortably without going with the 2nd strap…

Sum up the weight of 18650 flashlight and a 2-strap band. Then 18350 with 1-strap band and 2 spare batteries. Runtime is the same, the latter weighs less. If you don’t need that much runtime, you take one spare or none at all. If you need more, you use the 18650 tube and 1 or more spares. That’s nice versatility.
Personally I often have low energy needs where a single 18350 is plenty. On the lights that support shorty cells I always go for having both short and full tube.

The problem of “standart” configuration with 2 emitters that all driver and led should be on one MCPCB ,so development is harder and modding is harder too.

“IMHO, getting a headlamp up to 3000 lumens would be nearly impossible to do and very dangerous if it were accomplished, both because of heat.”
have you not seen the 3350lm thurnite? TH30 3350 Lumens Headlamp Ultra Bright Headlight
Shows that it is possible for a short period to have 3000+ lumens as a nice boost when needed… I agree about the 1000lms(I use the HC65/HC30/H3) but a boost to 3000+lm can be useful and saves carrying the extra flashlight that you may do for those occassions they are needed

“BLF created firmware has far exceeded the A6 capabilities. Not saying the A6 firmware is bad. Just saying if you like that, you will LOVE what we have for you now! :heart_eyes: ”
DO tell and what can it be flashed too?

“I’m for USB charging, but to be honest, I’m not totally convinced of its usefulness. I would probably change batteries and keep going rather than stop using the headlamp long enough to get it charged.”
Take a look at the Nitecore NU range(I have a few) honestly they are great but a tad lacking for some things.Just means you can charge on the go as I have done with both the NU20 and HC65(usually in the Landie)also you can run them whilst they are connected to a powerbank. This has been a very good plus feature on the NU range as I have ended up on two occassions using a powerbank with them and still using them as my light source.


The reason for two optics is to have one for spot and one for flood. Trying to do that with one optic would be tricky to say the least.

Tint will be impossible to please everyone, but from recent polls we’ve had on BLF, most peole will be happy with a neutral light in the 4000K to 5000K range.”

I have no issues with two optics just may be easier to make using one that was all. As to tint oh yes you will never please everyone, Even me and my partner don’t always agree as I prefer cold white where she prefers Neutral white or Nichia….

” I say we aim for that, and make it moddable for those who want more lumens to change theirs later. That’s easily accomplished by making the LEDs accessible from a removable bezel, and make sure the MCPCBs and the driver are all ‘standard’ size/shape parts. While we’re at it, we can make sure the optics are ‘standard’ size/shape so those can be changed if someone wants both flood or both spot or something else”

Heck yes to all this…
Just starting out with modding so as no other headlamps seem easy one that is design from the outset to be modable is a brilliant idea

Note: there are good 18700 batteries with built-in chargers.

They can be used as a substitute to having charging in flashlight.
This is not a perfect solution, less fool-proof, less comfortable to use, no 18400 equivalent.
But sometimes it may be better than an in-light charger due to cost or size limitations.

forgive my ignorance but what do 18700 fit??

They fit in a number of 18650 lights with larger double springs. I doubt there’s a list anywhere though.

By double springs I mean one at the head and one at the tail.

Most so-called “protected 18650” are actually about 70 mm long. So really they are 18700, not 18650. They are widely, but not universally supported.

Definitely. Don’t want to put extra size and weight on the head for something that a lot of people won’t use.

Let’s hope the Wowtac high CRI A2S happens.

im in for 2

LOL think if there was someone who was actually interesting in making some they would be very happy to hear that you are “in for 2” but for not this is about seeing what interests there is and what people expect…

I did make some 2-channel drivers for custom orders:

This one is 1s headlamp driver for two triples (flood and spot), two e-switches and relatively complex firmware (but easy to use).

Another idea could be concept of minimalistic small and lightweight L-shaped headlamp.
As you can see most manufacturers do not care about this. Even ZL H600 mkx has 39g, and 98mm while old H60 has only 33g and 91mm.

If you look at H03 for example you can see many points where size and weight can be reduced. ( smaller optics, unprotected 18650, thinner driver…)

I think such concept with some BLF UI , and modern Hicri led could be interesting.

Wow! Nice! :crown: :+1: