That is basically what they use for lightsaber blades. However, lightsabers also need a few layers of cellophane on the inner surface to diffuse the light. And sabers don’t have to care about CRI or tint. The polycarbonate tubes were chosen primarily for combat durability, not as much for optical properties.
So it might work or it might not. It would probably be very sturdy, at least. Those things can really take a beating.
you are on the interest list as noted in this post
The OP does not always (almost never) have the interest list as I manage it online and provide it to DBSAR periodically to update the OP. You can find the up to date list(s) here:
interest list sorted by entry number
interest list sorted by user names
DBSAR, if you get time and read this, you can copy the links above into the OP for folks that are not seeing their names on the interest list in the OP. The links don’t change when the list changes, so it makes for a bit less work. My home PC died recently, or I would just send you an updated list right now in a format suitable for updating the OP. I will try to remember when I am at work this week, after my whirlwind of meetings end.
you are added at number 1013 to the interest list.
Added both links to the OP just above the post list 
sounds good, I just emailed you an updated interest list with jinjin19 as the last entry.
got it. )
Wow! Looking good! Seriously impressed by what the team has turned out.
Those factory drawings look good. No sign of a battery carrier, which I like, because that’s one less thing to lose. I’m happy to see the 18.9mm × 71mm 18650 dimensions as well, because that means we have the choice of protected or unprotected cells, i.e. whatever people have to hand.
I note the discussion on tripod and bolt threads; long threads and steel nut inserts would definitely be nice to help prevent thread stripping incidents, whether from drops or people overtightening. Even factory assembly workers can and do overtighten things.
I’m sure many of us have seen our share of Friday products with threads that were almost stripped but not quite, so they just barely cleared quality control, then failed prematurely in service. My university lecturers were keen on “design for manufacturability”, also known as “making sure the numpty with the big spanner can’t destroy the unit before it even gets out the door.”
If it can already take batteries that are 71mm long and 18,9mm wide, would it be possible to make it a little wider so that everybody who needs maximum runtime could also use 20700 or even better 21700 batteries?
Yeah battery carrier sucks! 
Hi, great project, can I please be put on the interest list for 3 to 5 depending on the price.
Thanks
I’m interested for one depending on the final pricing.
Thank you
Could you put me down for three lanterns on the interest list? Thanks!
OK. My views on everything.
There should be a substantial stainless steel connection for a three leg stand. The hole for the tripod must have a complete water barrier internally. With no possibility of being penetrated/destroyed by a long attachment screw. Is making a tripod for the lantern being considered? The Q8 version of the bottom cap may not be strong enough for holding a small tripod in a center hole. The lantern will be tipped over, and worse. This is a potential weak point. If making a tripod, be sure you look at the leg spread required to minimize tipping the vertical mass, and uneven surfaces.
Flats bad; knurled good. No apparent reason to have flats except possibly around the control button.
Sloped plastic surround; maybe not so good. It could be done with a standard piece of plastic tubing; lower cost. Perhaps more durable/scratch resistant than the current selection. Top heat sink could possibly get smaller diameter but thicker heat sink/more fins if needed. The overall heat management needs to consider a range of environmental conditions. Is it zero F or 100 F? Both could be possible. Straight tubing would make it simpler to apply a removable shield to mask some areas of light. Much easier to find a replacement in case of damage.
Battery carriers have some significant merit. No carriers and extension tubes are one of the few things I did not like in my Q8s. First, the newer battery formats need to be accommodated. I have seen little preparation for new formats. Preferably using inserts in the carriers for the 18650s. In a year or two, we will be saying “Why on earth did we not consider the new battery formats that are replacing 18650s”. The carriers with extension tubes could double or triple the run time of the lamp even with just 18650s. I bought a TK75 for this feature. At bedside it has a 1 segment tube. In the closet is a tube for 3 carriers with charged batteries sitting with the tube. The sizing for the tripod would need to be designed to control tipping with a new center of gravity.
I do not believe it is reasonable to include external charging, charging phones, or jump starting your SUV. Anything not directly connected to it being a lantern. There should be a thoroughly sealed control button penetrating the shell; no additional holes in the shell using “stick in” sealing (none when doing external functions in the rain). I have multiple devices (phones, radios, etc.) where these little rubber plugs have shown their inability to work over time, or still be attached after some use (and just normal infrequent use). I think most people will use these lights in two ways. Emergency lighting; camping. I do not see many people wandering around holding up a lantern rather than a flashlight.
Using/charging the batteries in the lamp should not be a feature. There are many many inexpensive and compact external battery packs to charge your phones. Not to mention your vehicle. Why suck run time from the lantern. IT IS A LANTERN. Not a source of getting power to watch a program you just can’t miss.
If we absolutely need to have these, I would want the type C connectors. It is where we are going. Using another version of USB or other protocols is just stupid. For a few dollars you can get a cable for the type C. There is no reasonable way you can fix the lantern if it is not type C. It boils down to type C now with an adapter (if needed), or adapters for all your nice new stuff.
Efficiency of the lamp should be the number one electronic priority. Whatever electronics are used; this should be the absolute guiding objective. IT IS A LAMP.
I do not view radiation frequency variations as a useful addition. I can live with it, if it does not reduce run time or increase cost. Otherwise, over a rather long time, I have been exposed to all of the visible spectrum (think walking outside on a sunny day). Some bands in the visible spectrum I like more than others. But I JUST DON’T CARE IN A PORTABLE LANTERN. If there is no cost or loss of lighting efficiency for variable spectrum; OK. Otherwise no; IT IS A LANTERN.
Probably best if you don’t buy this lantern.
I’m glad we got that resolved.
I am reasonably sure this is meant to be a lantern not a lamp
Definitely agree, This project is probably not for alternety if all those views are expected to be in place or changed to please one person.
As we told one other before, were not going to try to please everyone, nor will we never be able to please everyone. The goal here originally was to design, build and have a lantern available that has a good balance of features, usability, off-grid sustainability, & versatility while keeping the retail cost down as much as possible in comparison to other commercially available lanterns in the size range. Once this one is rolling into production, we may look into building a simple “base model” of this same lantern for the cost-conscious buyer with no charging, tint ramping, etc. I should mention though it is a “lantern” & not a lamp, I had to giggle a bit at the number of times it was called a lamp in one reply.
I like it enough as it has evolved that I still want the two I put my name in for way back. And yes, I want a lantern. 
I think a Base Model would be a great seller, nice idea.
Start a list
Let’s complete this project before starting any spinoff lists. Too much to keep track of as it is.