Interesting idea to do a SMD led version of the C01. Although by taking away the 5mm LED of course it would no longer be a C01 anymore
If the SMD led would be ultra-high CRI (think Nichia E21A or Nichia Optisolis) AND coupled with a strong focus on reliability (think potted electronics), then I would be in. Also important to me personally is long runtime, so perhaps change the battery tube to accept both AA and AAA cells could be something to think about. This also has a positive outcome on runtime and would further increase cell flexibility (although the trade-off is heavier and larger).
But if we would like to continue such a discussion: I would like to invite anyone to think for a while about the following fundamental questions by doing an X-Y problem analysis:
For what general problem is an SMD version of the C01 the best imaginable solution?
Is that specific problem already addressed by competing products in the flashlight landscape? And if so, how could these solutions be further improved?
What would make a SMD version of the C01 truly unique compared to what is currently commercially available?
As a general pattern, I see three major trends where flashlight manufacturers could improve their products:
ultra high reliability
currently all major high-reliability flashlight brands or makers or US based, think Malkoff, HDS, PFlexPRO, Elzetta, SureFire.
Fenix tries to make its flashlights reliable, however their UI usually suck really hard, and their LED choices often as well.
The American brands have reliable lights, however their price is a bit high.
PFlexPro shows the way here, by building reliable lights while using Chinese flashlight hosts, and then adding improved components such as better switches and potted PCBs.
In my view what Randy is doing is really smart on several levels, and his work results in great flashlights.
ultra high CRI
think full spectrum LEDs here, such as Nichia Optisolis or E21A. I do not think there is currently a commercial flashlight available that uses these LEDs. To me the trade-off in lumen output is totally worth it. Virence shows what possible with his modded Armytek Tiara.
co-creation design that actually incorporates community input
actually listening to the flashlight community and actually feeding back that input into the design of commercial products:
this is starting to happen now, both on the firmware front with ToyKeepers firmwares, and on the hardware design as well, think of the BLF Q8, Sofirn C01, and the FW3A. However it is still rare.
Somewhere else /u/zak wrote that usually flashlight companies screw up at least 1 thing when designing a flashlight. Sending out a few prototypes to BLF / CPF members and really listening to their opinion would prevent such glaring mistakes. However sharing ideas also makes manufacturers vulnerable by showing the competition what they are working on. Knowing that there is a large enough audience committed to buying their product, can help alleviate this, as group buys, interest lists and special edition lights illustrate.
(standardised) easy-access interface for simple reprogramming of firmware
Adding a way to a flashlight that would make changing the firmware more easy, would also be a great option. This is also an emerging trend where BLF designed lights could leapfrog light years ahead of what is currently commercially available. If these programming pads would be standardized this would be even better. Think of it as the digital equivalent of the modular P60 system. Thanks to ToyKeeper there is wealth of firmware out there available for anyone to try, or perhaps even improve. However, an easy and simple way for mere mortals to get this digital goodness from the firmware godess into a flashlight is lacking.
Aliexpress says my order has been delivered.It has NOT been delivered.I will file a PayPal dispute before alie’s cute little count down timer expires.
Has anyone in the U.S. received their light yet?Being on the east coast I doubt that I would be the first one to receive mine.
Oh, please. Optionally, bundle together an easily reprogrammed flashlight with the reprogramming hardware …
Though my dream would be to have a point-click-update feature somehow, just plug something in and have the flashlight update itself to whatever TK et al. are making available. Kind of like owning a Tesla, I guess. Auto-instagram, facial recognition, search for the little gleams that indicate sneaky cameras watching you ….
Don’t know when you got that information. But mine was delivered at my doorstep one day later.
It seems that the terms AE uses don’t match 1-on-1 with what we would call it in similar circumstances.
So I say: wait one more day. Nothing else rhymes.
5x3 mm magnets from amazon check
Trits from mixglow check
lye to strip ano from holes check
Norland NOA61 check
uv light check
The mail should be here in about 2 hrs.
Ive had that happened a few times and it is the carrier’s fault. USPS here have some really irresponsible delivery guys that dont give a sh*t. Sofirn have no control over the carrier’s incompetence. You need to file a complaint to the delivery company otherwise the delivery guy will not get disciplined
I’ll check with the post office on Monday.I,m more inclined to blame Aliexpress. Nobody in the U.S. has received their flashlight to the best of my knowledge but it wouldn’t surprise me if USPS screwed up.
When did you place the order? Is there a tracking number? If so, it should tell you which carrier it uses for shipping in the US. I’ve bought many thousands of dollars of purchases from Aliexpress in the last four years and never had anything not come, although I’ve received cracked glass and a DOA once but was refunded the money by contacting the seller. Usually shipping takes 1 to 2 months. However, Sofirn is faster and I usually receive their products between 3-4 weeks. If it’s been more than 4 weeks, you should contact Sofirn directly on Aliexpress or PM them here. Their customer service is top notch. I actually received free lights from them sent from their Amazon store because I thought the light was not working although I later realize it was my own mistake.
I’m just clicking the “track” buttons on the Ali Orders page while I’m logged in to Ali and looking at my orders of Nov. 10 and 11th.
… click, click, click ….
My site of choice is 17Track. But if I want to track Ali parcels, I usually get my track info from Ali itself.
As said before, different tracking-sites use different names for the same thing, and vice versa. Be aware.
Nothing else rhymes.