I think the interesting thing now is how the GT Micro compares to the BLF X5 / Astrolux S3 since both use 14500 batteries only.
It is the same length and weight, but the reflector diameter is significantly larger: 29mm compared to 23/24mm for the X5, so if you like small+throw, the GTmicro is better. And the user interface is a few generations more advanced.
Expectations and/or demands are already built in to the free enterprise system which is frankly the beauty of it. I have not only respect for but every faith in the fact that that Chinese manufacturers understand this as well or better than their customers. I refuse to single out the Chinese for responding as any other manufacture(s) would given their customer’s refusal to set expectations at any level. These business concepts are no different than freedom itself: When you choose to not teach your kids that their freedom comes at the price of continually demanding improvements from those controlling it then don’t blame those who do.
And my milkman delivered the milk today…so what? Are you saying that buyers and sellers simply ‘interacting’ (minus BLF OWNERSHIP creating the OPPORTUNITY) should somehow earn the next Nobel prize in economics? We’d still be ooohing and aaahing over the crap pushed commercially today if it wasn’t for BLFers (and this will shock/offend many in the snowflake generation) DEMANDING what was finally produced!!! The Chinese kept up with DEMAND not “cooperation” with anybody. Promoters promote for but 2 reasons: They either have a stake in the game or accept none/little by their own choosing. This ism’t Xanadu.
You’re confusing “…Asking the same things over and over again until they incorporated at least some of our idea…” with what they are…demands.
The Chinese understand strength in general on both sides of a business equation let alone any other scenario. To try and convince this forum that they do not or that demanding anything from them is fruitless (see every world leader since 2016) is ludicrous.
Had some of you been around when the very first GBs were in full swing there would be some grain of understanding here. Unfortunately, like everything else connected with our current president slapping our collective faces/attempting to wake everybody up to history proven business realities…we’re either not listening or educationally propagandized to a level which dumbfounds. Heaven forbid that one asks for anything or chooses not to participate due to anything else. It is just not the ‘collective’ way.
Sorry, but somebody had to (finally) say it.
I tend to agree. Sure we want “standards” but that has to be tempered with budget constraints. For sub $30 this surpasses anything of comparable price at the big box stores.
From what I understand there are certain elements not finalized yet. And I can totally understand if we all forked our $29.99 over already with “expectations and standards” but we didn’t do that. So basically a medium sized foreign company is designing a niche product for a few hundred (or thousand) enthusiats with only an “interest list” as collateral. I think it’s a strong gesture on the manufacturer’s part quite frankly.
To nitpick over what is basically a clerical error aeems quite humerous given the low cost… Which hasn’t even been paid yet. Doing contract work myself, I’m always leery of customers who have “demands” yet do not want to give a deposit on a job - just working on “interest” alone? Find a machine shop let alone medium sized manufacturer state-side who does that?
Also as a note to the moderators, I feel i inappropriate, offensive, and unimportant to bring politics into the forum, well, at least here in the General section. I come here to eacape the constant barrage of negativity in the news. One’s affiliation to a particular party or political view should have no place in a discussion about flashlights, especially considering the polarizing effect it has in the current climate.
Or we can create a subforum called “safe space…”
Wow, I did not expect such extensive answers 
@Freedom: your wording is quite a challenge for me as not-native english speaker but we may just have a misunderstanding in how we define “demands” and other words. One thing that I think I extract from your answer and do not agree with: I think that you state that the rules of business is the same always and everywhere but I believe there is a clear cultural bias, especially in China, that strongly affects what products are made and how they are made. So the outcome is not entirely governed by economics, how people or groups of people think and what limits there are in their flexibility have a big influence too.
@LouieAtienza: Yes, I think it is important to realise that we from BLF donate time to projects like these, but no money, the financial risk is always for the manufacturer and therefore so they are entitled to all the final decisions about the product. That time that we spend is important and very valuable for the projects but the beauty is that for us it is completely free time: it is hobby-time and we enjoy doing it.
We probably have a cultural divide as well yet please understand (sincerely) that the Chinese look at business opportunities no differently than the rest of the world and that they will necessarily adapt to what a market demands. BLFers simply no longer demand (period) which is the ideal position to be in no matter how rare.
I would also argue that absolutely EVERYTHING in life is ENTIRELY governed by economics save our faith in Jesus Christ and how we live our lives trusting in his word (imho).
And now back to our regularly scheduled program….
Louie, I threw Jesus Christ in there (too) to contradict a factual error before I read your post . 
I also recognize that “safe spaces” became popular around the same time that explaining capitalism to the rest of the world (my post’s intent as well) came under furious attack.
God bless both you and yours.
It is just plain laziness or an obvious inability to possess the proper tools to quantify one’s work (period)…not a clerical error.
I have no sympathy for those willing to take financial risks which do not necessarily match the appetite of those unwilling or unable to.
Risk takers win…those who complain about risk…quite simply don’t.
Business men always take calculated risks. The potential rewards are always weighed in comparison to the potential losses. This isn’t a brand-new company looking to establish a place in the market, or some Kickstarter campaign (where almost all risk lies with the buyer.) And I’m pretty certain they’ll survive whether or not they sell you a flashlight. Risk-takers lose too; the key is minimizing losses while optimizing wins. From what I understand Lumintop didn’t do so well with the initial BLF GT group buy, so erring more on the side of caution to me is quite understandable.
Look, I think most of us here who are enthusiasts can determine that turbo mode will be higher than 2.5A, based on the emitter and output specs. Maybe M4D M4X can get us a confirmation on that before you jump the gun here. I misstate things quite often, and I eventually correct myself. I’m sure it wouldn’t be too hard to ask for a clarification of the specifications before we decide to spend our money on something, instead of going to a knee-jerk reaction; that’s all…
And to you and yours as well!
I'd like to know too... I believe TA took my v1.3 baseline I gave to him at some point in the past, tweaked it a little, probably just tables, default settings, etc., and is using that. I'm completely left out of the loop for all these new lights so no idea what's goin on. He should be posting his exact source code used in this light, and the other TA lights being sold by BG and others, but I can't find any trace of software links, for example here: https://www.banggood.com/Lumintop-BLF-GT-mini-18650-LED-Flashlight-Portable-Mini-Torch-Camping-Light-p-1335341.html?rmmds=search&ID=522513&cur_warehouse=CN. Lumintop and BG are not even naming the firmware used
The Lumintop GT Mini, hhhmmm, thought it's using NarsilM but no mention of it? Why? This is getting out of control quickly. I find the actions of Lumintop, Banggood, and other reps and dealers, integrators and contributors are breaking understood agreements with this behavior -- I'd like some explanation of their actions.
I agree -- I'd like an explanation of the 2.5A turbo as well.
Regardless, I'm interested in buying one, specially with recent higher capacity 14500 cells available 
Freedom, regardless of your beliefs you agreed to certain rules when you joined this forum, specifically you agreed to not talk politics or religion as the admin finds these subjects can be divisive and wishes the community to get along without argument. Since you are in his house, it is by his rules that you should abide.
Or risk being barred from the forum for what amounts to breach of contract.
You speak as though you are educated, is it so difficult then to follow a few basic rules?
Tom, I really feel like it’s just wrong for your firmware to be used, tweaked, applied without your explicit permission. You put in the time, it’s your baby, no way should you be on the outside looking in. Neither should you have to purchase this light, a production ready sample should be sent to you for your approval before production proceeds.
The problem is Freedom is right.
However, the problem with his method is that he isn’t actively trying to change things.
Honestly, I would just have emailed Lumintop about this issue.
Actually, I will probably do this later.
Actively trying to change things rather than actively complaining about everything wrong is something I hate about some people.
Back on topic, I would love for an SST-20 to be introduced with the light.
We have the potential to get 65kcd+ out of such a small light, which would be even better.
Just emailed Lumintop the following:
Hi!
I am Tom E from BLF and wrote the firmware you are using in a few of the flashlights you are selling. From your product listings, I don't see any links to the source code that you should have, according to the public license agreement. So, you are not in compliance. It's a simple matter to correct this. Could you please do so?
Thanks!
Tom ... (Tom E on BLF)
I've done stuff like this before with little results. Even where links are provided, like on IOS's product pages, it's not done correctly - the link should be to the actual code actually used, not a super repository of all firmware things, so, I doubt anything will come of this.
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I referenced the (current) single largest trade war in the history of man not only affecting this forum but every single transaction performed here and its reference to this thread. I am not the first and I won’t be the last.
I invoked the name (only) of our Lord and savior no differently than I have witnessed hundreds others do for years up here without a word said by anyone.
If you’re receiving pressure from (?) to not only suppress reality but ban all mention of Jesus Christ in general as is the case (where?)…then do what you have to do or whatever the (?) tell you to.
Believe me, the next time that you kick somebody out of here for simply mentioning Jesus Christ?…you’ll take a whole lot of others out of here at the same time who could care less if anyone is offended by the offhand mention of his glorious name or not. Study up:
Interested!
You need to go to the link in THIS POST and fill out the interest form the link in the post takes you to.
I was just made aware of this thread, not sure what all has been going on and don’t have time to go back and read it but I should be able to awnser any questions.
Tom, about the source code being posted, I posted all the firmware for the lights I have worked on in TK’s firmware thread recently and she said she was going to add them to the repo IIRC.
Any light that I work on feel free to contact me and I am happy to give the source code. I always try to upload the firmware after it is finalized, it just usually get buried in threads.