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

Costs in sourcing the high CRI good LEDs, etc. Once the test samples are built and if they test good, then we will know the production prices, ( for both the group buy & retail MSRP.

PM’s will only be sent out when the lantern is ready for purchase, which is still not the case :slight_smile:

I think we should do our best to keep the cost down on the V1, learn from it and improve on V2. A $15 increase is 50% more than what was earlier discussed. If Sofirn sees we are discussing $55 they might assume they can charge more to produce it. It could turn into a money grab and it would end up not being the ‘Budget’ lantern this started off as and interest would probably fade. Im glad I have my four Zanflare T1s and they were only $16/ea.

So, I definitely am one who has thrown out the $30-$40 price, starting a long time ago. When I discovered this project I read through the whole string of posts, and somehow assessed that. Perhaps not very accurately.

Some references to price (which is very easy to search for)
*BLF LT1 Lantern Project) (updated Nov,17,2020) - #657 by The_Miller the Miller thinks $30 is not realistic

djozz estimates $30

Not sure now where my estimate of $30-$40 came from, other than reading through the thread, or perhaps our group chat. I’ll refrain from speculating any further.

I’d say 40$US as the price without any 18650s included.

The LEDs themselves are half the price compared to Cree XP-Ls, or a even 1/3rd if we go with SST-20s. So, the price for an 8 LED MCPCB will not change much.

The driver itself is more complex, but doesn’t have to handle as much power, so the copper traces can be made thinner. Price stays about the same.

USB charging with TP5100 at 0,75/1,5A. That will add about 1$US to the cost.

Smaller heatsink and lower thermal mass. Lower cost.

Uses a plastic lens rather than an expensive quad reflector. Lower cost.

Same springs+tailboard+tube as the Q8(I REALLY HOPE SO).

All in all, I’d expect 40$US.

I do hope it can be in that range too for the first version.

Maybe the plastic lens adds more initial costs, because you must pay the injection mold. And the white sleve in it is also injection molding.
Wheras a single led reflector is turned.

Please add me for one. Thanks!

Seems like I am not on the list altough I mentioned that I’m in for 1 piece some weeks ago. Please add me :slight_smile:
Thanks

I don’t really know where the expection for it to cost less then $40 comes from. If you look what other flashlight/lantern manufacturers charge for thier products even $60 would be cheap for a lantern like this.
Our goal was to design the ultimate lantern, I don’t think that we should cheap out on this just to make it as cheap as possible.

I agree 100 % i see many cheap-looking LED lanterns in stores like BassProshops, Cabelas, outdoor stores, hardware stores, even walmart costing anywhere from 50 up to 90 bucks for a lantern with horrible blue tint, poor modes, made from all plastic, etc. I feel some are expecting to much for to little in this case.

TBH Asking for $40 especially on such an intrepid endeavor, is a bit overzealous.

The Sofirn Q8 retails Amazon for like $60. If we got this at group buy price for $60/ea, I would be quite happy. Considering the pure amount of new stuff shoved into this thing. If you got it to $50 for the group buy, it’d be an excellent bargain, and I’d probably get 3 or 4 in that case.

indeed. If even the production sample is close to the prototype V1 or V2 i built, it will be far better than any of the many factory lanterns i tested, used & modded that costed twice as much. The majority interested will be ok with the price that Sofirn sets, i just turn & ignore the very few who seem to whine if they can’t get everything for close to nothing. I seen the same happen in the other BLF projects in the past by some of the same people. as the saying always goes we can’t please everyone no matter what we do.

put me down for one please!

It is not that I want the lantern to become too cheap, the final selling price is what it is, and knowing Sofirn probably good value.

The only thing that I try to say is: there is no need to decide for the manufacturer that the original intended price is too cheap. That is for Sofirn to decide, they know their costs, they know what profit they need, they will come up with a selling price. We do not have a clue so it sounds a bit early setting a different price from two years ago?

indeed, right now we still only have an estimate but no set price. were waiting for Sofirn to build a couple test units to send us to test & evaluate, (which i will do in a video) and then will likely get a price point form Sofirn for the production model if there are any changes or adjustments needed after testing a sample unit.

I went through the namelist, did not see me?

quote: posted in post #879 , thanks :slight_smile:

EDITED: My bad, did not read instructions correctly, clicked the link and saw myself inside the file.
LOL… :blush:

Anyone got an extra carrot and a stick…. I think I have some string

I would love two of these!

Can I please get on the interest list?