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

I really feel like the suggested durability and drop resistance above is much more in line with a small 18350/16340 EDC light.

I understand that everyone is tough on camping equipment but I’ve never purchased an LED lantern because the ones available currently just aren’t that good. I currently have propane or kerosene lanterns which is what I feel demands pertaining to durability should be compared to. My propane lanterns have glass housings and fabric mantles which become more brittle than glass after their initial light-up. The lanterns I own come in 3 inch thick injection molded carrying cases and even then I still treat them with the upmost delicacy.

I totally understand that you’re throwing out your “wish-list” desires and expressing that if they’re possible you’d be willing to pay for them. It’s just easy to misinterpret your intentions when your opening line was “I can’t stress enough how important…”. That is a pretty abrasive opening statement to anything and I really feel like it would help if you tried to soften your approach. You mentioned later that you frequently camp with your children who are very rough on all your gear. If you’d opened with that sort of reference it provides the reader some insight into your needs and your situation which then makes it come across as valuable input. Just for example, I’m thinking something like:
For me, my camping equipment purchases are primarily dictated by how well they’ll stand up to the rigorous and abusive treatment from my children. In my experience I’ve learned that spending more money on something that can survive repeated table drops or even a 6ft drop is well worth the extra money. Is that kind of durability even possible with a lantern? If so, I would be willing to spend x amount more money to obtain that level of durability. Anyone else out there need such a durable lantern?

I’m personally 100% behind this light. For me it’s going to be light years ahead of my lanterns in durability, ease of use, reliability, heat/danger minimization and fuel type. I can’t wait for these things which is why I’m signed up for 3 each all for me. probably going to have to get some more for the other campers/hunters in my family also!

BIG THANKS to everyone involved in this great project. I feel like this is a very rare project where camping companies are the only ones producing LED lanterns and they’re just not good. I don’t think there’s many if any major light producers that make a lantern which is why I’m so excited about this project. I feel like this is a big win

And then add four more Q8s and two BLF GTs and make it a rally car style set-up!! :smiling_imp:

Thank you for putting it so eloquently and I agree I could have communicated better. Maybe a durable lantern is outside the scope of this project. Maybe there can be a ruggedized version 2.0 down the road. I’d honestly pay very very good money for this lantern’s design in a rugged build. I don’t know what it would cost, or if it’s doable, but I’d hope that durability is at least somewhere on the radar, even if it’s just shock resistance against bouncing around in the floor of a vehicle, etc.

I can’t wait for it either, and love the project. I’ll be ordering a bunch for my personal use and for friends and family.

Please put me down for one!

My pleasure, glad I got what I was trying to say across without coming off as offensive or argumentative. Written communication just leaves emotion or intent up to perception.

I do agree also that your idea is an interesting one. I have a feeling that this light will be a success and TBH I’m wondering if something like a heavy duty silicone slip on case would fit the bill? I’m sure that could be contracted out as a secondary accessory for a good decent volume product. If cellphone cases can keep a phone alive then imagine what a 1/2”–3/4” thick silicone cover could do for this bad boy! lol with enough silicone you could probably drag it behind your car by a rope!

Add me to the list for one. Great project!

Can you add me to the list? I’ll take one.

I am also interested in this, please put me down for one.

Please put me down for one. Good work and great project!

I also like the idea of an external accessory case like a phone case. I use UAG cases on my phone and they amazing what they have saved this phone from. If you had something like that which clipped into the lantern it would be superb.

These are the additions since 3/24.

Thanks

1320 olles
1321 olles
1322 ControlTheController
1323 Tally12
1324 nickelflipper
1325 Asian8640
1326 Whezzel
1327 occulai

OP Updated!

Definitely interested. Please add me to the list

This. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve dropped my phone face down and it’s survived years. I bet a thick lantern condom could be rolled out as an accessory that doesn’t impede thermals too much.

I’m extremely excited for this project and appreciate all the talent and hard work that’s been put into it thus far.

Interested in one, add me to the list, thank you

Update
Barry & the manufacturer are getting ready to build the test prototypes to send to the team sometime this month, to evaluate & test, and if all is good then the production & sales could begin by May. As this is a lantern as different than a flashlight, and will use/require many newly-designed parts that are not found anywhere else on any current flashlight, (all the top end parts, driver circuit with charging circuit built in, ramping tint feature, MCPCB, machining parts, etc. costs are expected to be a bit higher than an average lantern or basic flashlight custom design, (as many flashlights can share common parts like lenses, bezels, MCPCBs, etc. that can keep costs down) the manufacturer is estimating the cost to be around $50 per unit at this time, -which is right where i predicted it to be for a lantern that has so much features & capability that no other lantern has i ever tested. (the production version has much more features than the original concept lantern does.) The original prototype i built was a very simple design, but this production planned model has much more. There is a possibility in the future we could work on two other models, a very basic, single tint version with simple modes, no charging, etc for the 30 ~ 35 dollar range, and the second top-of-the-line model with the built -in USB power bank and include the planned accessory kit.

Great News for sure!!!

Slightly higher price :weary: booo…. lol (I understand but wanted extra justification to be like “yes I needed 5 lanterns”)

Almost ready for production :smiley: :smiley: :smiley: yayyy!!

The update was edited after you posted above)

Yep… you’re dead center your prediction sir! lol I never saw your response in the midst of the 4000 posts.

I was referring to this:

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And looking back I see that you responded to that quote with this:

lol still excited!!!