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

I’m interested in one!

I’m interested in the lantern!
Just got a FW3A and learned about BLF, totally thrilled with what you all are accomplishing here.

Joined to say I’m interested in one.

I recently saw this in Sofirn’s FB page:

Sofirn color-temperature-mixing EDC flashlight

It seems to use nearly the same LEDs as the BLF LT1 lantern (LT1 plans to use 2x LH351D 2700k + 2x LH351D 5000k); this teaser color-temperature-mixing EDC flashlight is supposed to use 2x LH351D 2700k + 2x LH351D 6000-6500k.

Probably transfer the Anduril firmware to an EDC flashlight?

That’s an interesting technology transfer. The hardest part is probably transferring the LT1 driver design into a smaller footprint. Then again, if their engineers were looking ahead, there’s no reason they couldn’t have designed the LT1 driver from the start to fit in other shells. Hmmm…

I’m not sure of their market though. How many people outside of the enthusiast community will really care? Well… maybe photographers who want portable fill lighting they can match to ambient.

It could be possible that they are wanting to try the LT1’s tint ramp design-concept in a flashlight form after learning how well the LH351 series works with the tint ramp high-CRI range. I like the idea of that as a flashlight too. If Toykeeper’s awesome Andruil-LT1 firmware was incorporated in such a flashlight, i would definitely be interested in one myself. :+1:

They posted a teaser video for that a while back. If I understand correctly, what happened was:

  • BLF sent a lantern driver design to Sofirn
  • Sofirn interpreted the design as a guideline, and made their own version of it
  • BLF insisted that Sofirn use BLF’s original design in the lantern
  • Sofirn still wanted to use their version for something, and scaled it down to use in a smaller light

Otherwise, I haven’t really heard anything about it except the teasers Sofirn posted. I don’t know what firmware it uses, or if it is reflashable. I like the design, but it would have been nice to be included in the process since it’s directly based on BLF’s designs.

In any case, I hope it’s reflashable.

Too late to get this into the LT1, but for the LT2 it might be interesting to potentially use the same pogo pin layout as the D4v2 for software updating.

Good points. I haven’t heard much on it or that light’s specifications.

Hello.

I am interested. Put me down for one.

I am new and joined to get in on it and support what you are doing.

I understand that the changes you are talking about are from this new flashlight and not from the LT1. It’s right?

I totally want 2 when they come out

The reprogramming pins are in the LT1, not sure if the pin layout is identical, but would be surprised if it was not. I think the programming pins are at 3 oclock in the picture.

The Layout of the programming pins is different. LT1 is from Lexel and D4v2 is from someone else, but not Lexel. And they use different keys.

Lexel has 5+3 pins, the D4v2 has 4+4 pins. (with all alignment pins used.)

Toykeeper’s pic seems to show a 4+3 pin layout. There’s a spot that looks like a placeholder for a 5’th pin, but it’s not a via or pad, so I doubt it’s in use.

As far as I’m aware, all of Lexel’s drivers use a single pogo pad layout.

All of Emisar’s lights use a consistent pad layout too, ever since Emisar started adding pads (D4v2 and newer).

However, those are two different layouts.

HarleyQuin’s HQ Universal ProgKey works on both, but it’s necessary to move a couple wires to change the mapping when switching back and forth. This isn’t commercially available though; people basically have to build their own or find someone who makes them.

Emisar’s flashing kit uses a 4x2 layout, but the 2 unused pins are omitted, so it doesn’t work with Lexel’s 3x2 layout. At least, not without soldering on another pin or two.

So… long story short: The BLF LT1 Lantern has programming pads for updating the firmware, but no adapters for it are commercially available yet.

I totally love how those ridiculous colours started as a joke and then we got renders and ppl liked it, myself included. I would totally buy a ridiculous colour over a black. It would be hilarious with a hardcore outdoor/camping dude pulling out a pink or bright purple light.

also the manual looks good!

Dangit - if we can get a purple TK edition FW3a, we should be able to get a purple LT1!

Though, TBH, I’d love a candy orange or dayglow yellow or fluorescent lime green or dazzling red a lot too. My wallet though - not so much.

Thanks for the explanation.

So bottom line is that, in case Sofirn pushes thru with the above EDC color-temperature changing flashlight, it will be using Sofirn’s own design, and probably not Anduril. Hoping it will be reflashable too… if this flashlight pushes through.

pardon for inserting that flashlight into this LT1 lantern message thread since I thought it may be related to the LT1, but based on the explanation, it probably doesn’t.

I ordered some Sanyo NCR18650GA 3500mAh button tops for $5.99 ea. which seemed like a pretty decent price. One of the forum sponsors Illumn was where I ordered from.