When I first was interested in flashlights the Jacob A60 was the talk of the town (kind of).
If my memory serves, back then there weren’t open source firmwares, electronic switches, or even any community designed lights (i think?) and now they’re a popular (and great) part of the community.
That got me thinking, flashlights will always be simple but somehow there was a lot of innovation throughout the years, what is something you anticipate will happen to flashlights in the future?
i personally hope usb port everywhere:)neutral white even available….for me:)
I suspect optics will be more common. They were pretty fringe in the XR-E era but now they are taken more seriously as an alternative to a reflector.
I think larger die sizes will become the norm, efficiency improvement might only be incremental from now on so the XHP50 and 70 (or larger) could take over from the XM-L.
Cree will have more and more competition. Samsung and LG seem to have limited production of LEDs compared to Cree but perhaps that could change.
For throw I expect the Laserlight SMD will appear in flashlights, the newest version puts out 1000 lumen and will provide extreme throw, even more than the current generation White Laser flashlights.
All the R&D money flowing into LEDs is for light bulbs (CRI & efficiency, lower costs) and automobile use (CRI, Color, projection, performance). Expect to see better LEDs, drivers, and optics moving into the flashlight realm.
LEP prices will drop. They’ll still be a specialty emitter though.
Smarter flashlights will become more common, but not the default. Better thermal control, auto-dimming, better user interfaces. Features like Intellibeam or Olight’s auto-dimming will move into midprice flashlights. Because of Patent issues, they’ll be implemented differently.
Multi-function bluetooth flashlights are inevitable. After all everyone needs a light that can be switched on or off with an app.
Edit: Google search:
Looks like someone has already done it (yikes)
I agree.
Something like Scratch to build/modify our own firmware, we could update via usb connection. It’d make it easier for the rest of.
Hopefully going away from USB ports. Instead going into the weatherproof magnetic charger direction. Better tir optics.
Gps locator to find it when you loose it. Could be very nice specially for expensive flashlights… (It will not work inside a house or inside a cave… But will work in the desert or maybe the forest with not much trees… I think…)
Or bluetooth locator… It will be good for close range…
Or a combination of both… Gps for outdoors and bluetooth for indoors
You pull it out of its belt holster, point it at something in the dark, and click the ranging switch.
The flashlight acquires its target, spins up its rotors and flies over to illuminate whatever that thing is.
You click the optional marker button and the flashlight discharges a load of phosphorescent dust, permanently making the target glow in the dark.
+1 for optics.
I also believe battery tech will have more of an impact than anything else.
Not necessarily smaller, but more output for longer periods.
One can dream, 
Really combination of battery and flashlight technology.
Increased battery life, much faster charging without shortening life of battery (some graphene batteries look promissing). Full charge in 10 minutes or less (4000mAh).
LCD screen showing voltage/current, Wifi smart video enabled flashlights with TF card slot as backup (catch the action). Also for tracking battery/flashlight performance data. GPS. Full data acquisition with mobile phone sync.
Matrix LED/laser allows user selectable flood/throw using redirectable LED and tiny mirror reflectors. No more loss of lumens with push/pull style lenses.
Quiet - liquid/peltier cooling - for fanless heat dissipation active cooling - longer turbo run times.
I hope that the next continuous short and long term steps in flashlight development are enhanced battery technology, enhanced emitter technology, etc, all combining to cause continued significant increase in performance/size ratio.
I think flashlights with small OLED displays showing lots of useful data will be more common in the future.
Better cooling for higher lumen run times.
“Siri, turn on my flashlight…”
“Alexa, switch to turbo.”
:person_facepalming:
It’s already getting to the point people won’t know what a wall-switch is for their room-lights, now they’ll be able to use an app to do that for their flashlights??
In the War With The Machines, I’ll bet The Machines won’t even have to fire a shot, because the Eloi will be totally indolent and dependent on apps to do everything.
I’d be happy with a UI that doesn’t include blinkies.
Radical idea, I know…
I agree.
These will be good for zoomies as well.
Compact lights will push out sustainable 2000+ lumens without getting warm due to super efficient LEDs and battery tech that keeps it going for hours.
We’ll have lights with adjustable color temp so you can set it to anything between 2700K-6500K. CRI will be 90+ at all temps.
Advanced optics will allow you to choose between flood or throw with no loss in lumens and still have a high IP rating.
Lights with internal selectable filters that can be changed instantly.