It really did shine on the trip. Its the compact small size,output & run time that really impressed the group campers, all of them commented they would gladly pay nearly any price for such a light if they were commercially available, as most store-bought factory LED lanterns they have or seen (even the best most expensive LED models) suck in comparison when it comes to compact size, output, run-times, modes, and tint.
Nice field test! Makes me want to get out fishin. This would be a great light for bike packing with its compact size and great run times. A lot of uses 4 sure!
I dig this project. Here are a few thoughts as I think of what I want in a lantern.
1) Durability/Reliability. I want to be able to hang a lantern somewhere if necessary and not worry about it breaking if it drops. I realize this may add a tiny bit of weight but really, if designed properly I think a sturdy lantern is completely within reach. I would also add being somewhat waterproof since I can see someone forgetting to put it away and it raining heavily overnight or at a water crossing or boating getting the lantern briefly submerged. I hope to see the final product made by a quality manufacturer with a proven track record.
2) Lack of glare. Thatās probably my biggest complain about how most LED lanterns are designed. It seems like there is just a ton of light spilling directly out the sides and not much going down and below.
3) Run times are absolutely more important for me than extreme brightness. Obviously a good balance of both is the ideal.
4) Useful output modes with a moonlight mode.
5) Way down on the list would be the ability to charge via usb, specifically for use with small solar panels if possible. I know that some chargers wonāt charge batteries unless a minimum amount of juice is being provided via the solar panel but that amount varies quite a bit depending upon the charger.
Thatās about it, I really love what youāve done so far and am looking forward to more updates!
This Prototype has all those you listed above, except the built in Charger port. Right now the prototype is very water resistant, (it can handle short submersions) its made of solid aluminum (as its SRK based) it has a great moonlight mode that would allow it to run continuously for months (with the Q-lite Rev. 105 Nanjq driver it has) output is very good with great run times, (700milliamps on high with four 18650 cells all in parallel keeps the XP-L in its most efficient output vs. Amp-draw range, and on medium mode will give you a couple weeks of run time using it 4 hours per night) and with the down-firing LED & reflector design it has the least glare out the side of all the other lanterns i have seen or tested.
A blue-print type drawing and specifications for this prototype will be posted soon, and discussed with Kronos so he can work his magic with manufacturers/brands to get this into a production model soon.
Great lamp! And now for the production model. But whatever screw-ups there will be in the chinese manufacturing process, it will still be miles better than any lantern for sale today.
for me as previously noted the number one issue is glare. i think this design has covered so many things i would never thought of.
butā¦
when i think of glare it is the direct line of sight. (we like car headlights becuase we sit in the shadow). imagine how fatiguing it would be to āseeā the filliment (point source) of our headlights while driving.
if the design will not allow a larger brim (for lack of a better name) can an allowance be made for an aftermarket brim.
i want to be able to read by it and not have to āseeā the actual point source of light. i hope my point both makes sense and gets traction.
again brilliant prototype but i dont see a brim to block the point source of light (for example when walking wih it or setting down on the picnic table).
thank you so much for taking this on.
and as far as mfg i dont think it matters as much as strict adherence to new product release processes. point being that we (the product managers) decide when the spec is frozen and production is started. as i see it ALL! the quality issues on any blf light could have been avoided if the mfg made exactly the light we approved. blf has to date caught every screwup the mfg made. as long as thoes are pre preproduction samples no blood no foul.
until they show they can produce with out screwups we need to be in control of the spec.
they will learn how to build it right the first time.
i would love to see simon and convoy be the mfg/distributor. but if we control when it is approved and when it is ok to produce then BG/manker will also do fine, provided they follow this sensable cavait.