I’ve wanted a Maxabeam ever since I spent so much of my teenage years watching the X-files. Still don’t have one, and now that I’m older I can’t justify the money.
I’m working on a simple design based on djozz his design. But it isn’t easy.
Also this traditional design is easier to machine than a box style light (I think that’s the reason they are from plastic). A box style will be to expensive I think.
This is a good point as well on the cost issue with the box style, it would cost more.
Although those talking maxabeam style light, be aware that reaching those numbers would need to use an HID like the maxabeam I have a feeling, that would raise the price even more and it would have no modes. It would be great fun but I doubt there is enoguh demand on BLF for a $200 light to justify making it. Maybe on CPF.
Now a multiemitter setup would be a lot cheaper then the HID but it would also not throw as far.
Box all the way, there are tons of plunger lights out there and very few box style. With the box style the heat sink can be as large as you want it and battery capacity can be 4, 6, 8, 12, or whatever we decide. Plenty of room to do what you want and you are not limited to the constraints of a tube.
+1 here! Also, even with a 4-cell tube, there is a limit to how large a diameter head would look decent. In the original thread, someone mentioned a 160mm reflector (or was it a lens?). I think that would look great in a box style light, but dorky in a plunger style, even with a 4-cell tube.
But, just off the top of my head, here’s an idea. How about a dual-tube “plunger” style? Make each tube two cells wide and two cells long, and set them a couple inches apart (inch or so off center each way), behind a huge head, housing a 160mm reflector/lens. The tubes would be wired 4S, but parallel to each other, so that only one tube would have to be filled for the light to work. Filling both would give you more run time. The tubes would be easy to grasp, and the light would have a more balanced look and feel (when loaded). The tubes might need to be connected at the back with a plate, so they couldn’t be pulled apart like a wishbone! This light would have almost all the benefits of both plunger and box style lights. Yet it would be totally unique and very effective. I’d expect a price point around $150 - $200 list, but $100 for the GB.
Yeah discussing it in the team 120mm seemed like a tipping point
To that a plunger would work but bo larger reflector could be used
Bigger reflector would mean a box for sure
One nice thing about the classic setup is that we could reuse basically the entire Q8 design from the shelf down and then just simply design a new head/reflector to screw on the end of it.