I have no idea if this makes sense, but how about a headlight with a strip lens?
Here, a rough sketch of 18350 light with 5-6 XP-sized LEDs and Khatod pl1629. Size roughly 35x40mm.
If you rotate the LEDs so they’re in front instead of above, a similar headlamp already exists:
It’s similar, but not really.
First, it’s 18650, so more bulky. For this reason it also needs a 2-strap headband adding to the bulk.
And it has only one white LED, which is less efficient. 6*XP-L2 V6 does 700 lm @ 200+ lm/W. Add a boost driver and such light doubles the sustained output of a 1-led + linear one.
Have you seen my contest light thread from last year? I made a light bar of sorts, using XP-E2 mounted on a board I designed myself. That board could be tweaked a little to make your desired project. I would actually love to see something like this made by a “real” manufacturer as it could be a really popular style if done right.
Interesting, thanks!
For the reference, here’s the thread:
As to the Q8-based thrower, here’s a nice idea for cost cuts from Astrolux. Though the light with 18350 tube looks so cute that I’d probably take it.
What about a headlamp with 2 LEDs driven at low current for efficiency that uses a 20700/21700 battery? More capacity than 18650 and more efficient led setup should result in pretty long runtimes with the lower modes en a very high (but short!) Turbo output possible.
Possible led choice would be sst40.
I’d rather have a lightweight 18350 based headlamp and bring a few spare batteries when the runtime is really needed. If you really depend on it, it even makes sense to bring two headlamps.
*I would love to have to have a lantern head that would work with the Q8-lego system. I made a diffuser out of a translucent bottle that works well with the Q8, but I am sure that a dedicated lantern head would be much better. USB charging and power bank function would be amazing. I wish that the Q8 had USB charging to make it easier to give them as gift’s to non-flashlight crazed family members.
*
Yes the BLF lantern of DBSAR ideally should be ready before summer 2018 right 
Has anyone made drawings of what the lantern might look like?
There is a whole topic about it, DBSAR made one based on an SRK.
Pics in OP
And a general idea here
It would be interesting to see a zoomie built around this optic:
http://www.polymer-optics.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/130_Zoom_7Cell_Optic.pdf
and some small, powerful LED. Oslon black maybe? Not very efficient, but I see nothing better…
Please can you show something about it without my phone getting very unhappy for being bounced to a doc?
A zoom lens that is:
- 7-emitter
- 39.15 mm diameter
- 5.1 mm height (+0.2 mm distance from the emitter)
aha, does that give a hexagonal or even round(ish) effect when zoomed in?
Zoomed in - nice big round hotspot, minimal spill.
Zoomed out - ugly hotspot+spill, overall shape between a hexagon and a star.
Though as far as I understand, zooming out the way they recommend rotates the lens. The TIR has 7 tiny lenses. They are in front of emitters when zoomed in, between emitters when zoomed out. Except for the central one. I guess this is the reason for ugly beam when zoomed out. Moving the lens linearly should be better, no?
ADDED: Though their way has the benefit of compactness. Only 30 degree turn moving the lens 3.75 mm to change between zoomed in and out.
Those are completely different as far as I can tell.
Frankly, I feel similar. This LED Lenser has 7 emitters too. It may be an indication of how a zoomed-in beam looks. But we know this already. Other than this it’s quite different.