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

Wow that is cool (the candle mode). Does that follow a predefined pattern or is it just randomized?

The Q-team, after half a year, just got a mail from Barry (our contact at Thorfire for the Q8) asking if they can do additional stuff for the Q8. In other words, Barry got out of hibernation and has his hands free to do new development work. Shall I ask him about doing the lantern, or do you already have contact with him or someone else at Thorfire?

It is a bit windy around that candle :partying_face: Did you consider a more calmed down version?, I think I would use it for more than just showing off if it was calmer. (or you could add a windforce ramp to the candle-mode! :smiley: )

Interested in 1.

Interested in 1

BTW, @DBSAR, how about we use Samsung 351Bs 3000k R9070 instead of XP G3s?

They have excellent color reproduction, fit on XP sized pads, are more efficient than it, and are quite cheap for what they are, at 0.5$/pcs.

Here is the group buy:

TK’s Andúril UI is amazing. I have it running on several Q8s, an EagleEye X6R, and an Emisar D4, D1, and D1S.

I burn a Q8 in candle mode quite often with a warm diffuser. It’s quite realistic in person, and even has brightness adjustment to go from candle to torch.:slight_smile:

It’s random. :+1:

TK has also mentioned adding a ‘sleep timer’ to candle mode. I can’t wait!

I have not spoken to Barry, but would be great to talk to him on this project! send him our way. :slight_smile:

Woo-Hoo! This might be really moving soon! :partying_face:

That, is cool. One of the most realistic ones I’ve seen. Only possible addition I could see would be a circle of smaller LED’s around the main one to help simulate flame deflection.

I’m interested in one.

The possibility of an Andúril or Narsil based has got me pretty excited about this lantern.

The candle mode in a lantern seems really awesome to me. Definitely looking forward to this!

I like that mode idea too, give the effect of a candle or classic kerosene oil lantern for those effects that we can’t get from any other LED lantern available.

There’s so many aspects of this I’m stoked about. I’ve wanted a good lantern for years now and I feel like this is it, finally going to have a great lantern. The candle mode is honestly just a big bonus to me.

I should receive the Thorfire provided Q8 tomorrow in the mail, and plan to work on that for the new prototype base this weekend to get this project rolling.

UPDATES,April,20,2018 -:The Q8 sample/mule arrived for the updated prototype. I have already torn down the head, and have the driver out, and doing measurements of where to cut the head down to incorporate the new lantern shade/lens and center support post. First thing is i need some guidance on what to do with the Q8 driver to reduce its maximum output in all the high modes down to 1.5 amps possibly? I could leave it as s, but with the high output current in the lantern running continuous it would overheat the LEDs & lantern head very, very quickly and likely cook the LEDs or melt the lens attached to the solid aluminum head. I plan on the new prototype to run two down-firing LEDs on each side of the center support post/bolt instead of the single LED as in the 1st gen prototype. Also will use a frosted main shade/lens with no inner diffuser instead of the clear lens & inner diffuser as the 1st prototype does to reduce manufacturing costs. The lantern head I have already blue-printed and in thw works on the Q8 head design, right now i need to driver experienced team members ToyKeeper, DEL, and even possibly the original Q8 team to help directing me to modding the driver to reduce its peak current to the LEDs. As of now I will keep the current Narsil program in place for the first prototype lantern, using the #7 mode set. But we will look to Toykeeper to possibly add the extra good modes including the candle & sunset modes to the firmware later. More updates soon as i work on the structure of the Q8 head for the lantern :slight_smile:

SECOND UPDATE:-After looking over & measuring the original Q8 copper 4-emitter star, I may build the V2 prototype lantern using that very same start & its emitters, as it already has a center hole, & can be actuall fitted to the same heat-sink head of the V1 prototype of the lantern, (further reducing costs? but unsure if it will be cheaper for the production model to use that Q8 PCB, or use two separate more generic 16mm copper single-LED stars.

So, 4 LEDs total? Could you just re-use the stock Q8 PCB but upside down? You could use the center hole in the PCB for the mounting post, and run the wires parallel or through that same post?

I just updated the above post as you probably replied on that possibility. :smiley:

There are already lights that use a USB “OTG” adapter to do charge/powerbank from a single port. Granted you need this dongle but it’s still 1 port.

This is awesome! I’m so glad to see the project getting some updates and action. Thank you all for your work, especially DBSAR, I really want this one to happen!