I’m just gonna ignore all these “wide ranging” ideas and focus on a modern version of the L6/S70s.
I agree. The 26650 is like the C cell Maglite. I am used to the D size Maglite as it’s not too big. I wish there were good 32650 cells with the same energy density as top 18650 cells. The 32650 is 3 times the physical size of an 18650 so imagine it having 9,000mah to 10,000mah. That would be sweet, but unfortunately 26650 is the best choice we have today. The newer Shockli 5500 and KeepPower 6000mah seem to be the same cell as both measure about 5750mah.
Also keep in mind the L6/S70s are still using the older xhp70 and OP reflectors. A modern version should use the 70.2 and SMO. You get a nice even hotspot and more throw. I use this combo daily on my L6 and it works great. You do get a slightly yellow corona, but it’s not that big a deal.
The real question is the driver. Should it be a FET (like so many folks currently use, myself included) or a Buck (like in the stock L6)?
I think Sofirn could definitely build a FET driver as we have seen on their other lights. It would probably pull 17A or so (with good double springs or bypasses).
Maybe a 9A to 10A driver like the K70 was going to use would be best? You lose maybe 1700 lumen, but it’s a lot less heat and gives more runtime on turbo before the thermal protection can kick in.
If Sofirn could somehow use a UI like NarsilM or Anduril we could set up the top of the ramp to be about 9A to 10A and then turbo could be full 17A to 18A. This makes sense to me, but Sofirn probably wants to design their own driver and UI. Whatever the case, I hope it has one click on/off on the side switch. Please don’t be one click on and then a “press and hold” for off.
I have no problem with a tail switch. My L6 does 17A and it’s been going strong for a year or so. I tried to measure any losses in the tail switch by measuring lumens with it and with a piece of wire. I got the same output.
A flat tail cap is okay as well, I suppose. Just as long as we can twist it to do a mechanical lock out.