Vinh isn’t exactly no waiting. This isn’t a complaint, but I ordered a 5600 K E01 from Vinh on Jun 6, got email that said order will built to my specs, there will be tracking email when order ships. Still waiting for that tracking email.
Also, bulletproofing. Once that potting is gone…
I hope your day of joy comes soon 
Maybe you could ask Vinh to repot the light.
I count 55 pieces now, that is without any perspective on Fenix actually being interested. I think 15 dollar shipped is a good target, both for Fenix and the customer.
I think that if Fenix is actually in for this, and a convenient way to sell and ship them is worked out, the list may possibly grow to 1000 pieces.
I will sign up for an extra E01 in that case
I’d be in for one (prefer the 5000k+ but whichever gets this closer to being made)
I’d be in for two
although I admit Im skeptical whether 1000 unit MOQ can be achieved,
Ive created a kickstarter, it is pending review and I will let you all know when it goes live
Base Price will be $15 for aluminum models. After that there will be a Titanium run…
This is not a joke, although I do have a sense of humor.
If the project funds, you get your light, if not, you lose nothing, as kickstarter will not take your money.
We have 60 days to reach the funding goal.
I got an Astrolux AO1.
Currently running Nichia and AAA Batt that should make a good conversion.
IE well made.
plus it sits comfortably on my 3xkey and one 1942 Penny key ring.
Also a Jetbeam Jet 1 MK 14500 batt putting out 450ish . Next size up, triple the output
with those battery’s. Don’t know if that one potted?.
Both of those under $15-20 AUD del on coupons.
Has Fenix confirmed the price and that they can get the LEDs? I saw no confirmation earlier in the thread. If not, seems a bit premature to start collecting money.
thats not quite how kickstarter works, collecting pledges is not the same as collecting money:
“Funding on Kickstarter is all-or-nothing. No one will be charged for a pledge towards a project unless it reaches its funding goal.”
its a way to determine how many lights people are willing to buy
as far as the price, well, E01’s Retail at $15. In the case of this kickstarter, Im working for free, its not for profit, so if Fenix cant build an E01 w our choice of LED, 1000 of which costs $120, I would be shocked when they turn down an order worth $15,000 to them.
but yes, I agree it is premature to think there really are enough people willing to pledge, and Im sure Fenix felt the same way when I asked them if they could make 100.
I just though this would be a good way to cut to the chase and give people a chance to stand up and be counted, so to speak
Im just trying to help, if you dont like it, let me know if you think I should cancel the project.
Please make that KS live.
If these do remain potted, with the existing driver , I will be in for 4. I was able to source a few 3200k Yuji LEDs from a Australian vendor last year. I’ve put them, mostly, in LRI Photon Freedoms, for work cap duty. Doesn’t every flashophile keep a light source in their cap? Really like the warm flood for reading nameplate ratings etc. Keeping positive thoughts for 1000 takers.
Hitting 1k units sounds a bit rough. The Kickstarter is a good idea though I think if for no other reason than being a convenient way for non-BLF/CPF/TLF members to pledge support for a nice keychain light, which might help with that MOQ.
Titanium sounds interesting, but hitting 1k MOQ for a more expensive model sounds difficult… but maybe Fenix would pay a bit more attention to the flashlight community after we throw money at them? :innocent:
@Archibald: That’s the idea, and part of why we are hoping to not increase costs by much/convince Fenix- all the work required is using a different LED in their existing production.
interested
thank you, I will. It is pending review
thank you, I have never done that before, and I had to give my bank account information so Kickstarter can get their fee. It was a little scary, but, if people pledge and the project hits the funding goal, I dont see how Fenix would refuse an offer of Thousands of dollars.
I heard back from Fenix today, and they asked for more details. They seem a bit slow to comprehend my offer, so I spelled it out… 1000 units of E01 with Yuji 3200k High CRI LEDs for $15,000 maximum, or less if possible, paid in advance. Hopefully that will be easy for them to understand.
They want the order to go through their USA distributor, and suggested I contact them. I already had, the USA distributor had forwarded my mail to Fenix China, and we have exchanged several emails. So I asked Fenix China to have the USA distributor contact me. I certainly have no problem with the USA distributor making a fee off the transaction, there should be room in the $15 per unit, especially considering they are selling stock E01 for $11 atm.
Again, Im not trying to make any money on this, just wanted to facilitate real progress towards the goal. I admit that having people posting Im in, to this thread, seems pointless, since there is no commitment of funds, and I am not going to pay for the order myself. I hope that makes sense.
Suggestions for other strategies to reach the goal, most welcome.
A 15 dollar light via the USA distributor will be devastating for non-US buyers, shipping abroad will more than double the price.
Yes, the $15 base price does not include any overseas shipping or customs fees.
People should definitely consider their location, shipping, and customs fees when ordering any light.
Fenix wants to protect its dealer network, and asked me where I was located. Since I am in USA, that is the dealer they want me to use. IF the dealer will sell the lights for less than $15, any discount will be used to cover shipping, but that may not be sufficient to cover overseas shipping and customs fees.
If the Kickstarter is not viable, and Fenix cannot be guaranteed a 1000 unit minimum order, then the alternatives are for someone else to buy, build, and sell the lights they want. That is what Vinh has done. His base price is $48 with free shipping to USA. But that also does not include shipping and customs fees overseas, afaict
If you can impress upon them that this is a global group buy and shipping from China is the most feasible way to allow non-US buyers to buy their product, maybe they would listen? From what you have said I don’t think they have any clue what’s going on in the enthusiast market… Maybe send them examples of previous lights like the BLF 348 that proved to be excellent sellers even after the group buy? Ultimately we are just telling them there is a market for an item, paying their initial costs with guaranteed sales, and anything after is essentially pure profit (manufacturing set up already documented, suppliers already sourced, market research essentially done, etc.).
If they have to have us go through their distributors… we’d probably have to work out some kind of deal with a central group buy paying multiple individual distributors, and that sounds like a nightmare.
I encourage you to contact them yourself, maybe if they hear from more than one person, it will seem like more than just a random dream to them. I dont think they are taking me seriously, yet.
If you like, I will also add you as a collaborator to the Kickstarter, and you can help me organize the group buy
https://www.kickstarter.com/blog/create-and-collaborate
this is all new to me, I have no special relationship or superpowers, anyone that wants to contribute to making the project a reality is welcome to join and help
I’ll give it a go at some point and see if I can make some palatable word salad that’ll get them to bite.
I could probably help where I can, time permitting, but I know very little about Kickstarter. The most I could do is likely type up some copy and cross my fingers. 
No one does when they first try to help out with something like this. Knowing that and asking for assistance puts you ahead of many others I’ve seen attempt even bigger projects than this.