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

@KevinZA1988, thanks for speaking up. Your post revealed an accounting error on my part, actually two of them. I expect to get a pay cut as a result, but I am trying to make it up by editing my previous post where I double dipped your numbers.

Catching up to a missed post, Ilmatic you are number 923 on the interest list.

No worries sbslider!

Been lurking on here for a while but had to register for this - please add me to the list for one.

I’d like to get on the interest list for one.

What are we looking at for a price, did I miss that?

Price has not been finalized.

Ok, I’m interested and I guess we’ll see where it ends up.

Welcome to BLF donthelegend, you were added to the interest list at number 925

Randy C entered on the interest list at number 926, another relatively new BLF member, welcome :beer:

Many of the features desired by some members, and perhaps a small subset in some cases, drive up the price of the lantern. Although it may only be a dollar here or there they all add up and could perhaps raise the lantern price by upwards of 25% (just a swag here :money_mouth_face: ). The design has progressed from a fairly simple lantern to one that has many nice-to-have features but are they all needed or will even be used by the majority of people?

Just thinking out-loud so take it strictly as that :confounded:

I don’t need this, but I want it. Please sign me up.

I think this should go down as the official motto of BLF.

Thanks sbslider. I’ve been lurking a couple weeks trying to take everything in. Crazy amount of stuff to digest.

I have been active for a year and a half and I am only scratching the surface.

:laughing: PocketSammich is number 927 on the interest list

What features are you speaking of?
USB power bank is the only one that could add costs because of additional parts; tint adjustment is mostly a firmware thing (aside from one additional wire, as I understand it); are there others?

As I said I was just thinking out-loud about things :partying_face: . But the powerbank feature is one that I wonder how many people will really make use of. I could easily be wrong of course and perhaps many people will make use of it. I’m an urban guy and don’t go backpacking or usually venture to places where I’m away from power so my take on things are clearly one-sided. Usb-c is another additional cost but admittedly small (well a few bucks more for me because I need to buy cables). In mulling things over perhaps the incremental costs are much smaller than I estimated as that was as I said a swag.

In any event I’m confident that the lantern will be an awesome thing and am excited that it’s progressing so well. One is going into my earthquake supplies where hopefully it will never be used.

Many thanks to everyone who have contributed so much time and effort on the lantern :+1:

I agree, but in the interim I made it my signature.

now some hopefully useful info
interest list sorted by entry number

interest list sorted by user names

The user name list often as the last few entries not sorted in, so if you don’t find your name in alphabetical order just look at the end of the list.

Ha, glad my impulse buying is finally appreciated.

You’re definitely in the right place! :partying_face:

We’re all afflicted with the same sickness. :money_mouth_face:

I would absolutely use the power bank feature, as would anyone I knew that’s using it outdoors. We use our phones for GPS navigation, music, cameras, etc and always have a power brick with us. This lantern will have plenty of capacity to serve as a battery brick so I certainly vote for it.

That said, it’s not needed if it’s a deal breaker and I am much more concerned with the lantern’s durability/reliability and function than it’s use for power.

I think the power bank function will not cost more than 5 bucks, ie. equal to or less than 10 percent of the cost of the device.
It is acceptable to me …

My take on it:

Yes, it should have a built in charger, USB micro or C input, preferably with MPPT type conditioning so that it can be connected to anything from a small solar panel to a high power 2 or 3A connection.

After that, I see it as optional. Those who want to then use it as a power bank could take out some or all cells and put them into a lightweight inexpensive powerbank housing to charge up their mobile or tablet etc, or put into a more suitable lightweight torch for backpacking.

Whilst charging up another set of cells at the same time. I.e. four cells total could keep this setup working fully, 2 charging in the lantern, 2 in use elsewhere. Or all 4 to keep the lantern going for a week or so. Or two sets of four, and a big solar panel.

More flexible than having the powerbank circuit built into this heavy lantern.

But if the powerbank output can be done at minimal cost, complexity and development risk, by all means go for it.

To me, the powerbank output only makes sense in combination with solar input, for those who want to run totally “off grid” or survivalist, but a decent portable panel will cost as much as this torch. I don’t see too many making much use of this. Just plug it into the car, or the mains, or take a spare set of cells.

If the cells are not going to be charged by solar in a minimalist arrangement (lantern + solar panel) then what’s the point ? If vehicle or mains power, or solar (not directly connected, my campervan has 200 W of solar) is to be the source then easier to use a separate charger.

TBH, a straightforward lantern with no charging or powerbank circuits would suit me better, at the right price. If it could also accept primary cells (e.g. alkaline AA etc. in a carrier, 3S or 4S), even better.

Much as I like the idea of spending weeks or months in the wilderness, off grid, not even a motor vehicle to charge from, it’s never going to happen for me, and when I do wander off for a week or two, I don’t take a heavy lantern. Or anything powered only by Liion.