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

Once the V1 is in production & shipping like Toykeeper mentioned, then we will work on a V2. I will soon update the main post to specify the power bank drop, and the new specifications for the lantern. The V1 will still have all the most important features most people wanted, (USB Charging from various sources, the tint ramping, Toykeeperā€™s refined software/user interface, and the same tested and refined design of the lantern itself i been working on for 2 years. :slight_smile:

Werā€™e working on it to get it rolling as soon as possible. :smiley:

Whenever it happens , it happens. Iā€™m not in a rush as rushing leads to errors at times. Plus I have the lantern I built, and use it a fair amount. So I guess I have an advantage.

:+1:

I am really glad to hear you are still committed to make the extended version a reality. Your efforts are much appreciated. Keep up the good work :slight_smile:

In what sense extended?

Bigger, better, badder light?

Or this monstrosity I am probably going to put in my lantern :smiley: :

with a run time of half a year!

I am of the opinion the LT2 interest list should wait until LT1 is in folks hands. But, if you feel strongly about starting a second interest list, then you could start a separate thread and track responses there. I am not in a position where I want to try to keep two interest lists going simultaneously. If folks want to be removed for the LT1 list, I can keep track of that, they just need to post in this thread. I believe on or two people may have expressed an interest in being removed so far (maybe not?), but as of now I have not removed anyone. I am not sure how the group buy will be executed, if I will be sending messages to the roughly 730 individuals who have expressed interest in one or more lights with a discount code, or something else. The team has not discussed that as of yet. I figure one or two people getting a message they wonā€™t use is no big deal. But if 100-200 people donā€™t want a light that does not contain the power bank, then it makes sense to start noting that as appropriate.

Me personally, I would have preferred the power bank. But I will purchase the lights without for now. I imagine if Lexel does spin the design to add the power bank, then I could purchase just the driver and upgrade which ever of the three lights I have on the interest list as needed. Two are going family members that will likely not use it. If the LT2 driver does not happen, Iā€™ll have a lantern with a lot of cool features that I would have used a few time already since getting involved in the project, with or without charging or the power bank.

Those are my thoughts.

I agree on that, I like the power bank idea too, but If i knew it was an easy thing to do and it would not add cost & delay the LT1 lantern project any further than it is, then sure it can be added. but right now that would be up to Lexel and his thoughts on the driver design, up to Barry & his engineers at Sofirn of the costs per unit, and if they can do that without the delays. as of now iā€™m hoping we can get some prototypes built by Barry to send us to test and evaluate, then get it into production and open sales to everyone on the list to order by sometime after the new year. ( i wish we could have had it going sooner.

iā€™m interested =)

It was just a suggestion. I thought it would help DBSAR and the others to more accurately gauge how many are really interested in (the latest revision of) V1. But for me, as a buyer, it does not really make a difference if the new list is created now, or a week before V2 is released.
So if you think it is best to wait until the V1s have been shipped, I am totally fine with it.

I donā€™t think there is a need for a list for the second version.

Youā€™ll want to wait for maybe a year after the v1 is for sale.
And just communicate the updates with the manufacturer so they can replace the v1 for the v2 version.
Just like any other model update of a light.

Like some others I donā€™t need 2 lanterns. And would like to have a powerbank. And I believe V2, if it ever arrives, will have a number of other improvements over V1 as well.

But Iā€™m not out of the V1 list. I will buy it when itā€™s available because:

  • it is easily good enough
  • it should be easily worth the price
  • available always is better than ā€œhopefully arrives one dayā€. Even when the hopes are high and the day donā€™t seem distant

Iā€™m not sure how V1 will be desined, but if battery configuration is 1S?P and there is a space in the case, it should be super easy for everyone to add powerbank feature himself. You can buy powerbank module for a few bucks, connect two wires, drill holes, glue it in and itā€™s done.

If you read the thread, you will know exactly how the lantern is designed. 4P. Just like the BLF Q8 from which it is derived.

Had to register for that.

Very interested.

When hiking at night, I always bring with me a ā€œneutralā€ tint zebralight with a home made diffuser, but i would kill for a warmer, higher CRI tint and this awesome light distribution.

In my scenario, i would bring this lantern instead of a powerbank, and use the battery as emergency charger with a tiny magnetic battery->USB dcdc converter.

Would it be possible to include USB output inside this tiny monster? Even a 500mA cheap circuitry would be enough, for those like me that are concerned about backpacking weight and love multipurpose stuff.

Maybe, if there is no space for a full usb port, an USB otg adapter could be used if the circuitry inside the lantern could support it.

Anyway, really cool stuff, guys.

Thanks

Edit
Just read part of the thread, it appears that the powerbank function was dropped.
Well, i understand, still interested, Iā€™ll have to bring extra gear and will not be that simple, but itā€™s all right. Maybe Iā€™ll mod it :wink:

Welcome to BLF Arthur!

welcome to the world of BLF where you wallet goes oh crap not another flashlight !!! lol say goodbye bank balance HELLO lumens!!!

Interest list update time, and welcome to more new members whoā€™s first post was interest in this light, including Alexkram, Odyessus, Rascto, Jensen, and Arthur. :beer:
Also second post expressing interest in the lantern by blgrssby and K1NGP1NT. :+1:

1090 blgrssby
1091 lightknot
1092 tbgallant
1093 Alexkram
1094 Odyessus
1095 K1NGP1NT
1096 TexasToasted
1097 Rascto
1098 Jensen
1099 Tdh66
1100 DiscoJoe
1101 Arthur

I'll wait for V3...... kidding of course. V1 sounds more than good enough for me and if a V2 comes about and is a useful upgrade, may get that one too.