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

What about the compatibility between the first BLF Q8 batch and the new Sofirn??? If that has been addressed before I have missed it, sorry if the question has been accurately answered.

It’s been answered a lot already, but there is a slight threading difference for better waterproofing in the Sofirn Q8.

So yeah, I’d love a Extended Runtime BLF Lantern.

That would be amazing.

As long as they design the driver to be able to run on the standard 4.2(3.7) volt 4P config of the cell design. (8 cells in an extend tube option will be 4P2S config, requiring the driver to be able to run on 8.4(7.4) volts including the 4.2(3.7) volt standard.

Actually, the extended tube design is done in a parallel config only.

So, no problem there.

I would definitely be interested in an extension tube! Also, have they said if they are going to go with a normal battery tube or separate carrier assy?

ah cool. I never looked into it to see how they achieved that with a carrier-less tube for 8 cells, so i don’t know much about it & must have missed the topic about it.

Same as the Q8, a simpler solid battery tube with no carrier is more reliable & likely cheaper to produce.

Pretty sure this is what got me to join many years ago….

As the person who tracked the interest list for nearly a year now, I would request / suggest that a different thread be started for interest in an extended tube. Or, at the very miniimum, there needs to be something in the OP regarding the extended tube, or this will just get lost in the noise as the pages of the thread turn.

SIGShooter recently began helping with keeping the interest list, maybe he has some ideas of how folks could sign up for the list remotely like I have seen on other threads. I think the BLF GT had one like this. IIRC, he said his programming skills were not so much web based, but if not him then someone else could lend a hand with this. Keeping track of lights and extender tubes manually sounds like it could get complicated really fast if it is not somehow form driven.

Good points. I been thriving and hoping to get the LT1 Lantern into production first & orders under way, then focus on the accessory kit i mentioned too a while back, (which will include a padded carry/storage bag/case, a directional reflector, a top-hat rim reflector, a sturdy base cap, extra-long 15 or 25 -foot charge cable, and maybe even a solar charger.) the extension 8-cell tube could work really well with the planned wide base cap and top rim reflector.

@sbslider, there’s already an interest list for the extended tubes, but the popularity isn’t all that high at only 70 tubes.

Oh, I guess I missed that, I thought you were trying to start one now. I misunderstood. Still seems like if Sofirn is at least considering building an extension tube, that linking to this in the OP of this thread would be a help to that interest list.

Isn’t the current extension tube interest list for the Q8 and not the lantern? If we’re talking about tracking LANTERN extension tubes it’s simple enough for me to capture it in the same Oracle table I’m using for the lantern. A web app would be ideal but my home system isn’t set up for that. However a thread that is only used for expressing interest in one would be simple enough for me to monitor and then to insert the user data into my table.

A separate thread would be the way to go in my opinion.

I would be interested in an extension tube, but not a tube and batteries.

Extension tube? I’m in for sure

If it’s not to late, put me on the list for one, please.

Put me in for an extended tube.

I believe that there is already a thread for this tube mentioned by BlueSwordM.
I made the same mistake and propogated it. Those that would like to show interest in the extension tube should go to this thread and post their interest.

This lantern is based on the Sofirn Q8 design, at least the body and head began there. Obviously there are some significant changes, but the tube extension tube for the Q8 should be compatible with the lantern.

Having the option for a battery expansion tube sounds good, but maybe we should also consider the option to make (replacement) battery tubes for larger size batteries like 26650s or 21700s. They would also enhance the runtime significantly but are smaller and lighter than a whole second tube/battery carrier and would maybe also give the lantern a better stand than the standart (or even the longer) version.

And @The Miller: I don’t think that a crank or small solar panel on top would make any sense on a lantern like this. With a battery capacity that big it would take hours of cranking or weeks in the sun to noticeably charge the batteries. A large external (usb) solar panel makes much more sense.

I think we are years past that point. You are talking about trying to spool up a whole new production line. The benefit of this project is it uses an existing platform. Besides, once you are in 4x 18650 territory running as low a current as this will run, the differences really aren’t worth it. You’re going to be hard pressed to ever run out the batteries as it is. Something 4x 26650 would be super annoying to lug around as well.