I mean, I can easily differentiate lights that are very wall made and have quite a bit of R&D behind them.
The BLF Q8 has outstanding heatsinking for its size.
The MT07S has excellent heatsink and a very well made driver. It is super efficient on the 500 lumen mode.
The GT is an absolute beast.
Etc.
The problem is that R&D takes time. A lot of it. Which is why it’s expensive, and why BLF lights take such a long time to make.
Even simple changes are hard to do, especially with Chinese companies not usually willing to take many risks and innovate.
Two examples I’ve encountered:
1. LEDs not easily available to order in China. The LH351Ds are not easily available to order in China. So, lights that use them, and manufacturers try to steer away from them.
So, they have to order them outside of China, where prices are higher, you have to pay customs and taxes, and have no preferential treatment.
2. Springs. With my experience in conductive springs built up, I’ve actually had some companies consult me about ideas for higher conductivity springs****
Well, recently, I’ve had a company ask what they could do to improve their springs for more power. I’ve told them to use:
- Double springs. No problem.
- Gold/silver plated springs. No problem.
- Phosphor bronze. No problem.
The issue comes when I try to use more advanced materials/techniques.
- Triple layer electroplating. Nickel-copper-silver. Less expensive than gold, but quite a bit higher performance. No dice. Says “takes too much time, complicated and not many companies do this”. But I know 2 that do. Nothing still.
- BeCu C17530 wire. They ask, why not BeCu C17500? Because it has way worse mechanical properties, and the offset in conductivity can be overcame with triple layer separate plating.
No dice.