Totally agree, the triple reflector is designed very poorly. They could have maximized the size of the individual reflectors or reduce the head size. Very wasteful.
They prob did it cause the mcpcb is a mess of wires. Obviously they have the c8f and didn’t use it
Are you two taking into consideration the depth? A larger diameter reflector typically needs a deeper head. Maybe they did not want to make the light longer for some reason. They might have converted an existing flashlight design, maybe one that originally used TIR lenses. There are a lot of potential reasons they did this. Maybe they want larger hot spots? Who knows.
I guess the issue is that they’re not all running at the same time, so you need to seperate things out… would like to see under the reflector though; Barry or Jackie, do you have images of what it looks like under that?
My personal thoughts about this new light:
- Reflector: As mentioned before Sofirn is more a less either wasting space (= smaller head with a TIR 10507-10511 optic) or they are wasting potential for more throw/range by not using the full reflector diameter for an interleaved triple reflector.
- LED: While it’s a smart move to use those LH351D they recently purchased in large quantities I would have preferred a 365nm UV LED (LG LEUVA33W70RL00 or Nichia 276A). Instead of the XP-E2 red 620nm I would have appreciated the new XP-E2 deep red 660nm with a more intense and darker red. Unfortunately, this LED is more difficult to source (e.g. Arrow, Cutter)
They could also relaunch their C8F 18650 light with these three independently running LEDs or even use the C8F 21700 host. All it takes is an appropriate driver and an adapted LED MCPCB.
I wonder what UI this one will have and if there will be only one or multiple brightness levels (at least for the white and red LED).
Well, to satisfy most BLFers, a wider reflector should be deeper too, to maintain an ideal ratio. But, in reality, it isn’t necessary to do so. It is quite possible to make a deep reflector that is not wide or a wide reflector that is not deep. As long as it is a paraboloid and the die is positioned properly at the focal point of it, it will work to collimate light.
Sofirn’s New Tech: variable temperature of light
Is it from one LED?
I haven’t watched the video, but it’s probably from the LT1 Lantern that DBSAR has been working on for a few years. The Lantern uses two different CCT of LEDs, a few of each, and a newly designed driver with firmware by ToyKeeper.
Probably from a Q8 with 3000k+5000k LH351Ds and the Lantern Build.
That’s interesting.
I’d like to know more about what that video shows. It looks very similar to what the BLF Lantern does.
That went fast 
. Even before the Lantern is out, ToyKeeper’s New Tech has become Sofirn’s New Tech 
. Let’s see that as that they like what you are doing 
I’m actually surprised that manufacturers don’t put “ToyKeeper firmware!” on their boxes as a selling point. It’s an instant sign of quality to anyone in the know
Does Sofirn have an intention to give buyers a choice of CCT? For a long time there was no news on this issue.
the so called new-tech driver is designed before BLF lantern driver was made. the driver is waiting for a good shell desing.
the only same thing is both of them use multiple leds (half cool white half warm white) to fulfill temperature changing.
But UI, firmware, driver are different.
Is it something similar to Imalent SA04 which has this feature as well?
Variable colour temperature - adjustments from 4000K to 7000K
Yeah, there’s no such thing as a color change led. It’s always two extreme color leds that are mixed. Same as the Zanflare T1 lantern.
Could it be related to this one?
I don't think so as this one uses white, red and UV independently. I don't think it would look good to mix these. ;-)
However, Barry I would be interested how far the design process for this triple independent emitter light is completed already. Is the last word spoken already or can we (BLF) still give you some suggestions to improve it? Those tiny reflectors could be enlarged like the ones in your C8F triple reflector.
- Will you offer the driver separately for sale?
- Will this driver fit into the C8F 21700 host?
- Can you please check if it makes sense to offer a C8F 21700 with white, red and UV? I think that would sell well, too.
Any news about the AT35 prototype? I hope this one will still be produced.
That AT35 is still badass. Some serious heft.
The AT35 could be comparable to the Convoy M3 or even better if equipped with
- SMO reflector
- dual switch design (tail + side switch, like C8F/C8G/SP31 V2.0 and SP70)
- the C8F or SP70 UI or Andúril if it comes with e-switch only
- high efficiency boost driver with XHP70.2 in P2-3C (5.000K) and P2-5C (4.000K) bin.