Who would buy a BLF GT mini with a 21700 or 26650 battery capability, along with SST-40 same size head

If we're talking brightness, I for one would take "a bit" of a hit in Lumens for the tail switch functionality, especially given how the brighter the output, the less relative brightness your eyes perceive :)

I would say a good quality switch shouldn't limit the current to such extent to noticeably decrease brightness output and to have a considerable impact on the runtime due to the energy losses in the contacts.

I guess I would take that in consideration for a monster flooder with multiple powerful emitters though and even then, I would still consider the tail switch functionality benefits regardless.

I'm looking at the Sofirn C8F with the bypassed springs and the triple XP-L HD emitters for ex. - it takes quite a lot of Amps through the tail switch and it's still perfectly fine with it.

I would compare the C8F's triple XP-L setup with an SST-40 and even a tad more than that. In fact I wouldn't probably even live without that tail switch on the C8F - Hard to un-see it after you've once seen it :))

But, then again, I guess that's just my preference, I'd take more features/options over sheer power and efficiency. It's not like I don't love high efficacy wherever possible, but, I guess.. slightly different priorities.

EDIT:

Ah, and I forgot to mention that like the added length of the grip area with the added tail switch - the standard Lumintop body always felt too short and a bit too thin for my hands.. :|

Also I like the extra width of the tail cap of the Convoy C8+, it just adds another layer of comfort to the grip, it just feels a bit more secure in the hand, overall, it just feels natural to my hand.

I guess a 21700 would be a nearly perfect size for me at least. Still wouldn't drop the tail switch over brightness and a bit of losses, even with the 21700 body regardless, given the choice.

Oh but if the tail switch would be an e-Switch, then I'd rather drop it. That would be just at the edge, under my threshold of Pros VS Cons a tail switch would add to the full package.

The tail switch could be an option, but what I don’t like is the way the Sofirn C8G is, where the tail switch is a must to turn on the light. And I think that there should be more options for emitter. XHP-35 limits all other led’s because it requires a 12 volt driver. But with 3 volt many options including white flat, new 3v XHP 50.2. I really like the size , depth performance from this reflector

I'm not really out for the XHP35's especially, as there's pro's and cons about them and I wouldn't really mind a 3V only driver and limited emitter compatibility, there's enough good stuff covered by the 3V alone, e.g. the 3V XHP50.2 When I was saying XHPXX & SST-40 I was also thinking about 2 driver versions as well, to accommodate both classes of emitters, 3V & 6/12V (boost) alike. That was just a stretch of the imagination, to cover all possible options there could be there to my tastes, given there wouldn't be any limitations to choices. I'm rathe more interested in the features, functionality, choice, practical usage "comfort" overall, that being UI included (not really all that fond of every little detail of the current Narsil UI that's on the GT Mini)

With that said, I do want my tail clicky, if not for anything else, at least for the simple fact the I can "Lock" the light and forget about it in a drawer for a few good months. As for the tail switch being a must for turning on the light, well, yeah, on the C8G indeed, that's a must and I hate it as much as anybody else if not more.. and that's because they've decided to drop the Stand-By functionality from the side (function) switch (compared at least with the previews dual switch C8 model, the C8F) That shouldn't be an issue with the GT Micro though, as by design, it's initially an e-Switch /side switch design, thus it has to have the Stand-By functionality on the side switch in the first place and the tail cap would be an "after thought addition", not to say now that it shouldn't also be implemented the best way possible - hence why I was mentioning the power off memory mode, or the driver should at least always start in the On state should a tail switch be in place on the host, not starting with the dual blink power available notification.

And since the Stand-By functionality is there on the e-Switch in the first place, on the GT Mini that is, then the tail switch could stay "On" for as long as you'd like and not interfere with anything at all (well, anything than a few lost Lumens and a bit of losses of energy in the switches contacts at high brightness levels - I would argue nothing to write home about) Thing with the tail switch being there it's that it'll let you quickly lock/unlock the light, cutting out any parasitic drain as well (this would compensate for the small losses while using high brightness levels having the mechanical switch in place, so it pays off) and also having a quick momentary action impossible to miss even in pitch dark.

Wouldnt it be better make a GT bigger then mini but smaller then big brother instead? so that it has slightly bigger head then mini…

My vote goes to GT mini with the same dimensions, but with 21700 battery, same firmware as GT70, SST-40 or XHP50.2 LED, tint in the 5000K range.

Imo, there's enough options out there, the likes of the ODL20C, or the Astrolux FT03, or Thrunite Catapult V6, etc. That is if you are not talking about something even bigger but just smaller than the Giggles, like somewhere in between. Myself I'm not interested in such big lights in general, the ones that I've mentioned above would pretty much be my upper size limit, given that I'm mostly collecting rather than using them. I guess one big thrower might be joining my collection maybe some time in the future but given how much practical usage I'd have for it, probably that future would be quite distant. So, instead, I would likely take a number of compact lights based on variety options and features before that. And a GT Mini 21700 or even 26650 would probably take precedence as long as it doesn't deviate too much from the current format and if possible also bringing up some more option to the full package, like for ex. a tail switch and maybe an updated UI.

With several good battery options in the 21700 and 26650 battery size I really like the concept of the Amutorch VG10 head to battery tube look at the last picture here . I dont know why more manufacturers are not utilizing this concept, utilizing this concept would make the transition between tubes seamless, not only would they sell the light but accessories also, usually more profit on accessories. So far only the Night watch NS22 seeker offers two different battery tubes , optional 21700 tube. This would I believe make many customers happy. If someone did not like the fatter 26650 tube they could just purchase with 21700 and utilize a sleeve for 18650 if that is what they want to run, if some one did not mind the 26650 but also wanted to utilize 21700 it would just need a sleeve or for that matter an 18650 sleeve.

To make changes like these would warrant a new name, the GT mini is a version of a known large light, change it’s style you’ll have to change it’s name or it no longer applies and the appeal dies.

this is imo pointless -as with 21700 they must make a thicker battery tube so they might aswell bump up the diameter on the reflector since it will take bigger battery it should have a slightly bigger reflector overall, i dont see how this would be a bad thing.

so yea name change should also been made to avoid confusion with existing models…

I would not want to change the style, just change the separation line position between head and battery tube connection. The area of the head where the switch is located measres 32 mm then just below that 26 mm in diameter for a distance of about 6 mm, I am saying eliminate that area and incorporate it into the battery tube of two different sizes internally, but with the same size flare for both. I like the size of the head just the way it is.

Fair points. I guess I do like the GT mini, but I'd take something similar with the features that I like from it. Even under a different name. So I do like the head design, the reflector shape and size, the ramping curve, but I would take a similarly designed light with a 21700 and/or a 26650 body, even if that would change the body to head proportions/ratio and also with some additional features, like a tail switch and slightly different UI to accommodate that additional switch.

That is what I like about it the reflector seems to be very well thought out, just a little bigger than the conventional C8 but a lot smaller than just about all of the other respectable throwers.

I’d go for 26650 body for max cell compatibility and best fit in hand. I would be up for it if Lumintop made a ‘BLF Medium’ that sits between the BLF GT and BLF Mini size wise.

I would love to see a slightly bigger “GT mini” Version with a 21700 Battery format. The reflector can stay as it is or could be a bit bigger, but its important that the light stay compact and pocketable. I’m not sure what kind of led would fits best, but i would like to see a slightly bigger hotspot of the beam withe same throwieness and a nice neutral white tint. This would make this light very useable.
I personally don’t need a tailswitch or USB-charging port.
My proposal for the new Name: “GT midi”

PS: maybe there is already such a kind of light available on the market? If your got some examples, please let me know.

I have already proposed this last year to Martin from M4DM4X and Lumintop, since i like the L2/L6 size
Lumintop did not respond, Martin said they were working on it, never heard again from this project,

Quite strange since we already have the (BIG) original (thats why i have it for sale, it never gets used) The mini and the micro, but not a 26650 size or 21700 size!

And it is not mini, i’d call it GT Medium

Thats strange, since making it bigger then mini but keeping it alot smaller then biggest brother could be a good selling light no ? with 21700 battery and lets say a little bigger reflector then FT03 u would have a winner with a SST40 emitter or whatever… even xhp50.2 would work ?.

A good decent thrower with 21700 cant be many on the market with reflector size 60+mm ??

but they are supposed to make the gt nano but its quiet for now on that front…

:frowning:

I would say, for a little thrower like this and considering the form factor, a 21700 would make the most sense, while a 26650 would probably not be suited to keep this form factor and bring little to the table, as capacity wise there's not much difference between the two cells, the 21700 and the 26650 and current wise, a thrower wouldn't take as much current as a flooder, I'd say an XP-L HI or an XHP35 with a slightly bigger reflector would be just fine.

GT “Bantam” (or GT Mini Plus)- 26650 w/21700 insert, 60mm head diameter, xhp35 / xhp70 option OR 3v option (osram/sst40/sst20 hi cri). That size is between Simon’s mc21c line (and/or the gt mini line), and the astrolux ft03 line. I know its filling a niche maybe no one wants, but id buy one. Especially a 4000k xhp35 option. or a sst20 4000k option.

GTMini sized/styled light

21700 cell

Anduril

Side switch

USB C charging

SBT90.2 led

I’d be perfectly happy imo.

What this man said! :+1: