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

The Sofirn cells that you can optionally buy with the lantern seem like a good deal to me. Since they’re button tops they should work just fine.

Don’t see why there should be an issue shipping to US. Bought some Sanyo NCR18650GA with S2+ from aliexpress, they got delivered, slow but still came. But any 18650 button tops should work, you can buy from US sites they will arrive faster.

Just a photo a found of the LT1 prototype V1 where it all started, on the summit of a mountain in a remote wilderness area back in 2016, and this old, beaten, battered, original predecessor to the current BLF LT1 is still in use.

I’m not sure since I didn’t write the manual, but looking through it, I see at least three links to threads on BLF.

The only required link is the one necessary to satisfy the license. Since it uses GPLv3 code, it needs to have a prominent notice somewhere that it uses free software distributed under the terms of the GPLv3 license, and the source code is available from [link to the code]. And that legal requirement is satisfied, so the rest of the links are more of an editorial choice. I haven’t really been involved in that.

The charging circuit and driver circuit work totally independent of each other, with no awareness of what the other one is doing. The driver has no idea whether its power comes from batteries or USB.

Stepped.

The only way to exit momentary mode is by physically disconnecting power.

There are two different sets of blinky modes — blinkies (3C) and strobes (3H). It might make more sense when looking at the UI diagram.

Please put me on the list for one. THX.

Is there an easy way to know how long to delay ordering if one wishes to be certain he is fulfilled from “Batch 2” (with the firmware corrections)?

I see it’s already available on AE sofirn shop.

Is mailing the discount code to our mailbox started yet?

Hello Toykeeper!

1 - I'm totally ok with GPLv3. My point is really specific to the intro/title/first page. It's only I'm surprised there is no reference to this crowd-designed cradle of the LT1 right in the introduction. It's a pretty unique origin that, I think, deserves emphasis. There is a link to BLF and even a full sentence about the community, true, but at the very end.

2 - Ok

3 - Ok

4 - My "acceleration" question is refering to this part:

Momentary mode disable:

physically disconnect power (unscrew the base from the head to break the electrical connection for at least a few seconds, clicking the button will speed up the process).

  • I'm unsure if "clicking" here means one click, multiple frenetics clicks or even click and hold?

5 - Now understood, thanks to you. I think my confusion is coming from the fact that at various places in the manual the "blinkies" word refers to both "strobes" and "litteral blinkies" altogether, whereas it also is used solely for "litteral blinkies" at other places.

I can’t find it there Sofirn Official Store

Edit: Whoops here it is under “”New Arrivals”“:Sofirn Official Store - Amazing products with exclusive discounts on AliExpress

I see two totally different screws there, an allen head and a cross head - anyone know which one is production?

Looks good!

Yes, this is a good point. It is nice to recognize the contributions of the community who made this light possible.

All I was saying is that the legal requirements have been met, so any additional information is somewhat optional. Adding text to recognize the community is good though. It will depend on whether you can coordinate changes with the authors and translators quickly enough to meet the printing deadline.

Ah, that makes sense.

To exit momentary mode, it is necessary to disconnect power and wait until the driver’s residual charge has drained. If the button LED is lit up, it will drain that power in a small fraction of a second. But if the button LED was not enabled, it could take a few seconds before power is drained completely. Pressing the button causes the charge to disappear immediately. It does not matter how many times it is pressed or how long it is held. It only takes a few milliseconds. Anything after that has no effect.

It is probably not necessary to press the button at all though. Power should drain fast enough either way.

First of all, I think we have achieved to make a very profound, comprehensive yet understandable manual. I did not do most of the contentwise work, so credits go mostly to sbslider and stereodude. However, I took the liberty trying to answer to your points. Thanks for your input.

As Toykeeper mentioned already, there are references to BLF in the manual, especially on the very last column incl. credits to the BLF LT1 team.

Noted, but not a real issue that would require to edit the manual once again. However, I will try to consider it with the next update.

Not necessarily, as 5V is more or less THE standard USB charging voltage whereas higher voltages can still be used for special equipment (e.g. solar charging). Using 5V as a general recommendation for charging in the safety precautions will not be conflictive to a more detailed description in section "integrated charger".

I'm not a native English speaker but I guess "textured" would describe something else, like a certain pattern as in orange peel reflectors for instance. Opaque seems to be a quite common expression for a diffuse surface.

Not necessary, as the maximum length is stated with 70mm length. Both protected and unprotected batteries will do fine as the LT1 is not using an FET but constant current regulation with 5x 7135 AMCs.

Yes as this is a crucial prerequisite to safely run the LT1. Using flat top batteries can cause voltage imbalances and subsequent damage to the LT1.

Noted. I will try to consider it with the next update.

Noted, will be considered for future updates/manuals.

This topic has been discussed within the BLT LT1 team already and we decided to keep it this way. And yes, the LT1 will run at reduced output without batteries installed but with a USB-C energy source powered.

Noted, will be considered for future updates/manuals.

The default UI is STEPPED mode (like Toykeeper said already). This is a major difference to any other Andúril-driven light as these have SMOOTH RAMP by default. I agree with you that there is one spot I have overlooked - shame on me - in the specifications. Here it says SMOOTH RAMP by default. I will check with Sofirn if there's any chance to submit a correction.

See UI diagram for reference.

Noted, will be considered for future updates/manuals.

See Toykeeper's reply.

Noted, but not a real issue that would require to edit the manual once again. I will try to consider it with the next update.

This is already addressed on page 4 ("usage of the LT1 lantern").

See Toykeeper's reply.

No offense, but this is nitpicking, isn't it? ;-) To be more nitpicking, lower than 3.2V is not the same as 3.1V and lower. :-P

Noted, thanks. Will be rectified with another update later on.

Can you put me down for one more? For a total of 2. I think my parents that live in Africa need an LT1 for the nights with no power. Also, thanks SigShooter for all the admin work with the GB list. It’s appreciated!

fneuf wrote:

Should the diffuser be described more as “textured” rather than “opaque”?

Lux-Perpetia wrote: I’m not a native English speaker but I guess “textured” would describe something else, like a certain pattern as in orange peel reflectors for instance. Opaque seems to be a quite common expression for a diffuse surface.

Longtime user of American English here and sometimes I even manage to get it right. :smiley: Hopefully this is one of those times.

Maybe better words to indicate the treatment could be “frosted” or “translucent”. That type of surface is one that allows light to pass yet doesn’t allow for clearly seeing through it and is done on a microscopic level. As Lux-P’ wrote, texture is how something feels, mostly on a larger scale rather than a micro scale. There might be other ways of using the word, but that’s the one I’m using here without using a dictionary…

Excited, the long awaited BLF LT1 is ready :smiley:

“Frosted” and “translucent” both describe the characteristics better than “textured” or “opaque”. Opaque implies that it doesn’t pass light at all.

The LT1 in the sofirn shop is really expensive, 99 USD without and 125.99 USD with batteries.
I estimate them to be early-adopter prices.

It really is. If that’s their launch price, then we’re getting at a 50% discount via the group buy :smiley:

Please put me down for 4 more. Total 5

I’ll take another one :slight_smile: (Total of two)