[BLF Joint-Development] WildTrail BLF Tactical Flashlight

I tossed together some quick renderings of Model B (dunno if that’s what Lux-Perpetua had in mind but I was kinda bored today :zipper_mouth_face:)







(Album link: Wildtrail Tactical Light - Model B Rev. 2 Renderings - Album on Imgur)

I like the light design in post #1. However, being a tactical light, ditch the on-board usb-c charging port and put a ~6k emitter in it. I’m not looking to make sure the leaves on my boxwoods are color correct at night with this light…

I love the way the bezel is so slightly and smoothly crenelated. Highly impressive work!

The same for Klarus XT1C, using tube-in-tube.

That looks really amazing! Thank you!

The render actually looks pretty cool.
Looking forward to final design

Potentially interested in a dual switch 18650 (currently only have AA for dual switch), especially if:

  1. Focus on efficiency over max output (I don’t want 10 seconds of burning my hand, I want 10 minutes of efficient bright output)
  2. TIR rather than reflector (lets save size where we can, and I usually prefer the beam pattern with TIRs over reflectors anyway)
  3. High CRI (my low CRI lights are almost never used at this point)
  4. The logo or design aren’t too gaudy
  5. Option to default to or start in low output (starting in high is a pain if you’re trying to use it around the house)
  6. Sublumen moonlight mode
  7. Emisar style flashing pins (realize this is a reach, but I would love to see them become an industry standard)

My personal preference for UI is a bit different than what is proposed in the OP at the moment, but that’s because part of my focus is on keeping it simple if I want to hand it to someone for use. I would almost separate it into “rear switch is on/off/momentary, front switch is cycle up/cycle down”.

I’d start with something like (assuming lockout is not needed):

Rear switch:

  • Tap: Momentary On (brightness i.a.w. mode memory settings)
  • Press: On / Off (forward clicky)
  • Default: Low (Mode Memory = Off)
  • Alternative: Last used mode (Mode Memory = On)

Side switch:

  • Hold = Cycle up
  • Click + Hold = Cycle down
  • Double Click = High mode
  • Triple Click = Change between stepped modes and ramping mode
  • Quad Click = Blink out voltage

Mode memory On/Off

  • Hold side switch + tail switch for 5s

This would also keep it similar to Anduril (but a bit simplified), for if someone wants to switch back and forth (assuming we don’t want to go full-blown modified Anduril).

Thanks blf members, have a nice day.

And more suggestions are welcome.

I bought a Sofirn SC31B a couple weeks ago. It’s my first single-cell 18650 flashlight. I like it a lot, but the other night I took it outside before turning it on, and when I eventually needed some light I started feeling the tail end for a switch — but this flashlight does not have a tail switch!

Some flashlights with side switches MIGHT be shaped in such a way that it is easy to find the side switch by feel, but not my Sofirn SC31B. More than once I have found myself rotating this light in my hand more than one revolution, trying to feel that side switch, and eventually giving up. Then I hmust take my eyes off what I was looking at so I can locate the switch visually.

To be fair, the Sofirn SC31B is not (and was never advertised) as a “tactical” flashlight. But now that I have had these experiences it is clear to me that a truly tactical flashlight must have a foolproof tail switch — so the user can easily find it and turn the light on without wasting any time feeling for a side switch.

Bottom line:

Any “tactical” flashlight should (in my opinion) have a simple and reliable clicky tail switch that (hopefully) turns the flashlight on at full power from off. As long as this switch works 100% of the time, having an additional side switch to control modes, etc. would probably be a desirable extra.

That’s why Surefire has lot of loyal supporters. They just kept it simply.

I only had one of their light back in the days and it was the E1L (2 mode). Rock solid and simple to use.

Is there any reason the light couldn’t have two very different UI modes? One more enthusiast and one more “emergency” oriented? I know what can be stored on the controllers is a limitation for some lights ( that’s the reason Biscotti exists IIRC).

Mech tail switch and side e-switch is definitely a no-go for me no matter what. Having to change the position of the light in your hand for powering it on/off and changing modes is awful compared to just a single tail mech, or even better the Acebeam/Olight-style dual e-switch.

Nitefox UT20. “EDC” mode and “tactical” mode…

Their two mode groups aren’t always that different but several recent Klarus, Olight, and Acebeam have something like this too. Skilhunt has two completely different UIs in their newest 14500 and 18650 lights.

Seems like it depends on what kind of driver and controller are used though, I know some of the Attiny chips have limited… memory, I guess? Or some other limitation on how many operations a UI can have.

Two very different UI’s should have two different lights. I carry one tactical light and one duty light. My tactical light has high/low only with a tail switch only. It should really be on/off only. Small 18650 format. I’ve used it with quick tail tapping for all sorts of stuff. Like signalling “I’m over here” to building searches. The “duty light” is really in the tacticool category. Having a tail on/off only switch. I set its mode with the side switch and then on/off as needed. It’s more of a work light in 21700 format for lots of long use. This one does traffic control, searches, reading in the car, etc. For the O @#$% moments it’s an attached weapon light.

Don’t over think it. Robust, simple, always works.

I would say that mode memory on or off, H>L vs L>H mode order, and multiple modes vs 100% only is at least 3 (more like 5) “very different UIs” and yet UIs for respected SHTF lights like PFlexPro’s offer those options. HDS is touted as the ultimate bombproof light and has a great deal of customization on the UI of many of their models.

Overall, I just can’t agree with your stance. There is no con to including more options in a light that can be set to 100% only, and only moved out of that setting when you actually want to.

This light will never compete with Surefire, Malkoff, etc. There is no sense trying to put it into the same market niche, it will be a total failure. A cheaper and/or better Klarus or Acebeam competitor I can see being a reality.

I believe that is what they should do exactly. They will not sink or swim on only one or two models. Offer a tactical model that is simple, durable and cost competitive. Offer a duty or tacticool light that rounds out that niche with the same simple, durable and cost competitive. Add some mass for heat management and durability. Make it belt comfortable. Keep it absolutely waterproof, drop proof, potted, TIR lense, well designed. Surefire, Elzetta and Malkoff used this method. Do it cheaper and earn a name in the market, have some faith in them. The original post was for a Wildfire BLF Tactical Flashlight. This has morphed into a different direction with lots of bells and whistles putting them into direct competition with all the others. I have plenty of those lights. I would prefer more truly tactical and duty built.

ArmyTek has a method for two UI’s. Head tight on/off only, slight turn and the modes appear. That’s a compromise that could on feel alone be done.

I have to ask how does a multi or complicated UI improve that SHTF light or is this a deviation from the mission.

My 2 cents.

The “TACTICAL” light that I’m always looking for is the one that gets the most light down range the quickest.

I suggest a Tactical rating system. Something like this:

From lockout.
Draw from pocket or belt to Turbo, under 1second = Excellent,
under 2 seconds = Good,
under 3 seconds = Fair,
more than 3 seconds = fail.

[quote=texas shooter]

I’m not saying this need to have full-featured Anduril, but at least offering something like Bistro, or a UI similar to Olight and Thurnite’s in addition to a 100% only or 100/10% mode groups is essential. This brand really only has name recognition (and recognition of the D80’s quality) on this forum AFAIK. For me in a SHTF light, instant access to a low or firefly is important for example, since I’m more worried about blinding myself others than instantly getting tons of light out, and there are already plenty of lights that can do that very well, while still offering other hidden features. There are also plenty of lights that do “dead simple” exceptionally well too. So why not have the whole package in one light? That sounds like a great way to stand out from the pack IMHO.

This light is going to have a driver capable of fitting in at least some options, I just don’t see any good reason to leave those out. There is really no disadvantage beside some vague sense of “deviating from the mission” which to me it really isn’t. This is a “tactical:” light, but also being designed for BLF where people know what they want, and that is often very different things.

BurningPlayd0h

Can you explain how it’s “tactical” in an emergency? I think there are some BLF people who know what they want, but… don’t know what they want it for.

It’s going to appeal outside of the “tactical” pack alright. There are plenty of “ALL purpose” lights that fill your needs as well, they’re just not “tactical” when the SHTF.

That’s fine, but isn’t this the definition of a “tacticool” light?

I disagree. IMO a tactical light has one clicky on-off tail switch and no other UI options. Therefore, if this light has any additional options shouldn’t it be referred to as a “tacticool” light?

Personally I would really like a true tactical light at a bargain price, and YES I would trust it if it were half the price of name-brand tactical lights.

Whether or not this is the thread for this type of light remains to be seen, but so far it seems the goal of this flashlight project is to design a tacticool light, not a tactical light. Am I correct?