Something similar to the light below but of much higher quality:
How do I see it?
has a hook so you can hang it with the floodlight pointing down
CRI90+
compact, single 18650
aspheric flooder
In my experience and product that tries to combine two or more functions ends up sucking at one or both of them. I’d rather a BLF headlamp focused on low weight, paired with a lantern adapter
, since they’re usually hard to get a diffuser onto.
Something similar to the light below but of much higher quality:
How do I see it?
has a hook so you can hang it with the floodlight pointing down
CRI90+
compact, single 18650
aspheric flooder
In my experience and product that tries to combine two or more functions ends up sucking at one or both of them.
That’s often the case. And pretty much always – 2 dedicated items will do a better job.
But 2 dedicated items is 50% more cost and twice the bulk.
Halving the bulk is my motivation…
2 separate items that would have the same total size and weight as the combined one – really couldn’t compete.
Here…this is an easy case to make both functions right.
Actually I wanted to propose just one (lantern) but then realized that the compromises needed to add a good flashlight are very minor.
Fixed aspheric lens, one or more bright LEDs so it produces enough light forwards, e-switch UI.
Smooth flood is good for camping. Sharp beam cutoff is good in busy places as it allows you to easier avoid shining at others’ tents.
You don’t need the ultimate lumens here, enough is enough. This means that high CRI and nice tint do not require any real tradeoffs.
Does the lantern hurt the main light? It makes the tube somewhat thicker – which is meaningless. Makes a part of battery tube plastic – which may be somewhat less tough. Does it make it a bad light – definitely no, it can still be the best camping flashlight on the market.
Lantern?
Put many medium power LEDs under the diffuser. Tint mix to make it rosy, maybe even allow tint ramping.
This generates wide flood directed down – which is a great beam for lighting up a tent. Unlike LT1 it won’t work well when placed on a table but that’s not the purpose. But even size aside – LT1 wouldn’t work well when it’s directly over your head and this one would.
To make it possible to hang this light – in the middle it needs a steel oval loop. Oval – because when not used it would hide in a battery tube slot.
Challenge 1: the light’s centre of gravity changes with the cell inserted. And loop should always be close to that centre of gravity. Solution: When the COG of the host is in the middle of battery compartment (or close to) there is no issue. Push the battery forward by moving the driver to the tail.
Challenge 2: physical UI. UI for lanter and flashlight should be easy to locate. I believe these should be 2 different e-switches, in different places but I don’t have a solution at the moment.
Would that be a good lantern?
beam shape – very good for the use
size – OK
weight – OK
CRI – great
tint – great
UI – great (candle mode, ramping, tint ramping, …)
I think it would be a better flashlight than a lantern but nevertheless it would be the best tent lantern on the market.
Again sorry for not being here. I see lots of projects have come to fruition like the FW3A and BLF lantern.
Please send me a pm if I owe you for the making of prototype stuff, so I can settle these debts and have these weights lifted and update the fund status in start post
Hi Miller, glad you found sometime to write a post. I hope you are alright. Yes, new stuff happening all the time here, but the Q8 is still widely appreciated as a very good flashlight.
How about making a camping light?
Something similar to the light below but of much higher quality:
How do I see it?
In my experience and product that tries to combine two or more functions ends up sucking at one or both of them. I’d rather a BLF headlamp focused on low weight, paired with a lantern adapter
, since they’re usually hard to get a diffuser onto.
Find all my reviews of flashlights and more gear at www.bmengineer.com
That’s often the case. And pretty much always – 2 dedicated items will do a better job.
But 2 dedicated items is 50% more cost and twice the bulk.
Halving the bulk is my motivation…
2 separate items that would have the same total size and weight as the combined one – really couldn’t compete.
Here…this is an easy case to make both functions right.
Actually I wanted to propose just one (lantern) but then realized that the compromises needed to add a good flashlight are very minor.
Fixed aspheric lens, one or more bright LEDs so it produces enough light forwards, e-switch UI.
Smooth flood is good for camping. Sharp beam cutoff is good in busy places as it allows you to easier avoid shining at others’ tents.
You don’t need the ultimate lumens here, enough is enough. This means that high CRI and nice tint do not require any real tradeoffs.
Does the lantern hurt the main light? It makes the tube somewhat thicker – which is meaningless. Makes a part of battery tube plastic – which may be somewhat less tough. Does it make it a bad light – definitely no, it can still be the best camping flashlight on the market.
Lantern?
Put many medium power LEDs under the diffuser. Tint mix to make it rosy, maybe even allow tint ramping.
This generates wide flood directed down – which is a great beam for lighting up a tent. Unlike LT1 it won’t work well when placed on a table but that’s not the purpose. But even size aside – LT1 wouldn’t work well when it’s directly over your head and this one would.
To make it possible to hang this light – in the middle it needs a steel oval loop. Oval – because when not used it would hide in a battery tube slot.
Challenge 1: the light’s centre of gravity changes with the cell inserted. And loop should always be close to that centre of gravity. Solution: When the COG of the host is in the middle of battery compartment (or close to) there is no issue. Push the battery forward by moving the driver to the tail.
Challenge 2: physical UI. UI for lanter and flashlight should be easy to locate. I believe these should be 2 different e-switches, in different places but I don’t have a solution at the moment.
Would that be a good lantern?
I think it would be a better flashlight than a lantern but nevertheless it would be the best tent lantern on the market.
Again sorry for not being here. I see lots of projects have come to fruition like the FW3A and BLF lantern.
and update the fund status in start post
Please send me a pm if I owe you for the making of prototype stuff, so I can settle these debts and have these weights lifted
It is done when it is done
How my BLF Specials generally work, please read before asking Qs
The Q8, Exciting a groupbuy for a Premium BLF special high lumens soda can light!
The GT, A BLF special GIGA thrower
The FW3A, a TLF BLF special small, elegant, powerful triple
Lithium Ion safety 101 important read
Sorry grammarlovers, I am a real King Typo.
Oh hey, I recognize you.
Hi Miller, glad you found sometime to write a post. I hope you are alright. Yes, new stuff happening all the time here, but the Q8 is still widely appreciated as a very good flashlight.
link to djozz tests
Hi Wim, good to see you!
As Jos already mentioned, the Q8 is still a masterpiece, is has set a very high standard in the flashlight world since 2017.
Hi, Miller!
I hope you’re doing well.
We miss you!
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