[BLF Joint-Development] WildTrail BLF Tactical Flashlight

[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?

One bonus to a more complex driver is a settable high. The light should always come on in high mode, even if it’s just a one mode tactical light, but I prefer a rock steady ~500 lumen output and some people likely want it to come on at 1000+.

The concern is durability/reliability versus complexity. Can a complex driver be implemented in such a way that no amount of frantic manhandling or abuse will make it behave unexpectedly? The FW3A UI fails that criteria. Most non-tactical lights fail that criteria.

Bingo, one of my favorite features of Bistro/Biscotti is the mode groups that max out at 50%. I think holding an e-switch while cycling the light on/off is a pretty solid way of selecting these different mode groups, or a LARGE number of clicks that must be executed quickly.

It’s anecdotal, but none of the first responders, SAR volunteers, etc. that I know regularly use lights that are single-mode. It really demands always bringing a second light that has lower modes for everything else you would use a flashlight for. I know I wouldn’t trust this light for a weapon mount (okay, maybe for hunting) for years after its been disassembled, abused and analyzed by people smarter and harder on their tools than me.

BurningPlayd0h

Have you ever used a flashlight for self-defense during an attack?

I’m interested!

Please no crenelated bezel with such a compact lamp. It destroys the lining of the trouser pocket.

I think most of the people here have their own ideas or definitions of what “tactical” means when used to describe a flashlight, because apparently there is no widely accepted definition of a “tactical” flashlight.

Maybe the solution is for someone to create a clearly defined list of features this light should have — and a corresponding list of features it should not have — and do not give it a descriptive name until the end, after all features are finalized and no longer debatable.

Mild rounded crenelated bezel is plenty. Must be steel and large enough to protect the head from drops.

For that purpose the nitecore MT1A’s bezel works great for that, protection of the head but not destruction of the pocket. If you were to need an example.

No, and of I ever planned to carry a light for that purpose I wouldn’t go for the “budget” option, YMMV.

Now your talking about the real issue. It’s the problem with this thread.

What is the (REAL) reason for building this light?

To quote Lux-Perpetua “The target is nothing less than to get the best +tactical EDC flashlight +with dual switch design and Andúril UI.”

Maybe that’s the best definition of a “tactical light”, a light that someone would bring to (or have with them in) a fight.

That is absolutely implied. The term has been watered down over the years by pseudo-military marketing tomfoolery used by every ebay seller over thousands of mediocre products. This is why I am guessing there are a few of us watching this thread from the sidelines with a healthy amount of skepticism that a tactical light will be the final result.

And a budget Chinese tactical light is not impossible. People were carrying and weapon-mounting Fenix lights in Iraq and Afghanistan because SL/Surefire were ten years behind on LED tech at the time. The old Fenix lights were super simple, proven durable under extreme abuse, and nailed the fundamentals with modern battery and LED tech (although everyone in this case kept using cr123 because they were free).

But this is all working against the crowdfunding (or interest survey based) model you have here. Nobody who wants an actual tactical light is going to buy revision 1.0. We want abuse tests and months of documented reliability post-release. As someone who only buys lights when they get lost and only owns a handful of lights, I am intrigued with the quality of light this forum can produce — a fw3 replaced a 6 year old thrunite of mine that got lost. I’m also not convinced that this format of light is well served by the whims of a flashlight enthusiast internet forum. I apologize for being a negative nancy here.

Interesting in 2

Interested in at least 1.

What about the Luxeon V? They are available in 4000K, 5000K, 5700K and 6500K. The beam quality in an OP reflector should be great as well. I haven’t tried it in a SMO reflector yet.

My current tactical light is a Convoy M21A with OP reflector, LD-B4 driver 7 Amps, Luxeon V 5700K. No mode memory, mode sequence 100% - 16% - moon. So when I turn it on, I know it’s gonna full blast. A triple half tap and hold gives me strobe.

I would like a side switch on this project light with similar functionality to Acebeam and Olight. Otherwise I might as well stick to my reliable and powerful custom Convoy M21A.

I’m in for 2,please…

Definitely want crenelated bezel, tail clicky + electronic side switch, and I prefer Anduril…

And yes, I have used a flashlight in self-defense.

Thanks!

-dmm

Interested

You guys know this has been out for a while now, right?

It think you (should) know the objections against FET DD by now.

You will have to throttle the max output at max battery charge with unfortunate solutions like low drain batteries, high Vf LEDs, not optimal electrical path, PWM-ing too high currents, or simply overdriving the LED beyond preferable levels on a full battery.

This is all unnecessary with FET DD drivers, which aren’t even expensive anymore.

Even a 7135 driver works better than FET DD, in particular for modest output lights such as this project.

Don’t you prefer to have steady output levels? I know i do.

A nice buck driver on a low Vf LED may be even better, plus it makes it possible to use 2x CR123A.

These are more expensive though, but Convoy has the LD29, which could do with better mode spacing and more modes though.