Interest collect for a new Sofirn design: tube style18650, magnetic ring control, USB-C charging, 500 lm max (AKA grandma light)

That sounds quite interesting :sunglasses:

Over on TLF there will be for sure a demand for such a light :+1:
And the magnetic control ring makes it quite interesting for Flashies too :innocent:

I´m in :slight_smile:

Anyone remember that plain-jane xiomi light?

https://www.gearbest.com/led-flashlights/pp_1192375.html

Go with it…

I’m in for at least 2.

Thanks!

Am i a grand'Ma ?

I would love if the infinite graduation from 0% could be available but add me for at least two anyway :)

Please no glued or press fit parts

I’d be in for 1.

Actually, what I’d suggest is that if this is for granma and her arthritic hands to use, a magnetic slider like that on the DV-S9 would be better than a twisty ring, no? She’d be more likely to find the slider easily, vs trying to twist off the head to make it turn on (in which case, glue might be a Good Thing).

And don’t forget that magnetic anything uses Hall-effect sensors which typically draw o(10mA) even when the light’s “off”, meaning it’ll have about 2wks before it drains the cell dry.

And for granma, to avoid constant recharging, there’s nothing wrong with a singly clicky and a off/low/high/… main sequence. Or even a simple off/on UI like old-timey lights had.

I have a lot of magnetic ring lights and I prefer infinitely variable to a predefinied steps; so I think is important a rear switch, forward, to avoid parasitic drain and offer momentary on; in the actual parameters, I Will not take It… :cry:

Definitely interested!

In for 1. If it’s easily modifiable 2-3. I’m guessing it will not be, since the magnetic input control will be tied to the driver firmware. I’m sure it’s a light I will recommend often. Most “1000 lumen” lights are 400-600 lumens on high, so this one is just missing Turbo and Strobe.

Interested !

interesting

my magnetic ring lights are infinitely variable

some of them have detentes to simulate mode steps, but removing the detente ball bearing, creates an infinitely variable dial, and with heavy grease the dial does not rotate in my pocket.

.

agreed!
I suggest a detente at off, then dial left to a detente at strobe.
dialing right would be infinitely variable, but can have 3 detentes (removable), to limit grandma to 3 modes.

not interesting
there is no need for a magnetic ring if there are just going to be 3 modes, even if they are accessed by a dial switch.

I suggest you look at the Nitecore SRT series for sophisticated control ring setup ideas… there are separate detentes for strobe and off, plus it has an infinitely variable segment of the dial. (ignore the multicolored LED settings)

If the parasitic drain is really low, I would be in for one. I just ordered an Astrolux EC01 for my mom. I’ll probably put it in muggle mode before I give it to her.

She used to keep a utilitech 4xAAA on her kitchen counter for emergencies, but it stopped working (the battery carrier has a bad connection). The EC01 is a little smaller, and much better. She still likes her Convoy BD, though.

Interested !

Put me down for one djozz, perhaps few more at a later date.

I would be interested for two or three people I know. These would make great Christmas presents, maybe next year. A magnetic ring would not be mandatory, as long as the UI was super simple, but absolutely no strobes on this one. A lighted LED switch, or some sort of indicator, not bright, would be a great addition. Just thoughts at this point.

Thanks all for the interest and the suggestions sofar.

Being the starter of this thread and the contact with Sofirn, combined with my idea that I have gained some knowledge about flashlights over the years :innocent: , I reserve the right to acknowledge or ignore suggestions for this light, but I will try to tell my reasons.

@Jack, :beer: for the poetry

@hank, no strobes, they may be useful for some, but annoying or rightout confusing for most. And this light must be ultimate simple and predictable. A warmer than 5000K led would be a nice option, but that can with no problem be discussed at the end of the process. I doubt that amber will be an option, but some of us are able to swap it in :slight_smile: . Btw, this light has the working title “grandma light” but is not aimed specifically at eldery people, I think that all sorts of people will find it handy.

@Lightbringer: one aspect that makes this light different from the Xiaomi light is that it must attract flashoholics too, the Xiaomi light having no waterproofing is a straight no-go for a flashaholic, and I also think it must simply be suitable for outdoors. (the Xiaomi light is ugly too, but that is an opinion of course).
About the magnetic ring: Sofirn is familiar with them, it is in a couple of diving lights, so it is easy to ask for that. Personally I find it more elegant than a slider too, and I find the type that Sofirn use very light to operate (but I have no arthritis yet). My DF10 with the ring in off-position uses 77 micro-amps, emptying a battery in 4 years.

@Noctiluco, no tail switch, sorry.

@Photonica, modding the driver will be difficult indeed, but Sofirn lights are not glued in general so swapping leds should be an option.

Yes, Jack, cheers. I haven’t read one of you poems in too long.

Any way to get a lower max so muggles don’t blind themselves. AA battery as possible power source? Or at least extremely robust low voltage protection. The kids will run it down…

Interested!

I’ll stick with giving away the existing SF13 (2xAA) light.
The only people I know who don’t like the hidden strobe are flashoholics.
In the SF13, the strobe is 2-fast-cicks away, a decently simple UI, liked by my friends among the elderly who need to be noticed in crosswalks.
I’ll go ahead and modify those with amber LEDs, since the board is easily accessible.