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

Put me in. Thanks.

Quick thoughts:

  • Love the idea. We’ve needed this for a LONG time. Let’s stick to a concept and get something to market sooner than later.
  • A soft press, forward tailswitch in conjuction with a 3 or 4 position dimmer ring would be my only strong/controversial suggestion. One handed switching is crucial for a “simple” light IMO. I think this goes for snobs, muggles, or elderly. Additionally, I think this enables using a sub-lumen mode by separating the functions. 0.5-10-100-500 seems pretty darn good. And getting to pre-select brightness before turning it on is a huge plus.
  • +1 for the knurling and color contrast dial. Maybe black ano on the body and clear ano on the dial? Dimensionally, make sure the ring is long/tall enough to get a good purchase on, and maybe ~1mm larger OD
  • LED and optic choice can be debated forever. Besides, by the time this light is ready, who knows what emitters will be available. 5000K and 3000K choice is a simple answer. 3535 footprint and mod friendly optic dimensions covers all the bases I think. A frosted or pebbled spot seems like a good match here IMO
  • Charging port cover is the point I’m currently hung up on… I personally don’t have a winning idea yet. USB-C sounds right opposed to some proprietary magnetic setup, but port covers are a pain, and even a threaded ring isn’t elegant enough in my mind right now to choose it above the rest. So the default is to go with the simplest one to implement.

You can put me down for at least 4 though at that price point.

You know, after looking at that feature list again, I’m thinking a light like this could honestly be my EDC. Maybe I’m getting old…

Interested!

I’m in for two

I am in for one.
A magnetic Tailcap would be cool an makes it for a good Muggle worker light too.

I would be in for two.

No, the exact goal need not determined, this project is not a discussion piece towards what sort of light is needed for a certain group of people, this project is making the light described in the OP :slight_smile:

You can discuss however how to call it, a grandma light, a muggle light, a budget flashoholics light, or something else.

Interesting project. Please add me for 3. Many thanks.

Interested!

Love this 100 horses pulling in 100 directions discussions on BLF.
Until someone like TK comes along and tries to pour all that loose sand through a siff.
(and gets blamed that only 99 horses were satisfied).

I would like you to consider: we are not grandma.

- We’re still flashaholics who try to decide what’s best for grandma.

- Most of us are creative (wo)men with only one thumb on every hand.

- If you wear glasses: put them off.

- If you don’t wear glasses: put your wife’s glasses on.

- Put on some leather gloves.

  • Take a simple light and see how “easy” you can handle that.
    That is not a fun play. That’s grandma, for the rest of her life.

My personal opinion is that a ring is a 2-handed thing. A slide is not.
A ring cannot be locked out. A slide can, just push it beyond a certain limit.
A magnet comes in handy. But make it removable when you find grannie stuck to the fridge.
Ano is good. Visibility is better. Give it a distinct business end. And a striking color.
For the last aspect (and falling) you can include a rubber cover. The usual pink or blue.
And safety orange for those who are still contemplating their gender.

To be ignored: I was thinking about a 2 (big) button UI.
Button 1 = on and up
Button 2 = down and off

Just my 2¼c.

EDIT: and put me on the list for one. By the time it is finished I’ll be in my seventies.

Djozz, I’ll take one!
Sounds like a compact and simple light.

Just a suggestion, make the Ring of stainless steel and make it a nice contrasting color like bare SS or a nice blue.
That’ll make it easier to understand that it’s the control ring.

Many requests for a contrasting ring colour, it sounds useful, very doable without adding cost, and gives a nice accent to the design. I will try to get that added :+1:

Your and other’s many suggestions are noted.

I can promise that the ring, like my 3 other lights with magnetic ring are easily operated with one hand.

When is your birthday Henk?, so I can slow down the process to make sure you are 70 when it is done. :crown:

Are you sure?
I was born shortly before the Korean War started. Yet I doubt one event is related to the other. :innocent:

Well, I prefer infinitely variable and forward clickie, but Sofirn has been always very helpful with BLF and I like magnetic rings; so, I will take at least one of these; and probably a pair more for gifts….

One more time, thanks Djozz for your initiative

Okay, i’m in for one too.
If it works as well as others have experienced a thumb operated twisty ring, i’m all for it.
Hoping for no PWM and stepless dimming, either with or without indents.

(For the modders it would be awesome if the driver will be sold separately also, and capable of high currents with a resistor mod.)

Interested in 1.

Thanks, I enjoy doing this.

I love how BLF evolved from only modding existing lights to also creating complete new flashlights, with the help of a few companies who trust our expertise enough to overcome the hassle of the language and culture barrier.

I hope that this will be one more nice and innovative flashlight on the BLF list.

In for one, maybe 2.

I would prefer no moonlight modes for this, too easy to think the batteries are flat/leave it turned on/etc.

Off/30/500 LM would be amazing. Either with a separate on/off tail switch or without.

Parasitic drain would worry me, it’s usually a few years between uses for lights I’ve gifted my family members.