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

We passed the 100, so 10% of the needed interest is met in little more than 1 day. I’m happy about that. Lots more needed but I feel that I can already show Sofirn that this light has potential. :slight_smile:

interested!!

Over on TLF there ist also a survey based on this Thread here.
It seems there is also a large demand on such a ´grandmas light´

“Sofirn AKA grandma light - TLF Interessenten Abfrage | Taschenlampen Forum

At the moment there is a demand on nearly 50

Make sure it doesn’t have to require having the light turned on for the USB charging to work.
I have a couple of lights with that requirement and they’re quite confusing to new users.

In for at least 5. I’m liking the concept. I would also like another same design but for the blfers, more lumens. Haha

Yeah, at least the driver should be easy to resitor-mod into more power. :slight_smile:

Strongly agree. There seems to be an unstated but well intentioned belief as hinted in the beginning of this thread, that the more itsy-bitsy teeny-wheene the form factor and size the better. That of course is a gross oversimplification, as the above research clearly states. Furthermore it woud make our design decisions far more taxing.

Is there an unstated belief that the fictitious granny needs something unthreatening that of course resembles a girly cylindrical lip-stick?

N.B, A clean cylinder is one of the worst shapes since it will roll off any uneven surface and by Murphy’s Law straight under a heavy item of furniture. Presumably, one would then be called upon to find torch to try to locate it! Common 18650 lights typically have a pocket clip which presumably won’t be used here?

Good news:
The two positions that djozz states above are NOT irreconcilable. I propose a bone shapes light. Something not a cylinder but more along the lines of a Klarus 18650 but presumably little less tactical looking. No need for strike bezel capability!!!?

So the bone shape would include: A wider head radius -makes flexibility of led carrier MCCB design of an/all mods much easier. A purposeful tail flange to facilitate grip and prevent rolling around. Possible space for tail electronics / magnetic charge port etc.
-Whilst aiding to satisfy grip ergonomics.

Remember that the mark of good light is that it is easy to hold and operate whilst wearing thick gloves. Elderly persons often wear thick gloves sadly even indoors. They definitely will when faced with the need of sudden winter tasks outdoors such as e.g.locating a missing pet animal etc. You too will appreciate glove-friendly bone-shape when indulging in sub-zero WROL camping survival.

As indeed always for all discerning BLF users, deep and proper traditional knurling is a must for winter etc reasons and the leading picture of the thread points to this.

No-2-Ageing

Failed to mention earlier:
Bone shape greatly helps gloved or arthritic fingers to curl under the tube to lift it.

- No-2-Ageing

I’d buy one

Take two. More if released in time for Christmas gifts.
By all means, KIS

LOL

Frankly, it seems that the plan has already forgotten about about granny…

I also wonder if a ‘granny light’ could end up being attractive to the average BLF flashlight nut,

or if a BLF member tempting light could end up as a suitable granny light.

You and others have some excellent points regarding geriatric ergonomics.

The idea of a ‘twisty ring for the thumb’ interface seems to be good though, as long as it requires only little force.

But still a press button would be better if the user has some trouble holding it, because the thumb is essential for holding things you don’t want to drop.

But, the idea is to have modes or stepless dimming, and not by ramping (which requires the user to react quickly), but by dialing (or sliding for that matter).

As for the shape, yes, a head that’s larger than the battery tube, and the tail should be larger too, and they shouldn’t be able to roll off surfaces, so they need flat surfaces or something. Maybe hexagonal? Challenging to make that look good, though…

How about the size?

A 18650 light seems a bit thin.

21700 lights too.

A 26650 (C-cell width) light would be better.

But how about the type of battery?

Is granny gonna use it daily?

Probably not.

So it should have batteries that keep their charge for a long time i.m.o.

Maybe the light shouldn’t be round at all, but more the shape of a remote control, which could house 4x CR123A, 2 pairs in series next to each other.

CR123A batteries are ideal for lights that always need to be able to work in emergency situations.

…or is she gonna use it daily? Or daily, but only in winter time?

Another possibility is to make it a light with a mains plug, with NiMH cells that can survive constant charging, so you can keep it charged and only take it out of the wall socket when you need it.

Makes it easy to find too, when it’s always plugged in a wall socket.

.

Okay, enough what abouts, what ifs, maybes and other speculations…

It’s gonna be a USB rechargeable, single cell light with a twisty ring user interface.

Probably 21700 Li-ion and with some flat bits on the head so it won’t roll off the table.

The manual stepless dimming should be good for any user.

Oh, i just thought of something else:

For an elderly person, or perhaps for anyone, although there are drawbacks too…

Thinking of a mechanical motion detector, like in automatic bicycle lights, but implemented differently.

I’m thinking of a blinky mode of some sorts (SOS ?), activated when the light hasn’t moved for, say 5 minutes (or less?).

It alarms the user who forgot to turn it off, but it also functions as an emergency beacon, for when the user stopped functioning… …so to speak…

The drawback is that you can’t use it tail standing for more than those 5 minutes…

It’s always released before Christmas. :wink:

Interested in 3.

I’m in for 1.

drillbit

I’ll take one.

Good. Because the term is highly patronising to senior citizens AND to BLF members who when it is done right see below gonna want to EDC it themselves anyways because the light corrects all the shortcomings endemic to what is available till now.

Project needs a decent working title.

The underpinning philosophy is that the ideal of a great design always functions as a great design regardless of the user(s). Everyone rest assured that we are most definitely trying to create the best i.e. most usable hand held single cell light of its cell class. That means its fool proof. I stress that there is no need to try and think of something to be spastic friendly. Pardon my deliberate non-pc rude term to stretch a point. By creating the best i.e. most ergonomically usable light so what it does it does really well, one shall already de facto create a product suitable for senior citizens. It kills two birds with one stone.

Yes, absolutely if it’s really thought out and done right then I you and any BLF nut gonna want it. Making it good means you make it foolproof hence reliable and inherently usable to ALL people in ALL situations. As an example; Is a hypothetical end user going to want water immersion resistance to IP8X and beyond? … Some will. It doesn’t harm.

Yep. But I am going to vote in this day and age magnetic charging is a must. Either instead of, or ideally together with usb. We want it BLF Nut Pro right? No nonsense quick and indestructible charging connect is the way to go. Think Olight, Klarus, Rofis.
USB=PITA !!!

Good point. As a rule outdoor use demands something like x10 lumens compared with working indoors for comparable tasks. Note for battery choices.

Professional grade end-point voltage control for floating the cell allows keeping any battery on charge indefinitely. I’d hope that corners would not be cut.

Except that it likely involves potentiometer sensing. This would be difficult and expensive to make robust and leak tight to be reliable. IMHO Hall effect stepped switching is optimal ideal with the on-off provided by mech clicky switch for zero standby parasitic drain.

interested if with infinite variable control ring
and very warm Led

That is not the flashlight of the OP.

I will add that to the wishlist