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

A. Grandma didn’t need this light.

B. Grandma is dead.
On a more productive note. I prefer lanyard holes that are large enough for paracord. I’m going to tell Grandma that she should hang this light up by her keys or her coat or by the door and if she’s stepping out after dark it should go with her.

I’d rather put a bright “on” light at the “switch” to have a clear visible indicator that the light is still on. On low (especially in ramping) that is often not easy to see otherwise and will be a common problem “oh I thought its off”.

A locator light will just be confusing and in my opinion its not necessary as most people know where they put it at home (it is usefull when the light is in a backpack or similar, but at home there is dedicated place for the flashlight).

In addition, please make all switches/rings large enough and “grippy” while also easy to turn. Important is a easy visible and tactile feedback for the switch und positioning. hand eye coordination is just one of the things older folks loose too fast, so make it easy to know what one did by looking (visible marker) or feeling (physical marks)

The charging port needs to be easy accessable. those floppy plastic covers and most of the twisty srcew-on covers are a no go for grandma. she could never use it.

I hope for a “best of two worlds” solution for the easy operation of this flashlight: magnetic ring visible and grippy enough while still making the light look good and not like a some bulky eldery-aid.

But we are many months away from a first prototype, there is ample time to evaluate these type of features.

Are you advocating a just-put-it-in-the-inductive-charger-by-the-door type?

Would someone please start BudgetDriverForum?
And convince HJK to publish driver reviews?
Or failing that, find where we can buy better drivers to swap into our amateur hobbyist toy flashlights?

EDIT: oops. He’s been reviewing drivers for quite a while:

https://lygte-info.dk/info/indexLedDrivers%20UK.html

You could make it beep when the battery gets low, like a smoke alarm.
Older people already know what to do when they hear that (call a young person to find the damned thing).

Hmmm… The charging and the parasitic drain when “OFF” are challenging…

Maybe it should be a 2S2P CR123A light?

Make the battery tube rectangular, like these Nitecores:

Won’t roll off the table.

Maybe enough for a thumb wheel (logarithmic potentiometer with a REAL ON/OFF switch) where the buttons are?

(just a thought)

^This.

It’s rather telling that BLF doesn’t even have a dedicated driver subforum.

In for two!

Whatever happened to the Tool AA anduril that was discussed? I’m not getting grandma a 500lm li ion

I liked djozz’s review of the SD03, particularly that it can easily be used with gloves on.

Is it moddable?
I’m always looking for lights I can mod to amber emitters, for myself and elderly friends whose sleep is easily disrupted by white lights.
This looks like an easily held onto shape and a simple UI.

Sounds interesting.

Sign me up for two!

PS, I edited my earlier post about drivers to correct myself.

HKJ has been reviewing drivers for quite a while:

https://lygte-info.dk/info/indexLedDrivers%20UK.html

If not too late for this I would be interested in 2

I disagree. I have Olights that use their special magnetic dock. They are most inconvenient when you can’t find the dock or forget to take it along and then find yourself needing to scramble for a charger that you can borrow. Pretty much impossible at times. Whereas you can alomost certainly borrow a USB cord or if need be buy a USB cord at the grocery, the pharmavy, etc.

Why? Let them use the same USB cables they use with everything else. More likely to get used & not be lost

In :slight_smile:

I agree that the charging should be via USB. However superior in design and function magnetic charging is, IMO that will not outweigh the convenience using a universal standard that is present in most homes. And a USB port is for most people self-explaining.

Btw, the fact that I do not find specialised aiding things for eldery people look particularly elegant has nothing to do with wether or not I respect eldery people.

I agree. The magnetic charging connector is not a good solution. I have two flashlights with magnetic connector for charging. Amutorch X9 and new Imalent DM21C. I wanted to buy the first version of the X9 with a standard USB connector, it was unfortunately sold out. I don’t use the magnetic charging cable for Amutorch at all. Charging the battery outside the flashlight. I would have to have at least three original cables. At home, in the car, at work. For older people, the USB C charging connector is best. It can be used from both sides.

Plagued by a plethora of incompatible cables is not likely to be Grandmas concern now is it?

But grip / dexterity / eyesight ARE.