Why? Let them use the same USB cables they use with everything else. More likely to get used & not be lost
In 
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.
count me in for this light...
Your idea is certainly right. The induction charging flashlight is sometimes sold by Lidl. But it produces it in large quantities, so the price is low. Sofirn cannot produce it in the same large series. The second argument is that seniors today often use mobile phones. Most use a standard USB interface for charging.
My reaction is also to the deleted post …
Yes, ‘even’ seniors use USB charging, of course.
Yes, USB-C would be best, as long as everything else would be USB-C too…
But by the time this light is on the market, USB-C will be more common, i guess.
Now we only have to figure out how the USB-C port will be accessible.
I.o.w., should there be some flap over it, or should it just be open?
Maybe just give it a rubber / silicone flap, which the end user can decide to remove altogether.
But an open port can be made waterproof too, but adds complexity to the production.
I would go for a standard USB C connector for charging.
I dont like those rubber flaps to cover it. These things are just to small to grab and handle, are always in the way to put the cable in an in a few years there are just worn out and wont stay in place (not just with flashlights!).
I’d rather go in the direction of the zanflare F1 or similar lights with the charging port covert and secured by an screw-on ring of some sort or inside the threads of the body (where you have to unscrew the body partly to charge). However that is not quite intuitive and also quite difficult at times (the zanflare F1 drives my crazy because there is no real open/close position).
My suggestion: Put the charging port at the Tail in place of a classic clicky with a waterproof cover.
(please dont kill me for my paint skills)
cons:
longer body
battery not accessable from the back
not at all what we are used to have
maybe difficult wireing/electronic
pro:
cap can be large and easy to grip.
everybody can unsrew it
intuitive, cause it is known to unscrew the back to change battery at a flashlight
battery not accessable from the back
maybe something new-ish
waterproof
poka yoke
I think that Sofirn will not get away with an open USB port when selling these to flashoholics, even when they are intended to be giveaways they need to have the normal IP67 water and dust proofing. And of course there is the “no manual needed” requirement: without reading manuals, people will use this light in wet conditions and this light should handle that. Even mobile phones are usually rainproof nowadays.
The USB port in the tail will require an extra insulated electrical connection from batt+ to tail, which is a structural challenge that will add costs and is an extra possible failure point. I doubt that this is feasable.
I have asked Sofirn already for looking into a better solution than the eternal rubber flap over the port, suggestions were the Zanflare F1-way or the port in the threads like the Noctigon K1 but they both have disadvantages as well, and hope that they just come up with something once the design starts. If we end up with a flap anyway that is not the end of the world for this budget light, but the aim is a better solution than that.
I’d be in for 2
How about a lumintop GT “Nana”? …sorry. I like the magnetic control ring idea and I’m interested in 1 at least.
Okay, maybe this is an idea:
Twist the magnet-twisty-ring counter clock wise, further than the OFF position, which will reveal an USB-C port.
This means there has to be a hole or a cut out in the magnet-twisty-ring.
But this will not be water proof by itself.
But again, it is possible to make the USB-C socket itself waterproof, but that will (probably) complicate manufacturing.
But while we’re at it, there could be a mechanical battery cut off switch, switched mechanically by the magnet-twisty ring, too.
Then only the stepless dimming is done magnetically.
But this makes real water proofing even more challenging…
I’d like one please
People who really want a magnetic charging solution instead of USB can add it themselves with this sort of thing - of course, it won’t be waterproof.
Eureka!
What if we use the CONTROL RING as a port cover as well? Add a notch to it like the photo above and have a “charging” position in the rotation
And for the tailswitch debate, I think we should just offer both? Like Lumintop does with the Tool for example? If this strains the price too much just make available for purchase separately as we do with shorter battery tubes in other lights?
The USB port under the control ring would be really neat, but it requires waterproofness of the socket itself because sealings attached to or even just touching the ring will certainly have negative impact on the smooth rotation of the ring.
For simplicity of operation as a no-manual light, this light will have just the ring without an extra switch.
About the “wishlist” that is maintained in the OP, because Sofirn will not start the design before februari (Barry told me that a new experienced engineer will join them by then who will work on this light), I can not discuss yet with Sofirn what will and what will not be possible within the set selling price.
I’m in IF we can get infinitely variable brightness on a magnetic control ring.