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.
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…
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.
For quite some time I’ve been thinking about upgrading the light of my 89yo grandma. She really liked her probably 40 years old 2D light though and I didn’t see anything suitable.
So I was naturally quite interested when I saw this thread. Even more so when my nephew broke her light 5 day ago.
Earlier I have thought about giving her a Zanflare F1. But that would be a serious downgrade really:
it’s too small
it’s too throwy for indoor-only use (though I can fix it myself. DC-fix that is.)
the side switch is too small, too hard to locate, gives too little feedback.
the USB port cover requires too much force to open. In practice I would have to leave it loose.
I see that some of these things were mentioned already though the light does not really seem like a good match for my granny.
At the same time it does seem like it would be a great pick for my father in law who is sixty-something. And seems like a good general purpose layman-light. I may end up using it as well for the reason that I love simple ramping UIs and control ring seems like a great way of implementing one.
I support the idea of enabling easy output increase with just adding a solder bridge.
When it comes to USB charging, usually I’m an anti-fan of putting ports on the threads because it’s easy to get something dirty when operating it. But here I’m even more so because it gives users reason to unscrew the light - and I believe that muggles shall never access li-ion cells directly.
My favourite cover style is that of Zanflare F1, followed by a rubber flap.
With charging feature, I wonder how likely it is that people would end up destroying the flashlight by accidentally plugging in the charging cord with Alkaline battery inside the flashlight instead of Ni-MH/Li-ion?
Thanks, I think that you understand exactly what the aim is for this flashlight. Not for your 89 old grandmother (perhaps we can design an upgrade for her 2D light in another project) but indeed for your father in law in his sixties, my parents in law who are in their seventies, but most exactly described: any layman that is not a flashaholic but can appreciate a well performing flashlight, flashoholics included who like well-built easy to operate functional lights.
Although it was my earliest wish for this light, after some reading here and thinking, I think I’m with you on not wanting the USB port in the threads after all. For your reason not wanting to invite people to unscrew the light, but also because, this being a no-manual light, people may not find the USB port easily. In that line of thought, the port must be visible and obvious.
Your suggestion for a solder bridge to double the output sounds interesting, but it requires a “silent” thermal control present in the design so it involves more than just a change of sense resistor, and in general it does not really fit the principle that this light does not have “hidden tricks down its sleeve”. If this light takes off and is a succes, what may make more sense is asking Sofirn for a “downgraded ” version for flasholics with more output, thermal control, maybe a tailswitch etc. etc.
Hmmm…. How great would it be, though… That USB port under the magnet ring… You could have the cut out showing “OFF” too, and indicate the brightness level you’re at (printed on the section inside the ring). Dang waterproofing… Can’t we come up with something clever (but simple) then? Should the light be submersible (yes…) or would ’rain proof’ be enough (no…)?
Meh, never mind.
USB port is good enough with its own rubber flap thingy, i.m.o.
Thanks for pointing those out, raven5221. These may be a solution, although they will prove a challenge for assembly because the need to stick them inside the body hole instead of hoovering behind the hole. It depends on which direction the design goes if these are a good idea to recommend.
Have you ever tried to find a flashlight (without any glowing parts) on your night stand in the dark without knocking it over or onto the floor? I have, and then I have to try to find it on the floor in the dark.
A glowing diffuser is what I sometimes use, if the light itself doesn’t have any glowing parts.
It doesn’t take much glow or light to be seen in the dark next to you on a night stand.
” version for flasholics with more output, thermal control, maybe a tailswitch etc. etc.