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

[DeusLight]

I’m interested in one as well.

[Asian8640]

I’m really liking the look of this flashlight. However, I would like to input that although I like the mode spacing, though I think that 10/50/250 lumens would be a much better mode spacing. Due to how we perceive light, the differences between 400 lumens and 250 lumens ia negligible while the run time and thermal improvements from dropping high output below 1A would probably work more towards the intended audience. A BUCK driver would also be preferable for improved efficiency and regulation meaning the end user wouldn’t have to worry about charging it as frequently. Either way, put me down for 1 for now.

[hank]

Speaking tangentially about illuminated canes for walking, well, of course they’re out there. Google finds several.

Here’s a flashlight sized to clip to a cane; removable; made of glow-in-the-dark material too.

Grip on LED Cane Light

And here’s a whole illuminated cane.

Apology for the digression.

[djozz]

Hi Jeff, thanks for your valuable contribution. You have many suggestions that I think are generally useful, some are usefull for seniors but also do not ruin the design for others, and some that I think are useful for the 75+ segment but would make the light less attractive for other people, since this is not strictly a light for seniors. And then there is cradle-charging that apart from making the charging less universal may just be too expensive

What I will ad to the wish-list:

*smooth bezel but with a few small cutouts that let light to the side when bezel-standing.
*a quality USB-C socket that allows some abuse. At least USB-C can not be connected the wrong way around.
*up for discussion but I like the idea: charging up to 4.1V instead of 4.2V to preserve battery life
*although I think black will be most popular, clear ano or other very visible colours should be an option. Already on the wishlist is the control ring in a contrasting colour.
*if it can be done attractively, a contrasting colour if the USB-port gets a cover.

What I doubt will happen, although I understand the reasons for easy handling and runtime: 21700 size. First because the many who are already on the interest list will not expect that change, but also because it will largely kill the possibility to pocket-carry the light, which I expect many will do once it is there (especially if a 18350 tube will happen).

I added you to the list in the hope that the design will end up to your liking

[djozz]

@Asian8640

I’m really liking the look of this flashlight. However, I would like to input that although I like the mode spacing, though I think that 10/50/250 lumens would be a much better mode spacing. Due to how we perceive light, the differences between 400 lumens and 250 lumens ia negligible while the run time and thermal improvements from dropping high output below 1A would probably work more towards the intended audience. A BUCK driver would also be preferable for improved efficiency and regulation meaning the end user wouldn’t have to worry about charging it as frequently. Either way, put me down for 1 for now.

Although I agree that 250 lumen is plenty for most, and that it will add to heat safety and runtime, I think that less lights will sell to us flashoholics if the max is “just” 250 lumen. The 500 was chosen as a fairly safe maximum output that will still appeal to flashoholics.

[djozz]

@hank, I totally missed the cane illumination subject sofar but please digress

[jeff51]

djozz,
Keep after this. It’s something that needs doing.
It should be available through Amazon.
There are lots of potential users that would skip the light if the only way to get one is PayPal and China direct.
All the Best,
Jeff

[Jerommel]

@djozz

What I doubt will happen, although I understand the reasons for easy handling and runtime: 21700 size. First because the many who are already on the interest list will not expect that change,

Do you really think so? It only adds 5mm in length and 3mm in width and consequently a couple of grams.

but also because it will largely kill the possibility to pocket-carry the light,

I wonder if it makes enough difference for it to be beyond pocket carry-able. Maybe due to the weight increase, though.
But then again, come to think of it, i haven’t got a 21700 light yet… :person_facepalming:
Good excuse to get one !

which I expect many will do once it is there (especially if a 18350 tube will happen).

I wonder if it will be as cute in a short version as short headed triple and quad lights.
But there are apparently 20350 batteries out there already (iJoy).

I added you to the list in the hope that the design will end up to your liking

To me it doesn’t matter too much if it’s 18650 or 21700.
But, the difference between 3500 and 5000 mAh is considerable.
5000 is 42% more than 3500.

I’m mainly looking forward to the “volume knob” dimming of this light.
That would be awesome.
It’ll probably be the biggest challenge to get it to work properly, evenly and logarithmically.
With a short movement slider you can suffice with 1 single Hall sensor, but if you want to spread the dimming over a (let’s say, at least) 120° rotation, you’ll probably need 2 or 3 Hall sensors and some clever electronics and / or firmware to translate that to intuitively expected brightness levels, on a logarithmic scale.

In fact, i think it would be wise if someone already started experimenting with this.

[hank]

>cane illumination

I’m thinking of attention-getting lighting for use in pedestrian crosswalks where I now find strobe most useful.

But that illuminated cane I found uses those pathetic little 12v cells, not a robust rechargeable battery.

Including as an option something like the clips that attach flashlights to bicycle handlebars would be helpful to people using walkers or canes who would otherwise have their hands full carrying anything besides the flashlight.

Here’s a motion sensor light that attaches to a cane or walker:
https://www.amazon.com/Path-Light-Attachment-Automatic-Mobility/dp/B071ZHNH54/ref=sr_1_27?keywords=lighted+walking+stick&qid=1578864833&sr=8-27

Reading the reviews, that has a lot of useful features. Turns on when moved, turns off after brief timeout when not moving, turns the light off when entering an illuminated area like indoors or under streetlights. 3xAAA, the usual blue-white. $20.

SmartSense technology turns ON the light in low light conditions and when the unit is in motion
In the dark, the light stays on for 12 seconds after motion has stopped
In the dark, when not in motion, the SmartSense technology will turn on the Night Beacon LED, making it easy to find your cane or walker in the dark

Moddable? I think I have to find out.

[Agro]

@Jerommel

I’m mainly looking forward to the “volume knob” dimming of this light.
That would be awesome.

Same here.
BTW, I don’t feel the need to limit output of a muggle light except for children lights (before a child is trained to not shine at other people) and extremely powerful lights. I’d rather give them 1500 lm lights than 500 lm ones.

[djozz]

@Agro

@Jerommel

I’m mainly looking forward to the “volume knob” dimming of this light.
That would be awesome.

Same here.
BTW, I don’t feel the need to limit output of a muggle light except for children lights (before a child is trained to not shine at other people) and extremely powerful lights. I’d rather give them 1500 lm lights than 500 lm ones.

I agree with that for flashoholics and some of my friends, but most people I know would get worried about how hot the light can get, and after that are surprised that the light starts dimming (“is it broke?”), assuming thermal regulation at these power levels, while in the course of the discussions in this thread I’m more and more convinced that this build should be a no-manual flashlight without surprises.

[gman7228]

I’m interested in three as long as it turns out to be kid friendly which means not enough lumens to hurt the eyes. If we want to grow the flashaholic community, you gotta get ’em early. I like the ring control too. Clix aren’t for kids.

[abneustadt]

Hi,
i´m interested in 4 pieces. A wish would be a charging docking and voltage only to 4-4.1V.
greets
André

[figment]

I’m interested in 2 of these.

[Airtrade]

I would be in for 3 of these.

[prototype3a]

I would be interested in a few of these if it is a smooth, fairly floody beam. If it’s a deep reflector and a 300meter beam, I’m out.

[slmjim]

Interested

slmjim

[djozz]

The current amount of flashlights interested in, BLF and TLF combined, is 375.

[JoeH12.81]

I’m in for a couple. Very interesting and fills a need for many. In addition to the grandma’s of the world, I feel like this is aimed at young budding flashoholics who love Dad’s (or Mom’s) lights, just that none are child friendly.

Well done djozz, looking forward to more information as it becomes available.

[cm02WS6]

I’m interested in one.

This will be nice for the kids.