Imalent’s quality is crap and their design is ugly IMO. Hank makes nice looking lights that are reliable. If he made a larger light with 20k+ lumens I would definitely buy it. He could even offer some lesser seen emitters like the 90 CRI XHP70.2 or 3000k/4000k XHP70.2. It would set him apart from other brands like Imalent that only offer generic “cool white” and “neutral white” (if there even is a NW option at all).
Emisar D18 is already very powerful. You did not provide any reason for wanting more lumens. The issue with you wanting more lumens is that you need a lot more lumens for the difference to be noticeable. D18 is already overpowered for its size and gets very hot very quickly.
It might not make much sense for Hank to make a significantly larger and more powerful flashlight than D18. However, I can think of a few ways a D18-sized flashlight could be improved without offering a lot more lumens.
Perhaps it could use 3x21700 batteries, which wouldn’t make the host much bigger, but it could allow for somewhat higher output and significantly increased runtime.
Perhaps it could have a quad SBT-90.2 option. That could perhaps output close to 20k lumens, and a lot more throw than any D18 today.
Perhaps there could be a USB port and it could work as a powerbank. I think this is a feature that would convince many to buy and carry a larger flashlight. It is probably not easy to implement, otherwise other flashlights with a USB port would already offer this capability.
Yeah, 3x21700 would be a noticable improvement in capacity. I still believe 6x18650 would be better and provide a more stable output.
When it comes to usb charging and powerbank, there shouldn’t be an issue as long as the USB ports are kept separated. One port sith chafging circuitry and one port for powerbank 5V out (separate boost driver).
I still believe that the adding usb charging is one of the things that would significantly improve the D18 without any other changes, and if hank added larger emitter availability, it would make it even better.
Something like an MF01S but with SST70s is what I would go for. Could make a good rival to the X80.
The D18 upgraded with the optics from the D4S and 3x21700. More throw and larger head with superior heatsinking capability.
Also a SBT90.2 K1 with a 2x21700 side by side battery tube and beefier head for extended runtime. Form factor similar to the eagtac M3C4.
I don’t know about all that…… Everytime I take my MS18 out for walks and fire it up yes I do cry but its tears of joy from uncontrollable maniacal laughter ! I also don’t think I’ll find a cheaper alternative that “could” suit me better either but if there is something that can rival that of a portable sun let me know I’ll look into it.
I don’t understand why you would want a 6x18650 form factor D18 that defeats the purpose of the “photon grenade”, Also whats the obsession with usb charging ? Not everyone wants usb charging with powerbank features…… that defeats the purpose of having a fully charged light for use imo, as for improving the D18 “significantly” with usb charging I would disagree its just another point of failure and why sideline a light to charge it when I’m pretty sure the majority of collectors in this niche hobby has chargers for cells already.
I would like something similar in size to an Astrolux MF02, with a combination of 2 or 3 lep for a 1.5 or 2 km of throw, 4 or 5 xhp70 for many flood lumens, maybe another 4 or 5 xp-l hi ( or another more appropriate led, say the experts) for the transition between the flooding of the xhp70 and the launching of the lep. Powered by 4 21700, and fan-cooled, of course with Andúril 2 (when released), what would you think of something like that?
Id be down for this
When you are going out and doing things, it would be nice to be able to charge your phone from your flashlight, rather than needing to also carry a powerbank or a charger.
Well, can you define what you mean by going out and doing things ? its a bit vague as it can mean many different things depending on the person. But me personally I’m a pretty heavy phone user before the pandemic I on days off etc I would be roaming the city in the summer on foot playing pokemon go for 8-10 hours and phone would only need a charge around the 6-7 hour mark and thats 100% screen time.
As for “wanting” to charge your phone from your light thats just questionable why would you choose to carry a bulkier large light to charge a phone when a quality charge is a fraction of the size with multiple ports if you need to charge more than 1 device and carry a good EDC ? Does that mean you are willing to carry something like a MF02 with extension tube to have the capacity to charge your phone and still have enough juice to use as a flashlight ?
Cause without extension tube your looking at 4x18650 lets say 3000mah per, then factor loss from conversion and heat that original 12000 mah is now 8000~ mah and the average smart phone now can have anything between 3500-5000mah and assuming you need to charge that device then its running on fumes already.
I wouldn’t mind a D18v2 but I don’t know if I would want an even larger light.
I’ve asked a couple times, in different threads, if there were any plans for a D18v2 but I’ve never been able to get a definitive answer…. I don’t think the D18 really needs more cells - I like that the D18 is pretty compact for its huge output. I’d personally like to see USB-C charging, aux LED’s, some new anodized colors, and maybe an updated constant current driver - I’d order one with these features, personally. I’ve only held off on the D18 to this point because I was sure that as soon as I order one, the V2 will be announced after mine ships - who knows, maybe one isn’t in the works. I think I’d order one with SST-20 2700k and 5000k tint mix?
Announcing plans for D18V2 before it is ready could affect sales of D18 or his other flashlights, or give other flashlight manufacturers time to make a similar product. It is not surprising you wouldn’t be able to get an answer.
I think the next big opportunity is small EDC flashlights with Anduril that support both 10440/AAA or both 14500/AA batteries. I hope Hank is working on one or more flashlights like this.
Just buy the GT4
I get what you mean, but just a vague, unspecific “we may make a D18V2 eventually” or “no plans at this time” would be great, as I’m pretty sure Hank has hinted at new lights before they’re announced in the past.
Totally agree about a 14500 Anduril light. If you check through that Sofirn Anduril 14500 thread, apparently they were having some challenges getting Anduril to work on a driver small enough for 14500. I’m somewhat doubtful a dual power driver could run Anduril off of a 1.2v AA - 14500 only would be fine by me, but dual power would be even better. 10440, I wouldn’t hold my breath - if they’re struggling to build a ~15mm driver that can run Anduril, its not gonna get done on a 10mm AAA sized driver imo.
I’d like a D18 with 21700 cells and RGB aux LEDs 
What you’re asking for is something different from a D18.
The actual D18 is already over powered for it’s size, so more lumens would just be unpractical and useless - unless you want to have a portable heater…
I’d love to see a D18V2 with aux leds and usb charging though.
The Haikelite HK04 XHP50.2 is pretty badass. But it only does 15,000 lumens…
Go big or go home. Look no further, pure brass Haikelite MT03 is still available.
It weighs 1450 grams. That is a massive upgrade from the Emisar D18! (pun intended)
21k lumens! It can probably hold turbo for more than a minute.
I’d buy anything from Hank
Where would we end up with 3 x 21700? Just increased runtimes?