What type of light would you like the next BLF Special Edition to be? As in developed by us over a year or so from scratch.... like it used to be

[PBWilson]

This thread was a good read. A number of solid ideas that I’d be willing to buy.

I especially like the double-barrel shotgun design with two emitters (one throw, one flood).

Can’t wait to see what else emerges.

[Scallywag]

@Artiet59

@bmengineer

Disappointing that none of the options include a balanced, versatile beam. Just pocket rocket or thrower. Really says a lot about how much this forum values actual utility of a light.

At first I resented your comment, then i thought… you are right. I really, really like the beam profile of the FW21 Pro, and I know part of that is because its high lumens. I also like the design of it too. But i use my lights, everyday, outside and what I would really like is something with the beam style of the FW21 Pro but that could sustain decent outputs for minutes, like 10+ minutes, I don’t know… whatever is reasonable. Maybe 3000 lumens of usable performance? maybe between the size of the Amutorch XT45 and FT03 (First lights that come to mind)? So it’s easily usable/carry-able but also has some mass to be sustainable. Maybe it even has extra copper attached to the driver/mcpcb for heat sinking? Maybe it’s not even that inexpensive? And maybe 4500k-5000k. Who knows. Id pay $100+ for a solidly machined and designed, “smaller” light in a realm like described here. Definitely. And finally, maybe this light already exists and im a moron. So if it does, please guide me. Or you could tell me just run the FW21 or FT03 at 60% output and don’t be an idiot. fair enough, ill accept that too…

You’re looking for the BLF Q8. Maybe something a bit smaller can sustain more lumens if you’re using 50.2s or 70.2s but that’s roughly the kind of size and mass you need.

[ArtieT59]

@Scallywag

@Artiet59

@bmengineer

Disappointing that none of the options include a balanced, versatile beam. Just pocket rocket or thrower. Really says a lot about how much this forum values actual utility of a light.

And finally, maybe this light already exists and im a moron. So if it does, please guide me. Or you could tell me just run the FW21 or FT03 at 60% output and don’t be an idiot. fair enough, ill accept that too…

You’re looking for the BLF Q8. Maybe something a bit smaller can sustain more lumens if you’re using 50.2s or 70.2s but that’s roughly the kind of size and mass you need.

Thank you, I’ve seen that light around but have never given it a serious look. I don’t know any specs. I’ll research it, must be a video of it online, thanks again,

[Old_Frog]

now known as sofirn q8. sweet light.

[slmjim]

I voted multi-head.

I'd like a simple & robust, single-cell tail clicky tube with:

1st choice - 18650

2nd choice - 26650

3rd choice - 21700

capabiliy.

Typical head selections of flood & throw, with high CRI availability and selection of color temps.

A 365 nm UV head with ZWB2 filter.

This next one might be too far out there but, as long as we're spitballin':

a green laser head

a red laser head

slmjim

[Taskulamppu]

I created some simple designs:

Design 2 can be used as a headlamp and as a normal flashlight. I like the idea of having throw and flood in the same flashlight. USB Type-C port would be also nice to have.

[ArtieT59]

@Old Frog

now known as sofirn q8. sweet light.

Awesome, thanks! I checked it out, sounds pretty sweet. Of course I’m leaning toward the SP36 even though I’m sure it doesn’t dissipate heat as well as the Q8.

Side note- I voted for multi emitter thrower. Reason- I just received the Haikelite HK04 SST40 and it’s awesome. Spill and flood due to 4 nice strong emitters. I would love to see some more solid options like this especially from this forum. I know the q8 is similar but the throw on my hk04 due to the deep reflectors is amazing. Makes it’s a great all around light with great battery life.

Also - I vote for 3 18650’s not 4, seems nicer on the hand. Ideally though (2 or 3) 21700. I was really against 21700 at first bc it was just another size battery to buy but now that I’ve beeen using them theyve grown on me.

[Lightbringer]

3×21700 is pretty much the same diameter as 4×18650 (eg, a Q8), so it’s not “smaller” like 3×18650 (eg, a SP36).

Don’t believe me? Using standard circle-packing formulae…

• 3x21700 → 2.154 x 21mm → 45.2mm

• 4x18650 → 2.414 x 18mm → 43.5mm

or a difference of 1.7mm, or about the thickness of 2 stacked dimes.

[texas_shooter]

@Lightbringer

3×21700 is pretty much the same diameter as 4×18650 (eg, a Q8), so it’s not “smaller” like 3×18650 (eg, a SP36).

Don’t believe me? Using standard circle-packing formulae…

• 3x21700 → 2.154 x 21mm → 45.2mm

• 4x18650 → 2.414 x 18mm → 43.5mm

or a difference of 1.7mm, or about the thickness of 2 stacked dimes.

I’d go 3-21700 just to have something different.

[ArtieT59]

@Lightbringer

3×21700 is pretty much the same diameter as 4×18650 (eg, a Q8), so it’s not “smaller” like 3×18650 (eg, a SP36).

Don’t believe me? Using standard circle-packing formulae…

• 3x21700 → 2.154 x 21mm → 45.2mm

• 4x18650 → 2.414 x 18mm → 43.5mm

or a difference of 1.7mm, or about the thickness of 2 stacked dimes.

Yea, I didn’t doubt you. It’s a good point, so I guess it’s all the same unless there is only a 2 x 21700 made (maybe weird in parallel). Although couldn’t 3 x 21700 have more mah’s than 4 x 18650? Approx 15000mah vs 12000mah (considering amperage of both is similar meaning 4 x 18650 could be 14400 mah but with lower amperage then the 21700 @ 15000mah). I don’t know, maybe that’s not ever true.

[Lightbringer]

You could have an over’n’under like the EC4GT, which is hella nice and shouldn’t be too obtrusive using 21s vs 18s.

But as I mentioned elsewhere, it’d likely have to be cast, just like the EC4GT, else you’d be milling away more’n half the block anyway.

[Di_Joker]

Here’s another technology I’ve been waiting for a long time! Flashlight with replaceable LED blocks! I hope this technology will become widespread!

[Scallywag]

@Di_Joker

Here’s another technology I’ve been waiting for a long time! Flashlight with replaceable LED blocks! I hope this technology will become widespread!

I’m picturing that, with two separate e-switches, and two separate anduril drivers.

[RapidLux]

Anyway some flat keychain flashlights
NITECORE TIP2 CREE XP-G3 S3 720 lumen USB Rechargeab Magnetic tail
Fenix E03R keychain flashlight Type-c charging
NItecore TIP SE 700 Lumens 2 x OSRAM P8
NITECORE TIP SE Dual-Core

[RapidLux]

My 2nd choice would be a Sofirn SP36 like flashlight, 3x18650, with 4xXHP 50.2, 10.000lm, usb charger and Anduril.

[texas_shooter]

@RapidLux

My 2nd choice would be a Sofirn SP36 like flashlight, 3x18650, with 4xXHP 50.2, 10.000lm, usb charger and Anduril.

2nd the idea.

[Cythras]

I feel like we still don’t have a truly excellent tailswitch clicky AA/14500 lights that are EDC focused and customization.

[Majoroverkill]

What about a baton light with 4 21700 cells in line like the 6 cell MAG lights back in the day? All the baton lights I find are cheap and unappealing.

[Bardo219]

@ToyKeeper

For a headlamp, I’d love to see something almost tube-shaped. Battery inside, driver and e-switch on one end, tailcap on the other end… and 2 to 8 small LEDs in a straight line along the side in very shallow reflectors. Perhaps E17A or E21A emitters. Floody, high-CRI, and a driver regulated to a moderate power level.

It’d probably be 18650, though 14500 might be feasible if the parts can fit on a smaller driver. Ideally it’d be designed to be pretty lightweight, and would come with a head strap which uses loops to fit two grooves near the ends of the light.

If there’s room for 4 / 6 / 8 LEDs, it could use two color temperatures and do tint ramping between.

Possibly also a T-shaped model with a throwy LED and larger reflector in the center, between two floody LEDs in shallow reflectors. Ramp between flood and throw in a manner similar to tint ramping.

That’s what I’d make, if it was up to me.

I love everything about this idea!!

Personal preference would be 18650 over 14500 for increased runtimes.

[EasyB]

@Cythras

I feel like we still don’t have a truly excellent tailswitch clicky AA/14500 lights that are EDC focused and customization.

I agree. Tail clicky is necessary for carrying clipped to inside pocket. Also deep carry clip is preferable. Not that many lights with these physical characteristics to choose from, then UI and LED offerings limit the choices even more.