I'm sorry to tell you that Sofirn will probably no longer pursue the development of this model. I have talked to Barry today. Sofirn still has difficulties sourcing Nichia E21A emitters from their supplier(s). Eventually, they will focus on other flashlight projects. Therefore, I see no chance but to suspend this project. :-( Maybe the concept can be salvaged and continued by another manufacturer someday.
Thanks a lot for your great support and confidence. I will keep on trying to find another manufacturer who may be able to develop something similar. Maybe even Hank Wang might be interested, who knows. I will ask him. ;-)
I do not know about Sofirn's further plans regarding C01S. I suggested them to use the 3 mode UI for C01S as well. I can only guess but the odds look good they will eventually use this UI on C01S, too. Same applies for any other tint/color.
Someone mentioned some days ago that Hank is not interested in making AAA/AA sized/compatible flashlights.
I think if we get the C01S hosts without LED and a reel of nice LEDs we could reflow it ourselves (or a few of us with shipping to other members). With all the work and additional shipping it might cost a bit more.
I think virence.com is intending to restock their version at some point, but the timing was unclear even before the pandemic, and that appears to disrupted all of Clemence’s plans.