CPF vs BLF

Not related to the thread title, but to this sentence, yes, flashlights appeal to many people, including kids. But kids don’t have the economic power or “savyness” (whatever!), so grown-ups have to invest (time and money) in the flashlight business to giv’em lights to the kids. And…here we are all :smiley: :money_mouth_face:

As for the ageist conception/argument, I wouldn’t go that way :wink:
BTW, I’m in the mid 30s! :beer: :beer: :smiley:

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Thanks for sharing that ‘Henk4U2’ :+1:
It’s great to watch a World Wide Family :heart_eyes:
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Since we’ve largely departed from forum comparisons and we‘re talking about BLF I’ll say this:

I’ve been here about 4 years, as you can see. I’ve found this forum a more helpful and collaborative experience than anywhere else. The amount of discussion that’s been friendly and positive, and helped me learn is tremendous. I read a lot more than I post and it’s been a highlight in my life. If I need a break from other things I’ll come here and leave feeling happier. Thank you all. BTW, I’m in my 40’s.

Given that internet forums are an “old school” format popular during the analogue modem era, I would expect a demographic old enough to have used those back in the day. Forums have definitely faded into obscurity since social media platforms took off. I don’t think “too many old people” would be the sole reason for an older demographic on a forum.

^ Well a special shout-out to Colonel Light for offering a explanation other than what must be wrong with me :+1:

If I thought BLF was nothing but damaged goods I wouldn’t still be here. Let’s see my view as constructive criticism and endeavor not to prove me right in the future.

I understand that you’re upset, but “promoted to a position of power” is hyperbolic and simply not true. The one and only moderator here continues to be me. The OL Contest has had different organizers and different judges for each of the past several years. I don’t choose them, and I exercise no voice in that process. It just sort of organically happens each year, and my thanks goes to all who have helped thus far. You have a right to politely take up the issue with those that you feel were unfair, but please don’t try to conflate it with corruption or anything else more dramatic than the actual reality, which is a flashlight forum that has one moderator and a meritocratic ad-hoc organizational structure that usually works pretty well.

Wait… so I won’t be promoted to a Position Of Power? So what’re all my bribes gratuities being used for??

I have not been here long on either forum, but from what ive observed, on CPF, they will rubbish anyone asking about LED lenser products, recommending some other brand that i had never heard of or can no longer remember.
This forum also seems to be more orientated to those who build their own custom flashlights or make mods.

CPF is very useful for collectors, of maglites in particular.

When I’ve looked, cpf cares more about the following things:

  • tactical lights
  • the “custom” or “high-end” light scene
  • of course, their sponsor brands

BLF cares more about:

  • bang for the buck
  • DIY/customization

But these are broad generalizations and I rarely poke around over there.

:smiley:

Yep—- :smiley: :+1: :disguised_face:

I remember when BLF was first created, CPF would delete or deride anyone who asked anything about lights from DX, KD, etc, bunch of elitist snobs.

^ What’s the history? Was one a spinoff of the other? Did any other groups come first?

Regarding CPF and BLF? CPF was started long before us. I was a user, specifically interested in an 8x twisty LED Chinese flashlight for about $4. CPF discouraged linking to the Chinese vendors, so we had to refer to specific models as “DX sku 2089” (for a DealExtreme.com product) or “KD #10005” (for a Kaidomain product), which I didn’t like. And then I saw that somebody posted on CPF that it would be nice if they were to create a subforum for “budget lights”, and that’s when BLF was born.

To their credit, on CPF I recently noticed a discussion where the poster asked about a specific Chinese flashlight, and a moderator politely responded with what he knew about it, and then proceeded to say something to the effect of “you might want to ask over on BLF as that’s more along their line”. So that was a properly classy response.

Apart from CPF there were a few budget flashlight bloggers with detailed reviews of cheap lights and active commenter sections.

An observation from a chronologically gifted casual spectator:

There are some people who are members of both forums and who also occasionally simultaneously start a new thread on both the CPF and BLF forums with the exact same first post and the response to those posts (both the number of and the content of the follow-on posts) reveals the most interesting "similarities and differences" between the two forums.

Thanks for the history lesson sb! That all is a bit before my time :wink:

Yes, thanks sb. I can see how that was a motivating experience…

BLF has more Budget Light Fun

It’s nice to know that the hatchet seems to have been buried. After all, we all love lights :smiley:

catchy and modern :+1: