** BLF LT1M-Mini Project - The little Lantern! ( PM's sent today June 21, 2022)**

As a reference, (I posted about it before) here is my take on a mini lantern, based on a 18650 flashlight, a Nichia E21A (2000K R9050) and an optic robbed from an old Philips led bulb. It is about as large as I would like the LTmini to be (the body is wide for an 18650 so a 21700 version of this would not be larger).

I have it in use for two years now and it is quite perfect and has great runtime for the purpose (usually it is a all-night light for my son at less than 10 lumen). It hangs or tailstands.

I love it ! This is the type of size I had in mind, perfect for backpack carrying.

People were in the groupbuy for 21700 battery. Changing the battery from one day to other to 26650 for me is a worse change.

Even if can use it with a short 21700 the thick body is still there.

The mini doesn’t look that mini.

After some studying the pictures, I assume that the length and width of the IF25 are preserved in this 26650 version? So it is not really bigger than the prototype? Still I think that 21700 battery tube size would be best.

As a (late) suggestion, perhaps the illuminating head could be downsized to make it more compact too. I know that it is tested by Den and he finds that the large surface area of the light source is good for soft illumination, but we are trying a compact LT1, if the head size is halved the “softness” will still be very ok. My lantern above has a very small surface area and it is still a pleasant illumination.

I actually like the idea of the LT1M becoming an 26650 light, given that I already have 26650s, but no 21700s.

The option to use 3×AAA cells in an adaptor for emergencies also appeals, since I have lots of AAA Eneloops. Although you can power the original LT1 from an external battery pack at reduced output, that arrangement isn’t a good plan in damp environments, so the ability to put AAAs inside the LT1M would be superior in that respect.

As Lux-Perpetua said there are a number of pros in the ability to use a 26650 battery. Do they outweigh the larger diameter? That’s of course up to the individual to decide. Better stability against tipping over was discussed at length and for me that’s an important thing. And something to consider is that Sofirn is going to be marketing the mini to people other than us. I suspect that the ability to use AAA batteries in an emergency will be a plus for many non-BLF members.

It’s too bad that 26650 batteries don’t have any more capacity than 21700’s, but that’s a subject for another conversation.

Exactly! in a pinch, a 3-AAA cell holder can run it. Having the LT1M able to use either 21700, 18650, 26650, or a 3-AAA holder even from a dollar store light in an emergency adds to its versatility. (Also being slightly wider at the base makes it more stable. :+1:

Great photos Lux! While its taller than some super compact lanterns, its still a lot smaller & lighter than the full-size LT1.

Since the head is wider than the base, a circular plate could be unscrewed from the top of the head and screwed on the bottom of the battery tube. Narrow for packing but a wide base when needed. Adds a part you can lose through.

I agree with the LT1 team, I’d much prefer a 26650 version for the extra stability and battery flexibility.

Nothing worse than having a lantern which just constantly tips over when resting on any remotely uneven surface or from the smallest of forces.

I like this change, but feel like the stability issue is just inherent to the design being a lantern head on the end of a flashlight, instead of a lantern designed from the ground up as a lantern. Maybe in a future project we could see a design without a separate body at all, with a single cell in the center of the head surrounded by the emitters? I’m picturing something like a BLF-ified Fenix CL26R. I get that there are costs and manufacturing issues and all that associated with building a new design from scratch, and I’m definitely not complaining about the LT1M, but maybe that’s an idea someone much more qualified than I am could tinker with eventually.

That appears to be a very nice light mod, djozz. It fulfills the “mini” idea.

It’s just a prototype now. The body size can be changed but different people have different opinions. How about a poll?

It’s not easy to wait such a long time for the LT1-mini, I hope most people like it.

If there is a poll then I’d argue for a short one. Say a week at most?

One of the things I’m concerned about is a never ending serious of comments on what changes should be made to the design. If you recall on the LT project the final design was held up for months because various people were arguing for things they just had to have (USB C springs to mind).

My preference is that we accept a design and go-forward with it, and if people are happy with it then they’ll buy it.

Excellence is the enemy of good enough.

Could there be multiple sized bodies available, chosen at time of purchase?

That’s certainly up to Sofirn but I think that would needlessly complicate things for them as well as their supply chain. But that’s up to them of course.

Looks good! Will there be springs at both ends for flat top cells? What about low Voltage cut off and reverse polarity protection?

Thanks for all of your efforts on these lanterns!

Yes, make a poll. I’d vote for a 21700 body. I have a number of aa lights that I have bought for emergency purposes, but I just don’t use them after all. To be honest I always have extra 18650 cells and a suoer compact charger with me wherever I go, so the idea of being able to find aa batteries anywhere is a moot point. I’ll gladly buy some 21700 cells to go with this light, and possibly a 21700 pocket flashlight too.

Even though i have a few 26650 cells too, i wouldnt neccesarily want my mini lantern to use those. Too heavy and large in diameter.

I think the idea of the base that screws off of the head to be able to reinstall on the base is a GREAT idea. I also thought of 3 thin legs that fold down from the handle to form a tripod of sorts.

The 26650 is not a problem for me, in fact I like it. But if it is skinnied up, that is fine too. Either way I want this lantern!