Now that China is back full force from their holiday, I hope that now would be a good time to design the next BLF custom light in collaboration with Manafont.com. We had a good time with the BLF AA-Y4E, and both we and Manafont learned a few things from the experience. Overall it was a success, and we got a unique light out of the deal. Now, let's see if we can do better with this next one!
Preliminarily, I would like to use the Farka E09 as the base.
Here's a quick review. The size is pretty nice, 95.8x19.8mm according to the review. In other words, it is marginally smaller than lights such as the Akoray K-106. The design is extremely simple and therefore extremely attractive. I think we would probably want the black color. It should tailstand. And here's what really sold me on the design:
Manafont says that suppliers for the Farka E09 should be no problem. We do need to find the price still. On Alibaba, the price looks fairly reasonable, some of the quotes are as low as $15 but others as high as $45. I don't know if they would have to commit to a quantity of half a million to get that price, but we'll see.
Another question is the mode arrangement. This light is normally a single-mode light, but Farka/Xenoled has multi-mode modules too. Hopefully they can do a swap.
So, please help decide the future of this model. What would you prefer for the following variables?
Maximum reasonable price
LED type
Mode arrangement (quantity, order, and approximate lumen output for each mode)
Mode memory?
NiMH and 14500 support
LED tint
Let us know your thoughts! Hopefully we can get this off the ground quickly. Have fun, cheers.
I would also love to have a variable output like the UF-H2, together with most of Budgeteer's great suggestions. However, I'm not sure if infinitely variable output would be available for a reasonable price. The good news is that the coating and the build quality of this light should be quite good.
Let's keep in mind that we might alienate a lot of potential buyers if we offer a light that only runs on 14500. I also suspect that we might alienate a lot of buyers and create an RMA headache for Manafont if it can't handle 14500. I would strongly recommend a hybrid AA/14500 driver. The BLF AA-Y4E supported both, and it was extremely bright with both AA and 14500. But nevertheless, this is your light. Keep the requests coming please!
LED - XP-G R5 or TIR XM-L. Preferably good throw and some spill.
Mode arrangement - I like very much the UI and electronic driver/switch that zebralight is currently using. For example output 2,5/0,2 ; 8/30 and 140/max Lm.
Mode memory - no
NiMH and 14500 support - primarly alkaline/NiMH AA but should support 14500 also.
LED tint - neutral, cool
What about pocket clip or non-black colour like olive?
LED type: XPG / XML, the higher the bin the better
Mode arrangement: Not sure about exact lumens, but should be 4-mode, moonlight->low->med->high, with high in the vicinity of 200 lumens and moonlight under 3.
Mode memory: Yes, after 1-3 seconds of on time
NiMH and 14500 support: Both, with good support for NiMH
LED tint: Neutral white
Runtime: More than 24 hours on moonlight, more than 1 hour on high
Special features: tailstand, not rolling easily (pocket clip?), flood-to-throw (it's just too useful, especially when batteries are low), maybe also extension tubes for 2 or 3 AA batteries (and an appropriate driver, of course...)?
I would also love to see a 1xAAA version with similar specifications (smaller LED, shorter runtime, of course).
I understand that some people don't want to bother with Li-Ion batteries but for me, personally, AA-only is a dealbreaker. I own way too many AA lights and I've already phased out most of my AA NiMHs. I do on the other hand have plenty of 14500s lying around and in terms of bang-for-the-buck, they just beat NiMH for what I'm using them for.
The baser Farka is a nice light - my vote would be for a ramping driver - the UF-H2 driver would be fine though it would be nice if it ramped more slowly and flashed at both ends. I'd like an XM-L - drawing a maximum of 1.5-1.8A on high from a 14500 - decent NiMHs should be good to 8-9A though obviously this means a short runtime on high (10-15 minutes for an Eneloop)
I'm not fond of 2AA or 3AA designs, so extension tubes are not an issue for me.
I would also like a pocket clip, but I'm not sure how much that would raise the price. I imagine that modifying the basic structure of the flashlight would be the most costly. Unless it was a sort of slide-over sleeve clip, or an Akoray K-106 style clip that is anchored between the tailcap and the midsection.
$20-30 for a XP-G R5. $35 in case the body is very good made (true HAIII) + good coated lens.
2. LED type
R5 with SMO reflector. R5 is floody, so if you put OP reflector, it will be more floodier. I think SMO will conserve throw a little better. But SMO only if the beam pattern is without rings (I remember Don's review of UF U20, with R5 and SMO. As far I remember, he reported very ringy beam profile)
3. Mode arrangement (quantity, order, and approximate lumen output for each mode)
L-M-H or M-L-H. or only one with variable output. No party modes. Will be great to have turbo mode also, at 1,3 or 1,4 A (for a brief use only)
With memory function arrangement isn't important.
4. Mode memory?
Preferable yes
5. NiMH and 14500 support
Both
6. LED tint
Whitest possible with good color reproduction.
Other thoughts:
- some drivers that works with both AA and 14500, modes can be differently spaced when use AA or 14500. Xeno E03 for example: with AA, modes are well spaced, but with 14500 M and H are almost the same, and no L. In this case, one mode with infinite adjustment will be the solution (ITP C7 and other for example), so tactical version is a must for me in this case, I mean momentary on.
- size: no preference, but will not mind a bigger one if the beam will have better patter or better throw
- would be great if it can tailstands
- really want a good coated body. Would not mind paying a few bucks more.
Heck, count me in. I wanna be in the custom light club. LOL
Honestly, I don't know enough about the specs to voice an opinion. I have faith in what others suggest. If it's going to be 14500, I'd like to know so I can combine that with my order that I'm about to place. I have 0 batteries in stock and 5 new lights on the way.
On second thought, can I vote yes AND get one of Match's XM-L?