I'd like to keep it under $20 and since I already have the AA/14500 BLF-Y4E, I'd like a CR123A or compact 18650 light (compact 18650 with a XML at 2A could work). Could go AAA if need be, but then less than $15. Something with ramping and memory would be cool. I'd like to get a XP-G as warm/neutral as a R4 will go, but not green. 3 modes is fine, 2 would be even better.
Frankly a simple XP-G with low-mid-high mode I can easy buy anywhere. A real BLF light must be somehow different than what's currently availible. It should not be to expensive. It must sell easy (otherwise the vendor will not play the game).
I suggest:
- real HA-III (grey, like the TR-801 or sand coloured, like the solarforce would be nice)
- XM-L
- SMO reflector, as throwy as it gets
- it's ok for me, if it's 14500 only
- ramping modes (because a low-mid-high light I could make myself)
- 25 $ max
Hehe... interesting voting choices. Funny thing is, I still have two more BLF Delights sitting here on my desk just itching for some love...which got me to thinking:
-Something the size of the BLF Delight
- XM-L T6 - seems to be a great tint
- Potential for 1.4 amp max (non-continous use). Should net @ 400LM
- 14500's, but could use alkaline in an emergency (due to driver constraints, output would be low only)
- Modes: 1 lumen, 60 lumen, 400 lumen. For me, those settings would cover any situation. Most lights have mode spacing too close.
- Best to use a TIR lens to allow larger heatsink, and if properly made gives a dead sexy beam pattern.
- Removeable pocket clip.
Sad thing is, other than a driver, I have the parts to assemble that light now.
I'm all for the variable output. I have a bunch of flashlight with modes already. Cannot be that expensive considering DX sells such dropin for not much of a premium compared to standard one:
I think if you make a D-10 light with the original u.i. you steal every hard core nitecore lover from nitecore ,sunwayman ,jetbeam and everyone else who's trying to push the selector ring idea .
I think the answer is side button like the klarus ..and then lego the tail & heads ,and put the driver and switch together ..3 piece lego . then ask the user what he wants . Mix a D-10 with a solarforce drop the drop-in idea for a new head built right... Next .. colors .
What do u want xml aa ramping ? fine 48$..what in pink ?? easy 59.95$
BLF light
3 mode...5/40/200 should drop the 4 mode idea unless it's an xml 5/40/175/450
a decent 50/50 mix of flood and throw
the original BLF light was way too slick ,and too big if it's a AA I prefer like the eastward ,smaller with great knurling .keep the same tint as the original blf light it is super sweet, but kill the rings ..
I'm not a huge 14500 fan i'd take a light that was brighter but had no 14500 capability ..want bright grab another light , we are designing a light for us not the general public .
ramping of course or 3 mode memory
removable clip , no flat spots on the body ,Small tastful logo not tacky like" him and her " on the mr.lites.
eastward Grey ,Olive drab ,nitecore brown or grey , something better than black or silver ..
Got 2 of those myself , [ the ramping drop in ] , there so nice I decided it was time for a 2nd before they vanish from DX , just waiting on the new host , so I can do a review of the Drop in + host .
I would prefer something a little out of the ordinary, a AA/14500 powered XM-L fits that quite nicely.
- Price: $40 is about my limit.
- LED type: XM-L driven to be very bright...in a none melty kind of way.
- Mode arrangement: Idealy ramping 1-100% or like the previous light with a nice range starting from very, very low.
- Mode memory: It would be nice if it rememebered the % on the ramping driver, but I'm not bothered too much.
- NiMH and 14500 support: Either is fine.
- LED tint: White...really as long as it's not overtly off coloured then I'm not bothered about the tint.
- Colour: Are you sure you want black? All other lights are black...They do a nice red <hint hint> although I would kill for a nice dark purple :)
Mmm... XM-L with super deep reflector... 
[drolling]
And what about a good zoom to throw XM-L light?
There are very few AA XML lights out. I can't think of any. I would love a 1xAA light with a XML.
- Maybe $35
- XML
- No flashy
- Yes
- NiMH for sure
- don't care much
Newbie here. Been lurking for a while but have to chime in on this one.
If it's to be a AA light then I think an XM-L is wasted on it. AA can't support the current to properly exploit an XM-L.
No strong preferences on the actual light. But as some others have said, it would be nice if the light had some unusual if not unique characteristics. Ramping sort of qualifies. I like the idea of a compact 18650 light, and I hope that what ever it turns out to be it will be well built.
Heyy, a fellow Canadian! Welcome here :D
Aloha and welcome to BLF photon1k!
Welcome photon1k. I initially thought the same thing as you, that an xm-l would be wasted on a AA light. But consider that if one wants a single AA floody light with great tint, then an xm-l makes perfect sense. It doesn't cost much more than an xp-g, runs cooler, and puts out more light...even at 1 amp.
Me too! The potential host is slightly smaller than the Akoray K-106 / Trustfire F20. I think that's fairly compact, although it's not as incredibly compact as, say, the Ultrafire UF-H2.
Good point. I just don't know how much the manufacturer would scalp us for exotic mods.
So, here's a brief summary of what we're arriving at, based more or less on the majority opinion here:
- Price: As low as possible :-) We'll just have to ask Manafont for a quote from their supplier based on these next criterion:
- LED type: XP-G or XM-L
- Mode arrangement: The jury is still out. We'd all love infinitely variable I think, but I suspect this could be really expensive.
- Mode memory: Yes, although if we end up with only 3 modes with no strobe instead of infinitely variable I personally don't think it's strictly necessary.
- NiMH and 14500 support: Both. Mrlite proved that it can be very bright and efficient with a dual-capable driver.
- LED tint: Neutral (5000K?)
So, can anybody suggest an infinitely variable or programmable driver that is affordable and easily available in China? We could maybe suggest this to Manafont, maybe their supplier could use it.
You know what I would like? I'd like a multi-mode 1xAA OSRAM light. They're very hard to find.
It would be interesting, but I don't know how many drivers there are out there for flashlights that are efficient for Osrams.
I just noticed that the E09 is different from the E03 in that it does not have the finger grooves. I am really liking this E09 now, but I'd actually like it if we had options on colors it came in. At least just to give us an option other than black if we prefer.
Thanks for the warm welcome everyone.
You make good points Match. I have been caught up in the efforts of others to explore the max output the XM-L is capable of, and I forgot that it has other things going for it too. Now that you mention it, I am one of those who like a floody light, dislike green or purple tints and running cooler is always a good thing.
Mmm. XML farka e09 neutral tint low-med-high;)
Having another look around, does the E09 have TIR optics. I hope we get a reflector version. (OR both!!!! chuck in a lens too)
Regarding Infinitely variable UI, infinitely variable is good only if the UI is simple enough to use. complicated variable UIs are worse than 3 mode simplicity. The Nitecore D10 is an AWESOME example. It has ramping, AND most importantly shortcuts to high and low, making it a really easy and actually USABLE ramping light. Cant stress that enough.
The D11 is my pet hate, it has ramping which itself is cool, but NO shortcuts to high and low, so if you turn it on, you many need to wait up to 7 seconds of ramping to get to low... = blinded, and sore thumb, IMO cool but not practical. Their shortcuts become disco modes, because we need direct access to SOS more often than low brightness....
So I would like to see the D10 UI, in a budget light with a electrical soft switch (signal level tactile switch) like in the C10A Sunwayman. Ideally also lower lows and minimal parasitic drain. But As much as I would like this, it seems that it might require a redesign of the switch mechanism, which will all cost money to develop/design and write a good UI code. Knowing what its like to get a good torch, I can see this failing badly..
Seems its unfortunately safest to stick to what we have,
Farka E09 (prettier body for that simple look)
Farka E03 (has finger grooves which I dont mind. Has newer emitter, but does it have better run time?? cant remember)
On Another note.. Can we have Xeno remake the G95 (Cant remember if im posting for a BLF light or the Ideal light lol). Regardless that was one pretty torch!!! Seriously good looking SS torch, and an extremely compact 18650 while looking good. It was a 3 mode twisty, but I wouldnt mind that given its looks and 18650 support. Theres also a G105.. Nicer battery tube, not as sure about the head lumps, would love the G95 body on the G105 tail.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=257218&page=1