Describe for me your dream torch

Lets see:

Triple XML in a a D36 or even Mag sized head with optics that make the XMLs spot the size of the spot of a xpg/narrow Carlco triple.

A completely programmable UI with user selectable number of modes, current from 10A to 1 mA, memory, thermal regulation, voltage cut-offs, type of regulation, and slots to store your presets so that you can change the UI without going through the whole thing. Maybe even a PC interface.

Side-by side 18650 body (parallel) with option for 26650 or even up to 32900. :) Dual side switch (on-off/mode selection) and a section between the led and the switch with a structure containing heatpipes attached to cooling fins (I wish I could draw it. It would work LOL)

That would be my "big dog" I'd still need an EDC. :) (Haggai's sound pretty good, I want AA though)

A hot rod Led Lenser P17 with an XM-L driven hard.

(coundnotresistFoy)

If I could figure out how to stick a piece of QTC in a Sipik SK68 I'd be set. Really, I have simple desires.

My dream torch is a 6-mode (H-MH-M-ML-L-Strobe) 1x18650 XM-L with perfect mode memory. It has the 5 brightness levels so that it can be used indoors and outdoors. The flashlight is bright on high, but doesn't overheat, and has decent runtime at lower brightness levels. It tailstands and doesn't have any sharp edges. Kinda boring and practical, but that's what I want.

What I'd want would be more than I could afford. Two or three (probably two would be more manageable) side-by-side 18650s in an insulated body so the cells don't get cooked attached to a big chunk of copper - ideally the reflector would be machined out of copper then silvered with an XM-L reflow soldered directly to the head/reflector. Driven as hard as the LED can take. A reflector form like the MRV would be good, a lot of throw and decent spill - the dedicated thrower is a less useful general purpose device.

And infinitely variable output too. But that seems not to be an issue with QTC pills. They say they can take 10A at 40V.

Great suggestions...let me comment:

[quote= langcjl]

I would like a combo r2 recoil with an xm-l and small reflector placed on the front side of the emitter post

[/quote]

Are you thinking of running them both at the same time or selectable?

[quote= Haggai]

iTP A3 size and UI (but with memory that kicks in instantly), with 300 lumens at high with 1 battery, support extension tubes (at least 2) with a lower-low when they're attached (same output as 1 battery low), support "safe" chemistries (Alkalines, NiMH, LiFePo4), three parts (tail, body, head), can tailstand with or without extension tubes (one extension tube has foldable legs), doesn't get hot on high while not handheld (thermally regulated).

Accessories: Detachable tripod mount (a small extension tube) or another method to hold it firmly on a tripod, remote switch.

Bonus: Flood to throw, replacable heads (at least one is 365nm UV), high speed rechargable (110-250v mains, car) capacitor battery as a replacement body.

[/quote]

Haggai, I think you're looking for the swiss-army style 1xAAA . Actually, the idea of having an extension tube is a good idea for that light (along with foldable legs).

[quote= Boaz]

still want a 3 AA xml at about 500L 4 mode w/usable low...

[/quote]

heh...you and me both. The host you linked would work, but I think it could be made much smaller.

[quote=mitro]

Triple XML in a a D36 or even Mag sized head with optics that make the XMLs spot the size of the spot of a xpg/narrow Carlco triple.

[/quote]

Again, good idea. I'm using the narrowest optics available now, and they're still a bit too floody. One idea I've been kicking around lately is using 3 manafont SM P60 reflectors trimmed at 120 degrees to allow fitment into a mag D head. It should provide outstanding throw, and is entirely doable. This was actually the route I was first going to take before I was overcome with the urge to stuff 6 of them in there...

[quote= FlashlightFoy]

A hot rod Led Lenser P17 with an XM-L driven hard.

[/quote]

[quote= Be-Seen Triker]

3 mode hi-100%, med-60%, and a slow strobe at 2hz. 1x 18650 able to drive an XP-G at 1400ma.

[/quote]

This is interesting... When looking at the mode selection on some torches at DX, I've always wondered why some lights had a high/med/strobe....Not being a cyclist myself, I overlooked that niche. Really makes sense once I think about it. You're right though...there aren't any out there now that'll push 1.4a. Although should be easy using Tido's guide with the Atiny chip. That's one thing I've been meaning to try....

[quote= Jekostas]

If I could figure out how to stick a piece of QTC in a Sipik SK68 I'd be set.

[/quote]

That's one torch I've been meaning to order...wish I had one on hand to help you out. Looking at the tailcap, it may be possible to replace the spring with a copper/qtc sandwich and use the tailcap to vary brightness. Not the best solution though....

[quote= racoon city]

My dream torch is a 6-mode (H-MH-M-ML-L-Strobe) 1x18650 XM-L

[/quote]

Other than lack of strobe, a well designed variable switch using a qtc might be right up your ally.

[quote= Don]

Two or three (probably two would be more manageable) side-by-side 18650s in an insulated body so the cells don't get cooked attached to a big chunk of copper...

[/quote]

This. This is what I've been thinking about for awhile. I've got the tubing, I've got the head design, and I think I know a reflector that would work out well....My only hold-up is trying to figure out a novel way of battery access other than two separate caps.

Great Ideas guys....this is fun








Actually, I wouldn't miss strobe very much. qtc rules!

I would want the r2 and XM-l running at the same time. User selectability between the two emitter sounds pretty cool too though. Hadn’t thought of it.

I'm very badly into AA lights lately. Got a four 1xAA, two 2xAA and one 4xAA lights just in a month. I guess following the same rule I'll buy that new Fenix TK41 (8xAA) too.

So my dream light would be, a 3xAA light, 3xAA's preferrably dropped into the body not to require an adaptors bulk, or with spare adapters to let fast changes. Two lights come into my mind

1) 3xAA sitting in a triangle shape like all those 3xAAA setups with a throwy head,

2) A right angle, floodier head with 3xAA's parallel and sitting on the same plate.

I expect two buttons, one as a forward clicky and the other for modes. Modes should be at least four brightness levels, like Fenix's do, Turbo, high, mid and low (I mean real >200h low), while there should be three flashing modes (beacon, random strobe, mid brightness to down gradual 2sec flash) hidden behind a combination or long press.

Fenix LD40 makes more than half of this but 2s2p setup of AA's make it a bulky one.

I want a ramping light that has more precise control over the low end. Trying to fight myself not to buy a Sunwayman V10A/V20A. I wish there was a more budget friendly variant of this.

God, I'm glad that I'm right on this. Fenix has a new light, LD30 with 3xAA in a more sizeable package, throwy plus flooder by a zoom head, two buttons for modes and on/off and most likely to be a four modes + hidden strobes and forward clicky.

Look at the link and see post #257 for the pics and details.

I want an affordable triple XML Mag dropin . Kind of like a Fusion36 beam , but 3 or 4 times as bright .

EDIT: (And Match if you could make it variable with the little pill that would be cool ...)

DOUBLE EDIT: And I'm definitely in for 1 if it's ever a reality .

definitely

I like the LD30-bonus if it has a smooth beam in between flood and throw, but I doubt it, as that would be a HUGE breakthough. But my ideal light-Zebralight with more output, rotating diffuser, and programmable modes-never happening, but one can hope...

OMG when will they release those new fenix lights? That TK70 looks like a BEAST. The other ones look more realistic and very interesting! Anyone know where I can find info on release etc.?

After playing with these QTC pills, I must say I really want the variable output in my lights. I like 18650 lights for runtime, so I'd say my light would be variable output, 18650, XM-L driven at 3a on high and then I could select the brightness I want. I really like dust/waterproofness in my lights, as well as HAIII.

Heck, I could probably figure out a way to fab up a light like this. I think I may work on a mini-match mod like this. I have the xm-l, the driver, the QTC...but I'll run it on 2 AA.

[quote=jacktheclipper]

I want an affordable triple XML Mag dropin . Kind of like a Fusion36 beam , but 3 or 4 times as bright .

EDIT: (And Match if you could make it variable with the little pill that would be cool ...)

[/quote]

You know Jack, that actually wouldn't be bad at all. Since the threaded head is useless for focus it could be used for qtc variable output. I like it!

Especially as the pitch is quite fine so you'd get a nice smooth variation in output.

My ideal flashlight would have the following features:

  • Runs on AA or protected AW14500 batteries
  • Small - ideally similiar in size to the Jetbeam PA-01. But if necessary could be a bit larger. Clean cylinders are preferred. I don't like having a wider head.
  • Infinitely variable brightness selector ring - same interface as that used on the Sunwayman V10a... but smaller.
  • Able to produce at least 250 lumens on 14500. On max power, the light should be able to run for at least 30 minutes on 14500 without overheating.
  • Full regulation
  • Can tailstand
  • Fairly stiff reverse clicky switch. Similar to that of the jetbeam PA01. Stiff enough it probably won't turn on accidentally.
  • zoomable aspheric lense. Either a push-pull, or maybe some kind of ring control so as you turn a zoom selector ring the lens focuses. It would be cool to have a light with 2 control rings next to eachother: one for brightness and one for zoom.
  • Full knurling - I liked the knurling on the jeatbeam PA01 or Nitecore EZAA. Something similar to that.

Nah, a good build quality light (Fenix, Nitecore... but not big) with 3 programmable modes & memory, good linear driver with good regulation, 1x14500 or 186500 (not both in the same light I mean, or 14500/AA or 18650), tailstand, 1x XPG or XML. Nothing special :p (well, perhaps interchangable lenses or simply FTT light)

Don't think I've said hello already so:

Welcome to BLF Firelight2!

Good to have you here.

I'm not a fan of FTT lights but that's just me. I took 20 years to tolerate zoom lenses on cameras and am still a bit dubious about them - 30 years ago I made a (poor) living from selling cameras and lenses.

I'm not a fan of too-stiff switches but I can see where you are coming from - my lights tend to live on my belt so accidental activation of lights is less of an issue.

Not sure that two different rings would be all that usable for me.

But we are all different and it is always interesting to hear what other folks want - there are often things I'd not thought of.

So please do feel free to join in!

I tend to go through phases where I want different types of lights. Right now I like the idea of a flood-to-throw pocket light. But before that I was looking at small-sized AA/14500 reflector lights and before that I was looking at AAA reflector lights.

Best pocket-sized reflector light I tried was the zebralight SC51. Small and short. Good heat-sinking, bright for its size. Runs on both AA and 14500. No knurling (but easily fixed with some grip tape). Excellent UI that allowed all modes to be instantly accessed with 1 button:

  • press button briefly - max power
  • press and hold for 0.5 seconds - minimum power
  • double-click button from off position - medium power.

Biggest things I didn't like about it were no zoom, so its throw wasn't very good, lack of knurling, and the mount for the clip protrudes when not using the clip. Electronic side-switch is easily depressed, but accidental activation can be prevented with tailcap lockout.