Aw, I’ve been so eager for the Q8 and this project that the prospect of sharing the body was very exciting. I really, really want the lantern project to succeed, as this design seems better than just throwing some diffuser on top of the Q8.
Would a different driver actually be needed? Narsil has a lot of options, so maybe some combination of its moonlight modes, smooth ramping and mode sets would suffice for a lantern’s needs.
No special driver needed. Anything that drives a 3 volt LED is okay. Ramping could be nice, I have one headlight that ramps and love it.
Thinking if this made it to production, and folks started using lantern, it would be a must have item. Sorry it’s stalled, hope the project gets the support it needs. Good work dbsar
I really want one of these. I was more excited for this than the Q8, and I am looking forward to that also. Hope this project can get the help it needs, wish I was able to help.
I totally agree. Would be so cool to have the Q8 packaged together with this Lantern head as an option. Fenix has the new 650 lumen CL30R out, and is selling the heck out of them for $94 US. The CL30R retails for $144
(CL30R on the right)
I've bought the Fenix diffuser: https://www.amazon.com Fenix Diffuser large on my SRK's and SupFire M6, works well, fits great. Shame it's sold out - I thought it was a great deal at $6, then they dropped it to $5 but has to be tagged onto a $25 order now w/prime.
Certainly not as good a lantern as DBSAR's but it spreads the light out pretty well. Not sure bout efficiency of light thru the diffuser, but I got the BLF Q8 proto driver in one, and another FET+1 driver running Narsil/ramping in an M6 and it is sweet w/ramping, and considering the low output levels are using just one 7135, it's very efficient for battery drain.
So what’s holding up the project? No manufacturer?
That’s the biggest road-block so far at the moment. (I have been over busy lately and have to get a blue-print design and basic specs done up as soon as i can to get it rolling again.
Let us know if you need some help!
will do Thanks.
interested
very nice lantern! im interested. 
Been lurking in this thread for awhile before I joined BLF. Absolutely brilliant work DBSAR (no pun intended…. OK pun intended). I’m glad to see that you threw in a proper moonlight mode. I hope you can find an interested manufacturer eventually, because I’m definitely interested!
Thanks. Once i can get back on my feet and out of this current “rut” i am in right now, i will get the blue print ready to send off to Kronos and a manufacturer to see if it can be eventually put into a production model.
just had an idea, maybe for thoes who want a big (for lack of a better word) visor on the light. a simple coolie hat / Frisbee type thing can be screwed on from the top.
my point being it might make sense to add a tapped hole to the top or even add a low cost visor/shade to cut glare when it is sitting on the table while eating or reading, playing cards type of thing.
.02 worth
That sounds like a good idea. I like the idea of a threaded hole so the visor could be removed /relaced. If its the standard tripod thread size it could also be used to attach one of those gorilla flexible tripods. I’ve used my gorilla tripod attached to my supfire m6 to easily secure to canopies and tree limbs. It works great, I think it would work with this light even better.
just want to tag this - I am interested.
That’s just downright neat and should prove to be extremely handy. Really an innovative thought!
TL
+1 on the lantern and on the shade option.