Update 2015-12-14:
We are collecting an interest list for 2nd batch. See here: http://budgetlightforum.com/node/43488
Update 2015-12-03:
All lights are now sold out. Thank you everyone for participating this GB!
Based on the feedback in this thread and PMs, I would say that the GB was quite successful and most of us were happy with the lights we ordered. 
Because there seems to still be some demand, we might try to arrange a new batch => I'll create a new thread about that during the weekend.
Update 2015-11-09:
Participating members have had two weeks to order their lights. That should be more than enough, but there are still some lights left.
What happens now is:
As of *now*, while the stocks last, anyone reading BLF can order these lights.
You can use the following links and code GB348CM to order those beautiful lights for only $6.99 each.
With BLF engraving (<== Affiliate link = "Thank you for the GB!") Non-aff link here.
Without engraving (<== Affiliate link = "Thank you for the GB!") Non-aff link here.
Update 2015-10-26:
Lights are ready, have been shipped to GearBest (will arrive to their warehouse in 2-5 days), and are available for ordering!
The amount produced is more than reservations + waiting list, but there might be other people lurking and still wanting the light - maybe even to the regular price of $9.99
I'll start posting the coupons via PM right away. Same coupon works for engraved and unengraved ones, so you can mix them in your order.
The amount of members to PM is huge and it will take some time. Please be patient.
Please order your lights as soon as possible to make sure you will get them!
Update 2015-10-15:
Lights are finally being produced. The amount produced will contain some extras, so everyone on the waiting list will get in to this GBGB!
Factory estimates the production of the whole batch to be ready before the end of this month (optimistic estimate is 25th).
Product pages are already up, but you still have to wait for the coupon codes.
With BLF engraving (<== Affiliate link = "Thank you for the GB!") Non-aff link here.
Without engraving (<== Affiliate link = "Thank you for the GB!") Non-aff link here.
(Use of aff link in this thread is allowed based on the new guidelines. Thank you Mr. Admin for enabling this!)
Update 2015-09-14:
The reservation period is now over, and production can start! List updated to show the final situation.
When the sales period begins, I'll send a personal message to everyone with a coupon included. After receiving the PM, you will have about one week to order the lights you reserved.
If some reserved lights are not claimed during that period, a common coupon will be published and the rest of the lights will be available for anyone (or actually the fastest ones ;)).
Meanwhile you can just sit back, patiently wait for the production to finish, and enjoy your life!
Update 2015-09-11:
Got my answer and I'm happy with it.
We'll close the registration this Sunday midnight (UTC) => Final amount will be counted after that, so the factory can start production on Monday their time!
The counter below will help you to figure out how much time is still left to join.
Update 2015-09-10:
2nd sample received and approved.
Still waiting for one answer from GB / factory, after that we'll close the registration and start to produce the lights!
If you still want to join, be quick!
Update 2015-08-30:
Some comparison photos & measurements in posts #412 & #413. Looks good, don't you think?
Update 2015-08-29:
The non-engraved sample arrived. Looking good! Initial impressions in post #392
Update 2015-08-24:
Good news! Samples are on their way to Finland and I should get those in a couple of days. If the samples are approved, we are aiming to lock the final amount of lights after next weekend and start the production soon after that => You will still have a couple of days to reserve your lights (= join the GB) after you hear and see how the samples are performing.
I will send the order link and coupon code to all participants as soon as the production starts and Gearbest is ready to take the orders. Please try to be patient and wait until that.
Update 2015-08-10:
Agreed with GB & the factory that we can go over 400pcs and decide the final amount after I have inspected the samples => GB is on again!
Update 2015-08-08:
All 400 lights are now reserved. That did take only three and half days, which might be a new record! Thank you all for joining this GBGB!
I'll try to extend the amount of GB lights, but that's depending on the factory's ability to source more Nichia emitters, so please wait until I get confirmation from them. I won't take new reservations until then => This GB is now ON HOLD.
The factory is currently making samples, which will be delivered to me with DHL. Production will start as soon as I approve the samples.
Original post:
We have had many Group Buys running lately. Some might say "too many", so I haven't really been active on these, until I managed to negotiate this "significantly better than average BLF GB"-type of deal.
Many of us bought SingFire SF-348 from my GBGB about one year ago. I would say that the light was great for the price and I still carry one NW in my pocket - although the "NW" had a tint which was very warm, which bothered some of us.
So I got an idea: What if we could have the same classy and easy to use light with a known good (excellent) emitter? => I contacted GearBest and they agreed to help in this. After heavy negotiations with them and the manufacturer, we are finally here to announce the GBGB:
BLF-348
Essentially a known good SF-348 light, equipped with well known and admired Nichia 219B 5000K 90CRI emitter (NVSW219B-V1 sw50 R9050), and of course a free BLF engraving*.
[* I know some of us want to have our lights nice and clean, so the engraving is optional]
All this for (unbelievable) price of $6.99, including free shipping*. For reference: a bare Nichia 219B emitter is $3.98 at IOS.
[* Shipping will be unregistered. Free registered shipping for orders over $40]
The catch is that we have to reach 400pcs for this GB to happen. On the other hand, knowing how the SF-348 GB went, that should be (easily?) achievable.
So: Is anyone interested?
Please indicate your preference when replying: BLF engraving or no engraving.
And remember: It's time to start preparing for X-mas. This light is a perfect stocking stuffer.
=the=
List of interested members
With BLF engraving:
Without engraving:
Waiting list:
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I’ll take 4 engraved.
I’ll take two engraved and four without engraving.
Get me in for 3 pieces with engraving!
Aloha, Uli
I want two with BLF engraving. 8)
How to Post Images on BLF // Many knives for sale (USA only)
How to move a thread
Nichia 219B 5000K ?
Not 4500K ?
xkcd.com/1603 Li-ion battery safety 101.
IOS lists it as 4750 to 5250K. This emitter.
=the=
IOS has 219B-V1 R9050 not 219B R85 so not the same emitter.
Spec agreed with manufacturer says: "NVSW219BT-V1, sw50, R9050". Sorry for shortening it to 219B in the OP.
=the=
OK then update the title like that 219B-V1 R9050
Updated.
=the=
Thanks the. Put me down for two.
djozz quotes, "it came with chinese lettering that is chinese to me".
"My man mousehole needs one too"
old4570 said "I'm not an expert , so don't suffer from any such technical restrictions".
Old-Lumens. Highly admired and cherished member of Budget Light Forum. 11.5.2011 - 20.12.16. RIP.
I’ll take two without engraving.
I'm switching my BLF account into LumenZilla. Thanks!
3 engraved!
Words can be broken,
so can bones.
Good idea. Make me spend more money why don’t you!
Please put me down for FOUR (4) units. Preference would be with BLF engraving (dependent on type/contect and style).
If the engraving ends up something unattractive or open to misplacement, then I’d prefer blank.
Nice work, keep shining!
Hirsh
Really need to list it as "NVSW219B-V1 5000K" or "NVSW219B 5000K". IOS may be selling this as a substitute but this is a different led from the original (and what we call) 219B. Which is NVSL219B-V1 in 4500K (sw45).
It's still a great high CRI led at a great price when included in the host but it should not be shortened imo.
xkcd.com/1603 Li-ion battery safety 101.
R85 is no longer on nichia’s website. They have changed their binning. It’s now R90 / R9050 (Ra 90min R9 50min) or R9080 (Ra 90min R9 80min). There certainly use to be an “R85”. Somewhere I should have the R85 datasheet, which was 85min 92typ. I don’t recall an R9 value for the R85, I think it was not specified.
Also, at least from the datasheets, 4500K is only available in R9080. Meaning the current 4500K 219B (NVSL219B) should be R9080 and will render red colors better then the 5000K NVSW219B. R9 (saturated red) is an important value because it is where LEDs can be the weakest. More of a reason the NVSW219B is different from the current NVSL219B.
Why R9 is important
xkcd.com/1603 Li-ion battery safety 101.
Is the LED on a copper mcpcb? It makes a difference if you use this light with a 10440 cell.
4 please, all engraved.
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1pcs with BLF engraved
It has standard aluminum MCPCB.
=the=
Is it the same as before with 1 mode?
Yes. Why change something that works.
=the=
Done.
=the=
interested here in 2x BLF engraved if they cost the same
thankkkkkssss mate
5 x without
Thanks for this GB _the_!
What is the UI of this light? (I was not in the last group buy). I have a good collection of small EDC's, with my own perfect emitters, but I'm not able to make my own UI. It would be great if 'they' would do a UI with fast PWM and a 1-3 lumen low low.
link to djozz tests
Please put me down for two. Engraving is fine if it is available and if not that is ok too.
It's the simple things that we take for granted that cost us the most
Ευκαιρία λέει πιάσε με από το μέτωπο γιατί μόλις έχω περάσει δεν θα με πιάσειs
Nice.
but is there a driver that fit this light in case i want to mod it?
UI is very simple: single mode with reverse clicky. I decided to keep it as simple as possible, so that it's easy to hand over the light to a non-flashaholic.
=the=
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