MRsDNF wrote:

Looks like its dropped as it was 3.5 years ago. I was going to get the above light built in quantity and sell as a host but it was going to cost to much and I didn’t think I’d sell any.

My thinking about this, if can have standard thread for hosts and pill and become popular enough, may be can become justification for more people to get one or two customized host that suitable for their liking.
I’m not saying current P60 without threading pill can’t handle heat good enough (I’m kind of on the side that believe as long as dtp mcpcb with good enough pill is enough as general), but with threading pill other than better heat transfer that may or may not affecting led durability and efficiency, it will give more solid feeling.

More than one time, I’m thinking you and other that have skill to make nice host and sophisticated modding, really is more suitable in “other” forum, but BLF still need you all to lighten up this forum

I would LOVE to see a BLF version of the Olight SMini. I really want a small EDC running whatever LED I want and a UI like Crescendo or Narsil. In fact, I’ve been looking for suitable hosts for something similar for the past week, and the best I can find are significantly larger, with outdated electronics, and cost almost as much as the D4. I’ve basically resigned myself to the fact that the D4 with the shorty tube is going to be tough to beat.

But something like the S Mini that I can flash and swap LED’s on has me extremely interested.

schiesz wrote:

I would LOVE to see a BLF version of the Olight SMini. I really want a small EDC running whatever LED I want and a UI like Crescendo or Narsil. In fact, I’ve been looking for suitable hosts for something similar for the past week, and the best I can find are significantly larger, with outdated electronics, and cost almost as much as the D4. I’ve basically resigned myself to the fact that the D4 with the shorty tube is going to be tough to beat.

But something like the S Mini that I can flash and swap LED’s on has me extremely interested.

Enderman wrote:

schiesz wrote:

I would LOVE to see a BLF version of the Olight SMini. I really want a small EDC running whatever LED I want and a UI like Crescendo or Narsil. In fact, I’ve been looking for suitable hosts for something similar for the past week, and the best I can find are significantly larger, with outdated electronics, and cost almost as much as the D4. I’ve basically resigned myself to the fact that the D4 with the shorty tube is going to be tough to beat.

But something like the S Mini that I can flash and swap LED’s on has me extremely interested.

This is basically the same size, just a few mm longer.
https://www.gearbest.com/led-flashlights/pp_361933.html

There is also a clone of the OTR light even cheaper! It has a terrible UI, but had a regular price of $15. That might make for a suitable host. I had only seen it on Aliexpress, but now it shows the product is no longer available.

Someone here, I think it was Tom E, took an M3 and piggy backed a new driver on it and had it running Narsil. It was very cool.

I’ll have to watch for sales then. Price is too close to the D4 to make it worth getting the clone and waiting for the shipping.

But one of those running Narsil or Crescendo is the idea

JasonWW wrote:

Enderman wrote:

This is basically the same size, just a few mm longer.
https://www.gearbest.com/led-flashlights/pp_361933.html

The M3 is the old model. The newest version is the U16. It’s basically the same, but with usb recharging added. Was recently on sale for $20.
https://m.gearbest.com/led-flashlights/pp_642833.html

There is also a clone of the OTR light even cheaper! It has a terrible UI, but had a regular price of $15. That might make for a suitable host. I had only seen it on Aliexpress, but now it shows the product is no longer available.

Someone here, I think it was Tom E, took an M3 and piggy backed a new driver on it and had it running Narsil. It was very cool.

Although I don’t see any usb charging on the U16.

And I just found a review that says the M3 has an LED indicator under the switch! Anyobe know of the U16 has that as well?

schiesz wrote:

Although I don’t see any usb charging on the U16.

And I just found a review that says the M3 has an LED indicator under the switch! Anyobe know of the U16 has that as well?

The U16 should have everthing the M3 has including the red led under the switch. It’s a bit hard to see though, since the switch cover is white. I could just barely see the red light when my battery was low.

A blue one and a red one :

https://youtu.be/UlfTWDxI3uo?t=4m1s

Here is the M3 running Narsil.
http://budgetlightforum.com/comment/1134511#comment-1134511

JasonWW wrote:

There is also a clone of the OTR light even cheaper! It has a terrible UI, but had a regular price of $15. That might make for a suitable host. I had only seen it on Aliexpress, but now it shows the product is no longer available.

I guess they have it back again, but the priced has doubled
I had that light under sight, but, as you said, the UI is not that great and I have no means to reflash it, so I ended up buying a Olight S1R Baton.

Here’s the link for the Jaxmanve light (OTR clone). Also, I guess that in this store, they pick up some common models of lights and mod them to sell, that’s why this is almost an M3 with a different LED (and driver).
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Mini-flashlight-USB-charging-EDC-ultra-small-hand-light-portable-16340-miniature-pocket-side-by-flashlight/32821588455.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.1.ubvGMw&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_4_10152_10065_10151_10068_10344_10342_10343_10340_10341_10304_10307_10301_10060_10155_10154_10056_10055_10054_5370016_10059_10534_10533_10532_100031_10099_10338_10339_5580016_10103_10102_10052_10053_10142_10107_10050_10051_10084_10083_10080_10082_10081_10177_5590016_10110_10111_10112_10113_10114_143_10312_10314_10078_10079_10073,searchweb201603_19,ppcSwitch_5&btsid=75fa6ced-74ee-4cbe-8a84-2c66192d2355&algo_expid=012d0a7e-8f62-4ba6-88e1-0f360939aac1-0&algo_pvid=012d0a7e-8f62-4ba6-88e1-0f360939aac1

And here’s the link for the On The Road store on AliExpress. I guess that right now, with Gearbest coupons, it is worth to buy a OTR at GB and not here, but they have different models too, such as the OTR M1, with tail click that I never saw on GB at sale.
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/ON-THE-ROAD-M1-Mini-LED-Flashlight-for-camping-hiking-high-power-outdoor-torch/3081046_32824084847.html?spm=2114.12010608.0.0.7cb675faK7cBX1

BTW, in a future project, I would love to have a BLF light with these characteristics, small, pocketable, taking 16430 and 18350 batteries, a good driver, with a decent driver (Narsil or Anduril; don’t own any with these, but I love the concept of a “progressive driver”).

MascaratumB wrote:

JasonWW wrote:

There is also a clone of the OTR light even cheaper! It has a terrible UI, but had a regular price of $15. That might make for a suitable host. I had only seen it on Aliexpress, but now it shows the product is no longer available.

I guess they have it back again, but the priced has doubled
I had that light under sight, but, as you said, the UI is not that great and I have no means to reflash it, so I ended up buying a Olight S1R Baton.

Here’s the link for the Jaxmanve light (OTR clone). Also, I guess that in this store, they pick up some common models of lights and mod them to sell, that’s why this is almost an M3 with a different LED (and driver).
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Mini-flashlight-USB-charging-EDC-ultra-small-hand-light-portable-16340-miniature-pocket-side-by-flashlight/32821588455.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.1.ubvGMw&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_4_10152_10065_10151_10068_10344_10342_10343_10340_10341_10304_10307_10301_10060_10155_10154_10056_10055_10054_5370016_10059_10534_10533_10532_100031_10099_10338_10339_5580016_10103_10102_10052_10053_10142_10107_10050_10051_10084_10083_10080_10082_10081_10177_5590016_10110_10111_10112_10113_10114_143_10312_10314_10078_10079_10073,searchweb201603_19,ppcSwitch_5&btsid=75fa6ced-74ee-4cbe-8a84-2c66192d2355&algo_expid=012d0a7e-8f62-4ba6-88e1-0f360939aac1-0&algo_pvid=012d0a7e-8f62-4ba6-88e1-0f360939aac1

And here’s the link for the On The Road store on AliExpress. I guess that right now, with Gearbest coupons, it is worth to buy a OTR at GB and not here, but they have different models too, such as the OTR M1, with tail click that I never saw on GB at sale.
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/ON-THE-ROAD-M1-Mini-LED-Flashlight-for-camping-hiking-high-power-outdoor-torch/3081046_32824084847.html?spm=2114.12010608.0.0.7cb675faK7cBX1

BTW, in a future project, I would love to have a BLF light with these characteristics, small, pocketable, taking 16430 and 18350 batteries, a good driver, with a decent driver (Narsil or Anduril; don’t own any with these, but I love the concept of a “progressive driver”).

Maybe BLF could work with Jaxmanve or On The Road to build a version of this light with a better driver that used Narsil? It’s a good idea.

Thanks for the M1 link, I’ve never seen that one.

JasonWW wrote:

Yeah, it’s $26 now. The U16 is only $8 more. So I guess it’s a pricey host.

Maybe BLF could work with Jaxmanve or On The Road to build a version of this light with a better driver that used Narsil? It’s a good idea.

Thanks for the M1 link, I’ve never seen that one.

Yup, it is not so budget as it was! The price literally doubled in some weeks!

I’m not sure about it, but seeing these lights, the are probably getting the hosts in the same place. Even the photos in the specs are very similar. However, Jaxmnve seems to be a “Store”, and OTR a “company”, with all that implies.

So, probably working with OTR could be more fruitful as they are a more recognized seller/manufacturer.
I’d love to have a light with that firmware on my hands!! It would be simply great!!

About the M1, the characteristics are the same of M3 (of what I recall) except that it is a tailclickie! The host seems taller because of the click itself, but its also a small light.

These two lights with such firmware…

The Miller wrote:

Yes that small OTR clone with charging is doubled in price now
It arrived
Nice tint, way more easy to operate then the Olight it clones, both switch presses easier and a simple click for next mode had my preference over Olights click and hold. Cell indicator. Charging seems OK, the cell has no branding, measure 644mAh and lowest IR I saw was 69.
I like it, it is a little bit bigger then the Olight.
For the same price I would still go for this one and not get the Olight.
Clip is good.

A BLF special with nice UI should have some more zing to it IMHO. But not a lot of room to work with, both space and price doesn’t allow that.

Hum, I wouldn’t have go to the Olight (pricy…) if I could get the features I wanted most in the Jaxmnve or the OTR M3 (direct access to moonlight and turbo, “real” moonlight, and electronic lockout). As I couldn’t get all this in those lights, and I can’t flash or replace drivers (on those lights), I “had” to go to the Olight

BTW, can you confirm the modes of the Jaxmnve, please?

About zing you mean other different specs, worthy of being a BLF special? Yeah, I tottaly agree with you!!
My words above were only in the way to have some basis for a small light like this.
In this or another thread, ToyKeeper talked about making a shorter FW3A (FW1A) and I agreed due to the size and the good specs of the FW3A. Making a “FW1A”, for me, would be awesome.

This was a project I found the other day while searching for 18350 lights. Also, I’m not saying these are good, but maybe it can be an inspiration Future is open!!!
As far as I perceived, these were part of a kicstarter project that eventually end up “in nothing”, but can’t be sure on that.
http://www.spicytec.com/2013/04/helioslight-most-powerful-key-chain.html
and
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1817932181/helioslight-1100-lumen-k...

The Miller wrote:

Yes that small OTR clone with charging is doubled in price now. […]

Just checked the price in AE App, and it is on the 11,14€
I guess the price on the website is the one that doubles, but in the App it is the price we first seen!

The Miller wrote:

ah then it is lowered again, I saw it high in the app as well I charged 3 cells with it. And it stops charging at 4.19V, neat.

Oh, ok! Yesterday I saw it only in the website, but its good to have dropped again!!
Nice charging then, not over or undercharged! That is tempting
Can you confirm the UI, please?
Thank you for the info

EDIT: That was tempting, so tempting that I ended up ordering today Now, the quest for 1 or 2 nice’but’budget 16340 cells!!!

The Miller wrote:

MED HIGH BLINK memory
Yes not very nice

I’m tempted to buy one so I can put one of Lexels TA drivers running Narsil in it.

Do you know what size driver it has or what size mcpcb?

Yeah, i think a S MINI sized light (16340) would be awesome.
The Olight is just too expensive for me, but i love the concept: as small as possible.

Not sure how good idea it is really, but…
Ledil Seanna A is an Fresnel + precollimator optic. It has ~150 mm diameter and costs $30 when buying 1, closer to $20 at volume.
If we ripped the lenses, removing enclosure it may get down to $20/piece. Being Ledil, it should work much better than cheap Fresnels.

Now, this is an interesting base for a big zoomie. I’ll call it Z.
Initial sketch:

BLF GT-like shape (it’s rough, but the major dimensions are correct) on top.
Seanna without mounting screws on bottom left, Z zoomed out bottom middle, Z zoomed in bottom right.

7p 21700 battery pack. You can use any number of batteries, but the light will surely have balance issues with too few (and may still have with full set ).
The pack should be quickly-replaceable.
With a boost driver it wouldn’t fall out of regulation too soon.

XHP35 LED. Z would be a really nice base for Luminus CFT-90, but:

• probably wouldn’t sustain it at full output without active cooling
• the LED costs much more
• the driver would cost more too
• overall it would easily double the light price to get a nicer hotspot and somewhat better performance.

Note: I draw it here with no glass lens in front of Fresnel, just like Ledil does. Bezel size is the same (quite small) too.

Overall, similar performance to GT; should be better, but not much.
Similar price?
Otherwise – a completely different light.

Nice idea, but the costs will be very high (probably >=400$).
The CFT-90 will stomp the XHP-35HI, but the energy demand will require lots batteries.

The_Driver wrote:

Nice idea, but the costs will be very high (probably >=400$).
The CFT-90 will stomp the XHP-35HI, but the energy demand will require lots batteries.

The CFT90 alone costs over $100…

Oh, you meant the variant with this LED. Yes, very expensive…

Any chance to see a reflective collar in a BLF flashlight?
I see that Waiven held a patent on it. It’s so generic that I don’t think it can be sensibly worked around.
From what I’ve read, Waiven stopped communicating with the world. So:

• there’s no way to buy collars from them
• there’s no way to license the patents from them
• they may not even exist and the patents may have changed hands
• the patent won’t expire for long (from memory 2028).

So I have 3 questions:

• Is the above assessment correct or have I missed something?
• The patent system is broken so much that it doesn’t let us find the current patent owner, does it?
• Is it possible to do without a patent license? Is there any real risk for a Chinese manufacturer? If yes, any chance of finding a manufacturer who won’t be scared off?

Agro wrote:

Any chance to see a reflective collar in a BLF flashlight?
I see that Waiven held a patent on it. It’s so generic that I don’t think it can be sensibly worked around.
From what I’ve read, Waiven stopped communicating with the world. So:

• there’s no way to buy collars from them
• there’s no way to license the patents from them
• they may not even exist and the patents may have changed hands
• the patent won’t expire for long (from memory 2028).

So I have 3 questions:

• Is the above assessment correct or have I missed something?
• The patent system is broken so much that it doesn’t let us find the current patent owner, does it?
• Is it possible to do without a patent license? Is there any real risk for a Chinese manufacturer? If yes, any chance of finding a manufacturer who won’t be scared off?

JasonWW, search on “wavien” at BLF and elsewhere.

Lemme try, I don’t know much: the idea is to surround an emitter with a mirror that sends some otherwise lost photons back to further energize the phosphor.

If anyone can find prior art for the general idea, that would be good to have publicized.