The Miller, I like your lego set very much but it seems to imply a driver which accepts either 1S or 2S. I’m not sure what the practical options are there but it rules out using the Q8 in its current form with the long tube.
Also, could the long tube not be an extension instead? Then you could buy 3 and build a 4S4P monster light Probably too crazy an idea for mass production though.
Short thrower. Being a quad P cell setup and that long tube (modding galore with the single LED and larger reflector) I think it fits a Q-series
Makes it clear things Lego.
Is something to build on.
Yes the long tube would make 2S mods for the Q8 easier.
Cool Thijsco19, it is as much from the Q8 as possible
So the head area at the tube identical, cut outs on the fins the same, but more fins
Same bezel and such, you received the Q8 CADs this morning.
This is totally unrelated to flashlights, but QT is a bit of a pet peeve because the Qt GUI toolkit has been a pain in my rear for about two decades now. On the surface it looks nice, a full-featured GUI toolkit which offers cross-platform portability including embedded devices. However, it uses its own programming language which is just different enough from C++ to need its own compiler, and Qt and its parent company have held back portable Linux devices for decades by wrecking multiple embedded projects. If you’ve ever wondered why smartphones still kinda suck in the year 2017, the answer is largely because of Qt.
First there was the “Familiar” linux distro, a project created by and for the community, and it did all sorts of cool things. It achieved “convergence” back in 2000 or 2001, allowing handheld devices to act like small desktop computers — running the same programs, acting as an extra display, using a regular keyboard and mouse when desired, etc. I had mine set up so I could literally just move the cursor off my desktop screen and onto the handheld like a detachable second monitor. But then Trolltech (owner of Qt) came in and basically broke the community’s relationships with hardware companies, replacing the nice community platform with an incompatible proprietary one. This effectively killed the community projects, and then the market failed since the new platform sucked.
Eventually Google jumped in and made Android, which revived that market. However, Android was mostly incompatible with what the community was using, and that has continued to give it problems to this day. It probably would have died like all the other proprietary platforms, except Google is big enough to force it not to fail.
With the market revived, and only incompatible platforms available, there was a renewed cry for convergence and compatibility. So several projects started, including the Ubuntu phone. It promised all the things we used to have back in Familiar days. But it was based on Qt again, and was incompatible again, and instead of giving the community what it wanted, the Ubuntu phone tried to create a brand new proprietary platform and get people to migrate to it. Unsurprisingly, it failed, that entire branch of my company got laid off, and Qt was a big part of that. And now the market is mostly dead again.
To me, Qt is a symbol of what goes wrong when companies try to override the community and tell the people what they want instead of listening and working with the community to build something mutually beneficial.
[…] Qt and its parent company have held back portable Linux devices for decades by wrecking multiple embedded projects. If you’ve ever wondered why smartphones still kinda suck in the year 2017, the answer is largely because of Qt.
Ah, yes – the Greenphone comes to mind. I got bitten by that one, and I’ve steered well clear of Trolltech / Qt ever since.
I really Like the QT with 4×18350 and with the Q8 tube also. But for me the 8 cell tube is a little overkill. I know there is the GT with 8 cell and I’m on the list but the GT is overkill and instant get in every aspect of it
But what if the QT has a driver that has a contact ring and a same thick brass button in center and it can have a 26650 tube with big wide threads on the top to match with head? For one led it is enough one 26650 if somebody prefers that.
So…maybe give up on sharp edges and try to reflect towards the centre?
Then that would basically be a wavien collar, and you would not end up with a round die projection like the luminus LEDs.
I remember a test that Djozz did, where he silver plated the dome of an LED except for the frontal bit, thus making a Wavien Collar from the dome.
I.i.r.c. he gained some 20% of light in the right direction.
I thought it was a great idea, but never heard about it again.
So I had to look up what a Wavien Collar is. Wouldn’t you want as much light as possible to use the reflector so you get better focus? I was thinking of the opposite of a Wavien Collar. Something that covers the forward light and reflects it to the sides. Is there such a thing?
—
Texas Ace Lumen Tube and JoshK Sphere calibrated with Maukka lights
So I had to look up what a Wavien Collar is. Wouldn’t you want as much light as possible to use the reflector so you get better focus? I was thinking of the opposite of a Wavien Collar.
Yeah, so was i.
Quote:
Something that covers the forward light and reflects it to the sides. Is there such a thing?
That’s not really possible because the light has to come from the focal point, and that’s where the LED is
So I had to look up what a Wavien Collar is. Wouldn’t you want as much light as possible to use the reflector so you get better focus? I was thinking of the opposite of a Wavien Collar.
Yeah, so was i.
Quote:
Something that covers the forward light and reflects it to the sides. Is there such a thing?
That’s not really possible because the light has to come from the focal point, and that’s where the LED is
Just put a mirrored cone right over the led. Suspend it on 2 thin arms.
My tweeters use something similar.
—
Texas Ace Lumen Tube and JoshK Sphere calibrated with Maukka lights
Just found this thread and I’m making my way through. I guess the purpose of this thread is for brainstorming, but it’s definitely kind of hard to keep up with as the topic bounces around from one light, to another light, to a lantern, lol.
Are the concepts fleshed out enough that it would be a good idea to post an official poll asking “which of these lights would you be most interested in for the next BLF project?”
Just found this thread and I’m making my way through. I guess the purpose of this thread is for brainstorming, but it’s definitely kind of hard to keep up with as the topic bounces around from one light, to another light, to a lantern, lol.
Are the concepts fleshed out enough that it would be a good idea to post an official poll asking “which of these lights would you be most interested in for the next BLF project?”
If someone happens to be interested in discussing any particular project from this thread, they are welcome to start a new thread to discuss that project in more depth. Otherwise, I think this thread is serving its purpose, and a poll is probably unnecessary at the moment. Then again, if you want a poll to be started, you’re welcome to do that as well, I’m sure.
—
The Cycle of Goodness: “No one prospers without rendering benefit to others”
- The YKK Philosophy
yes no poll, a project comes when it comes
I was really set todo the Q16 but then the QT/ST came along
It is now waiting to see how Thorfire actually did before deciding on how to proceed.
The lantern is a long running DBSAR project an I have been feeling guilty about the Q8 taking lots of attention from it, so that is his thing, I just try to get it going.
The Q16 needs so much testing and behind the scenes there is talk about moving to a MCUs with more options, ideal for the Q16
Then all of a sudden Lumintop also made progress on the FW3a
So now I am not going to start a new thing.
It seems logical to work on the ST/QT soon, it is a clear defined project making a nice set with the Q8 and using a lot of the same parts, so it is clear what we want.
Tiny drivers, for Q4/Q2 and TKs mini 16340 light require a small MCU too.
So it all makes sense (well to me)
and the braindstorming is just awesome and who knows where it might lead to.
Ah and I am trying to get some sort of database for open Source CADs to use going, this would make it a lot easier for another team to kick off and make things that Lego with the rest.
I have no idea if this makes sense, but how about a headlight with a strip lens?
Here, a rough sketch of 18350 light with 5-6 XP-sized LEDs and Khatod pl1629. Size roughly 35×40mm.
It’s similar, but not really.
First, it’s 18650, so more bulky. For this reason it also needs a 2-strap headband adding to the bulk.
And it has only one white LED, which is less efficient. 6*XP-L2 V6 does 700 lm @ 200+ lm/W. Add a boost driver and such light doubles the sustained output of a 1-led + linear one.
It’s similar, but not really.
First, it’s 18650, so more bulky. For this reason it also needs a 2-strap headband adding to the bulk.
And it has only one white LED, which is less efficient. 6*XP-L2 V6 does 700 lm @ 200+ lm/W. Add a boost driver and such light doubles the sustained output of a 1-led + linear one.
Have you seen my contest light thread from last year? (Reminds me, I need to get going on THIS year’s build! ) I made a light bar of sorts, using XP-E2 mounted on a board I designed myself. That board could be tweaked a little to make your desired project. I would actually love to see something like this made by a “real” manufacturer as it could be a really popular style if done right.
—
The Cycle of Goodness: “No one prospers without rendering benefit to others”
- The YKK Philosophy
What about a headlamp with 2 LEDs driven at low current for efficiency that uses a 20700/21700 battery? More capacity than 18650 and more efficient led setup should result in pretty long runtimes with the lower modes en a very high (but short!) Turbo output possible.
What about a headlamp with 2 LEDs driven at low current for efficiency that uses a 20700/21700 battery?
I’d rather have a lightweight 18350 based headlamp and bring a few spare batteries when the runtime is really needed. If you really depend on it, it even makes sense to bring two headlamps.
DBSAR, yes you are right, sorry for again talking about a simple diffuser.
So a Q8 tube compatible head
Driver with less amps then Q8
Single warm led USB charging.
It seems a driver like the ST needs but with less 7135 chips and charging chip
Of course in your proto the total length is more then needed, since you build on a SRK.
You had an inverted reflector/cone planned for sideways light right?
Powerbank function?
Charge the lantern with a solar panel and at night cherfe phone and or speaker.
Ample space and more versatile.
Maybe cool to do ST and lantern at the same time aiming for early summer for finishing the lantern.
You have a Q8 ordered?
Not a red lighted switch but green acting as beacon.
*I would love to have to have a lantern head that would work with the Q8-lego system. I made a diffuser out of a translucent bottle that works well with the Q8, but I am sure that a dedicated lantern head would be much better. USB charging and power bank function would be amazing. I wish that the Q8 had USB charging to make it easier to give them as gift’s to non-flashlight crazed family members.
*
The Miller, I like your lego set very much but it seems to imply a driver which accepts either 1S or 2S. I’m not sure what the practical options are there but it rules out using the Q8 in its current form with the long tube.
Also, could the long tube not be an extension instead? Then you could buy 3 and build a 4S4P monster light
Probably too crazy an idea for mass production though.
Awesome idea, I’d want to be on this interest list!
What is the QT light? Are you saying you prefer to call the “ShortThrower” the “QuadThrower” instead?
Texas Ace Lumen Tube and JoshK Sphere calibrated with Maukka lights
Click this to go to signature links. I'm still around, just not reading many new threads.
I have a free day tomorrow. Might be able to sqeeze some design time in the planning.
Short thrower. Being a quad P cell setup and that long tube (modding galore with the single LED and larger reflector) I think it fits a Q-series
Makes it clear things Lego.
Is something to build on.
Yes the long tube would make 2S mods for the Q8 easier.
Cool Thijsco19, it is as much from the Q8 as possible
So the head area at the tube identical, cut outs on the fins the same, but more fins
Same bezel and such, you received the Q8 CADs this morning.
It is done when it is done
How my BLF Specials generally work, please read before asking Qs
The Q8, Exciting a groupbuy for a Premium BLF special high lumens soda can light!
The GT, A BLF special GIGA thrower
The FW3A, a TLF BLF special small, elegant, powerful triple
Lithium Ion safety 101 important read
Sorry grammarlovers, I am a real King Typo.
QT = cutie
The OPTOFIRE - 4.63Mcd aspheric LED flashlight The SYNIOSBEAM - 10Mcd recoil LED flashlight List of the farthest throwing flashlights
and it just got better
It is done when it is done
How my BLF Specials generally work, please read before asking Qs
The Q8, Exciting a groupbuy for a Premium BLF special high lumens soda can light!
The GT, A BLF special GIGA thrower
The FW3A, a TLF BLF special small, elegant, powerful triple
Lithium Ion safety 101 important read
Sorry grammarlovers, I am a real King Typo.
Love the drawings. When l grow up I’m going to be able draw pictures just like yours.
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.
This is totally unrelated to flashlights, but QT is a bit of a pet peeve because the Qt GUI toolkit has been a pain in my rear for about two decades now. On the surface it looks nice, a full-featured GUI toolkit which offers cross-platform portability including embedded devices. However, it uses its own programming language which is just different enough from C++ to need its own compiler, and Qt and its parent company have held back portable Linux devices for decades by wrecking multiple embedded projects. If you’ve ever wondered why smartphones still kinda suck in the year 2017, the answer is largely because of Qt.
First there was the “Familiar” linux distro, a project created by and for the community, and it did all sorts of cool things. It achieved “convergence” back in 2000 or 2001, allowing handheld devices to act like small desktop computers — running the same programs, acting as an extra display, using a regular keyboard and mouse when desired, etc. I had mine set up so I could literally just move the cursor off my desktop screen and onto the handheld like a detachable second monitor. But then Trolltech (owner of Qt) came in and basically broke the community’s relationships with hardware companies, replacing the nice community platform with an incompatible proprietary one. This effectively killed the community projects, and then the market failed since the new platform sucked.
Eventually Google jumped in and made Android, which revived that market. However, Android was mostly incompatible with what the community was using, and that has continued to give it problems to this day. It probably would have died like all the other proprietary platforms, except Google is big enough to force it not to fail.
With the market revived, and only incompatible platforms available, there was a renewed cry for convergence and compatibility. So several projects started, including the Ubuntu phone. It promised all the things we used to have back in Familiar days. But it was based on Qt again, and was incompatible again, and instead of giving the community what it wanted, the Ubuntu phone tried to create a brand new proprietary platform and get people to migrate to it. Unsurprisingly, it failed, that entire branch of my company got laid off, and Qt was a big part of that. And now the market is mostly dead again.
To me, Qt is a symbol of what goes wrong when companies try to override the community and tell the people what they want instead of listening and working with the community to build something mutually beneficial.
[/rant]
Ah, yes – the Greenphone comes to mind. I got bitten by that one, and I’ve steered well clear of Trolltech / Qt ever since.
I really Like the QT with 4×18350 and with the Q8 tube also. But for me the 8 cell tube is a little overkill. I know there is the GT with 8 cell and I’m on the list but the GT is overkill and instant get in every aspect of it
But what if the QT has a driver that has a contact ring and a same thick brass button in center and it can have a 26650 tube with big wide threads on the top to match with head? For one led it is enough one 26650 if somebody prefers that.
Reviews: Olight Seeker2 pro, Lumintop GlowI, Sofirn SP36, Convoy 4X18A, Convoy M21C, Brinyte SR8 Rescue Angel, Astrolux MF01 mini, Astrolux FT03S, YLP Sherp S15, Sofirn SP40, YLP Panda 3R and Unicorn, Armytek Prime C1 Pro, Acebeam M50, Imalent MS18, Convoy M3, Nitecore TIP2, Imalent RT70, Wuben T70, Sofirn SP32A, Thorfire VG15S, Thorfire VG10S, Thorfire TG06S
Mods: Imalent MS18 dedoming, Astrolux MF01-20K, Small sun T08 MT-G2, Eagle eye X6 triple XPL, Ultrafire F13 MT-G2, Convoy C8 XHP70, Solarstorm T3 triple XP-L HI
Big flashlight measurement and beamshot collection
3D printing stuff for flashlights
My flashlight related Instagram
My Flashlight related Youtube channel called Zozzlights
I remember a test that Djozz did, where he silver plated the dome of an LED except for the frontal bit, thus making a Wavien Collar from the dome.
I.i.r.c. he gained some 20% of light in the right direction.
I thought it was a great idea, but never heard about it again.
So I had to look up what a Wavien Collar is. Wouldn’t you want as much light as possible to use the reflector so you get better focus? I was thinking of the opposite of a Wavien Collar. Something that covers the forward light and reflects it to the sides. Is there such a thing?
Texas Ace Lumen Tube and JoshK Sphere calibrated with Maukka lights
Click this to go to signature links. I'm still around, just not reading many new threads.
That’s not really possible because the light has to come from the focal point, and that’s where the LED isJust put a mirrored cone right over the led. Suspend it on 2 thin arms.
My tweeters use something similar.
Texas Ace Lumen Tube and JoshK Sphere calibrated with Maukka lights
Click this to go to signature links. I'm still around, just not reading many new threads.
Just found this thread and I’m making my way through. I guess the purpose of this thread is for brainstorming, but it’s definitely kind of hard to keep up with as the topic bounces around from one light, to another light, to a lantern, lol.
Are the concepts fleshed out enough that it would be a good idea to post an official poll asking “which of these lights would you be most interested in for the next BLF project?”
If someone happens to be interested in discussing any particular project from this thread, they are welcome to start a new thread to discuss that project in more depth. Otherwise, I think this thread is serving its purpose, and a poll is probably unnecessary at the moment. Then again, if you want a poll to be started, you’re welcome to do that as well, I’m sure.
The Cycle of Goodness: “No one prospers without rendering benefit to others”
- The YKK Philosophy
yes no poll, a project comes when it comes
I was really set todo the Q16 but then the QT/ST came along
It is now waiting to see how Thorfire actually did before deciding on how to proceed.
The lantern is a long running DBSAR project an I have been feeling guilty about the Q8 taking lots of attention from it, so that is his thing, I just try to get it going.
The Q16 needs so much testing and behind the scenes there is talk about moving to a MCUs with more options, ideal for the Q16
Then all of a sudden Lumintop also made progress on the FW3a
So now I am not going to start a new thing.
It seems logical to work on the ST/QT soon, it is a clear defined project making a nice set with the Q8 and using a lot of the same parts, so it is clear what we want.
Tiny drivers, for Q4/Q2 and TKs mini 16340 light require a small MCU too.
So it all makes sense (well to me)
and the braindstorming is just awesome and who knows where it might lead to.
Ah and I am trying to get some sort of database for open Source CADs to use going, this would make it a lot easier for another team to kick off and make things that Lego with the rest.
It is done when it is done
How my BLF Specials generally work, please read before asking Qs
The Q8, Exciting a groupbuy for a Premium BLF special high lumens soda can light!
The GT, A BLF special GIGA thrower
The FW3A, a TLF BLF special small, elegant, powerful triple
Lithium Ion safety 101 important read
Sorry grammarlovers, I am a real King Typo.
QT π
The OPTOFIRE - 4.63Mcd aspheric LED flashlight The SYNIOSBEAM - 10Mcd recoil LED flashlight List of the farthest throwing flashlights
Hahaha this MUST be printed on the driver silk for sure
It is done when it is done
How my BLF Specials generally work, please read before asking Qs
The Q8, Exciting a groupbuy for a Premium BLF special high lumens soda can light!
The GT, A BLF special GIGA thrower
The FW3A, a TLF BLF special small, elegant, powerful triple
Lithium Ion safety 101 important read
Sorry grammarlovers, I am a real King Typo.
The OPTOFIRE - 4.63Mcd aspheric LED flashlight The SYNIOSBEAM - 10Mcd recoil LED flashlight List of the farthest throwing flashlights
I have no idea if this makes sense, but how about a headlight with a strip lens?
Here, a rough sketch of 18350 light with 5-6 XP-sized LEDs and Khatod pl1629. Size roughly 35×40mm.
If you rotate the LEDs so they’re in front instead of above, a similar headlamp already exists:
It’s similar, but not really.
First, it’s 18650, so more bulky. For this reason it also needs a 2-strap headband adding to the bulk.
And it has only one white LED, which is less efficient. 6*XP-L2 V6 does 700 lm @ 200+ lm/W. Add a boost driver and such light doubles the sustained output of a 1-led + linear one.
Have you seen my contest light thread from last year? (Reminds me, I need to get going on THIS year’s build!
The Cycle of Goodness: “No one prospers without rendering benefit to others”
- The YKK Philosophy
Interesting, thanks!
For the reference, here’s the thread:
http://budgetlightforum.com/node/48005
As to the Q8-based thrower, here‘s a nice idea for cost cuts from Astrolux. Though the light with 18350 tube looks so cute that I’d probably take it.
What about a headlamp with 2 LEDs driven at low current for efficiency that uses a 20700/21700 battery? More capacity than 18650 and more efficient led setup should result in pretty long runtimes with the lower modes en a very high (but short!) Turbo output possible.
Possible led choice would be sst40.
*I would love to have to have a lantern head that would work with the Q8-lego system. I made a diffuser out of a translucent bottle that works well with the Q8, but I am sure that a dedicated lantern head would be much better. USB charging and power bank function would be amazing. I wish that the Q8 had USB charging to make it easier to give them as gift’s to non-flashlight crazed family members.
*
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