[meta-flashlight] The state of the flashlight landscape: trends and developments

LED Flashlights – General Info
1

Hi BLF,

I was wondering if we might be able to collectively identify important trends and developments in the flashlight landscape.

This might also help to identify interesting gaps or niches in the market where commercial flashlight companies are not currently offering solutions.

What do you think are important trends and developments?
What flashlight needs are currently not addressed by companies?

Edit: I missed this wonderful thread: PREDICTING the biggest flash developments that'll hit in 2019..... :person_facepalming:

2

Some trends of developments I think will grow more important:

Companies

- Fireflies

  • Rovyvon

Batteries

- 21700/20700 is getting more popular cell size

- Lithium-ion in general

  • proprietary built-in non-replaceable batteries, also lithium-polymer

Community

- growing importance of community innovation flashlights within the flashlight landscape

- Reddit flashlight

- Facebook Flashlight Fanatics

- flashlightwiki.com abandonded/unmaintained

- repository/infrastructure for sharing general flashlight information/facts is lacking, forum is not most suitable way for building a reference work

Companies

- Fireflies

  • Rovyvon

General design

- Ultra high lumen race (Acebeam, Olight, Imalent)

- Mega throwers: since BLF GT was released, other companies are following with large diameter throwers.

- Auxilliary leds (Emisar D4s; Fireflies ROT-66)

- USB-C charging interface

- easy-accessible interface on driver PCB for simple end-user reprogramming of flashlight firmware (e.g. Darkside Nymph, Emisar D4s)

- attention to reliability at lower pricepoints (e.g. PFLexPro, Sofirn C01)

- flashlight with warm white LEDS (Falomov 19650S, Sofirn C01)

- user-changeable CCT (e.g. Zanflare T1, BLF Lantern)

- higher priced limited availability special editions (‘pokemon’ lights: e.g. HDS, Olight, Prometheus ‘auction’ lights, Frelux Synergy1)

  • demise of P60 hosts and modules

Firmware

- ramping UIs (Narsil, Anduril) in commonly available flashlights such as BLF Q8, Emisar D1/D1s/D4/D4s)

  • increasing importance of community-developed / open source firmware in general

LEDs

- high CRI-9 values

- ultra high CRI / full spectrum (Nichia Optisolis)

- high-CRI SST-20

- LEP laser leds (e.g. Acebeam W10)

- discontinuation of Nichia 219b

  • discontinuation of Yuji F5
3

Not sure if it counts, because it’s only two companies that I know of doing it, but they’re very much so popular companies with us enthusiasts, but…

Aux LEDs (Emisar and Fireflies)

Ultra high lumen race (Acebeam, Olight, Imalent)

Mega throwers: since BLF GT was released, other companies are following with large diameter throwers.

4

Thanks, added to the list!

5

- Better chipset.

- OLED screen with menu.
Not needed with many “3 modes” flashlights but it would be a nice addition for more advanced UI.
Most e-cig manufacturers figured this out within a few years : micro USB for charging battery and firmware upgrade, advanced temperature control features, OLED screen to modify and check parameters.
You have all this since a couple of years in a “basic” box mod like the Joytech eVIC VTC mini for 40$.

6

I’m glad to see temperature-based regulation becoming standard, when even custom models didn’t have it 5 years ago. Catch up, Olight!

7

Maybe Raspberry Pi nano integration for full control and programming with a phone app via the integrated WiFi. Would be great for remote operation.