A challenge For you flashlight manufacturers / little rant

dannyd555222 · 2024-05-13T21:51:32.195Z

Instead of making more and more of the same lights that currently exist on the market and making very small changes, (most of which nobody asked for) here’s a better idea / challenge for you.

I would love to have a headlamp such as the Scurion 1500 but for much lower price, that has these features:

Both VERY floody and one semi throwy led, high cri such as (just a suggestion) Nichia 519a in 4500k (not 3000k (too warm) or 6500k (too white), tint for the flood, no textured reflector, Insead use no reflector at all like Emisar d4 mule or Fireflylite nov mu or use a white reflector like the older zebralight h602f (I think) white reflector with a 120 degree beam (this last option would probably work best for lux per meter), maybe even a beaded tie lens, if this will not effect the cri negatively.
Sft40 in 5000k for the throw led choice, smooth reflector
Boost driver if possible or something very efficient for the long runtime
Big battery pack on the back good quality batteries such as Samsung, LG, Panasonic, sanyo or orbtronic, or keep power. Enough watt hours to provide 12 hours runtime at approximately 350-550 lumen output With no step down, no dimming, sustained.

Perhaps 4 x 5000 mah 21700 batteries or even use the the new 32800 battery or whatever it’s called or the 46950 32000 mah battery if you have to… whatever you need to do to get a 12 hour runtime on medium mode sustained.

If the light cannot handle the heat without stepdown, then perhaps you could install a small fan with both intake and exhaust like the Wuben x2? Has. The fan preferably would need to be at least remotely waterproof too btw

The battery pack compartment and the headlamp too need to be at least Ipx 7 rated if not ipx 68. Metal both the headlamp and the battery compartment , perhaps with multiple good quality seals on them (low temp and chemically resistant seals)
The wire connecting the headlamp to the battery compartment needs to be abrasion resistant just like on the Suction 1500 headlamp . The type of wire within the insulation needs to be great too.

I’ve seen several headlamps over the last 20 years that may have a great design overall but after repeated taking off the head the wire inside the insulation breaks and makes the whole setup not work. This should be easily fixed shouldn’t it?

Drop resistance at least 2 meters. Preferably show video testing of this. If you need to pot the circuit boards on the light then do it. I hate flimsy quality stuff. 2 meters is not too much to ask for.

Elzetta flashlights can handle 10 meters.

Stop making more and more of the same bs, that stuff already exists.

Theres a bunch of super small lights, there’s several ultralight headlamp, there are super pretty lights, a few super water proof lights, super unique looking, but nobody makes light that is reasonably sized, in this case preferably a Headlamp, that runs for 12 hours straight with no dimming.

Zebra light sc700 can to 12 hours but at 190 lumens not 500.

Next one to that would be emisar d4sv2 with the 26800 battery 12 hours at 259 lumen which is better, but again that’s still not 500 lumens

Plus Id really like headlamp not flashlight.

pinkpanda3310 · 2024-05-14T13:48:29.787Z

Hmmm… ranting about your specific wants…

Is this a job related thing? Night shift or the like for an entire industry e.g. under ground mining…? Just wondering where the market is for 12hr runtime, water proof, abrasion resistant, shock proof, flood + semi throw… ? Sounds like an industrial grade tool… also a lot of weight swinging on your head for hours at a time. Maybe grab yourself a helmet/ hard hat and do some “light” modifications…

dannyd555222 · 2024-05-14T14:22:11.431Z

Helmet mounted, yes

Desertcat · 2024-05-14T23:17:36.489Z

dannyd555222:

Instead of making more and more of the same lights that currently exist on the market and making very small changes, (most of which nobody asked for)

dannyd555222:

Elzetta flashlights can handle 10 meters

I definitely agree with your basic premise.

That said, and I don’t want to get too picky, but lights like the Elzetta Alpha & Bravo are currently advertised at 5 meters. Yes, I’m aware of the old helicopter video stunt, but I’m also very aware of ANSI FL1. It would be very rare indeed for a manufacturer to advertise a product at half of its actual capability.

2 meters per ANSI FL1 test criteria is very good, and sadly very few lights meet or can claim that. A well-engineered/built light should be able to meet that, and more manufacturers should step up to the plate. Per ANSI, a 1 meter rating is a very low bar. Per the testing criteria, 2>>1+1.

gravelmonkey · 2024-05-15T11:04:13.297Z

Most caving oriented lamps fulfil a lot of these criteria, perhaps not the specific LEDs you want.

There was a thread on the other flashlight forum a long time ago where a user had modified an 18650 Zebralight to use a remote cell- he’d drilled the tailcap and added a cable gland, then made a “dummy” 18650 cell out of wood/plastic to hold the wires against the battery terminals. External cell was plasti-dipped if I remember correctly.

I’ve plans to do a similar mod with an Emisar DW4 and the 18350 tube, just need to find the time/connectors.