Great post Den — Really brings into focus one very important aspect of this lantern !!
I’ve an idea — Derived from a dream I had last night. While I don’t usually publically post my dreams — Frankly because I can never remember um — Last nights dream was different — I remembered and was in Technicolor … And was centered on this lantern.
It might be beneficial if someone (Like Den) were to start a new thread and have it concentrate on modifications/additions to the lantern. Then - As ideas are presented — Another thread can be started specific to that idea.
Here’s a few ideas that came to light last night …….
I have a couple of flashlights — I won’t name them but ideas came from one of them.
In light of Den’s power failure — I have a flashlight that has a mount that plugs into a wall outlet and with the light in the mount charges. When the power goes out — The light comes on — On low. LUV the feature !!
For traveling — I envision using a hard case. Included are various pieces/parts that enhance the lantern.
I envision various heads for the lantern. The various heads would offer various features — Flashlight — Firelight — 90 degree offset flashlight. And so on …….
I have a puc like device I use for one of my camera’s that when a camera is attached can be turned to wind up a spring. Install on a tri-pod and the puc turns the camera 1 — 360 degree revolution every hour. Stack 2 puc’s together and the speed is doubled. Attach the lantern with a 90 degree flashlight head and one would have a rotating beacon — Option for SOS — Steady, Or any number of different patterns. Get stranded out in the wilderness — Might come in handy !!
Removable base. Various alternate bases could then be used. Magnetic — tri-pod mount — and so on.
Add-on extension tube. Been talked about before. I envision one that is sized quite a bit larger - To house 4 21700 batteries. Extends the run time and with a larger base offers more stability. Could also be then used as a power bank - And using an adapter barrel could have more than one USB outlet.
Table mount — While the lantern can sit upright presently … … Someone could 3D print a skeleton mount that incorporates 3 folding legs that can then be deployed offering far greater stability along with offering greater height over a table. Don’t have a tree overhead — This could be an option.
Your out in the wilderness tent camping … … …
You go to bed at some point and it’s dark. One could leave the lantern on all night - But this depleats the battery bank.
Install a timer circuit — Turn off after 2,4,6 hours. Helps but leaves one in the darkness in the early morning hours.
In the middle of the night one is awakened to a twig snapping - And the lantern is outside on the table … … Oops !!
Install a keychain wireless remote. When one hears the twig snapping — Simply trigger and the lantern comes on. Might scare the critter away - And offers one a light source as one peers out.
Offer a motion sensor — When the twig snaps and one doesn’t wake up … The lantern comes on and might scare the critter away.
Offer various forms of light — Fireplace - Lightning, Etc. With Halloween fast approaching I thought of this …
Hang the lantern on a lantern pole and drape a Halloween costume over and hold away with twigs and turn on the lantern. At night one would have a scary figure — Might scare off a critter. Could also trigger by motion detect or keychain remote.
Replace the head with a flashlight head and install an Orange tapered cone. Now one would have a lit Orange cone for traffic awareness. Set to blink for more awareness.
These few ideas brings me back to using a hard case with all the pieces/parts inside - For using just one device to meet all needs.
I’ve only just scratched the surface — Hopefully someone will start a thread where others far smarter than me can post their wishes/wants - Ideas.
Nap Time — Maybe I’ll think of more … … To be continued.