[PART 1] Official BLF GT Group Buy thread. Group buy officially closed! Lights shipping.

[AdrianWA]

@The Miller

Welcome to BLF! Will update list later

I am very excited. This woul be my first BLF project light.

[The_Miller]

Well this one probably is going to take a while.
If you search BLF on Gearbest and Banggood finished lights can be found and we are getting closer to completion of the BLF Q8

[AdrianWA]

@The Miller

Well this one probably is going to take a while. If you search BLF on Gearbest and Banggood finished lights can be found and we are getting closer to completion of the BLF Q8

Like a year or more? Never been a fan of multi LED lights unless it has green and red on it

[Jerommel]

@Jerommel

@Lazy-R-us

@Jerommel

@teacher

Glad to see you deleted the “ad homiens” post of your’s Jerommel.

Uhm… it’s deleted, so why mention it?

Why not address the points discussed?

@Jerommel

Accidents can happen too when one of the carriers have the batteries put in the wrong way.
Things like that is why protected cells are advised in a series config.

So, what exactly are the benefits of carriers over double length SRK like battery tubes?

In real life, i think the question is if the light should be able to work with flat top cells.
My guess is: No, it shouldn’t, because then you can’t use mechanical anti reverse solutions (like a plastic ring around the plus pole, you know, with slightly recessed contact points for the battery top).
This would eliminate the need for the more expensive and complex carrier solution.
That then would eliminate a bunch of non soldered electrical paths, which is what you want, especially with DC currents.

Does the GT have to be able to run on flat tops? (if yes, then you need carriers)

Jerommel, I apologize for the wording of my post.

It’s okay, i think i was a bit overbearing (again)…

I did not intend it as an attack, rather as a question about your apparently strong feelings against the carriers.

To address the points you raised above:
Yes, cells CAN be inserted into the carriers incorrectly. Which would mean that they start heating up BEFORE they get put into a metal tube, giving you a chance to discover it and rectify the situation before it deteriorates rapidly inside a sealed metal tube.

But that’s not true though, because the carrier is 4S1P.
The danger would be when you add the second carrier with batteries and one of them has wrongly inserted cells.
Or when you only load one carrier and you turn on the light.
With a SRK tube you just slide in the cells: head first towards the + buttons, tail first towards the - springs, like in any battery holder we’ve been familiar with for most of our lives.

Calling this a pipe bomb may be hyperbole, and the mushroom cloud posted above certainly is, but it is clear to me that the danger increases when you screw on the end cap.

Meh…

Flat top cells are so much easier to source, and button tops are often second source mods of OEM flat tops. I have dozens of flat tops and only four specially purchased button tops (destined for the Q8). This seems to be a strong argument in favor of allowing flat top cells.

Yes i see.
The main question i.m.o. would be if you want to be able to use flattops (without magnets or solder blobs).
But, when that’s what you want, it’s no longer possible to use mechanical anti reverse solutions, like a ring around the slightly recessed plus pole of either carrier or end cap.

Carriers will allow you to change the balance of the GT when only using 4 cells. A lot has been discussed about the balance of this light, and I can’t say that I fully understand it, since I don’t have anything to compare it to physically. I have looked at CD’s and some old three D cell Mag lights and still have a hard time getting my brain around it. Some people might like a more front heavy light, perhaps in certain situations one balance point would be better than the other.

Comparing both options, with a loaded carrier in the tail it will be better than a half loaded SRK type tube without carriers, but the SRK type tube itself will weigh a little more, but less difference than you assume because:

- wall thickness near the batteries can be relatively thin

• the overall diameter of the SRK type battery tube will be smaller,

Carriers allow the use of simple AL tube for the body of the light. Not using carriers requires machining much thicker tube to hold the cells in place rather than allowing them to move when using less than eight cells, similar to the Q8.

SRK type tubes are made from large lengths of extruded aluminum, just like ‘simple’ AL tubes.
Metal factories can extrude any shape they want, in large lengths.

Or some other clever system to hold four cells in the proper place.

Yes, you’re right, that is a problem with SRK type tube. (and i hadn’t considered that up to now to be honest)

This turns out to be no problem.
That is, i recently received a Haikelight HT03 “devourer” (lol) which is basically an SRK on steroids, and the batteries stay in place even without other batteries holding them in place.

[thijsco19]

@Jerommel

SRK type tubes are made from large lengths of extruded aluminum, just like ‘simple’ AL tubes.
Metal factories can extrude any shape they want, in large lengths.

Just out of curiosity, do you have a source or any other info about that? (for personal stuff)

[Jerommel]

No, but i have seen pictures of lengths, can’t remember where though.

[Hunter]

So, where are we with this project, when will this flashlight see the light

[joseabul]

Please add me to list for one GT. Thanks.

[The_Miller]

Busy but a CAD is ready to be emailed to Neal
Wlll update list later

[romanus]

Hi. I want one. Thanks.

[The_Miller]

@romanus

Hi. I want one

Welcome to BLF!
Will update list later.

[Rick1 (-Rick-)]

Looking good. Sign me up.

[AdrianWA]

@The Miller

@romanus

Hi. I want one

Welcome to BLF! Will update list later.

Any time frame on this project The Miller?

[The_Miller]

Oh not really
Different method, different contact
It is an interesting approach Neal wants to do, have a empty host made first, then source reflector.
The reflector is going to pose the great challenge here

[vestureofblood]

@The Miller

Oh not really
Different method, different contact
It is an interesting approach Neal wants to do, have a empty host made first, then source reflector.
The reflector is going to pose the great challenge here

Do you know what the reason is that we can not have a reflector made?

[slow2go]

Please put me on the list…
Two of them.

Thanks
Slow

[fuzun]

Wow, why aim cost is $100 ? Is not that a bit high compared to $40 Q8?

[teacher]

@fuzun

Wow, why aim cost is $100 ? Is not that a bit high compared to $40 Q8?

Nope… not at all. It will be a miracle if it can all be done for that amount, including shipping………

[The_Miller]

Fuzun, yes compared to Q8, now compare the Gt to the TN42

VOB, hmm the goal is to have it made, so hopefully I do not have to answer your question

[vestureofblood]

@fuzun

Wow, why aim cost is $100 ? Is not that a bit high compared to $40 Q8?

I think $100 for a light like this is a steal! I would also be shocked if we get it done for that price. If the price was $40 on this one I would be worried about what quality we got

If I may chime in on the finish of this light too, I would sure love to see a super premium quality finish in mat black like what is on the Convoy L6…… So nice compared to the slicky stuff on cheaper lights.

@The Miller

VOB, hmm the goal is to have it made, so hopefully I do not have to answer your question

Awesome. Thanks