Q8, PMS SEND TO THOSE WITH ISSUES BLF soda can light

DavidEF · 2017-01-20T22:48:19.000Z

I think Tom is right. This render of PD’s design shows it more clearly.

Still, Dale has a point that PD could have rotated the resistor to make another path under it to the ground on the other side of the driver. :innocent:

The_Miller · 2017-01-20T23:16:07.000Z

Gosh Goshdogit, that is a Q100

Dale I am under the impression the pic of Thorfire shows a board with the PD design.

Compared with the proto driver:

this new proto looks much much better:

design by PD after testing and updating:

alternety · 2017-01-21T00:17:29.000Z

Just something I came across. Probably well known here.

http://www.princetontec.com/helix-basecamp

They have an interesting looking cap/diffuser on top of their lights. I am wondering if that would be a useful add on to the Q8. There have been a number of suggestions somewhere in this thread. For those wanting to use the Q8 as a long lasting lamp (like, for instance, me).

If the dimensions are right, and they are actually good performers, perhaps a small group buy of the “repair parts” for the diffuser could be worked out with the manufacturer.

DB_Custom · 2017-01-21T03:47:04.000Z

Ok, I see it now without the components populated. Sure couldn’t tell that in the picture with the bits soldered on! Sorry for the hassle, didn’t know if they might have missed something or not. That chip is only pulling 350mA so it doesn’t need a lot of ground, that should be fine.

BrianK · 2017-01-21T05:51:22.000Z

alternety:

Just something I came across. Probably well known here.

http://www.princetontec.com/helix-basecamp

They have an interesting looking cap/diffuser on top of their lights. I am wondering if that would be a useful add on to the Q8. There have been a number of suggestions somewhere in this thread. For those wanting to use the Q8 as a long lasting lamp (like, for instance, me).

If the dimensions are right, and they are actually good performers, perhaps a small group buy of the “repair parts” for the diffuser could be worked out with the manufacturer.

Sure something like that could be used if it fits. But a much less expensive solution could also be a plastic drinking cup. Heck, they can be found in garbage cans and dumpsters if one needs a diffuser badly enough. Something ready for the trash also doesn’t need to be manufactured and is getting a second life.

I was also thinking along the lines of purchasing something, then realized a I had a cupboard of diffuser globes should I ever need one. I think someone mentioned the drinking cup solution back a bunch of pages.

goshdogit · 2017-01-21T19:04:46.000Z

Tom E:

Wow! That’s an awesome 4-pack!

The Miller:

Gosh Goshdogit, that is a Q100

Thanks, it was fun to build and even more fun to use! I’ve got to give Dale credit for the “Quad 2X” idea. :+1:

I’m fortunate to have access to a laser cutter, and would like to create some mounts to hold eight Q8s.

I’d love to have the mounts ready for when the Q8s arrive.

If the Q8’s outer dimensions have been locked in, could Tom or Miller provide measurements at these points?

A: diameter of head behind bezel
B: diameter of battery tube’s widest point behind head
C: diameter of tailcap
D: distance from bottom of head to center of tailcap
E: distance between center of head’s non-finned area to center of tailcap

A ring of eight Q8s will be held at different points of the bodies with two or three of these, cut from thin plywood:

I’d also like to try this configuration:

This is all strictly “for the sake of flashlight science,” as mhanlen says.

Mstevens113 · 2017-01-21T19:18:05.000Z

Hope this light hits the market soon. Worried by the time it’s out something will already be filling the role this was going to fill, there’s some nice looking lights coming out at the moment.

Tom_E · 2017-01-21T19:48:39.000Z

goshdogit - I could provide those measurements from the one Q8 proto, but who knows if they next proto, or production units will be that size. Since the engr team has changed since the first one, I'd figure it's best to wait least for the next prototype.

The_Miller · 2017-01-21T20:07:26.000Z

Hahaha insane goshdogit!
When next protos are done (should be like production units) we let you know, man what a beast you would create LOL awful lot of cells though

Rufusbduck · 2017-01-22T03:13:01.000Z

DB Custom:

Scott, what would be wrong with machining a new battery tube stepping down to an 26350? Or even taking a single 32650? That’d still be 6000mAh capacity, should fare quite well and have a smaller tube to fit the hand… just a thought, hey, gotta come up with some way to modified an already tweaked out light, right?

Nothing at all, I’d like to see you turn this soup can light into a can of tuna(4 x 18350). Oughta tail stand real nice.

Couchmaster · 2017-01-22T03:20:00.000Z

Wow, is the motto: “It will make you go blind but also keep yer home warm” LOL

yclongthrow · 2017-01-22T04:03:30.000Z

Just curious, when are units projected to be available?

Thanks

ediaz · 2017-01-22T08:51:22.000Z

Please put me on the list I am interested

The_Miller · 2017-01-22T09:08:33.000Z

Mstevens113:

Hope this light hits the market soon. Worried by the time it’s out something will already be filling the role this was going to fill, there’s some nice looking lights coming out at the moment.

Well, Narsil is on none of them and most manufacturers seem very busy with XHPxx lights of single XPLHI
If you know of new soda can style lights, please link us up, always interesting.

For now, Chinese New Year, no progress and when people start working again we will move forward.
It is encouraging that Thorfire ended the year with sending us the pic of the driver, now following our design instead of the strange thing they shipped the proto to Tom with.
So we ended the year on a high note, and when they ar rested and ready to go again have confidence things will go good!

ediaz:

Please put me on the list I am interested

welcome to BLF!
will do next list update!

DB_Custom · 2017-01-22T15:29:57.000Z

goshdogit, perhaps 7 around the perimeter with one in the center would yield a more satisfying beam profile. Afraid there might be a “donut hole” effect otherwise. Just saying…. going to all that trouble it may as well look good, at the output end, right?

Edit: Of course you probably already know that you’ll have to keep all your mounting to the battery tubes themselves as the head will have to unscrew to put cells in… there’s a pcb with springs fastened inside the tail end of the tube with a tail cap covering it, so cell access won’t come from behind but up top instead.

BrianK · 2017-01-22T16:26:01.000Z

He might want to water cool it too. That way he could make hot coffee with it.

BTW, regarding the questions about when they’ll be ready. I understand that folks want a general idea, but please don’t take that as a “please hurry up.”. I for one want the light done right. It takes the time that it takes and it’ll be done when it’s done.

Everyone involved deserves a big thank you from all of us. I can’t imagine the amount of man hours that has gone into this for the community. I know you folks don’t get paid, but I wouldn’t be opposed to paying a bit more per light so that all of the movers and shakers can get free Q8s for their efforts as a material way of saying “thanks”. But I can only speak for myself and not the forum.

steepdrop · 2017-01-22T16:44:57.000Z

Same here BrianK :

I know you folks don’t get paid, but I wouldn’t be opposed to paying a bit more per light so that all of the movers and shakers can get free Q8s for their efforts as a material way of saying “thanks”. But I can only speak for myself and not the forum.

The_Miller · 2017-01-22T17:36:20.000Z

That is very kind!
No I see us team receive a proto that should be good, for latest scrutiny, reviews, packaging test and before final go is given

djozz · 2017-01-22T17:42:07.000Z

Moving and shaking Thorfire is a pretty tedious process but in the end we will get there, I think.

About other flashlights catching up with the Q8:

1)Of course there are better flashlights already out there, more output and fancy heat management so that they are built more lightweight than the Q8. And you pay the price… But the Q8 is not about being the best, it is about being very good at a price that is also very good, and about being simple, and easy to open up and alter.

2)And while the other manufacturers tend to go for leds in series, and batteries in series, to keep the amps down, a typical BLF thing is to keep everything parallel. This requires all parts that passes electricity to be thick and tight, but has the advantage of simplicity, easy to mod if you like that.

3)And the user interface of BLF lights, wether it is blf-A6, bistro or narsil, is extremely well thought out versatile and useful. (An example: I have now many lights with the bistro driver and the ones that get actual use very often are kept on muggle mode, for family use and even for myself it is a great simple and safe UI)

goshdogit · 2017-01-22T20:03:28.000Z

Couchmaster:

Wow, is the motto: “It will make you go blind but also keep yer home warm” LOL

I should devise a way to activate all eight switches simulateously. :laughing:

Tom E:

Since the engr team has changed since the first one, I’d figure it’s best to wait least for the next prototype.

The Miller:

When next protos are done (should be like production units) we let you know, man what a beast you would create LOL awful lot of cells though

OK, let’s wait for the next proto to verify dimensions. :+1:

DB Custom:

perhaps 7 around the perimeter with one in the center would yield a more satisfying beam profile.

Good point, I’ll make a mount with that configuration, too. I have plenty of plywood and the laser cutter is fast!

DB Custom:

you’ll have to keep all your mounting to the battery tubes themselves as the head will have to unscrew to put cells in…

Good catch, I didn’t consider that.

Thanks for the help and suggestions. I’ll be sure to post the final mount designs for scrutiny before creation.

Now I just need to figure out a pocket-clip for the “OctoQ8.”