Review: "BLF" Mini 01 Out-of-the-Bubble-Wrap Preview . . . going green

[Boaz]

@Foy

Actually, I think these pictures show it a little less green than it looks to me in real life. I've got neutrals and I will admit being a late comer on the importance of rendering and I'm also notoriously slow to criticize tint. Call it neutral green if you want but green is what it is. Yes, it was right at dusk and I do agree that the Xtar cool white does wash out the colors, as most CW's do . . . maybe I'll put an IO neutral next to it.

However it compares, I don't like the tint. Wouldn't be the first time I was alone with my opinion. Maybe tint can sometimes be an acquired thing. I'm from Georgia so, perhaps Foy isn't cultured enough for caviar or tint.

pouponFoy

Sorry for the thread crapping ......

I don't take all the blame ....you sort of asked for it it with your poop on foy comment

BewilderedBoaz

[mfruit]

@Chicken Drumstick

I think the danger with a BF custom light is trying to go to OTT. Running an XM-L @ 2.8A in such a host will only ever make it a gimmick light as it’ll get too hot to use.

To make it a great usable light it just needs the asked for spec to be sensible and usable.

Now I know people like moon light, but tbh there are plenty of lights that do this better than any single button reverse clicky ever will. So why bother?

2 modes no memory

Mode 1 should be current controlled or high PWM so it’s usable and not a distraction. This should be bright, but not so bright that it glares if you shine it at your hand (60 lumens maybe)

Mode 2 should be high, but this should be a high that the host can handle for prolonged use thus making it a usable light

On paper it might not have the biggest numbers or the most wow, but I’m willing to bet it would be a highly usable light.

XM-L or XP-G2 would work fine IMO.

Everyone has different needs, that’s why there are so many models.

Personally I like the 2% mode. It’s enough light for 95% of my needs. If I need more light, I can switch to 30. And for those 1 cases, I can use 100%.

The tint doesn’t bug me though I would have preferred CW.

[agenthex]

@mfruit

The tint doesn’t bug me though I would have preferred CW.

Heretic!! :party:

[Chicken_Drumstick]

@mfruit

Everyone has different needs, that’s why there are so many models.

Personally I like the 2% mode. It’s enough light for 95% of my needs. If I need more light, I can switch to 30. And for those 1 cases, I can use 100%.

The tint doesn’t bug me though I would have preferred CW.

I agree we all have different needs, but if I know I’ll use it mostly on 2% mode and rarely at 30% mode I simply wouldn’t kid myself into buying a high powered XM-L light to begin with.

It’s like buying a Shelby GT500 when you know you’d never even use WOT in a V6 Stang.

So for low light level use I personally would use a low output light that is direct drive/constant current so as to avoid PWM.

[Ouchyfoot]

Will someone please remove the green o-ring and let us know if it makes any difference.

[mfruit]

@Chicken Drumstick

I agree we all have different needs, but if I know I’ll use it mostly on 2% mode and rarely at 30% mode I simply wouldn’t kid myself into buying a high powered XM-L light to begin with.

It’s like buying a Shelby GT500 when you know you’d never even use WOT in a V6 Stang.

So for low light level use I personally would use a low output light that is direct drive/constant current so as to avoid PWM.

What can I say? I don’t need 400+ lumens 99% of the time but I just like having it available to show off.

[Chicken_Drumstick]

@mfruit

@Chicken Drumstick

I agree we all have different needs, but if I know I’ll use it mostly on 2% mode and rarely at 30% mode I simply wouldn’t kid myself into buying a high powered XM-L light to begin with.

It’s like buying a Shelby GT500 when you know you’d never even use WOT in a V6 Stang.

So for low light level use I personally would use a low output light that is direct drive/constant current so as to avoid PWM.

What can I say? I don’t need 400+ lumens 99% of the time but I just like having it available to show off.

lol, I just prefer things to work well for their intended use and being a jack of all trades always means compromise on everything

I keep a Mag Solitaire for low light use, no PWM no issues, no modes just on off. And something more powerful in my pocket. Covers all bases

[CheapThrills]

@Ouchyfoot

Will someone please remove the green o-ring and let us know if it makes any difference.

Cannot see much green in mine even when ring is there, so I haven’t bothered

One glitch in driver, though:
Cycle fast: Low -> Med -> High -> Low -> Med -> High and on second round, Low sometimes does JUST that pre-flash without anything else. Light fully twisted, 100% sure contact.

So, the cycle goes: Low -> Med -> High -> Pre-Flash -> Low -> Med -> High -> Pre-Flash -> Low etc etc…
Anyone else having this??
Not a biggie but weird.
…and this does not happen everytime, I cannot say for sure what makes it happen but it can be done in repetitive fashion when it occurs.

[Tecmo]

@CheapThrills

@Ouchyfoot

Will someone please remove the green o-ring and let us know if it makes any difference.

Cannot see much green in mine even when ring is there, so I haven’t bothered

One glitch in driver, though:
Cycle fast: Low -> Med -> High -> Low -> Med -> High and on second round, Low sometimes does JUST that pre-flash without anything else. Light fully twisted, 100% sure contact.

So, the cycle goes: Low -> Med -> High -> Pre-Flash -> Low -> Med -> High -> Pre-Flash -> Low etc etc…
Anyone else having this??
Not a biggie but weird.
…and this does not happen everytime, I cannot say for sure what makes it happen but it can be done in repetitive fashion when it occurs.

Yep that happens to mine too. I mentioned it somewhere.

[tkmckay]

I just got mine today in the mail (yea!). Mine also does the preflash, but all in all the light is better than I expected and overall i’m 100% happy with the purchase. I absolutely love the super low-low setting as this is my first light with the low, this low. If there is anyone who doesn’t like theirs and wants to sell it off I would be interested in picking up another for the wife.

[mags]

I’ll stick with the original TF mini, no green or pink to deal with.

[Foy]

Yeah, I destroyed the greypoupon thing . . .

I'm trying guys but I'm just not feelin' it with this light. I think it's handsome as hell but I'm still waiting on a "BLF light" that properly reflects what we are all about here. agenthex said it exactly right. It's a great flashlight with no lasting significance and it certainly doesn't reflect what I value in a torch. Of course, I don't think that was ever the goal and probably doesn't need to be. At $18 shipped; I'm not unhappy. Gonna do duty on Mrs. Foy's keychain.

missionaccomplishedFoy

(I still think it's too green)

[CheapThrills]

Oops. Dropped mine from about 2 feet to “wooden” floor on top of carpet. Stopped working LOL!
Has to be very sensitive to dropping. I think it may be just bad connection so I will see if I can fix it…

[alex21]

@CheapThrills

Oops. Dropped mine from about 2 feet to “wooden” floor on top of carpet. Stopped working LOL!
Has to be very sensitive to dropping. I think it may be just bad connection so I will see if I can fix it…

Damn, you gotta be careful with these budget lights. I don’t think its suitable for keychain carry, and I’m very careful with my keys, don’t throw them on the table when I get home, etc.
I think its better in the jeans coins pocket, fits very snug, or just shelf queen this very nice looking light, got quite a few compliments with the original 01 mini

[zeremefico]

@Foy

Yeah, I destroyed the greypoupon thing . . .

I’m trying guys but I’m just not feelin’ it with this light. I think it’s handsome as hell but I’m still waiting on a “BLF light” that properly reflects what we are all about here. agenthex said it exactly right. It’s a great flashlight with no lasting significance and it certainly doesn’t reflect what I value in a torch. Of course, I don’t think that was ever the goal and probably doesn’t need to be. At $18 shipped; I’m not unhappy. Gonna do duty on Mrs. Foy’s keychain.

missionaccomplishedFoy

(I still think it’s too green)

Your post says everything.
I have good and bad times in here but when I read opinions like above, I really know that I am in the right place.

[scaru]

Just got mine and I love them. The tint is a great 3C tint (looks like my other 3C lights) and it has no green in it all. This will definitely be added to my keychain and be there for a while.

[CheapThrills]

@alex21

@CheapThrills

Oops. Dropped mine from about 2 feet to “wooden” floor on top of carpet. Stopped working LOL!
Has to be very sensitive to dropping. I think it may be just bad connection so I will see if I can fix it…

Damn, you gotta be careful with these budget lights. I don’t think its suitable for keychain carry, and I’m very careful with my keys, don’t throw them on the table when I get home, etc.
I think its better in the jeans coins pocket, fits very snug, or just shelf queen this very nice looking light, got quite a few compliments with the original 01 mini

Got it working. Bad contact from PCB -> body I guess. PCB moved a bit when it got hit.

[Don]

@Tecmo

Anything that gets specially made for us will face unrealistic expectations. You can’t make everybody happy. I love the host already, and they nailed the modes. I don’t care about tint.

I’d not got that far.

Oyster urine green doesn’t do it for me and never has.

Beyond that I own 50 CW lights for every NW or warmer.

But green is not a nice tint ever - only worse tint is cyan.

But i agree about special order lights.

[scaru]

@Don

@Tecmo

Anything that gets specially made for us will face unrealistic expectations. You can’t make everybody happy. I love the host already, and they nailed the modes. I don’t care about tint.

I’d not got that far. Oyster urine green doesn’t do it for me and never has. Beyond that I own 50 CW lights for every NW or warmer. But green is not a nice tint ever - only worse tint is cyan. But i agree about special order lights.

Don, did you get one? Mine is not green at all, it is a perfect neutral 3C tint. :D

[Tecmo]

True I would probably care if mine was green, luckily it’s not or I just don’t notice it. I’ve got a few neutrals now, but I still prefer CW, as long as it’s not too blue.