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A pretty common feature is single-button dimming. For LEDs, that actually requires a microcontroller and a more sophisticated power regulation scheme than just

A pretty common feature is single-button dimming. For LEDs, that actually requires a microcontroller and a more sophisticated power regulation scheme than just a current limiting resistor. There's also custom colors, flash patterns, etc

dotancohen 3y ago
Wouldn't an additional button be simpler than a microcontroller. Button A turns on ~30% of the lights, Button B turns on the remaining ~70% of the lights. That also adds a bit of redundancy if a connection fails. I've only been caving twice. Dimmer lights are great - but they don't need to be on a single switch. Quite the opposite, putting them on a single switch means that one _has_ to cycle through the bright option when that is not wanted.
- petsfed 3y ago
  Flashlight design is neither my hobby nor my profession. But I own a bunch of flashlights, and single-button dimming seems to be table stakes for a lot of commercially available head lamps and lanterns. Also, with the right micro, a second button (with relevant environmental protection) may well be more expensive than putting that micro and voltage regulator under a big blob of black epoxy.
- eternityforest 3y ago
  Nitecore uses half-press to cycle modes and full press for on/off. 2 modes really isn't enough on a modern light, the nice ones have a very dim mode, a few normal ones, and a turbo with 1000+ lumens. Buttons take up space, and cost more than electronics(Not counting craptastic ones that will break in a hurry), plus you'd still need all the other driver electronics like the switching converter and the lithium protection chip. The microcontroller is probably the most reliable thing on a flashlight, simple doesn't always mean cheap and reliable.
eternityforest 3y ago
I think that's the easy part, it's just a really simple(by embedded project standards) PCB and firmware. They have premade modules, but I'd have to do my own, since most of the point of making yet another type of light would be Bluetooth so you never lose it, can customize the modes, and it can also serve as a a motion sensor that pings your phone if someone is messing with your stuff

dotancohen 3y ago

Wouldn't an additional button be simpler than a microcontroller. Button A turns on ~30% of the lights, Button B turns on the remaining ~70% of the lights. That also adds a bit of redundancy if a connection fails. I've only been caving twice. Dimmer lights are great - but they don't need to be on a single switch. Quite the opposite, putting them on a single switch means that one _has_ to cycle through the bright option when that is not wanted.

petsfed 3y ago
Flashlight design is neither my hobby nor my profession. But I own a bunch of flashlights, and single-button dimming seems to be table stakes for a lot of commercially available head lamps and lanterns. Also, with the right micro, a second button (with relevant environmental protection) may well be more expensive than putting that micro and voltage regulator under a big blob of black epoxy.
eternityforest 3y ago
Nitecore uses half-press to cycle modes and full press for on/off. 2 modes really isn't enough on a modern light, the nice ones have a very dim mode, a few normal ones, and a turbo with 1000+ lumens. Buttons take up space, and cost more than electronics(Not counting craptastic ones that will break in a hurry), plus you'd still need all the other driver electronics like the switching converter and the lithium protection chip. The microcontroller is probably the most reliable thing on a flashlight, simple doesn't always mean cheap and reliable.

eternityforest 3y ago

I think that's the easy part, it's just a really simple(by embedded project standards) PCB and firmware. They have premade modules, but I'd have to do my own, since most of the point of making yet another type of light would be Bluetooth so you never lose it, can customize the modes, and it can also serve as a a motion sensor that pings your phone if someone is messing with your stuff