Torch Manufacturers are you listening? (Lego Idea..)

[AusKipper]

Just wondering, I know Leupold has done a similar thing, and I know some Surefire parts are interchangeable etc etc, however, what problems would arise if a lego system as I am about to suggest below was attempted?

I think it would really cool to have a proper torch lego kit, not just the option of a couple of heads/bodies that we do at the moment.

Something like this: (all the stages would screw in together..)

Stage 1: Bezel
We all know what the bezel is, the option could be as below:
-Mild crenelations
-Aggressive crenelations
-Smooth
-The above 3 in stainless steel

Stage 2: Lense
Aspheric lense, options could be below
-none (Stage 1 would screw directly onto Stage 3)
-mild
-medium
-very aspheric
^^i dont know if that makse proper sense, but you know what i'm getting at..

Stage 3: Head/Reflector
Head reflector combo, options could be
-Warm led
-normal led (cree 5 or whatever)
-bright led (MCE led or P7 or something)
-above with either smooth or orange peel reflector
All would have to come in the 3 or 4 different sizes (AA size, CR123 size, 4xAA size, 4xAA flared (ie larger reflector) size)

Stage 4: Adapter
Would adapt different heads to different body sizes, options would be:
-None (Stage 3 screws directly onto stage 5)
-AA body to CR123 head adapter
-CR123 body to 4xaa head adapter

Stage 5: Body
Single segment of body, multiple segments could be screwed into one another. Each segment would be 1 battery long. Probably would need some disclaimer advising that if they screw 20 body segments to each other to make 1 massive long torch they are going to weaken the structural integrity of the thing. Options would be:
-AA segment
-CR123 segment
-4xAA segment (ie, like 1/2 of the TK40 battery holder..)
-Above options with thicker walls for those that may screw 4+ segments together/may need to use torch as impact weapon)

Stage 6: Tailswitch
Switch would contain all of the UI programming. Options are near limitless, so below are some possibles:
-Single stage on-off, max brightness
-Single stage on-off, med sort of brightness
-low/high
-low/high/strobe/beacon
-ramping
-piston drive for the above? twisty for the above?
^^ you get the drift ) ^^

Stage 7: Rear section
Screws on over the tailswitch, options would be:
-Exposed tail switch rear section (ie easier to click)
-Non-exposed tail switch rear section (ie, tailstanding)
-Non exposed tailswitch rear section with grooves cut into it (ie, TK20 styal)
-Flared tail section (more stable tailstanding)
-Crenelated tail section

So what do you think? would this work?

I know there would be some cost issues etc, whatever manufacturer did it would probably have to design their entire torch line around the lego concept..

They could also sell common combinations as torches at a slight discount of all the parts, ie you could easily make a PD30 type thing from the above and if all the parts would normally come to $60, if they brought that specific bundle it would be $55 or something..

Ideas? comments? is it likely to happen (is there enough flashaholics in the world to make the concept work..)?

 

[Big_Ed]

I like it. Sounds like a flashlight buffet-build your own. It's a good idea, but most likely it would be cost prohibitve. At least that's the excuse I would expect. I wish Surefire would do something like this.

 

[DimeRazorback]

Good idea, but it would probably increase the cost across the board as certain items may not sell aswell as others, creating a 'loss' which would be sorted out with the increased prices.

 

[nick__45]

Well, if they do that then you can't you you to buy the entire flashlight when all you want is a new bezel either of different shape or color. The idea works great on AR15 though and should work on flashlight. We'll see a patent on this by some big shot in a few years.

 

[Painful Chafe]

I like it. Sounds like a flashlight buffet-build your own. It's a good idea, but most likely it would be cost prohibitve. At least that's the excuse I would expect. I wish Surefire would do something like this.

Can you imagine what they would charge if they did?

 

[AusKipper]

Well, if they do that then you can't you you to buy the entire flashlight when all you want is a new bezel either of different shape or color. The idea works great on AR15 though and should work on flashlight. We'll see a patent on this by some big shot in a few years.

True, but it also means when a new LED comes out instead of the consumers having to buy a whole new torch, they can just buy a a head, thus increasing the chance of a forward thinking consumer investing their money into the torch in the first place. That could be one of the major selling points..

I can see it making warranty/repairs much easier too, ie, someone breaks something, if its a cheap component (ie the bezel) people may just buy a new bezel, instead of hastling the company for a new torch...

 

[OfficerCamp]

The only problem I could potentially see with this idea; if a manufacturer successfuly completed a product line like this, there would be no reason to buy more lights .

 

[jankj]

Stage 5+6+7: Body+Tailswitch+Rear section: Can be substituted for headlamp or bike light system.

The head section screws onto a headband mount with detatcheable battery compartment. (use small compartment on the back of your head, or use big belt battery compartment if you need lots of light with longer runtimes). Need two different battery compartments and one short and one long cable.

Similary, the head section screws onto a dedicated bike mount (battery pack, switch and mounting).

 

[BBL]

Problem: Who would buy this - beside a handfull of flashoholics?

 

[Yapo]

Have you heard of the Solarforce L2? Others say its a surefire 6P clone(although i would say its more a 6PD with the crenelated bezel) which uses P60 sized drop-ins.

The light is available in different colours with:

-crenelated bezel or plain in aluminium or stainless steel
-the glass lens is changeable
-The P60 drop-in could have a SMO/LOP/MOP reflector or optic lens but the size is restricted
-The LED could be pretty much anything and the UI would depend on the drop-in
-The body could hold 1+ cr123 batteries or 18650/17670 depending on if u get the 1xcr123 or 2xcr123 sized body + extension tubes and maybe AAs and others wrapped with somthing to reduce rattling.
-The tail switch could be forward or reverse clicky or momentary/twist on.

May not have everything your lego light has but its not too different.

Also if they were to make a lego light it would be hard for distributers to sell each part and keep so many different parts in stock

 

[AusKipper]

Problem: Who would buy this - beside a handfull of flashoholics?

Police departments maybe? I mean i would allow them to quickly customise the light specific for the mission.

Going under-cover, just put in 1 extension tube, need a bright light, but only want on and off (dont want to have to play with multi-modes) set it up for that etc etc.

Also means 5 years down the track when that particular LED is outdated, they can just buy a bunch of new heads for the department, instead of buying all new torches....

I dunno, leopold obviously thinks theres a market out there somewhere lol.

I know it cant be ultra-feasable, or someone would have done it by now..

 

[jorn]

Have you heard of the Solarforce L2?

May not have everything your lego light has but its not too different.

+1. I bought the solarforce l2 diy kit and some drop ins.
It covers most of this stuff, even asperic