Hi everyone... some of you might remember us... some time ago we came up with a fairly different looking Flashlight V2 which was an evolutionary step of the V1 version (see gatlight.com for photos of those).

We now achieved the final step to achieve the perfect user interface. I'd like to introduce the GatLight V3.

Allow me to highlight the evolutionary history of the design.

The GatLight V1 was primarily a prove of concept, incorporating the column design into a flashlight.

Simple on off by rotating the knob in the back. From a user interface point of view not optimal but it was a prove of concept.

The GatLight V2 introduced a gradual brightness change as the knob was being rotated. The small space required us to take entirely different approaches to make it all possible since we couldnt run a wire from the back where the control is to the front where the driver is. Better but still not optimal. The design was taken more towards more curves which gave the light a slightly more futuristic look.


The GatLight V3 for which we currently are taking preorders at lumencraft.net finally achieved the ideal user interface. The knob in the back basically received a small push button switch, allowing the light to be turned on/off instantly, together with a momentary action. The knob still adjusts to different brightness levels (fully regulated). The prototype proved that its the perfect user interface. I know you guys are more interested in the design aspects, than the flashlight related specs. But to sum it up we basically made this the brightest light in comparison to its size. Perfect color balanced LED (pure white), super bright (250 Lumen LED Mfg rating), fully electronically regulated (meaning as the battery voltage drops the brightness stays the same), temperature sensor to monitor light during operation etc etc... I actually want to talk more about the design than the flashlight specs. Anyway we're currently selling the first production round and take preorders (ETA 3 months) at lumencraft.net .
Here are some photos of the V3. Another major difference is that we incorporated a carbon fiber sleeve to add even more high tech materials (all other parts are made out of Titanium). Very high end product, think the Rolex of Flashlights. Anyway here are some V3 pictures. Price is $370 for all Titanium, for the tuxedo version (black and white version) with Titanium bars its $295.

While it's definately sweet looking from a design standpoint from a for-sale product standpoint it is a little bit crazy.

A Rolex is something that you wear because people can see it, it's a status symbol. A flashlight is usually something that you leave in your toolbox, and from that point of view $300 for one seems a little bit crazy.

If you can sell them, more power to you. How much would it cost to produce a low end version (aluminum, chrome plated steel, plastic?) I can see people being willing to pay a little bit more than an LED mag light (what I use) for the aesthetic appeal.

I really like it!. Its obviously not an item that will be widely available, but thats why i like it. Think you should emphasize its function when standing vertically on a surface.

So how many have you sold?

-ps the cutlery on your website seem to miss the mark for me in terms of forward thinking design.

Maybe I missed the point but why did you chose to include the more expensive materials. I know you wanted a high end feel but surely you could use some lower cost materials like brushed steel rather than the more luxourous costing materials. I reckon you could have still got some nice styling without the expensive stuff.
Anyway, that is just a little comment. Apart from that its good to see this coming along, I remember the posts a while back. Good job

Hi guys... thanks for the responses. allow me to answer some questions.

Cyberdemon: I found that as with every other consumer product, watches, pens, cigars, wine, knifes, there is always a group of people that simply want the best possible light. People that prefer quality of low price. The GatLight in its third evolution has been doing the same for Flashlights.
Its funny how many people consider a Mag Light a high end flashlight, because it actually is a pretty crappy flashlight from a function point of view. I like the design and its solid and the price is right, but that's about it. High end users of flashlights consider MagLights not as high end. I agree that Rolex is a status symbol, however our flashlights are pocket flashlights and either remain collector's items or are carried in a pocket every day. We don't sell large number of lights, but that is not the point. Normally our runs are limited, with serial numbers. Once a version (f.e. V1 and V2) has been sold they become collectors's items where people pay twice and three times the original sales price. Our goal is not to produce high numbers but simply to produce the best possible pocket flashlight in an attractive shell. Like you have an art section for knifes, we try to carve out the same for flashlights. So we won't ever produce a cheaper version even though it could probably be done...

Pencil: We didnt really design the cutlery. The ideas is more to test the waters to see how receptive people are towards titanium siverware, since the advantages are simply mind blowing. Try eating once with a titanium set and you never wanna go back. If enough people like titanium for their silverware we will design our own set. The investments are fairly large to produce those.

luvbrasketch Thanks for the feedback. The reason we went with expensive materials is because thats what our customers want. Steel is about 50% cheaper to manufacture, but its heavier. We noticed by doing it in titanium / carbon fiber our customers really seem to prefer that despite the higher price. Besides we have a more affordable tuxedo version which is pretty much the price we'd have when doing it in stainless steel.

If thats what the consumer wants then thats perfect

Nifty design, though I share reservations about the pricetag. Clearly you know your market, though.

I must say, I actually preferred the aesthetics of V2, with the more highly pronounced curves.

First off, this flashlight is amazing... the design and implementation are just phenomenal. I'm not sure how bright it is (with only one LED, even if it is an intense one), but I'd still love to have one. Props for creating such a cool item.

I do realize that you're targeting the smaller population of "flashlight connoisseurs" and collectors, crafting the light out of such high quality materials and to such a degree of perfection, but I still believe that if you opened your product up to a larger market at a cheaper pricepoint, using less expensive materials and maybe even a cheaper design, then you'd get a lot of business. I know that i'm dying to buy this product, but am not willing to spend 300 US dollars on a light, no matter how nice it is. If you were to come up with a cheaper version, for sayy, 150 dollars, I'd happily buy it. Obviously you'd have to cut costs by using cheaper materials, less labor, less precise machining, or something else, but if it was as cool as this one, i'd definitely buy it...

those are just my thoughts...

oh and P.S. - i share the turbofrog's thoughts about how the curves on V2 made it look better than V3.

The thing is, going to stainless or even aluminum and keeping the same construction isn't going to drop the cost 50%. The expense in this is in the machining and assembly more than the material. This approach is probably right- it's a low volume item that's going to be expensive anyway, so go for it. Besides, it's a lot easier for a very small company to make good margins on a small number of sales than small margins on a large number of sales.

I've liked this thing since you first showed it here. Although I agree, that pronounced curve on the V2 is nice, and it's a shame to lose it. Also, it's hard to tell from the pics, but the finish on that carbon insert looks kind of janky. Is it something you laid up on a male tool? I'm sure you know this, but you can get really nice carbon tubing with a molded surface on the outside.

Anyway, nice work, keep it up. Congrats on the Gizmodo post too.

Yeah good to see some proper design. I re-posted it back on my forum. I love it - if i come into some money i'll buy one.

Thanks for the nice comments.

Regarding the design, the V1 was by far the most classic one, the V2 had a more futuristic look while the V3 is somewhere in between.

Regarding brightness and one LED. Most of you are probably not familiar with high end flashlights. Just to give you an idea of how bright this light is. If you take your standard 2D cells Maglite, which is probably about 20 times larger than the GatLight, the GatLight is at least 10 times brighter than the MagLite 2D. Its one of the brightest lights compared to its size class. All I can tell you is that it will blow every other 100 LED light (or whatever you put in there) out of the water....

The reason the price is so high is because we simply took no compromises. The light is geared towards people who want the best possible pocket flashlight. Best in terms of brightness, color tint, design, materials, electronics, features and function. Think of it as 100%. Its for people who are willing to pay a lot more to get the extra 20% people who take no compromises and who are sick of the standard cylinder design fare of regular lights. Other high end lights cost the same, the problem people who spend a lot of money on flashlights is that when they show their $300 flashlight to their friends, they think it cost $15 at walmart. With the GatLight the price estimates of friends typically come in at at least $90-100, even though the real price is still 3 times that.

Regarding the finish on the carbon fiber tube: The tube that is in this prototype is not the one we're using for the production versions. This was a cheap simple CF tube... the production version has a much nicer finish. We first wanted to go with one that has an extra varnish layer on top however it somehow hides the CF weave pattern. So the final version will have no varnish layer.

Gizmodo
Didn't know the light was on gizmodo.. cool...

V2 vs V3
Hmm interesting that most prefer the V2 look.. maybe the V4 (however we better call it the V5 since a lot of the lights go out to Japan and Asia) can have the V2 look but V3 functionality.... we'll see what people think who will own both lights.

Oh by the way this is the packaging/box the light will come in - real wood box:

I mailed Gizmodo and a few other gadget blogs about this unique item that deserves some attention, assuming that you wouldn't have a problem with publicity. Unfortunately Gizmodo didn't link back to here. Fortunately, coolest-gadgets.com appreciated my tip:
http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20070228/ga...-art/#more-4641

Anyways, you have designed a beautiful flashlight. Well done! Certainly too expensive for me, but not for the flashlight fetish lover. About the box..i would like to see a black suede box, like those boxes used in the jewelry and watches. By the way, the top cover of the box seems to be too massive.

Thank you so much for your help. I agree darker would be better. We actually ordered a sample box with a very dark finish.. almost like black mahogani. Regarding the top being too large. We wanted the light to be able to act as a display box so we had to do it in a way where half of the light is sticking out of the bottom box, which in return increases the top.
Again thanks for your help.... we have another unique light in the works... will be a bit more affordable. Send me your email address if you want to... just use the contact form on gatlight.com we might be able to do a trade...

it seems to come directly out of a sci-fi movie, it also looks like a dna encasement out of resident evil haha amazing work! I'm starting to learn industrial design next september. I cant wait to put my ideas to touch.

Looks tight, but how is this flashlight any better then any other pocket sized LED torch? Is it better? I agree the design is nice, nice use of materials, but in the dark (when this flashlight would be used) none of that really matters because you can't see it. Good luck though with the product.