I'll be starting on some host designs in the next few weeks, so I figured I'd ask for some input from the community before starting.
Keep in mind this would be a prefabricated host and not a made to order custom host.
Here are the questions:
- What button configurations do you prefer? (Side button, tailcap, slider, twist, trigger, keyed, lighted, etc.)
- What power levels are you more likely to buy a host for?
- What material preferences do you have? (Limited to copper, aluminum, steel, and brass)
- What sorts of surface treatments would you want?
- What battery configurations would you want to use in a custom build?
- What form factors and sizes are your favorites?
Separately, how interested would you be in a more rectangular host instead of a circular one? Think more of a TV Remote shape instead of the typical tube shape.
Oh boy, interesting stuff here!
Q:What button configurations do you prefer? (Side button, tailcap, slider, twist, trigger, keyed, lighted, etc.)
A: I find that side buttons feel most satisfying, and a key socket is always a professional feeling. Tailcap buttons are also nice, as long as they match the host. e.g. metal host, metal button. Like Sanwu designs theirs.
Q:What power levels are you more likely to buy a host for?
A: Personally, 3W-6W as I've climbed pretty high up on the ladder already.
Q:What material preferences do you have? (Limited to copper, aluminum, steel, and brass)
A: A shame you're limited, some mixed alloys are cool to work with and feel badass. But from the choices, aluminum would be my most preferred but copper is always a good option.
Q:What sorts of surface treatments would you want?
A: Definitely some polishing, and a protective coating of some sort (scratch resistant or anything similar) would be a great add-on, I have yet to see such a protective layer on a host.
Q:What battery configurations would you want to use in a custom build?
A: I like long hosts as long as they're not too thick, so 2*18650s for me. This is very dependant on the design of the host though; if it has a heat-sync head then this option is probably not a very good idea. This kind of relates to the power levels question, as it does depend on that a little.
Q: What form factors and sizes are your favorites?
A: Simplistic designs. I'm not a big fan of "art" on the body of the host, Ehgemus did that a couple times with a host or two. A smooth surface to me is ideal along with any indentations where applicable, for example the head of a host:
Notice the head (heatsink) has notches, I like that design feature a lot. Small things like that that add up to the quality of the host. Also when it comes to high-power hosts, I do like the shape of the host in the image above, the standard heatsink+handle. Very typical, but easily improved versions have yet to be invented and designed.
Sizing; Something that fits in anyone's hand, obviously. A nice weight is definitely a nice feeling and gives the thought of quality, something heavy and dense feels like there's a lot going into it. This is pretty basic, nothing oversize but not too small either. As per length to width ratio, that's up to the designer to establish
I would definitely be open to a rectangular host, that would be quite unique and interesting. It would take a lot of original work to create though, as I've never seen a rectangular host aside from project box builds. Also a lot of thought should be put into the design to make it appealing.
Be sure to update, I'm very interested in the results!
EDIT: Important point olympus made! I'd also love to see more backlit switches, I would kill to have those integrated into hosts again!
