minke
Well-known member
In the abstract choice is good. The problem is that bozo engineering/design can diminish the utility of choices.
Am I the only one who hates multi-mode flashlights?
- Thread starter dwasifar
- Start date
In the abstract choice is good. The problem is that bozo engineering/design can diminish the utility of choices.
I'm someone who has owned many, many lights over the last 20 years. I was very active on Canflepowerforums Forums and I was a moderator on the Flashlight subreddit. After all of that, I have sold or given away the vast majority of my lights. The only ones that remain with me are Malkoff lights in either single mode or two-stage head switch varieties, surefire in either single mode or high/low variants, and a handful of zebralight headlamps.
I'm very much a fan of simple, but it's hard to argue the utility/efficiency of the zebralight drivers and the (relatively) intuitive interface.
As I said in post number 12, UI is personal. People THINK they want choices, which is why they buy lights with all the bells and whistles. But after actually using lights day in and day out, 99% of those choices go unused and just get in the way.
.......Or just stop being such a girlyman.I have four Zebralights and they have no less than seven modes. They can be a little intimidating when you first get them but it doesn't take long to get the hang of the UI. At one time in a thread I was explaining the modes to someone and they said it was very complicated. My reply, in all honesty, was it's no more complicated than the turn signal stalk on most modern cars. Have you ever heard someone complain about how annoying a turn signal stalk is to use.
Well…yeah. I think multifunction stalks are one the dumber “advancements” in automotive design.
I much prefer a turn signal stalk, dash mounted headlight and wiper switches, and a floor mounted dimmer.
Beerhippie
Well-known member
What? No starter pedal?
I’m not a caveman….
richfinn
Well-known member
I have an "O light Arkfeld Pro", it would drive you nuts 
It has three different brightness modes, a laser pointer and a UV lamp function
uk.olight.com
It has three different brightness modes, a laser pointer and a UV lamp function
20% Off! Arkfeld Pro Flat EDC Torch with LED Light & UV & Laser
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Yes! I am a grumpy old man on this point too.
I agree and will take it one step further. I want a mechanical on/off switch. Not a silly momentary switch that you have to hold for >5 seconds to turn off the light. Momentary switches also drain the battery when off because the circuit that monitors the switch is always on consuming power. (quiescent current draw)
Beerhippie
Well-known member
Pretty sure my Fenix use non-volatile memory, as they retain the last setting even with the batteries left out for days. I haven't noticed any drain on the ones that live bedside and in the rig that get very infrequent use.
sparky 1971
Well-known member
I've set the requirements even stricter since that post, I want full sized batteries (C or D). When I made my post, all of my vehicles had a Coast G90 that runs on nine AA batteries in the door pocket. I've since swapped those out for Maglite ML300L 2D versions and thrown two D cell batteries in the console thanks to this thread. In the dark, it's much easier to unscrew the cap, dump the contents, and throw two batteries in there t!tt!e first and put the cap back on vs screwing around with the cartridge that requires another flashlight to see what is going on and getting everything right.
CR123a is the way…..
Beerhippie
Well-known member
CR1860 is even better.
sparky 1971
Well-known member
I carry a MagTac with CR123's in my pocket, but for a full sized light that can serve double duty as a club, I want D cells.
No need nor desire for rechargeables. Have some, don’t care for them.
A Streamlight UltraStinger makes a way, way better club than anything MagLite sized. Allegedly.
The day we got rid of the D-Cell shaped lights was one of the better days of my career as far as equipment goes.
sparky 1971
Well-known member
I can completely understand both of those statements, especially when coming from a LEO that used one every single working day but I just want something simple that fits in my door pockets, has some heft, lights up out to 150 yards, and is relatively inexpensive (the wife has a tendency to borrow things, but never, ever puts anything back). I also like D batteries because as long as I have an idea of where they are, they are easy to find and load using the feel around in the console/glovebox method. I'm also extremely old school and don't like to change; I still carry a Buck stockman pocket knife, wear a Timex watch, and use a flip phone; I have no intention of changing any of those things so I might as well use the flashlight from my youth as well.
Old tool guy
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2023
- Messages
- 3,328
Why.
Mechanical and momentary are not mutually exclusive. A momentary switch just means that the light goes off when you release the switch. Many of the most popular and widely used mechanical switches out there have momentary capability. That said, most modern momentary switches also have constant on capability. For example, you press the switch part way down and the light comes on. You release the switch and the light goes off. If you push the switch all the way on until it clicks, it stays on when you release the switch.
I think you may just be referring to an electronic switch.
Beerhippie
Well-known member
I understand. It's just that I'm a commie and HATE AMERICA! So I use rechargeable batteries that I can change out easily.
I have two weapon lights that use 18650s. They work fine…they just aren’t my “standard.” 123s work in everything, 18650s work in some things.
seber
Well-known member
I have a number of lights but the ones that get used are either cheap throwaways or use 18650 batteries. When I'm traveling, the 18650 type are what I take along. And I agree, on off only.