Clicky or Twisty on off?

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

So what's your preferred method of operation?

For my part I prefer the reliability of a twisty, but what about you lot?

[Styerman]

Low end clickies , especially those trying to do to many things at once pee me off . The Twisty are simpler and more reliable . Tat said my current EDC's are good quality clickies .

Chris

[Benner]

Clicky for convenience, twisty for reliability.  The best of both worlds IMO are Surefires twist for constant on, or push for momentary on switches.

[NutSAK]

Clicky for convenience, twisty for reliability.

+1!

If I never had to operate a flashlight one-handed, I would select the twisty every time.  Granted, you can operate most twisties one-handed, but not quickly enough for some tasks.  Head twisties are the least convenient for my uses, but are far more common than tail twisties.

[Gareth]

Forward clicky as a preference, but there's no denying that a twisty has the edge on reliability though.

I just realised that with these two polls I've said I prefer a throwing light with a clicky switch, and for some reason I have a Fenix L0D in my pocket.

Again it still comes down to situation IMO.  One of the reasons I prefer the L0D is that it's really quite small and so disappears on my keyring.  Not so likely with a clicky torch.

Also why i have my Eagletac P10A in my bag, forward clicky and a good compromise spill/throw beam IMO.

[Styerman]

I've given thought to the idea of getting two Ra's , one being the Clicky , and being the main EDC , the other being the twisty as a backup/spares battery carrier . Bit spendy , but a definative and semi permanent answer .

Do it once , do it right , and don't do it again .

Chris .

[NutSAK]

I've given thought to the idea of getting two Ra's , one being the Clicky , and being the main EDC , the other being the twisty as a backup/spares battery carrier . Bit spendy , but a definative and semi permanent answer .

Do it once , do it right , and don't do it again .

Chris .

I've thought about that too.  However, in this situation I think I would opt to buy just the clicky.  The type of switch that HDS/Novatac/Ra spec on their lights is extremely durable.  The twisty would see very little use, as I would always want to use the clicky with CCW.

...if I did decide to buy a twisty Ra, I think I would opt for the 85-TR.  But that's a bit off-topic.

[Styerman]

Ya got a good point , the idea still appeals . I like the clicky functions on my Novatac 120 EDC , appeals to the lazy bugger in me . For walking on the wild side , I still prefer my Surefire E1B . Wish I could locate an E2D tailcap/switch for it . I sometimes use the tailcap from my scout light on it , luv the tailstanding , but screws up my holstering arrangements .

Chris

[space cowboy]

A clicky for general use for me is fine. In a survival type situation the reliable twisty wins hands down IMHO.

[jock1]

Twisty for round the house ,diy etc prefer clicky for outside especially in the cold with gloves on etc

[prime77]

I like clickys for the ease of use. But have no problem with twisties. I'm easy.

[Freudian Frog]

Clickie for the quickie! ... wait what?

[Zack]

I'll second (or third) the RA Clicky.  I have one and it is the most reliable and user friendly light I have ever owned, not to mention it throws like no ones business.

[Styerman]

I'm thinking pretty hard about a Brace of Ra's . Either a Clicky and Twisty or two Clickies , one set for EDC , one for Tactical . I do a bit of locksmithing in crappy buildings , if I need to skull F@#$ some crack head/ho with it I don't wanna spoil the surprise . For more general work , lo first would be better .

Chris

[Blackbeard]

I'm thinking pretty hard about a Brace of Ra's . Either a Clicky and Twisty or two Clickies , one set for EDC , one for Tactical . I do a bit of locksmithing in crappy buildings , if I need to skull F@#$ some crack head/ho with it I don't wanna spoil the surprise . For more general work , lo first would be better .

Chris

hmmmm, skull F@#$ means something entirely different in my book 

[Blackbeard]

I like twist for small AAA & some cr123 lights and clickie for larger lights. So I didn't vote.

[NutSAK]

So I didn't vote.

I didn't either.  I use them both.

[Mr. Whippy]

For ME, I prefer twisty partly because in a bag, clickies have a way of getting turned on and killing the battery.  I only buy twisties that I can one hand operate (OHO).

However, I recognize that most people don't care to have manual dexterity and things have to be essentially idiot proof.  So, I give clickie lights for gifts.

[jock1]

I'm thinking pretty hard about a Brace of Ra's . Either a Clicky and Twisty or two Clickies , one set for EDC , one for Tactical . I do a bit of locksmithing in crappy buildings , if I need to skull F@#$ some crack head/ho with it I don't wanna spoil the surprise . For more general work , lo first would be better .

Chris

hmmmm, skull F@#$ means something entirely different in my book 

We've read the same book

[NutSAK]

For ME, I prefer twisty partly because in a bag, clickies have a way of getting turned on and killing the battery.

You got me thinking on this one.  I can't think of a single clicky I own (out of 20-30) that doesn't lock out the switch when the tailcap is loosened.  I would think that a locked out clicky would have even less of a chance of coming on in a bag than a twisty.  The twisty would have to be twisted to turn on in the bag, and the locked-out clicky would have to be twisted and pushed to turn on.

There are some clicky designs that haven't been designed so that they can be locked out but, from my experience, they are in the minority.

[Mr. Whippy]

For ME, I prefer twisty partly because in a bag, clickies have a way of getting turned on and killing the battery.

You got me thinking on this one.  I can't think of a single clicky I own (out of 20-30) that doesn't lock out the switch when the tailcap is loosened.  I would think that a locked out clicky would have even less of a chance of coming on in a bag than a twisty.  The twisty would have to be twisted to turn on in the bag, and the locked-out clicky would have to be twisted and pushed to turn on.

I suppose there are some designs that haven't been designed so that they can be locked out but, from my experience, they are in the minority.

I guess I'm not following this correctly,

If you loosen the tailcap of a clickie switch, you've converted it to a twistie-THEN-clicky switch.  Seems redundant to me...

I just go with the twisty.

[NutSAK]

I guess I'm not following this correctly,

If you loosen the tailcap of a clickie switch, you've converted it to a twistie-THEN-clicky switch.  Seems redundant to me...

I just go with the twisty.

You only use the twist to lockout the switch when you're concerned that it may come on inadvertently, such as packed in a bag.  Normal operation just requires a push of the clicky.  I'm not sure how that is redundant really, unless you had to operate it with a twist and push at all times.

If that's too difficult, I suppose you could leave the switch turned on when you twist the tail and put it in your bag, and it would operate just like your twisty when you remove it from your bag.  You could then use the clicky in a nice, convenient manner.

I'm only trying to point out that, with most clickies, there shouldn't be a concern of them coming on in a bag.

[Mr. Whippy]

I guess I'm not following this correctly,

If you loosen the tailcap of a clickie switch, you've converted it to a twistie-THEN-clicky switch.  Seems redundant to me...

I just go with the twisty.

You only use the twist to lockout the switch when you're concerned that it may come on inadvertently, such as packed in a bag.  Normal operation just requires a push of the clicky.  I'm not sure how that is redundant really, unless you had to operate it with a twist and push at all times.

If that's too difficult, I suppose you could leave the switch turned on when you twist the tail and put it in your bag, and it would operate just like your twisty when you remove it from your bag.  You could then use the clicky in a nice, convenient manner.

I'm only trying to point out that, with most clickies, there shouldn't be a concern of them coming on in a bag.

Yea, for me, I carry a small light in a pocket or bag and pull it out to use it.  When done, it goes back in the pocket or bag so basically, it's
1. Pull out
2. Turn on
3. Turn off
4. Put away

If I turned it off and on multiple times once it was in hand, I can see your point, but for me, it would essentially be twist/click every time I used it.

[Styerman]

I'm thinking pretty hard about a Brace of Ra's . Either a Clicky and Twisty or two Clickies , one set for EDC , one for Tactical . I do a bit of locksmithing in crappy buildings , if I need to skull F@#$ some crack head/ho with it I don't wanna spoil the surprise . For more general work , lo first would be better .

Chris

hmmmm, skull F@#$ means something entirely different in my book 

My application of the term describes the application of a weapon or object to the eye socket /central facial area .

Chris

[NutSAK]

If I turned it off and on multiple times once it was in hand, I can see your point, but for me, it would essentially be twist/click every time I used it.

That makes sense.  Also, if you wanted to avoid the twist/click and just twist it off before you put it in your bag, the clicky would be redundant, as you mentioned.  You'd basically always be using a clicky like a twisty.

[Blackbeard]

I'm thinking pretty hard about a Brace of Ra's . Either a Clicky and Twisty or two Clickies , one set for EDC , one for Tactical . I do a bit of locksmithing in crappy buildings , if I need to skull F@#$ some crack head/ho with it I don't wanna spoil the surprise . For more general work , lo first would be better .

Chris

hmmmm, skull F@#$ means something entirely different in my book 

My application of the term describes the application of a weapon or object to the eye socket /central facial area .

Chris

I'm applying the necrophylliac definition, but to each his own 

[Spoonrobot]

I prefer a stiff reverse clicky with a slightly recessed switch boot. For my uses this is the fastest and best way to carry a light. You generally don't have to lock it out to carry in your pocket but still have the option to do so. No momentary means no battery loss from inadvertent activation.

I'm still not sure why people love the forward clicky so much? It makes using your EDC light a two-handed or awkward one-handed affair.

[NutSAK]

Im still not sure why people love the forward clicky so much? It makes using your EDC light a two-handed or awkward one-handed affair.

Why is a forward clicky awkward to use one-handed?  I assume you're referring to lockout, but I've never had to use a lockout feature for EDC/pocket carry of a forward clicky because I use a clip.

Many, like myself, prefer the "tactical" aspect of a forward clicky when carrying a handgun.  The proper use of a flashlight in a handgun defense situation warrants momentary on.  You can only accomplish this with a twist/momentary (ala Surefire) or a forward clicky.

When I'm not carrying a handgun, I prefer a reverse clicky or twisty that allows tailstanding.

[Spoonrobot]

That's right, I was referring to the lockout. I carried forward clickies for years and found that trying to rotate the cap to unlock was a major pain with one hand. That was something I'd have to do quite frequently until I acquired a light with a reverse clickie.

Completely forgot about the firearms aspect. That makes sense to me.

My comment was more directed at the nigh-obsession with forward clickies that's so prevalent at CPF for general carry lights that aren't being used with firearms. I just think that a reverse clickie makes sense for an EDC light that's going to be carried more often than used.

So basically, just spouting off my opinion again. 

[NutSAK]

So basically, just spouting off my opinion again. 

There's certainly nothing wrong with that!

Before I started needing momentary, I always wondered why everyone was so upset at CPF when a new light came out with a reverse clicky .  I agree with you, and doubt most of those folks are needing it for any real purpose.  They seem hung up on momentary use for some reason.... 

I've not had a problem with inadvertent activation with my forward-clicky EDC lights though, and I only use lockout when I'm packing the light away for a trip.  The EDCs are never carried at the bottom of a pocket, however.