I need a new light

[AimlessWanderer]

+2     What a funny (and detailed) description of the frustration some people could feel.  My pet hate are the lights with many different modes (including several flashing disco modes) that have a memory function that actually advances to the next mode in the sequence when you switch it off - totally bonkers !!!!   Those lights go the bottom of the box, never to see the light of day (or dark of night) again.

I must admit to some bias re the ZL UI - I think I have 10 or more ZLs floating around and I use them way more often than any of the (many) other lights I own.  That said, I think the ZL fan-boys outnumber the haters by a good margin amongst those people that have actually owned one for any length of time.

The pocket tearing, nail breaking, two hand operated, pocket clip of doom is another feature I forgot to mention, along with the included disco feature.

The disco feature on these lights is simply the press and hold level selection roulette (place your bets, place your bets). This disco feature coupled with the in-pocket activation risk, can if wearing light summer trousers, inadvertently turn your genital area into a spontaneous flashing beacon. Whilst this may be of benefit in certain speSmurfpillst nightclubs, it's probably not ideal in your role as fishmonger, teacher, care worker ...... well, pretty much anything really

Stick it wherever you like Al.

Well it won't be my light summer trouser pocket, that's for sure 

[gregozedobe]

...... coupled with the in-pocket activation risk....

I can tell you haven't tried an SC52 - the switch is significantly stiffer with very little chance of accidental activation.  But you'll probably describe that as "so hard it gives you RSI every time you use it" ....

To summarise: Al hates Zebralights, I think they are great.  Everyone else can decide for themselves (or just ignore the lengthy digression on a light that is outside the specified budget anyway.....).

[Syph007]

Well Im not a flashoholic for sure.  But I did buy alot of different ones to evaluate and I am known to be extremely picky.  I loved the zebra best, and sold off the rest.  The neutral tints combined with the UI are just exactly what I wanted.   I hated the cold white light from the fenix ones, I actually found it hard on the eyes after continued use, but natural light tints are a treat. 

Even my elderly relatives can work the zebra just fine, so Im still not seeing an issue with the UI.  You click the button, it comes on to full bright.  If you want to find dimmer mods, hold it down. 

If you want a confusing UI, the fenix LD20 I had confused me...  It had soft clicks, hard clicks, double clicks, hold to cycle AND you could twist the bezel for a super brite mode.  Way to confusing.

[enki_ck]

.... I'm right aren't I ... 

You can read my thoughts on it here: http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,41970.msg688606.html#msg688606

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

Well Im not a flashoholic for sure.  But I did buy alot of different ones to evaluate and I am known to be extremely picky.  I loved the zebra best, and sold off the rest.  The neutral tints combined with the UI are just exactly what I wanted.   I hated the cold white light from the fenix ones, I actually found it hard on the eyes after continued use, but natural light tints are a treat. 

Even my elderly relatives can work the zebra just fine, so Im still not seeing an issue with the UI.  You click the button, it comes on to full bright.  If you want to find dimmer mods, hold it down. 

If you want a confusing UI, the fenix LD20 I had confused me...  It had soft clicks, hard clicks, double clicks, hold to cycle AND you could twist the bezel for a super brite mode.  Way to confusing.

Couldn't agree more...  I no longer own any cool tint lights either... only neutral and HCRI for me now.

I no longer have any of the Fenixes I used to own either, because they don't seem to understand the concept of a simple UI!  The UI on the FourSevens regular models isn't quite as bad, but it's close; I call it the "Quark Shuffle", because you have to repeatedly half click to cycle through all the modes, and the disco modes just get in the way.   

Probably the simplest UI of any light I have is the IBS interface on my old Jet III Pro ST.  Three settings, each individually programmable.  Want high first?  Want low first?  Want medium first?  Whatever you want, you can set it up the way you like; once it's set, just click through 1, 2, 3.  That's all.    It's a shame they're not making that UI anymore, but Zebra's UI is just fine for me too. 

[Gareth]

I'm a fan of the UI on my Jetbeam PRO as well.   As you say; 3 modes to play with, each settable to whatever level/strobe you want.

[Gareth]

BTW Grant how about one of these? http://dx.com/p/romisen-rc-a5-q5-cree-q5-wc-3-mode-180-lumen-led-flashlight-grey-1-aa-1-16340-32947

While I don't have that particular model myself I do have another Romisen and they are great quality for the money.  For under $17 US it's not a huge gamble to see if you like it or not.  If it takes your fancy I'd google it to see if anyone is stocking it on Amazon or Ebay as the postal times from DX can take weeks/months to arrive (though my experience has been better than others').

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

BTW Grant how about one of these? http://dx.com/p/romisen-rc-a5-q5-cree-q5-wc-3-mode-180-lumen-led-flashlight-grey-1-aa-1-16340-32947

While I don't have that particular model myself I do have another Romisen and they are great quality for the money.  For under $17 US it's not a huge gamble to see if you like it or not.  If it takes your fancy I'd google it to see if anyone is stocking it on Amazon or Ebay as the postal times from DX can take weeks/months to arrive (though my experience has been better than others').

Romisens are great little budget lights.  You could easily do worse.  Def, check out shiningbeam.com and check their AA lights.  They have a set of links on the left side of the page; one that says something like "by battery type", hover over it and it will expand and you'll see an "AA" option.  They have a nice little Romisen, the RC29, that is a small flood-to-throw light.  One setting, decently bright, and a neat little focusable beam.  No pocket clip though.

Edit: here's the link(s).

http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-By-Batteries-cln-AA/Categories

http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-265/**NEW**-Romisen-RC-dsh-29-II/Detail

[Grant Lamontagne]

I'm still looking for something, and checking all of your recommendations carefully, although in the meantime the Olight T20 I bought recently has been filling the gap and I am starting to like it.  It is somewhat on the bright side though, as I found out shining it at my notebook so I could make notes on something after dark.   

I've also been using my Nitecore Defender when I take the dogs out- as it was a gift I am terrified of losing it, so I have it attached to a lanyard around my neck.  If only it had a clip it would be perfect!

Def

[Millhouse]

Nitecore MT1A.

Similar to the old Defender. With the head tightened, light comes on in max mode. With the head slightly loosened, mode is user selectable from 5 levels. Selected mode is then memorised.

Light comes with a reversible clip.