Does anyone else forget how their lights work?

[AimlessWanderer]

Maybe I have too many lights, and/or just don't swap between my gear enough 

I mean, you pick up a knife that you haven't used for a while, and you know how to cut things. You pick up a pair of pliers you haven't used for a while, and you can grab things just fine. Yet with lights, things are somehow less certain.

I've been going through my lights, checking batteries, and generally just checking everything is working ok. The only thing that wasn't working as it should, was me...

Constantly soft pressing a Fenix E11, wondering why it wouldn't switch modes, and why my Fenix PD20 only had one mode plus strobe  (totally forgetting that you twist the head to access the other modes). I actually had to go online to find instruction for them

Twisting a Thrunite Ti on and off constantly, knowing there's a low mode in there somewhere - totally skipping past the low mode on the partially tightened head because I was turning it on too fast.

Turning the strobe on, on the Silva Ninox, because I always forget to press and hold to turn it off.

Wondering who stole the modes on my Lumapower D mini VX. Tactical lock was on. I completely forgot it existed, never mind knowing how to disable the damn thing. Internet to the rescue again 

In AA, AAA and CR123 lights alone, I counted 16 lights (and I'm sure there's another somewhere), by 10 different manufacturers, with a myriad of different systems for getting it to do what you want. No wonder I get confused. I'm just glad I haven't got my Zebralight anymore, that thing can reduce a man to tears on its own.

Is it just me? C'mon, own up

[Dan B]

Fortunately I don't have too many to remember.

I've got some old single mode Surefire lights, a Surefire E2 Tactician, some of the old 4sevens quark tactical lights, some of the Streamlight "ten-tap" ones that live in high only mode, and just recently a Fenix UC35.

The 4sevens ones are the most complicated but they're also the ones that I'm most familiar with.

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[nate j]

Fortunately I don't have too many to remember.

I only have a handful as well:  a couple of maglites, a few Fenix LD22s, a Fenix LD01, and an Olight I3S.  Plus, while I really like having at least two or three different brightness levels, having a really simple/intuitive manual of operations is a requirement for me when looking to purchase a flashlight.  If it weren't, I figure I would be the one to find myself camping or otherwise without power or internet, wondering how get the silly thing out of strobe mode...

[Aloha]

  It happens.  I've got a few lights but they tend to be similar in UI.  Another great reason to get your gear out and have a play from time to time  . 

[pomsbz]

Yup and I don't even have that many different models. But I still have twisty's, rear clicky, front clicky, rear clicky with twist for modes and twist for second set of modes. I remember once I had a few modern flashlights picking up my old maglite from my army days and I simply couldn't remember how to change power on it. Nowadays I've pretty much tried to condense my flashlights to a single UI, my preferred one. Rear Clicky. Doesn't help with my wife or kids lights though. 

[Don Pablo]

Fortunately I don't have too many to remember.

Same here, but to a more extreme extent.

I only have two, a Thrunite Ti3 and a Manker E03H.

The Ti3 is pretty fool-proof, turn it on and off in quick succession to go firefly-low-high. Do that whole thing twice to get to strobe.

The Manker isn't too bad, press it normally to into firefly, and successive presses to cycle firefly-low-med-high.
The trickier part is accessing the strobe and turbo modes. And remembering the shortcut to get to your last used of the "main" (low-med-high) modes.

[Mechanickal]

I have 2 decent lights, so no issue remembering the functions.

I also have a few cheapos that are usualy the same UI (half press to switch mode, with memory when turned off)

[Dan B]

they tend to be similar in UI.

That helps too.  All of mine are some variation of the forward press and all but one are a clicky.

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[ezdog]

Yeah and Hell Yeah!

But this is a Hobby and I also use my lights all the time and this is what I call fun!

It is not too tough to find and standardize on  a single simple interface if that is what you like but is there really any difference with this and just having a SAK Cadet as it is so simple and really all I need?

How is this really different than EVERY SINGLE Smart device today?

I sure have never seen anyone in traffic trying to kill others by fiddling with a Flashlight though?

[Dan B]

I sure have never seen anyone in traffic trying to kill others by fiddling with a Flashlight though?

Haha! True story.

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[Dan B]

It is not too tough to find and standardize on  a single simple interface if that is what you like

You would think, but I've had an awful time trying to find something that does what my Quark Tactical lights did for me, specially give me direct access to both moonlight and maximum output with decent throw.

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[jaya_man]

Yes I do... even though I don’t have that too many lights... especially those that stays in the bag as backup... seldom used

[nate j]

You would think, but I've had an awful time trying to find something that does what my Quark Tactical lights did for me, specially give me direct access to both moonlight and maximum output with decent throw.

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So, not exactly the same as the Quarks, but you might take a look at what I'll call the Fenix "two-button" lights, e.g. LD22, LD12, PD35, etc.  Basically, the tail switch is momentary on/off, the side switch (with the light on) cycles through modes, and the light has mode memory.

[Dan B]

So, not exactly the same as the Quarks, but you might take a look at what I'll call the Fenix "two-button" lights, e.g. LD22, LD12, PD35, etc.  Basically, the tail switch is momentary on/off, the side switch (with the light on) cycles through modes, and the light has mode memory.

That was my thought in getting the Fenix UC35. It's a good light and works well enough but it doesn't give direct access to both high and low modes.

I just grabbed a couple of new old stock Quark QT2L-X gen 2 heads off of ebay. Those were the last generation before the legal shenanigans went down so it tops out at 700+ lumens in burst.

Where I already have a collection of bodies for these lights I'm hoping that these will hold me over until whatever applicable patent expires and they start making them again.

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[Poncho65]

Yes I do... even though I don’t have that too many lights... especially those that stays in the bag as backup... seldom used

  this is me I got out my older Maglite XL50 and almost forgot how it worked a few clicks into it and I finally remembered 

[KBM3]

When it comes to flashlights, I like simplicity. On and off are the only modes I require. I have played with lights that have multiple functions (high, low, medium, strobe, etc.) and it is overkill for my purposes. As I am getting older, my night vision is slowly getting worse and I just need something that throws light.

Ken

[AimlessWanderer]

When it comes to flashlights, I like simplicity. On and off are the only modes I require. I have played with lights that have multiple functions (high, low, medium, strobe, etc.) and it is overkill for my purposes. As I am getting older, my night vision is slowly getting worse and I just need something that throws light.

Ken

Yup. I can relate to that. The main reason I was forgetting how several of my lights work, was I've been pretty much just carrying the simpler ones. The Quark AA2 Tactical requires me to access the hidden modes to set the light levels, but once set, it's just on/off for daily operation. The Sunwayman V10R ie even simpler, an on/off switch and a twist ring dimmer.

[Dan B]

The Sunwayman V10R ie even simpler, an on/off switch and a twist ring dimmer.

I haven't heard of that one before. I might have to check it out. Do you like yours?

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[Don Pablo]

At some point, I think I want to try out the Zebralight UI.
It seems to be gloriously complicated. 

[AimlessWanderer]

I haven't heard of that one before. I might have to check it out. Do you like yours?

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I love it, but it does have one minor/major annoyance (depending where you are, and what you're wearing). The body of the torch directly beneath the clip is quite smooth, and it doesn't have the grip on the pocket that I would like. It has a habit of escaping, and I now call it Houdini.

[ezdog]

I love it, but it does have one minor/major annoyance (depending where you are, and what you're wearing). The body of the torch directly beneath the clip is quite smooth, and it doesn't have the grip on the pocket that I would like. It has a habit of escaping, and I now call it Houdini.

These have also been discontinued for a long time I thought and the Rotary control seem to degrade on them according to many although mine has been just fine really.

I don't understand why more makers don't employ a Rotary control though I imagine it is only the cost in the end?

[ezdog]

At some point, I think I want to try out the Zebralight UI.
It seems to be gloriously complicated. 

If you can Walk and Chew Gum at the same time I think you could deal with it.

I have not EDC'd anything else since getting my first ZL and likely never will.

[Dan B]

I don't understand why more makers don't employ a Rotary control though I imagine it is only the cost in the end?

Right? It seemed like everything was going to that and then all of a sudden it just disappeared.

I'd love a simple forward clicky with a twist ring to select output. Maybe have it spring loaded so that you have to retract it to get it to turn.

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[AimlessWanderer]

These have also been discontinued for a long time I thought and the Rotary control seem to degrade on them according to many although mine has been just fine really.

I don't understand why more makers don't employ a Rotary control though I imagine it is only the cost in the end?

No problem with mine either. Nuphoria, who I bought this from, upgraded to the later version, and she said it wasn't as good. I think she said it lacked smoothness in both the movement of the ring, and the light level change too.

[AimlessWanderer]

Right? It seemed like everything was going to that and then all of a sudden it just disappeared.

I'd love a simple forward clicky with a twist ring to select output. Maybe have it spring loaded so that you have to retract it to get it to turn.

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Yeah, some method of getting it to stop at the required light level would be good. With mine, you nearly always have to click AND twist, because it's moved from where you wanted it.

[pfrsantos]

Don't get me started on the subject...

A few weeks ago, I forgot how to engage reverse in my car...

 

I had to check the diagram on the gear stick.

[Archibald Tuttle]

It does happen! SO many "morse code" lights are available now. Long press for on or long press for off, double click for turbo, press and hold for moonlight .Triple click for battery check, double click and hold for room service..
 I really prefer the  traditional dimmer/rheostat operation of a light. I took to carrying a Jetbeam TCR-1 in 2012 and ever other light gets compared to that simple function UI. I own and use a few Zebralights, Manker,Emisar, Malkoff,Nitecore,SureFire, etc. buts it's the dirt simple user interface of the TCR-1 that keeps it in my pocket.
From .01 lumen to 600 lumens, it's as simple as turning a dial.
 


Now, as long winded as that was, it doesn't stop me in any way from trying and thoroughly enjoying new lights And, I enjoy many of my prepper-doomer buds picking the light apart, feature wise
Imagine how boring the forum would be if we all settled on a one or two knives or multitools or lights. 

[Sos24]

Yes.  My most commonly used flashlights are rotary ring or twisty, which are very easy and intuitive.  I have an Olight S1 mini, that I don’t use very often and when I do I forget that you have to press hold rather than quick press to change modes.  I also have an Emissar with ramping.  I know remember how to use the ramping, but frequently forget the other shortcuts.