Ramble- I ( Iota) Flashlight

[N_N_R]

That's a flashlight I saw for the first time on one of our BG forums. I couldn't find much information about it online, though, not to say any at all. Have you heard of it? What are your thoughts on these?

On our forum it's selling for about $25, but this is with a 20% discount, because our guys are attempting to buy more of these.

http://skilhunt.com/Product_view.asp?id=16


Pictures from the site:

[Gareth]

Not come across that brand before.  They look OK, but I'm not sure they offer much that you can't find on many other lights.  The optional magnetic base sounds like a good feature though.

[N_N_R]

Not come across that brand before.  They look OK, but I'm not sure they offer much that you can't find on many other lights.  The optional magnetic base sounds like a good feature though.

Yeah... the Olight i3 is still my favourite

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

The jump from 7 to 70 lumens is a pretty big one.  That's about a 3x perceptual increase in brightness.  Seems odd too, if the high mode is first; you'd need several seconds to adapt to the low level after the high.  Otherwise, looks like it might be a decent little light.

[dks]

This might help:

http://budgetlightforum.com/node/10948

They seem OK.

Also, they are only $18, not $25 and should be cheaper with a coupon (use the web)

http://www.dinodirect.com/flashlight-waterproof-keychain-3-mode-70lm-cree-r2-led.html?d=7175

[Gareth]

I actually like the fact we can still get lights that don't go to low first.  The majority of the time I use my light I want to light up as much as possible, so having to cycle through modes is a pain.  If for some reason I want to keep my night vison and use the low level I can always cover the lens with my thumb until I get to the right mode.

[Millhouse]

I actually like the fact we can still get lights that don't go to low first.  The majority of the time I use my light I want to light up as much as possible, so having to cycle through modes is a pain.  If for some reason I want to keep my night vison and use the low level I can always cover the lens with my thumb until I get to the right mode.

One of the reasons I like my old ITP A3, which comes on in medium mode.

[16VGTIDave]

I value my night vision, so I despise lights that turn on at their highest power. Almost as much as I despise lights with a memory. I don't remember the last used setting so I don't want my light to either!

It is easy to tell who is a flashlight enthusiast and who is a flashlight user. Those who are enthusiasts will usually want lower output and extended run time settings, even with lights that are flame-throwers. Colour temperature is also important to an enthusiast. And they will use the lowest setting that gets the task accomplished. Users want flame-throwers and nothing less. And "white" is white to a user. I once was a user, now I'm an enthusiast.

Flashlight snobs are yet another group, and you know when you are talking to one because they tell you why they think you are just a user with a crappy light.

Dave


Sent from my iPad2

[dks]

Memory is good in torches with several modes, including strobes.

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

I'm a user and an enthusiast!  I use my pocket light almost daily, and one of my headlamps at least two or three times a week.  I use them for navigating around the house at night while my family is asleep, for extra light while I'm working on a project at my work bench, or doing something else in the garage, for hiking at night, walking the dog at night (often overlaps with hiking at night), taking out the trash, bringing in the groceries, etc.  And, I won't buy a cool tint anymore, no matter how nice the light or how big a flamethrower it is.  Strictly neutrals and HCRI's for me now.  A Nailbender P60 module is one of the next items on my list of things to get, I just can't decide yet between the HCRI XML or the 4,500K SST-50.   

While I am discriminating in my choice of lights, I'm by no means a snob.     Every light has a target use and audience, and should be judged accordingly. 

[16VGTIDave]

Oh, okay. Then I challenge you dks:

Take 2 of your most expensive memory lights and set them to a setting. Doesn't matter what, but make them different from each other. Then set them in a drawer for 7 days without using them or even looking at them, all the while using other flashlights.

After 7 days, pick one of the lights and name the exact setting it is on. Turn it on. If you get it right, grab the other light and do the same. If you get both correct, you have earned my respect.

However, if you get either (or both) wrong, give both lights and all related accessories to a homeless person, or a shelter, or what ever else is available. All of it. Batteries, chargers, holsters, lanyards, filters, everything. If you even considered using it with either flashlight, it is Gone. Regardless of value and your investment. Will that be enough to make you sweat your answer?

I know that I can name the exact setting my lights will turn on at, every time, without error. And that is because they don't have a memory. They have a fixed and predictable pattern of settings.

And you may be wondering why I'm so opposed to memory flashlights. Well, let me tell you how a flashlight almost killed a friend.

We were out hiking and were late getting to our desired site. The sun set as we arrived and it got dark quick. One of the group pulled out his fancy light and turned it on. And it was set for tactical strobe. Oops, no big deal, right? Wrong. There was one of us who was walking near the embankment of a fast moving river and the strobe did as it was supposed to and disoriented him. He stumbled and one foot went over the edge. He was sliding down towards the river with a large backpack weighing him down. He was able to grab some roots and yell on his way down. We struggled and with 3, managed to drag him back up.

And this occurred because of a flashlight that had a memory, and the user didn't remember what it was set at. So, that is why I despise flashlights with a memory and have written a page of text with my thumbs. :p Are you willing to accept my challenge?

Regards,
Dave


Sent from my iPad2

[dks]

No, can't be bothered  , but I do get your point. I, additionaly, have no "expensive" torches.

Memory gives you the chance to select the setting your torch switches on. If you have too many then, unless you want them all on at the same setting you will have a problem remembering which is set at which setting. The problem is that many of the cheaper torches tend to have the "next mode" memory which means that you will at some point start on strobe.
The only multimode torch I have that starts on low (as far as I remember) is my Xtar, magnetic control one, that goes from off to max with a slider. (Oh, yes, the jetbeam can also set on low too..)
Usually I have my keychain torch on max and my "looking through bedroom cupboards at night one" on low, though I lately just use a single mode flooder.

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

I prefer my EDC lights to default to low.  This means I don't have to worry about remembering the setting, as Dave points out above, and if my eyes are dark adapted I don't have to worry about blinding myself either.  Having to go through an extra couple of clicks to get the setting I want is a small price to pay for the margin of safety it provides.

That said, I also have lights with a memory and lights that default to high when turned on, and I like them just fine.  I don't use them for EDC mind you, and usually can find a good specific use for them.  I have a Nailbender P60 module that defaults to high, and while I don't like using it for EDC, it's perfect for other tasks where I know I'll need a lot of light right away, so I keep it in a dry-box in our pantry that's also stocked with other useful supplies for power outages, camping, etc.  I have a ThruNite P60 module with a memory that I use as my night-walking light, and as a general house light.

A light is like any other tool; it can used appropriately, or it can be misused.  My L2X extended has a nasty little strike bezel on it; I could tear someone's face open with it, but that's not (usually) what a light is made for.  I wouldn't want to try and tear someone's face open with it, if I did, I'd make a more appropriate choice. 

I think we can all agree that like any other tool, a light can be a safety hazard or even a weapon, depending on how you use it.  It's a drag that Dave's friend experienced what he did; obviously the user of the light wasn't experienced or perhaps wasn't able to make sure they were using the light in a safe fashion.  One of the benefits of MT.O is that we can discuss and learn about this kind of stuff to make sure we're using our tools safely and getting the most out of them.   

[Styerman]

FWITW , I prefer mine two come up on Hi too . I use a penlight for looking into nooks and crannies .

Chris