Do you like or dislike the SOS Blinky mode? Just wondering how most people feel about it.

You can see the archived poll results on the Wayback Machine:

https://web.archive.org/web/20221220093741/https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/72776

I hate it.
Although the beacon flash once per second is kind of cool but usually not an option.

Greetings from France.

never used it for anything EVER
except pressing the button an extra time to avoid it
waste!

I hate it, bury it an it is ok. Use the MCU space for a good bike flasher or an extremely low output beacon for night stand use.

I agree with Jerommel. And i dont think that there will be a situation where someone is having an emergency or is lost in the wilderness etc, and doesnt get rescued because they dont have SOS mode. I think some manufacturers have this idea that the more features on the packaging, the more sales we get. And that probably works! But in my opinion a beacon or strobe mode, or just simply a flashlight will suffice i any case. If you absolutely need to signal via morsecodes, use your hand infront of the light :wink:

I’m hoping that vendors and manufacturers see this thread / POLL and maybe wise up.

So PLEASE cast your vote.

It’s an annoying “feature?” that as far as I know, FEW care for.

I would probably buy ALL the flashlights I have over again if they were available W/O that PITA “feature”

Does not matter for me. I can transmit that and anything by pressing momentary button :slight_smile:

I like beacon mode. I clip a light on beacon mode to my pants or backpack, facing down, to make sure cars are aware I’m there when walking along dark roads.

Beacon blinks slow enough to not annoy drivers or myself. And having it point downwards doesn’t blind the drivers.

Beacon: why not. SOS, no, please.

As a hidden mode I don’t really care what is there, since it is by definition, hidden.

As a “normal mode” I want steady state modes only, no blinky mode should ever be included in the normal modes.

That said I highly doubt I ever will use an SOS mode.

Too many people stoned, drunk or spaced out on any one of the crazy drugs so many people are on today for me to be out walking along dark roads.
If they can drive the wrong way on an Interstate ramp and then continue on the highway oblivious to the fact (until the collision)….I don’t think I could put much faith in a blinking light.
Just me.
ymmv.

True. My Convoy L6 is able to turn that mode off. I’m fine with that.
It’s when it’s part of the cycle and you cannot avoid it at all.

Hate strobe modes on all lights. The beacon or SOS aren’t so bad. If I was an avid hiker, hiking in out of the way places, a flashlight with these modes might make more sense. I can’t see a strobe making any sense for anyone other than maybe law enforcement.

I hate SOS and see no purpose to it even as a hidden mode - if I wanna do emergency signaling, I’ll wave a strobing light around.

As for blinky modes in the normal operation… I already get peeved by the single blinky of the stock Convoy firmware, let alone constantly-blinking ones (really wish the stock nanjg105 didn’t come with that irritating “choice”, or that I’d bought my S2 and C8 from Simon so I could have picked only the 3 modes if not Biscotti outright).

Now only me vote “I LIKE the SOS blinky mode”

I should also point out that someone who is extremely drunk or stoned may actually target fixate on a light and hit you. Would help with anyone sober who isn’t fixated on their cell phone, though.

No, this should be a thread showing peoples true feelings towards it so maybe manufactures will actually understand that we don’t want blinky modes anymore.

S-O-S blinky modes suck!

Can anyone fond any situation where the S-O-S blinky mode actually was useful and saved or potentially saved a life?

Strobe mode is almost in the same useless department. And it should be hidden in a sub menu.

Having been stranded without way to signal on a large body of water with 2 diabetic children without their insulin and testing equipment for a whole night, I want a true SOS available if the light lacks an ability to manually signal via a reliable switch. Likely, I will never need it, but its good to have it available.

I use strobe regularly on my property (wooded with no area lighting or neighbor in sight). It really helps warn off critters and such before I let my dogs out.

I personally find it more useful than strobe mode, not that I need to ever use either of them.
TBH sos can just be done manually too if really necessary.