I have been involved with a contact at Sofirn for a little while. They are considering building a light based on the XHP70 (maybe XHP70.2 information not provided yet) and powered by 3x18650’s.
I have provided my input regarding the UI and they have asked if I could help gather more input for them. So, to that end… what you your preferred UI in a light like this be?
1) Ramping with memory
2) Ramping without memory, starting on low/ml or high
3) Fixed modes with or without memory
4) Fixed modes with 1 touch low/ml and 1 touch high/turbo, with or without memory
5) A hybrid of the above
6) Something else not listed
Their SP32a supports a dual set of modes. 1 is standard fixed modes and the other is a reversible ramping mode. I like having the option of ramping, my personal preference, but their ramp is not linear and I think that should be fixed and I have provided that feedback.
Personally I have always been please when a manufacture asks about things like the UI. To me, it indicates a real desire to improve products and to meet the consumers needs right out of the gate. I will also provide other personal feedback, such as using a high quality DTP star, good lens and proper machine work.
To that end, constructive feedback is appropriate to provide in this thread as well!
Like many, I came to like ramping a lot, and if it is done well I have no need for fixed modes as well. But the ramping must be fast enough, the only ramping lights I know that have a good smooth ramp are the BLF-lights with Narsil, and the Emisar D4 (thank you TomE for that!). All attempts by others at a ramping UI fail bigtime by slowing it down (Thorfire, Zanflare).
Some months ago, Sofirn also asked for some suggestions for a forthcoming light, the K6.
Back then, people gave their suggestions, including for the UI. You can find some things on this post the UI section, in case you find it useful!
If I was to say something about the UI for this new light of Sofirn, I would say that if they opt for ramping…it has to be much improved, as djozz mentioned.
Their SP32A was later improved, but when we see the Emisar D4 and lights use Narsil and other well done ramping modes, Sofirn will have to step up and make a really nice one as well.
Also, looking at the Emisar D4 (I don’t have any with Narsil), we can use ramping with and without memory, so that would be my preference (with a quick access to the lowest mode and to turbo, of course ).
Good luck on this And…it is always good to see Sofirn in close contact with the community
I prefer the UI on the original Thrunite TN36. I don’t like to keep the button held down for too long as it makes me feel like I don’t want to turn the button spring into a weak point.
From OFF:
Single click for last used mode
Double click for turbo
Triple click for strobe
Long click for moonlight
From ON:
Single click for OFF
Double click for turbo
Triple clicl for strobe
Keep pressed the button to start cycling trough modes, release the swith to stay in the desired mode
Most springs are made of steel, which has very good memory and won’t ‘learn’ a new shape by being held there too long, unlike elastic materials like rubber. Steel is actually more likely to degrade by cycling more presses.
I can’t be the only person in the world hating ramping UIs? I never know how much current my light is drawing. How am I going to know how long my cell will last?
My big ask is to also provide an MT-G2 variant. the tint is so much better.
and also time on high/turbo is more important then max nanosecond, one second, 15 second, 30 second etc etc lumen amounts.
I totally that at some point design run into physics but lets start to see extended 2k, 3k, 4k lumen run times Percent of the time used we need 25K lumens is .0000 something really small
The SP32a, a light I like a lot has all but the long press for moonlight/low. Its also able to switch levels to Std mode for those occasions when I prefer fixed levels.
As it was mentioned above, I too am not so fond of the ramping on my Sofirn SP32a. It’s a bit slow and it pauses somewhere in the middle for some reason that I can’t figure. I still prefer it over individual levels. I’ve been spoiled by my other three ramping lights. I’ll probably always choose it if given the choice.
I do like the fit and finish and quality to price ratio of my two Sofirn lights.
I’m interested in this design and hope that they can speed up and smooth out their ramping and set it up with memory. I trained myself to ramp down before I turn it off. That way I’m pretty darn sure that I won’t blind myself when I turn my lights on and I can also keep a higher level set while walking the dogs at night, turn it off but still be ready to shine a higher powered beam at whatever night critter might cross my path.
To sum it up: I’d choose ramping with memory, work on the ramping speed and smoothness, have turbo available with a double click and moon with a long press. I don’t like strobe so hide it and I’d be happy.
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And…it is always good to see Sofirn in close contact with the community 