Just stumbled across this thread.
I dont know why so many torches have a tail switch these days, makes one handed operation a real nuisance!
Seems only maglite have side switches these days.
I'm surprised I haven't commented in this thread.
I only do tail switch flashlights.
When I have a flashlight on me, it lives in my pocket.
And side switch flashlights frequently turn on by themselves in my pocket.
It limits my choices greatly, but I cannot stand side switch lights.
Only if you hold the light sword-style.
I always took to holding it icepick style, at eye- or neck-index. No unwieldy shadows that way.
Also, did you ever have to fumble around, spinning the light around a few times to even find the side-switch?
At least you always know where the tail of the light is.
Any real tactical (vs tacticool) light will have a forward-clicky switch at the tail.
Ive never really found it an issue. Another feature thats lost is the ability to easily use it as a flasher or for signalling purposes.
I dont get the whole tactical style of many of these lights. Great for mounting on your rifle for shooting at night, but seems most of these lights are made this way to look “cool” like something SWAT teams would use lol.
I must say I still love my LED Lenser P7, its pretty old now but the one thing i hated about it other than the poor runtime off AAA batteries was the tailcap switch. They improved it on later versions and made it rubber and was less slippery but its still hard to use one handed. Not very ergonomic.
Hence the need for a forward-clicky switch. A few lights have them, but not many. Solarforce L2M, Nitecore P30, etc.
Also hence the distinction between tactical vs tacticool.
Both switch locations have their advantages and disadvantages, so there are some things that I like about side switch lights and some things that I don’t like about side switch lights. And there are some things that I like about tail switch lights, and there are some things that I don’t like about tail switch lights.
I know exactly where the tail switch is located, but when I grab the light, my fingertips are not readily located there. On side switch lights, my fingertips are right there on the side of the light, but not on the correct side of the light. So I either have to change my grip to get my fingertip on the rear switch, or I have to rotate the light in my hand to get the side switch under my fingertip. Neither one of these is a bigger deal than the other, so I just pick my lights on the basis of beam profile and power to size ratio, and trust choice of switch location to the judgment of the manufacturer.
Definitely side switch for big lights. Side switch is nice for EDC to avoid the light turning on in pockets. Either way I don’t really care where the switch is. Maybe tailswitch is better for throwers as you hold them to your shoulder to see better and side switch for floody lights ?
i HATE 2 switch designs
i like side switch because my main concern is shortness for EDC, and side will always be shorter
though the FW3A has a tail switch, i like it anyway.
wle
I don’t care where the switch is as long as my fingers find it quickly.
I don’t care how many switches are there as long as each adds something useful.
Typically I don’t like tail switches or double switches because they are more bulky than just side ones - though there are exceptions to the former and there might be exceptions to the latter.
So I didn’t vote - none option suits me really.
Both. On/off on the tail, modes on the side.
I agree, I dont find it too big a deal to turn the light round to find the switch and usually can do it one handed, I do have to say that ive had some tail switch lights turn on in my pocket also if the button did not need much pressure to switch on.
been waiting for a light with a clapper switch 
lol
With the exception of a few manufacturers (ZebraLight and Olight come to mind), I prefer a tail switch. A side switch on most lights adds to the overall length.
I Have and use Both.
Whatever they come with.
Preferences.
Side switch. That activates and lights itself up when twisting tail thread down.
IE ConnectsDisconnects the battery.
Tail switches ARE the pits.
I like a switch that gives me quick access to the functions I need and doesn’t turn on in my pocket. Bonus points for the light being small and the driver being convenient to swap. I also don’t like parasitic drain, although this is a non-issue with any proper e-switch driver.
This is a common topic and I can never understand those who prefer only tail switches, I don’t mean any of the following in a disrespectful manner, I just genuinely can’t see tail switch reasoning:
With 1x18650/21700 cell lights, do those in the tailswitchers group walk around with the light at eye level and your arm in an awkward position?? Or, with one hand, do you turn the light on, awkardly fumble it around in your palm so that the light is coming out the front with your arm down by your side, and repeat every time you change mode or turn off?
I can understand the justification of a large tailswitch if one is wearing thick gloves or has problems with dexterity as it allows two hands to be used to activate it.
With regards to finding of switches, I don’t see how side switches are such an inconvenience- yes I can understand gloves, but for bare hands, those with regular hands must be able to feel where the side switch is, and roll the light between your thumb and index finger accordingly?
FWIW, I find the Emisar D4/D1 easy to use with ther my thumb or index finger, so I can happily use the light ‘upside down’.
Contrary to popular opinion, I actually quite like twisties for AA and AAA sizes…!
Hah?
Hold like this
flick the switch with your thumb.
Perfectly intuitive, I’ve done that even since I was a kid with a #222-bulb penlight.
Difficult to vote in the poll.
With only a side e-switch you always have to remember to not let it drain the battery, but it’s more convenient in use.
An extra tail switch would solve that, but 2 switches on a light is a bit much, and you have to add length to the light.
A tail switch only is not ideal either, because of ergonomics, but at least the light is really OFF when you turn it off.
I’ve modded a few lights that have a side e-switch into side reverse clicky switch.
The Omten 1288 is so small and has such a short button travel, you can fit it almost anywhere.
I did a Solarstorm SC01 with it, for example.
As long as there is the minimum distance between switch button and switch boot, it works perfectly fine in stead of an e-switch.
Plus you have more choice in drivers without e-switch.