(Serious) Why do so many cheap lights have unavoidable strobe modes?

[Jerommel]

It’s mostly the combination of blinky modes and the dreaded “next memory mode” that makes a light a piece of s*.

[dekozn]

Is there a way to remove blinies from a driver? Idk how it works but if it’s programed or a chip can’t we remove the chip or reprogram the driver?

[zelee]

because strobe mode can lighten up the party :partying_face:

[mrheosuper]

@dekozn

Is there a way to remove blinies from a driver? Idk how it works but if it’s programed or a chip can’t we remove the chip or reprogram the driver?

Depend on the driver
Basically, we can
Some cheap chinese light have horrible pwm frequency, and some people have reprogramed the driver for new mode and bumping the frequency

[Zebretta]

@Mike C

I think it was included to give the sense that there actually is some kind of control element of whats going on in the light. It’s not just a simple on/off, but they can actually make the light do something beside just shine. Gives the feel that there is some advanced stuff going on.

@oto

I can think of situations where strobe and beacon mode can be useful (I still hate them). But has anyone heard a story or has been in a situation where SOS mode saved the day?

Not SOS specifically, but a blinking mode. Two Swedish climbers where caught in an avalanche while making the approach to a climb in darkness. One got injured. The one who didn’t took of his headlight, set it in blinky mode and pointed it to the mountain hut from where they made the approach, and then went back to attending his buddy (out of sight from hut). Someone in the hut heard the avalanche and went out to look. In the mountains, blinking lights generally means distress, so a rescue was immediately initiated.

Possibly if he just put his light in constant on and pointed it to the hut, the same thing would have happened, but then the person who spotted the light might have had to spend a little time to check weather the light was moving or not, and would it would not be clear weather a rescue was really needed. With blinking there was no question.

I always thought a waterproof laser pointer would be worth it’s weight in gold in many survival situations. Stuck on a mountainside….lost in the wilderness….lost at sea etc. I actually carry a laser pointer with me when going out to sea or to remote areas. Imagine you’re up on a snow covered mountain alone with a broken leg and your car is miles away…but you can see vehicle traffic or a town about 5 miles away…

[jigsaw]

I don’t want strobe.
I don’t need strobe.
I hate strobe.
Strobe is stupid.

[Lightbringer]

@zelee

because strobe mode can lighten up the party :partying_face:

“Oh my God! Paula is having an epileptic fit! Somebody call 911!”

[Herb_Tarlek]

@The Miller

Isn’t the word “tactical” also a reason?

“tactiLOL”