Some one who is “ a brilliant and capable man. A professor of psychology, award winning ball player, and a capable handy man (runs tractors, chain saws, you name it)”
doesn’t sound like a moron, or someone who doesn’t have their wits about them to me. I have had similar experiences with smart and capable people who are not into flashlights that just don’t want to fool with modes - for them simple utility is best.
Well, if we are REALLY seriously talking about non-flashies, then certainly any Dollar Store 35-lumen “9-led flashlight” in cheesy colors and a packet of 10 for $2.99 would do. If we are talking about having a nice work light for someone who wants a light that can be used, with that someone wanting something better than a storebought light, then it’s as I said. ^
High with no memory for me.
But if I get to choose I’d go no memory default medium 500lm default with “hidden” double tap to turbo. A little like Surefire
if i`m lending it and going to get it back before the battery needs charging then the Convoy M3 is good, 4 power levels and Off. if I`m gifting then I use old school flashlights (basic On/Off) modded with a protected 18650 and tripple led emitter, I ALWAYS supply them with a charger as well, and have a quick chat just so they understand what to do (it`s not rocket science) my 71 yr old mom picked it up pretty easy 
I tend to agree with that, but that doesn’t rule out something extra.
Ideal would be, say, a 400lm light. That’s brighter than most ever seen or need.
No memory and it just always turns on at that level.
Unless they enter a hidden mode like long press for moonlight/turbo.
That way they have a simple on/off light with the potential of something extra.
NON flashaholics come in three flavors: (pre)adults, (small)children and senior citizens.
- If your question is about the first group, it’s just a matter of logic or preference.
- Don’t get me started about the middle group. Some can only poop, others can operate any flashlight.
My 3yr old neighbour kid instructs his mother how to install the kiddy-seat.
If his tiny hands were any bigger, he would do it himself. Silent type, boardroom or supermax material
Gave him a multi-mode flashlight on his 4th birthday. No need to tell him about hidden modes or so.
- Last group, and it’s getting bigger very day. A much heard slogan is: 60 is the new 40.
There are two groups of retired folks: those who finally do the things they always wanted.
And those who buy a big chair to watch the world go by. Behind a window or in front of a TV.
My late father started out in the first group, on a ladder, painting his house at the age of 75.
But like Robin Williams he was cought up by Lewy Body dementia.
It was quite a struggle to provide him with things that could made him live on in his own house
(losely monitore by friends and neighbours) until it was time to move him into a safe environment.
With that said, if you’re thinking about the last group, there’s only one thing I can recommend:
KEEP IT AS SIMPLE AS YOU CAN, so I second the advice of TexasToasted in post #10.
My (4*AA) SWM M40A comes very close to that, but it has a (lame) strobe that should be removed.
Bit of a ridiculous poll with only 2 choices. Essentially you have already chosen your own answer, all you are really asking is should it have memory or start in high - the 3 mode is the same on both.
Most people and I mean 99%+ of flash light users simply have on or off and are more than happy with that.
Most wouldn’t even realise it had 3 modes let alone memory or how to change modes.
People like us who fascinate about flashlights, tints, ui’s etc are essentially weirdos (me included lol), and a tiny tiny tiny spec of a minority.
So with that in mind none of your choices, certainly none with lithium batteries either.
Off/On (high) would be the best choice for the rest of the 99%+ of flash light users in the world, all they want is light to come out when they press the button, and wouldn’t want to fiddle through modes even if available.
I resemble that remark!
Me too lol! :confounded:
Since were on the subject of U/Is anybody can figure out (and the poll doesn’t list), ive always thought a button similar to the old ray-o-vacs , but with gradual brightness ramping the more you push it, would be super easy. Push down button and slide to turn on in low, slide further (or parhaps keep pushed forward for an electronic switch) for brightness ramping).
A rotaing ring is nice too.
As others have pointed out, you can’t lump all non-flash people into one pile. Click on and off, press and hold for cycling should be good for 99% of people with 10 seconds worth of instruction. Probably with memory and an external plug. Those 99% deserve a good flashlight. If you want to create something for that 1%, have at it. And let them deal with double A’s if that’s all they can be trusted with. And if you’re going to be giving somebody a flashlight then you can give them 10 seconds worth of instructions. Edit: you could still have press and hold from off for moonlight, and double click at any time for Turbo. If they never use those two features it doesn’t matter.
I’m not sure that’s true. It’s more like they prefer other things.
They have an opinion about the UI. On/off, no 50 click hidden settings.
The weird thing is that many people really know about tints. When buying a bulb for their home they may no speak about 3000, 4500, 6500K, but my experience is they know cool, warm and warmer lights. Or they even call it relaxing, romantic color. And many really take notice of those option and even go for the extra expensive ‘cozy color’.
Most people only see $3 flashlights at Shell
Weirdows come is many tints….
Many here are lumen-weirdos. I’m a compact/simple/UI/runtime weirdo
But before I discovered this forum I was a all flashlights are the same weirdo
I use a v11r to lend out as Muggle light.
Not an option in the poll, but mid-low-hi without memory is also good for muggles.
Always works if they just want light. If they take the effort to get to know mode switching they can set the light to a nice low level and if they go pro they might even reach the high mode.
My ex gf is that 1% when it comes to flashlights. Shes not exactly dumb, as shes a whiz at other technical things. But there is so little use for flashlights in her life, instructions get forgotten, and who really thinks to read the script on a flashlight when you’re used to an old rayovac with just on/off?
I gave her a light that had a tail clicky for on/off, with a rotating ring for brightness control. She forgot it had the control ring and was wondering why it was so dim. I can see how it would happen, for those who don’t use flashlights every day. My mom falls into that category too for that matter.
On/off is good enough for her as long as its not 400 lumens. No need for that when shes looking for the ring that fell under the couch or the keyhole.
Matt, As others have asked, “How high is High?”
“High” needs to be sustainable without getting branding iron hot.
I have a Streamlight that goes Low, Med, high.
250, 1000, 3500 Lumens. Forward clicky.
Just about right. Everyone I hand to thinks low is super bright and often never discover anything higher.
Most muggles don’t use a light to look at anything farther away than the back porch or fence.
Usually just to find something in the house. S2+ with about 50% one mode works well.
A forward clicky works best for muggles thinks I.
In a lesser light something like High, Low, 400-500Lm, 150Lm. Would work.
Nobody I’ve given a light to has ever wanted a moonlight mode.
When they want a light - They want a light.
All the Best,
Jeff
Yes, of course. really. No, it’s not condescending. I’m surrounded by them. And no, they never care and always laugh at my obsession with brightness.
Modes and high outputs they have no clue about. They just push a button and access the light, do their business, and put it down again. Like I said, there are people who are flashaholic admirers who could use a “default to high” three or two-moder, but they are only lit when they SEE a real flashaholic playing around with their toys.
Matt, maybe one of your choices should have been “one single mode, moderately bright.” 
My feeling is, if it is going to have modes, it just has to have mode memory. Because I wouldn’t give someone a light that I have contempt for, and I have contempt for multi mode lights with no memory.
That said, my wife struggles with modes. Her: “This light has gotten dim. You should check the battery.” Me, checking the light: “Nope, battery is fine; you just had it in low mode by accident again.” Or there’s the Wurkkos which she accidentally leaves on, because she forgets that one must hold the switch down longer than usual for ‘off’. (I’d buy her a cheap single-mode light, but then she would chide me for spending money on another flashlight when we already have 40 times more than we need.)
Yep. I bought a handful of the Sofirn SD03s with that ring design when they were closing them out, to have as “bring it back for recharging” li-ion loaners.
Also bought a handful of the Sofirn SF13s (2xAA) to hand to people who won’t return them, putting in Energizer “blue and silver” lithium primaries so they’ll last a few years in storage drawers.
Frankly, I’d love to see a 1-mode light that automagically turns itself off after, say, 10min, unless “refreshed” with a bap on the button.
Too many times certain old-timers can leave a light face-down when still on, then grex about the batteries being dead, annoying those who need to replace said batteries on a regular ongoing basis.
Yes - one single mode, moderately bright. It is hard to gift lights and expect people to remember their UI. I have been thinking through possible Christmas gifts that would not get super hot and just have on and off.
I did vote for always start on high. Otherwise people will think the battery is dying, light is defective, or very dim.