Dealbreakers

As tastes in flashlights evolve, i have noticed that there are a number of features which are preventing me from buying from otherwise decent flashlights.

For me personally there are:

No moonlight/firefly mode (1 lumen or less);
No direct access to moon light mode;
No way to reset the mode memory so it ramps/steps up from moonlight mode (to avoid being unnecessarily blinded)
No neutral white option

Maybe i’m spoiled by Anduril/Narsilm UI but I find it really hard to justify spending money if these features are not implemented.

I’m looking at Fenix/Nitecore lights for example and i can’t believe that the majority of them either have no neutral white option or moon light mode (in the case of fenix)

Anyone else feel the same or have any other dealbreakers that manufacturers should at a minimum be implementing on their lights?

I agree that in 2020 the basics should include moonlight and quick access to moonlight from off.

As for CW tint, I don’t necessarily prefer it, but I’ll live with it if the rest of the spec and features are above par.

Ramping/Anduril UI is a huge, huge, HUGE plus - but for me it’s not a dealbreaker if it’s missing. However if there’s no anduril then I prefer the UI be KISS. Definitely no strobe mode shd be in the default UI. Strobe in default UI is a dealbreaker for me. Nothing like giving yourself a seizure when you’re fumbling around in the dark and accidentally set it off.

Proprietary battery or built-in battery is something that I really don’t like.

Ooh yeah that’s a big one

Being impecunious .

yup, batts you can`t change, blue color in the beam, certain host designs, basically anything olight!
I`ll avoid potted Pills, anything Over 4000k (unless it`s a thrower for showing off) I won`t bother with, if it`s got a green avocado tinge or edge to the beam it`ll get swapped out! and I`m not a fan of external USB charging ports, C or otherwise. I prefer side clickys and tail cap lock out is always a Good thing.

other than that, I`m not in the least bit picky :smiley:

+1

I’m immediately pissed when direct moon/low is followed by a memorized mode instead of just the next brighter mode. Even worse than cold white.

Things that I generally (or always) avoid:

Cool white tints

Greenish tints

Next mode memory

Proprietary batteries (except for keychain flashlights)

Side switches

Forward clickies

Flashlights that require more than one cell

Twisties

Flashlights that take anything other than an 18650, 21700, AA, or AAA (except for keychain flashlights)

Disco modes that aren't well hidden

Flashlights that start on high/turbo and get hot quickly on whatever mode they start on

I agree. I’m fairly new to the higher quality/ enthusiast flashlights. My EDC for 20 years was a maglite. A year ago I got a thrunite and now about 10 flashlights later I’m waiting on a D4V2 titanium. I don’t like cheap charging ports. I’m zeroing in on my tint preference, about 4000k maybe 4500k. I prefer stepped ramping. My preferences are evolving quickly.

First features are:

- UI; direct moon then next level, no strobes (beacon OK), turbo that actually sustains (> 1minute or so),

- Tint; no Cold/Cool whites for close-up lights, Neutral OK for 10 to 30-meter illumination, Cool for exclusive throwers.

- Replaceable standard Li-ion cells,

- Switches; soft and responsive. None of these ‘blinks’ in low mode, delayed response, or hard to find/press.

  • Affordable. So these less than ‘perfect lights’ can be modded and not make a big dent. Naturally, dismantlable lights!

I agree with LOG20’s criteria, many don’t make my wish list.

Much of what I would add has already been covered above however, ‘Tacti-cool’ lights do nothing for me.

+1 well said

My main concerns also echo ones that people before me have posted:

Non-replaceable battery
Strobe mode in the main mode rotation, if there is mode memory

I’m also not a big fan of lights with very pointy bezels - nothing like cutting up your pocket/backpack just carrying it around!

My 3 cents:

- badly spaced modes (5lm low is fine but 5-50-700-1000lm are not)

- changing modes through press+hold+wait+release within 0,3s until it will ramp from the desired more. I hate it with passion.

- cool white emitters. I grew up, blue color is really jarring and with more and more researches showing how bad is it for us - neutral white it is.

  • narrow spill beam. I know it’s unevitable in a thrower but there are many smaller lights, even EDCs with deeper reflectors (when it comes to proportions) and fairly thick bezels which result in narrow spill which is very uncomfortable.
  1. proprietary battery