I couldn’t agree more. This is one of the reason I am leaning towards the chunkier (21700) IF25A and WTxM. The others would be way too skinny to be comfortable for her. Especially the tiny Manta Ray S1 and CO1.
The D4S V2 could be nice option, but is too expensive and lacks both a built-in charger and AA NiMH support. Having to buy a standalone charger would drive the total cost even higher (about 2x the IF25A and WTxM), not to mention the extra hassle for her when recharging.
I appreciate you putting this much thought into it IMO, the ~200g total weight of the 21700 form factor should not be a problem. Remember, she is going to use the light only a couple of minutes at a time. And she is used to carrying things of similar weight.
“Twist on-off” is also a “no-no” in my mind. She - like many elderly people - has restricted mobility, and an impaired sense of balance. So she either walks with a cane or holds on to the nearby furniture, doorhandles, walls etc. Therefore two-handed operation is a deal breaker. Tailswitches might be a slightly better option, but they cannot beat a good side-button in terms of overall ergonomics. It is also an important factor of course, that a side-switch is what she is used to.
Shame. I really like the low-battery indication (via the button light) feature of the Wurkkos FC11. Too bad it is 18650… and its UI is not Anduril-based => long presses could cause confusion.
As far as I can see, the new 21700 TS21 has the same feature + Anduril v2. But reviews seem to indicate its button is of the higher actuation force variety, which is an instant deal breaker (unless modded, of course). Unfortunately I’ve also seen multiple reports of excessive parasitic drain with the current revision of the TS21. Plus it seems to be the general consensus among users that in comparison with the IF25A, the latter is the better product overall.
That leaves the IF25A and WT3M. Between those two, it is a tough choice. I read up on both, and man, do I love the WT3M! Especially its capable thermal design, ease of disassembly, accessible flashing pads. It’s a true enthusiast light. If I was looking for a compact torch for my personal use, I would definitely go with it. For grandma though… the IF25A might be the safer option. It just seems… more refined and also more rugged somehow.
Based on what I’ve read, the WT3M looks like a very respectable first(ish) effort from the manufacturer which needs some extra care(*) to reach its true potential, while the IF25A is available as a complete package and is pretty much “plug-and-play”. Plus it is available with warmer color temperature and higher CRI LEDs than the WT3M. And it has Anduril v2, i.e. the config menus are hidden deeper.
(*) Fixing potential connection issues (supposedly only affecting the clear-coated silver versions), replacing the bad-batch 7135, buying a battery separately while keeping in mind not all 21700 batteries will fit, smoothing the occasional sharp tail spring, modding the USB cover flap so it is easier to remove, etc.