I’ve been sticking with my beloved Nitecore MH20, in large part because I love the two-stage switch UI, but I’m tempted by 21700s and some of the newer emitters out there. Lately though, I’ve been looking into some of the newer lights out there, and I’m disappointed to find that there aren’t really any other lights that have that two-stage switch UI (not counting the MH23, it’s not really that different).
Why isn’t this a more popular interface? It’s space efficient and intuitive, and I can’t imagine it’s that much more costly. Am I missing something? I could see a modified version of Anduril working beautifully with it!
I’m guessing but perhaps it’s a Surefire patent?
would not think so
In the long long ago -
McGizmo made such a switch for some Surefire C and E series tailcaps. Made a good many and then Surefire asked him to stop, and he did. That’s what I read anyway.
I don’t see how that would apply to someone using an electronic switch that had a 2-stage press - press and press harder for second stage?
Based on my experience with the TM-11, it’s more hassle than it’s worth. It won’t be everyone’s opinion, but the way it is implemented on the Nitecore lights, as a camera shutter style e-switch (how they describe it), it’s just too finicky in real life. Flashlight interfaces are a bit daft already (again, just my opinion). Having to remember all these operating modes when you actually need a flashlight can be a major pain. Now I try to purchase lights with pretty consistent UIs, just so I don’t have to remember how to operate individual lights when some corner of my basement starts to flood and I just want to see what I’m doing. More often than not, in those situations, my nitecore just gets mashed into turbo (less of a big issue with a 2k lumen light than say my 11k lumen TN36). Now factor in gloves…
There are numerous reasons why flashlight UIs are hard to remember. Among them:
- they are overloaded with functions (I remove some functions from my UIs to make them simpler…but I don’t believe there exists 1 set of features that suits anyone)
- there are too many different UIs (I fully understand those who flash all their lights with the UI of their choice)
- the physical limitations make it hard to pack features intuitively
The limitations part is the reason why e-switch UIs are better than clicky ones. You can use concepts like “switch is pressed to X ms” which enables f.e. natural implementation of ramping UIs. You can use ramping to adjust CCT. You can use ramping to adjust temperature calibration and so on. These are much better than 18-clicks used in older feature-rich UIs.
Having RGB indicators also enables giving user better feedback and improves f.e. battery check. Seeing green instead of remembering to click-click-clik and count 1-2-3-pause-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9…is something making UI a bit more intuitive. And rememberable. And uncluttered.
2-stage switches add even more flexibility. So do rational dials. And having multiple switches. And having LCDs.
Some functions (configuration?) could be delegated to phone apps, the cost may still be too high but it will keep going down.
I do believe that some modern UIs are overloaded with features and I have mixed feelings about it. But I think that the more complex physical features ultimately enable UIs to be less complex.
And I’m all for that.
FWIW the Olight Warrior Mini series has 2-level electronic tail switches.
Press half-way for Medium or press fully for High, Off when released. Or click half-way and release for On at Medium or click fully for On at High.
You can also optionally set the 2-levels to be Strobe & High instead of Med & High.