Are there any available forward clickies that have mode switching similar to reverse clickies (light press to switch modes when on)? I know this type of operation is possible because the Fenix L2D is like that. I can press it lightly for momentary on. When clicked on, I can tap it lightly to switch modes without turning it off first. However, I don't know if it's just the switch, if it requires additional circuitry, or if this setup simply isn't robust enough for high-current applications. Please enlighten me. 
I think what you desire is a hybrid forward/reverse clicky. My Fenix TK12 G2 works the way you describe. It’s a sweet setup. With my TK12, there is circuitry in the tailcap. I can only change modes using the tailswitch, meaning I can’t leave the switch on and loosen the tailcap to change modes. It will always go back to high mode when I tighten the tailcap. The hybrid tailswitch acts as a forward clicky when using it for momentary on, and acts like a reverse clicky to change modes.
On the fenix you described, is there also a driver in the head and the tail circuitry ONLY changes modes, or is the driver there in the tail?
Is the tail switch a real mechanical clicky, or a momentary? Could you post a picture of the tail circuitry?
I have one light, an old NEBO, with the entire driver in the tail, the head just had a contact PCB and it’s got an electronic “momentary” switch but with a lot of spring to it somehow (never actually took the switch apart).
Here is a picture of the Fenix TK12 G2’s tailcap, disassembled.
Here is a closeup of what appears to be the driver board.
Looking down the battery tube, I can see a green circuit board. Unfortunately, Fenix glued the head securely to the battery tube. I haven’t tried to break the glue bond, so I don’t know if the light has a circuitry in the head.
It appears to have a mechanical click switch. It’s more than a momentary switch, as I can have the light off, remove the tailcap, and click the switch. Then, when I screw the tailcap back on, the light will be on. The action feels like a forward clicky when you turn the light on, then behaves like a reverse clicky when changing modes. You have to use the tailswitch to change modes. You can’t do rapid loosen/tighten with the tailcap to change modes, like you can do with most reverse clicky lights.
Thanks for the pic’s.
Now I have to know how the switch works…
If I had to guess, I would say that it is a normal forward clicky plus a momentary contact that is made when pushing the switch all the way in. The momentary contact would change the modes.
If it helps any, from a completely off state, it functions just like a normal forward clicky (momentary on if half-pressed). Once fully clicked on, any slight tap switches modes. If I do a slight tap and hold, the light stays off. When it's clicked on, I can feel the spring moving with my thumb when I apply even just a little bit of pressure. With the other forward clicky flashlights I have, I feel nothing for the first few mm. I'm clueless about the design of clicky switches, but it feels like once it's clicked into the ON position, the activation point is very fine. Any deviation from that seems to "break" the circuit. I'm not sure if that makes sense, since I lack the technical knowledge to adequately describe what I'm observing.
I have several with that kind of switch/mode behavior.
These are mechanical switches; the mode change is in the driver.
From off, a half-press does nothing; a full press gets a click and then the light goes on.
That’s the mechanical switch.
Then from any ‘on’ level a half-press changes the mode. That’s the driver circuit.
A “Cofly” 1xAA zoom, most recently.
The switch on the Fenix TK12 is slightly different. From off, a half press does momentary on in high mode, like a forward clicky. Once you click the light on, the switch behaves like you describe. Because this particular light’s switch has attributes of both a forward clicky and a reverse clicky, some call it a hybrid forward/reverse clicky. It’s actually a very useful setup.
I have many lights with switches like the one you describe. You’re right, that with the style of mechanical switch you describe, the mode change is in the driver.
That hybrid sounds useful.
Dang, now I can mod the switch end as well as the emitter end of the flashlights!
Is there no end to this amusement?
Are hybrid switches in various diameters for sale somewhere?
I’ve been wishing for smaller switch/tailcaps on several of the lights I have, that part seems to be most easily made in smaller form, I figure the switches are so big and bulky just because they’re cheap hardware.
There are many switches we never see.
Here’s something very similar to the behavior; just backwards, it seems to me. It’s a Judco 40-3355-01, SPST 2A, 14V.
The hardest part, for me, of finding switches is the apparent lack of standard nomenclature. The SPST on this one implies Single Throw, which would mean the Momentary part isn’t clicky…
OTOH, if it fit, I think this one could be made to work:
E-Switch 700SP7B10M1QEH - SWITCH PUSHBUTTON SPDT 3A 120V
Some manufacturers I’ve seen (looking) specify Double Throw as “ON-Off-(ON)” where the part in parentheses is the Momentary function… That would make this one “Off-(ON)-ON”… ??
Or not, depending on whether I’m reading the specs right at all.
My guess (FWIW) is the ‘switch driver’ in the tailcap takes a huge role (still not sure how) in this interesting function. It certainly seems to solve the problem I have with needing Momentary-ON but also wanting to change modes without powering off…
It is a most-interesting concept, in any case, and I’m subscribed to watch for more. Thank you for bringing this up!
Dim
Isn’t that simply what is called a “Reverse Clicky” here? Full click for ON, then half-press (no click) to change modes? Meaning, in one manner of speaking “Off-ON-(Off)”? Or “Momentary Off”?
Or did I read that wrong too?
Maybe it’s time for me to finish my idea of a “touch” torch which comes on when you pick it up & goes off when you put it down… A simple non-clicking Momentary-Off would effect a Mode Change then…
So many switch modes, so little time…
I’ve always wondered if such a thing exists.
What if you could find a way to mount a momentary push button switch under a forward clicky that was pressed when the button was pressed in, when you half-click while on you could program the driver to advance modes. The FW would be easy, the hard part would be machining the switch to get the momentary “tact” switch mounted in just the right spot that it wasnt in the way to prevent full clicks but was in a position to register the half clicks.
> Isn’t that simply what is called a “Reverse Clicky”
I think so, but given (“… the apparent lack of standard nomenclature…”) I figured I’d describe it.
Aside — I see the Fenix TK35 has 2 switches on the tailcap!
Has anyone used a rotary selector dial like a digital camera’s mode choice dial?