I have long had a weakness for magnetic ring mode selection lights dating back to the original Jetbeam RRT and Nitecore SRT7 as well as a 4 LED with individual reflectors soda can light, the Niteye Eye40.
I have recently noted that there are a fair number of such lights currently available. These include 5 dive lights from Wurkkos, the DL06, DL10R, DL07, DL30 and DL08. The DL08, a new model, has the selection ring surrounding a side operating switch rather than around the flashlight body. It also has a combination of LEDs for multiple colors and beam angles from a quite narrow 12 degree reflector beam to what appear to be very wide Mule beam type reflectorless LEDs with a listed beam width of 135 degrees and 90+ CRI. Both stepped and continuously variable brightness modes are listed. Sounds like a dive light that is trying to appeal to many potential users from amateur astronomers and night workers to those who need UV light, one of it’s listed outputs. The DL07 is unusual as it is a 26650 battery powered light.
Agreed. Most of the ring control lights are not continuously variable output per their descriptions unfortunately. Still to me normally a much more simple to use interface than the multiple button presses and part/full presses utilized by many other lights.
Aside from the dive lights you’ve mentioned, there’s the discontinued WK40 that has a magnetic ring for modes, and the TD03 that has a magnetic ring uniquely around the tailcap - so it can be flicked with the thumb when held in the “ice pick” style.
Sofirn’s IF24/Pro and IF23 Pro also use magnetic rings to switch between channels, which have been a nice improvement over the single-button UI.
The current Nitecore SRT7i and new SRT6i have the ring in the same rear position. I personally prefer front rings as I basically never hold a flashlight in the so called tactical position.
Wurkos DL07 just arrived. Tried briefly and the battery is now on the charger. No built-in USB port but they include a very basic 1 slot charger though my 8 slot one can handle a 26650 too. First thing I spotted is that the selector ring can rotate continuously with no end stops so modes can repeat without backing up and the detents at each selection are quite obvious. As a dive light the number of white light settings is limited, low and high flood and one spot beam setting though with the small reflector even the spot beam limit is specified as under 80 yards and is a bit on the flood side. Also red and UV choices at one intensity each. A stubby light with a length of 4.52" by my measure but on the fat side due to the 26650 battery used.
