Soon I plan to place my first Emisar/Noctigon order in a while.
There have been multiple new rubber buttons shown as well as metal ones since the last time I placed an order.
What is currently the best option? Is it possible for the black to wear off the most recent iteration of the buttons? (I think the newest ones are smooth with a ring of light, it was the dot version I saw wearing poorly in a pic)
Debating whether to go with metal, black with ring or to try requesting older versions like solid black or totally white/translucent.
I don’t like the metal buttons at all and definitely prefer rubber with the raised ring. I get the solid black ones because I usually order with no light in the button.
I like the idea of metal buttons at any rate. Currently I’m thinking they might be OK on the bigger lights that are less likely to share a pocket with something else.
I don’t mind my D4Sv2 with a black button but I do like how those new ring buttons look. I guess it just depends on how they wear.
I guess so, and I think Hank would even send replacements rubbers on the side if asked. I just like the idea of not having to replace anything and having it last a long, long time.
I like the rubber with dot. I tried the rubber with circles, but it was just too bright in comparison to 1H low start. I also have the ss black AND ss bronze metal buttons, they’re not bad, but can be prone to “fat pad activation”.
On my d3aa’s the metal buttons sit a teeny tiny bit below their included rings, like 0.15-0.35mm. The click action and feedback are affirmative.
I like the ring buttons the most especially on a single color light button. You can configure the brightness of the button, so you can set it to low or off when on a certain main light brightness level.
Just got my first metal button for the D3AA and while it is clicky, tactile and ”premium”, I think accidental activation and pocket fires are a high possibility when not locking out.
The button on the pictures D3AA is the ring boot and warm white led. Current favorite. Also I prefer the raised ring over the flat.
Just to get an idea of where you were coming from, did you also dislike the white translucent buttons we used to have for being too bright?
Do you recommend the metal switch on the D3AA? I was thinking a titanium D3AA with a metal switch could be “endgame” in terms of longevity. Not worth it if it comes on by itself though.
The switch light looks quite yellow in that picture, very lemony. Does it look that way in person? I would have expected a more subtle color from a warm white LED.
It’s funny, I always thought an Emisar/Noctigon light would burn a hole in my pocket. As it turns out, the only light that’s done that so far has been a Zebralight. I credit the raised rings for that–the only lights I’d configure without it are heavy ones I don’t pocket-carry (Brass or Copper)
Have you pocket carried the steel switch D3AA yet? Personally mine would ride with my wallet and earbud case so fairly blunt objects, but bulky enough to potentially bind against a button.
I think this one is a matter of preference…I carry the d3aa in the tiny pocket of the jeans with a magnetic carabiner so I can deploy it with my pinky like a karambit. Because of the d3aa blocky head shape and the positioning of the carabiner, the light always sits with the switch facing my front, and my thumb lands within 70% of the button surface, making it easy to index without looking.
Haven’t accidentally activated it yet, although it’s possible if you can squeeze enough material between you and the button. It definitely feels durable and a different kind of premium, not that the rubber ones don’t…as with any creviced or recessed object, you’ll want to periodically clean out the dot portion of the metal switch.
That looks like an amber switch, my warm white switch doesn’t look anywhere near that yellow, even with warmer white balance…
**I stand corrected, it does look lemony yellow LOL
Thanks for elaborating on your experience with the metal switch.
It doesn’t look like any of the amber switches I’ve had so far, they were much more orange. Maybe it’s just some weird enhancement software included with the phone camera.
Huh interesting. The one where the amber switch is out of focus looks more color-accurate to what I see in person. (I don’t have that particular button but I do have several lights with the amber switch option)
Nice pics! That copper on red is very handsome. Also liking the copper on grey. You have any green ones yet? I don’t need every color necessarily but I want to make sure I get a green with copper accents eventually.
As far as green, I would LOVE a deep emerald green d3aa or kr1aa with bronzed accents, but they don’t exist yet…might have to get one of the other models in green.
Yea it’s interesting how Hank seems to neglect certain colors depending on the model. Like for example, I’d like to see red versions of the D4v2 and D4Sv2 as well as several other models. I guess he is probably afraid of accumulating extra stock of the less popular models. Wonder if he’d be open to the idea of a group-buy.
You meant bronze right? Here is mine. As for the feel, I prefer the metal flat button over my old silicone one, but this is just a matter of personal preference. Aso because I don’t like raised retaining ring (accidental activation not a concern), the new flat one is also better for me.
The feel is not perfect, mushy, short travel, and doesn’t click satisfyingly like the best “Japanese” buttons. I still think Firefly is best here.
Yes, bronze. Shame about the 519a 4500k. Wish I’d ordered more lights with it but “them’s the breaks”.
Why isn’t accidental activation a concern for you?
That’s interesting you mention Firefly because I was pretty unhappy with the button on the one Firefly I got. I remember it being less clicky than a D4V2 and the pressure required to depress the button didn’t feel evenly distributed around the area of the button. That light also had flux spatters on the emitters from the factory.
A couple lights/sites I have seen it still available are Emisar D4K and JLHawaii. Only Convoy light with it was S21E when I bought it a month ago, but seems gone now. I suspect 519a 4500k price gouge is coming.
I use my lights for evening and early morning walks, not for work. They are in my hand and on from start to end.
Maybe because the lights I have are later generation lights? I seem to have read Firefly was not so hot earlier on, but got their act together later. My lights, E07x, E04 Surge, X1L all have same button. Buttons have good travel and click nicely and easily, OTOH definitely needs raised retaining ring to prevent accidental activation.
Yea, no doubt someone will try to scalp 519a 4500k emitters. I don’t know if I’d expect that from Convoy though.
Ah gotcha. I usually keep a light in my pocket with my wallet and IEM case. Of course, the accidental activation angle only applies to lights small enough to actually edc.
Don’t know when they are supposed to have overhauled the design but mine was ordered on November 14th, 2022.
Yeah all my Fireflies are from December 2024 onward. I believe these are the “good” Fireflies. Design, LED, fit & finish, internals with all Lume drivers, all top notch. Curiously even the MAO finish looks completely different (even, beautifully smooth, ceramic like) from Convoy’s . Of course Convoy is half the price (and still my favorite brand).
