How about a vintage switch on a 2015 flashlight?

LED Flashlights – General Info
1

I`ve been thinking about flashlights for noobs.

And most (older) people don`t even understand that a flashlight can have 2 modes. Double clicking or holding a switch pressed down is usually not understood.

So do you think that it would be useful/nice to have some flashlights with an old style Slide Switch..but with current electronics and leds?
That can be given to those kind of people?

from Off, you move forward to Low, push a little further to Medium, and a little further to High.(or even only 2 modes) Very simple and easy to understand. Especially if it has some signs on the side.

something along these lines, but then upgraded to something more 2015 proof.

Or:

Have 2 or 3 buttons on the light, each button for just 1 output.
Maybe in a row, with markings, so its easy to see what is Low Med and Hi.

do you think this would be nice to give to people who have a difficulty to remember how electronics work (and flashlights in this case)?

Or is there any flashlight currently on the market that has this?

(magnetic rings are something most people also understand if there are signs so they don`t forget it)

2

If the modes are hard wired like this, the driver need not to be anything fancy, a different resistor for every switch position could even do the job. Think of how easy creating a moonlight would be :-)

3

I think those people would likely forget that the FL has more than 1 mode and only use it in mode 1.
BTW: Those old switches work by moving a metal blade forward so it makes contact with a metal ring on the bulb socket.

4

i recommend adding an accelerometer.

Use the most traditional switching method.

Leave it alone for a while, it goes off.

Whack it once — it goes on

Whack it again — it gets brighter.

5

this guy understands it.

Have you ever met my grandfather, because you just perfectly described him and flashlights.

6

Got to have a mercury switch in so when he flips it up to look at the emitter it doesn’t blind him though :smiley:

7

I like the idea of a simple traditional UI. A slidey side switch that stands proud of the barrel is what older people are used to and what they expect to find when they pick one up.
My neighbor is a senior and was complaining that the old school, Eveready, 2xD cell, incandescent, plastic flashlight she uses for bathroom trips at night was becoming too heavy and the batteries too expensive.
I gave her an old 2xAA LED with a rear clicky. She liked the light and said the weight was much nicer to use but said “You’ll have to show me how to turn it on”. So far it’s been working out for her but I worry she might forget some night.

8

Exactly..

Just like phones (in Japan) have special models for the elderly.

So why no flashlights?

Plus when it's good looking, it would even be a good gift for younger non flashoholics as well. Or even for personal use.

I do look forward to that type of flashlights.

9

Its already done and very simpy also, but probably not as inexpenseive as we would like.

If the photo is not showing up

http://www.dx.com/p/singfire-sf-924-5-led-3000lm-dimming-diving-flashlight-w-magnetism-sliding-switch-black-2x18650-366981

No on/off, just slide the switch to the desired output.

10

There are quite a few diving lights that use side sliders.
If we’re talking about making the light simple enough for seniors and noobs to use I think it would have to run on AA’s. If they can’t grasp a new UI they will never be able to understand Li on cells.