I have established two different flashlight design options for Wurkkos Grandma lights. Which one do you prefer?

[jon_slider]

fwiw, there is already a big thread about the feature list for a Grandma Light

here is the info from the first post of that thread, for people who have not seen it:

@djozz

The specifications will hopefully be as follows:

Specifications
*price under 20 dollar shipped (maybe 18 dollar without/22 dollar with battery option)
*size not larger than the Sofirn SC31, so upper limit 12cm long. (the Zanflare F1 is also a muggle-friendly light but really too bulky IMO)
*this light should be a no-manual flashlight: a short manual will be there, but even without it all operations should be easy to figure out, also by an un-experienced user.

• operation will be a magnetic control ring with off-low10lumen-med100lumen-high500lumen, nothing else (and so not infinitely variable). No other or hidden modes or options. The magnetic ring is at the core of what this flashlight must be.
  *Parasitic drain when ring is in off-position must be ultra-low ( <10 microA), so when left in a drawer for a year it should still work
  *battery can be charged via a USB-C port, maybe in the threads (well-marked), or else behind a conventional rubber flap. Also USB-C charging is a hard requirement.
  *maximum output 500 lumen, thermal control/stepdowns not needed
  *Barry/Sofirn wants to go for a TIR optic, not my personal preference but I understand that may be very fitting for this light.
  *led maybe Samsung LH351D 5000K 90 CRI.
  *first dim and finally shut off at low voltage.

So this will not be a performer in the flashoholics way, but certainly a performer in usefulness! I hope that I did not forget features, I will edit the OP if needed.

Edit: while this thread is up on BLF, people have pointed out some desirable features for this light that I think are valuable without undermining the above specifications of which costs is probably the most important one, so here is the resulting “wishlist”, that is not garanteed to happen but that I will discuss with Sofirn:

Wishlist.
*infinite variable control ring instead of discrete modes
*contrasting colour of the control ring, no ano or different ano, maybe SS for sturdiness.
*small battery indicator/charge led near USB port
*charging works with ring in off-position
*anti-roll measure
*well detented off-position
*fits long protected cells
*ring positions well-marked
*USB-C to USB-C charging works
*18350 tube option for who want it more pocketfriendly
*smooth bezel but with a few small cutouts to see light when bezel-standing
*USB-C socket must be quality, resistent to some abuse
*charging to 4.1V instead of 4.2v, to preserve batteries when constantly connected to a charger.
*option for brighter colours than just black
*USB-port must not be hidden, and easy to spot

so when the present thread started with

@Wurkkos Terry

.

the question was just which end of the light the control ring should be on…

I would choose the design with the control ring on the head, and No Tailswitch.

fwiw, Jetbeam has previously built lights with rotary rings on the head, both with or without tailswitch:

Jetbeam RRT-01 with No tailswitch:
.

Jetbeam RRT-01 2020 model with tailswitch:
.

another example of a light with a control ring on the head, plus a tailswitch, is the venerable Sunwayman V11r:
.

those happen to be stepless infinitely variable magnetic rotaries, but since djozz does not want that, it could simply be built to have the discrete modes he listed above

the second option Wurkkos Terry posted, with the control ring and switch on the back, is also a feature of the HDS 24 step Rotary, designed for Ice Pick grip:

In the HDS the control ring is not magnetic, it has 24 discrete steps… I think the 4 mode dial that djozz suggested, would be sufficient, regardless which end it is on.

here is a past example of a light with a 4 mode dial, Sunwayman M11r
.
it has no tailswitch, just the front control ring w 4 modes, like djozz suggested.