CALLING ALL BLF MEMBERS! New Light UI Feedback Needed
Background:
We’re finalizing the UI for an upcoming release, and your expertise matters!
Visual References:
Image 3: Current UI
Image 4: Redesigned UI
Key Changes Being Considered:
Simplified mode switching (no more hidden combinations)
Dedicated buttons for primary/secondary LEDs
Configurable long-press actions
How to Help:
Comment with:
Which layout do you prefer (Old/New/Both)? And your reason?
Is this the fabled hd04???
In the 4th photo, why are there two side light brightness adjustment?
Oh, I thought this was a Wurkkos model.
Here is the relevant part of my early feedback:
Here’s a suggestion of the concept using only side LEDs, but with a charging port in addition. This is approximately designed to use the Sofirn SC13 charging port cover.
Maybe double and triple clicks should work from both off and on ?
For bottom button may I suggest to switch channels (white - red) with “click + press&hold”? It’s a bit of complication but this will allow to use simple “press&hold” from off for white moonlight and to access red light from both off and on.
Bottom button
click + press&hold (from off): Lowest red light
click + press&hold (from on): Switch between red and white side light
Flashlight with multiple type emiter and two buttons can use user interface like Wurkkos HD50 flashlight.
It is simple and functional.
As we all know, Sofirn and Wurkkos belong to the same company, and this product is now sold by Sofirn.
I’m not a type who likes strobe/sos/beacon in a small flashlight. So I’ll put those modes as optional.
My suggestions are:
I prefer the second UI option in Image 4.
However, it will force you to redo the mold for the switch cover, logically to say some combination of “Main/Side” or “Top/Side” or “Top/Bottom” or whatever, but at least it should then be clear to the user which button controls which light. For most lay users, two switches = one switch for each light would be easier to grasp. It would also make it easier to support both being lit simultaneously, if that capability is present.
In Image 3, at least the Mode button is labeled as such, but otherwise, it would not be otherwise clear what the button does, and a casual user could still pick up the light, not notice the label, and become confused.
A simple button is harder to discern as a mode switch than something like a rotary dial, like on the IF24/IF23P models, so that label is essential to understanding what its function is.
(BTW, did you ever correct the behavior on the IF24 twins where the mode switch also acts as a power switch when changing modes, and make it consistent with the IF23P where it does not?)
In the end, try to KISS, and to me, two switches, each independently controlling their own emitter(s), as well as behaving just like they do on typical single-channel flashlight is preferable than having to learn a new combination of two switches that have overlap in how they function. Keeping them segregated also reduces the risk of unintended actions. Like having the IF24 potentially blind you when simply trying to switch modes, because the mode switch also turns on the light.
Thank you so much for your advice!!
Your UI design looks very good, we will take it into consideration
First, I like that more small flashlights are incorporating this type of clip, which makes it easier to mount and hold the light securely.
As for the UI, personally I like the UIs presented by both @SammysHP and @Radu19.
Keep up the great work at Sofirn!
Yes, our buttons will definitely be clearly labeled.
And KISS switch We will take it into consideration in the design.
Thanks for your good advice~
Do you want to be able to turn on both top and side at the same time? If not, make selector switch like on HS21.
There’s the Ultrafire S3 flat flashlight that has white/UV/laser selection via a sideswitch. It’s just up/mid/down, period. Which position selects which emitter is used.
Then for each emitter, the mode is via context. UV and laser are one brightness, only on/off. White has multiple brightnesses.
Same for HS21, with different levels (including moonlight) for each emitter, select the emitter via the ring.
This way, it’s one UI for each emitter, selected by the ring (HS21) / switch (S3).
The above sounds like 2 different UIs, 1 for each switch (“top” vs “bottom”). To me, that’s more complicated, no? I looked at the flowchart and was just confused.
