Why Have Lights UI’s Become So Complicated?

WalkIntoTheLight · 2019-02-24T14:50:14.000Z

I tend to agree, mostly. However, I do like the option to program a light the way I want it. IMO, Zebralight’s new programmable UI has it right. It’s flexible enough to allow you to set up the light the way you want it, but simple enough that you can remember how to reprogram it if you want, without the need to look it up.

I find that UI’s like Anduril and NarsilM go way to over-the-top. Yes, they’re extremely flexible and programmable, but you absolutely need a spreadsheet and flow-chart in order to be able to do it. And even then, it’s often so complex that you screw it up a couple of times before getting it right. With those lights, I usually just give up and leave it on default ramping, even though it’s not quite what I want. So, I’m probably missing out on a lot of the features, simply because they’re too difficult to use.

So, yes, I like the flexibility that the new UI’s provide, but only to a limit. Too much of a good thing is often not good. I like flexibility, but not complexity. Some lights just shove too many features in them, without them really being important enough to warrant the increase in complexity.

KawiBoy1428 · 2019-02-24T15:06:30.000Z

I want a Telepathic UI that can read my mind… ON/OFF Tint and what level I want, then I’ll be happy….

carpmon43 · 2019-02-24T15:25:48.000Z

hmm telepathic UI, might get tricky lol, a bit like the festal virgin spirit things that do what ever you want, tisnt a blessing, and ermm is it greek mythology where it’s actual an eternal punishment, fair do’s the batteries in a torch wont last quite that long.

DMS1970 · 2019-02-24T15:32:46.000Z

I always go back to ZL and olight because of the UI. Same reason my meteors only lasted a week with me. I hate press and hold for off, half presses and tail switches. I keep all my lights similar UI and prefer instant access to turbo or moonlight.

DMS1970 · 2019-02-24T15:35:48.000Z

It would be cool if a USB rechargeable light could access the programming in a windows/android/iOS window and set it up that way.

carpmon43 · 2019-02-24T17:53:02.000Z

DMS1970:

It would be cool if a USB rechargeable light could access the programming in a windows/android/iOS window and set it up that way.

without compromising the water resistance, i’e. the Chinese rubber thong grommet, the one that fits in the hole but that’s about all lol.

Aleister · 2019-02-24T18:48:24.000Z

teacher · 2019-02-24T20:22:42.000Z

I hear what your saying Gebe & somewhat agree. But as long as the UI is user programmable, I don’t care how complicated it is. I just set it how I want it & forget it.
.
Edit: By “user programmable”, I mean by a few clicks and/or half clicks. Not re-flashing, using a smart phone or computer, saying magic words & Hokus Pockus, or using black magic.
Just a few simple clicks… half or full.

LouieAtienza · 2019-02-24T20:03:36.000Z

There are ups and downs to both. I prefer to have a choice if given a choice. And having the freedom of choice is always hard. But there’s a lot out there if all you want a limited UI as well.

What is _really _needed is an easier way to program the UI - via smartphone app, Bluetooth, USB, whatever. Hitting a button 2000 times to get to a config menu, then another 600 times to get to a specific setting, etc., etc., is not my idea of fun, though I understand it’s the best that can be done with one button. Even having to take a driver out of a pill to flash it can be a pain for a noob. Heck, I find it a pain. On larger lights where there’s more real estate on the driver how about a half-pitch micro DIP switch? A nice 40 cent part to make life easier?

Jack_Kellar · 2019-02-25T00:21:35.000Z

The good thing about most of our complicated UIs is that you can always set them to be as simple as you need. You can’t get more straightforward than Biscotti on mode group 12.

Muto · 2019-02-25T00:46:32.000Z

In a perfect world you would order the light with the mode group you want already pre-flashed permanently, but let’s be serious,
the vendors can’t even box the right tint you ordered when the choice was only between 2 variations, cold white or slightly less cold white:)

Sad but true.

Gebe · 2019-02-25T00:46:36.000Z

Aleister:

That is funny! Thanks for that!

Hugh_Johnson · 2019-02-25T01:02:08.000Z

At the end of the original post you seem to indicate that a basic ramping is fine. I suspect your frustration is with all of the additional features and modes. I realize I may be understanding incorrectly.

When I got my Thrunite TH20 headlamp it loved it. A basic ramping interface with memory, as well as shortcut to moonlight and turbo. Is this what you mean by an acceptable ramping interface? The BLF UI is a variation of the same thing. It’s equally easy to use. There’s no need to make it more complicated. However, there’s the option to do so.

The only downside I can see is the accidental activation of an unwanted mode without the manual around to get you back out. Other than that I see no downside to the complexity, which is essentially non-existent until summoned.

wle · 2019-02-25T01:16:11.000Z

it is hard to control a lot of features with just 1 button.

there are lights that have simple UIs but they don;t have a lot of features either.

reno · 2019-02-25T02:34:57.000Z

DMS1970:

It would be cool if a USB rechargeable light could access the programming in a windows/android/iOS window and set it up that way.

I wonder if it’s reasonable to expect to one day a budget flashlight have a such feature?

Barry0892 · 2019-02-25T02:54:18.000Z

think about the phone, at first we just use it to call, then add messenger, pics, apps……boom, you can do anything via your smart phone but only do several things with it!

something existed is just in case, some are for common use.That’s why we need more lights and more complicated UIs

Bad news is many muggles purchased Q8 because of the awesome driver, but give bad feedback after they found don’t know how to use the complicated UI!

They will say if I can only use on and off, ramp up and down, why wouldn’t I choose a cheaper one or a bigger brand?!

Boaz · 2019-02-25T05:49:28.000Z

I think the user interfaces could be simpler and have an easy lock feature so no one ever falls into a triple flash mode by mistake.

Sadly most non-a-holics have problems figuring out what a half click is and endlessly hammer on and hammer offdoing full clicks to change modes ...

Alas I hate the hold to turn off a light .It's absolutely non intuitive and fools me into a un nessesary trip around the sequence instead of a simple on and off .I like the user interfaces that after a second or two the next click is ...off ... I also dislike the hold to run thru the modes instead of just a click .

Barry0892 · 2019-02-25T08:51:21.000Z

Boaz:

I think the user interfaces could be simpler and have an easy lock feature so no one ever falls into a triple flash mode by mistake.

Sadly most non-a-holics have problems figuring out what a half click is and endlessly hammer on and hammer offdoing full clicks to change modes …

Alas I hate the hold to turn off a light .It’s absolutely non intuitive and fools me into a un nessesary trip around the sequence instead of a simple on and off .I like the user interfaces that after a second or two the next click is …off … I also dislike the hold to run thru the modes instead of just a click .

do you mean, click to turn on and change modes, click to turn off after several seconds(let’s say 10s) not using? What if I wanna turn off right after changing modes?

I think best way to make it simple is use two switches. One to turn on / off, the other to change modes.

Ryzbor · 2019-02-25T09:38:41.000Z

The Skilhunt H03 UI but without sublevels, strobes hidden deeper, and hold for 0.2s for off would make a tremendous muggle friendly UI even wihout explanation of how it works.

Boaz · 2019-02-25T10:04:06.000Z

Barry0892:

Boaz:

I think the user interfaces could be simpler and have an easy lock feature so no one ever falls into a triple flash mode by mistake.

Sadly most non-a-holics have problems figuring out what a half click is and endlessly hammer on and hammer offdoing full clicks to change modes ...

Alas I hate the hold to turn off a light .It's absolutely non intuitive and fools me into a un nessesary trip around the sequence instead of a simple on and off .I like the user interfaces that after a second or two the next click is ...off ... I also dislike the hold to run thru the modes instead of just a click .

do you mean, click to turn on and change modes, click to turn off after several seconds(let’s say 10s) not using? What if I wanna turn off right after changing modes? I think best way to make it simple is use two switches. One to turn on / off, the other to change modes.

like 3 seconds not ten .. if you click within 3seconds it goes to the next mode . Longer than 3seconds?. it shuts off and restarts in mode#1 at what ever you've set that mode to be . Archeon made this UI and if you held down on the button in any mode it smooth ramped so you could set any mode to any output . It's a very user friendly driver 'cept for it's foul low frequency PWM .