I would like Mag to copy the thriving market in P60 drop-ins. Imagine if Mag hired one or two decent engineers from some of the tactical flashlight companies, and redesigned the LEDs they sell for Mag Lites.
Mag could sell lots of drop-in modules.
How many drop-in modules would it take to make it worth Mag's time to do a production run? 1,000? 10,000? The new manufacturing methods allow very small production runs (e.g., 50) to be profitable. The only limits are the costs of engineering, testing, and supporting these modules. These modules would, in turn, sell lots of new Mag Lites, and lots of rebranded "Mag 10AH 5c D-Cells" that used to have Tenergy logos on them.
One more thing, Mag, don't waste our time with LEDs that need a certain voltage. Aftermarket P60 drop-ins run from 3.7V to 18.0V. Your LEDs should not be rated for a number of cells.
The current mag-compatible drop-ins (that really do drop-in) have heat problems, so put a thermsistor that cuts the power a bit when they start to overhear.
Eventually, Mag could come out with a "New Mag Lite" with a better heat-sink and a dual-switch (on/off and mode) that would otherwise look like the old Mag Lites everyone grew up with. Could the mode switch will be removable and separate from the emitter somehow?
I for one would like the option of fewer modes, 1 or 2 most
I agree. I need full-on or I need a map light. I refuse to buy 5-mode lights, because they will not do what I need when I really need them.
Double stage switch kinda like a camera button. I like the Zebralight user interface but would like to expand on it.
From off:
- Half press for momentary, full press for on (forward clickie)
I agree.
Momentary and on/off is good.
The real problem with too many modes is the lack of a simple UI. I wish everyone would agree on one UI (like we agree on click-switches that are either on the tail or on the side near the front.)