Sorry to hear about your issue. I have been following the TM26 threads here since they started, and have had two myself...both worked flawlessly. If it works properly, it is a fantastic light - it is still one of my absolute favorites. There have been too many quality control issues for a light of this cost, but it is still relatively uncommon to have a problem. If you have a second one with a problem, I wouldn't blame you for avoiding it, but any light can fail...I'd encourage you to give it one more chance.
Just a note about your comment - if you only want a mode for a few seconds, you don't need to do a half press, then a full press to turn it off. The TM26 has a momentary function - if you hold the button (half press) from off, you enter momentary mode. Then, when you want to turn it off, all you have to do is let go. Definitely easier and more intuitive than your method. It does take some getting used to, but overall I like the design. Nice to be able to do everything quickly with one switch, for me at least.
Good luck!
Hi Doc007 -- I'm familiar with the momentary contact function, thanks. I wasn't pointing to trying to turn the light on for an *intentionally* short interval. Sometimes you turn it on and relatively soon thereafter, you find that you don't need it and ya' wanna' turn it off. ;-) But while I'm on the subject, I'll amplify my own perceptions of the TM 26 navigation system as I find its characteristics an annoying detraction from an otherwise phenomenal light!
My criticism of the switching scheme is of it's unnecessary convolution, in general. One good example of that is as I'd mentioned, needing to employ a different operation to turn off a level from that which was needed to turn it on. This issue is all the more concerning in my eyes, when there are numerous modes, and several of them are arrived at and departed from, by a different pathway.
Save for when you're dealing with one that misbehaves and doesn't obey the logic commands it's given however, the system does indeed work to maneuver around the various levels. But I feel there's no reason to employ differing levels of switch pressure -- especially for a single, given function -- toward that goal, even if it does work. By way of counter-example, after reading Selfbuilt's AMAZING review, I've ordered a Niwalker MM15vn -- the MM15 modified by Vinh Nguyen. That light (in all of its variations including the stock unit), uses a single switch to accomplish the same tasks too, but a more direct flow chart having to do with how many times the switch is hit and for how long at some points, successfully takes care of the navigation. It does so without need of excessive switch activations, nor applied pressure differentials. A couple of logical clicks, sometimes with a time consideration -- two variables -- does it.
The TM 26 by contrast employs three variables in its navigation scheme: multiple depressions which take place at two different pressure levels, and for some operations, the consideration to the duration of such a press or a half-press. Not only is there no need of this, but it's inherently error prone -- even when one is comfortably familiar with the scheme. Just as an example of that, walking my dog I've many times overshot an attempt to go from 150, to 600 lumens to light up the woods in response to a sudden animal sound, turning the light off instead. The transition from 150 to 600 needs a low-pressure 'half press' where the full press turns it off completely, of course. When walking an adored 20 lb Boston Terrier/Jack Russel mix and ya' hear coyote within 200 feet, it turns out to be a challenge to suppress the 'DANG! HIT THE SWITCH!' drive and gently touch it instead. ;-) I feel that 3 variables is an unnecessary complication that increases the probability of navigation errors. Unfortunately, I also suspect that the physical complexity of the switch itself, and that of the circuitry needed for this scheme, are likely related to the trouble that is cropping up with quality control in the switching functions of the light.
But Doc, (and anyone else reading this who's interested in the TM 26), all that said about about the somewhat convoluted interface of the light, its other characteristics and its performance are just too hard to live without! I'm right there with you, and I've ordered a replacement already! If the second one jumps around like the first one and/or sometimes fails to go out sometimes, I might even accept the 'squirrelyness' to be able to use it. ;-) I hope however, that I have an experience like yours this time around!
Be well!