2019 After Action Review - what did you learn?

[lion504]

Looking back, 2019 taught me the following about torches:

- Don't deviate too far from 4500k
- driver & firmware are more important than body material & machining
- 7075 is an ideal body material
- lights without a direct mode access UI (single discrete action to reach any desired/supported output level) rarely get used
- I've grown to depend on the voltage check feature and notice when I'm using a light without it
- AA is the ideal EDC size, but the ideal AA switched light with ramping/direct mode access and boost/buck driver between 1-4.2v doesn't exist
- red light secondaries aren't as useful as they seem
- if the demand is there, Gene Malkoff will manufacture it (and he's a really nice guy to work with)

Just my conclusions, obviously YMMV.

What lessons did you learn?

 

[bykfixer]

I learned that everything I had learned before 2019 regarding flashlights still applies to my flashlight uses in 2019.
I learned that an Elzetta Bravo with AVS is pretty close to the Bones output but has a hi/lo option. And I learned that apparently the 320 lumen version of SureFires G2x Pro is still my favorite SureFire light.

 

[richbuff]

2019 taught me that physical things that I thought made me happier, as happy or nearly as happy as flashlights do don't. Not even close.

 

[scout24]

My purchasing slowed down drastically in 2019. Give me a programmable triple in 16340/18350/18650 4-5000k for edc, a neutral Hound Dog for "what was that?", a few older Surefires because they're cool as could be, and I'm a happy camper. A few dedicated lights for specific tasks (a headlamp or three, a couple dedicated throwers, a few Malkoff dropins because zombies) and I'm content until there's a game changer. I still have more than I need, but the "wants" are tempered for now...

 

[Modernflame]

I am very blessed. I was reminded in 2019 how to be content with what I have, even though I can afford to buy cool toys from time to time. I also learned that knives are as interesting to me as flashlights and that no other internet forum is as much fun as CPF.

lovecpf

 

[jon_slider]

I learned I Like
Stepless Rotaries, Titanium Hosts, and changing the LEDs in my Flashlights.

 

[Skaaphaas]

Ah, 2019. What a year.
Moved to a first-world country.

Realised there is so much artificial light anywhere close to the city that carrying a flashlight is almost unnecessary. Almost.

Took a financial hit with the move and therefore didn't buy any new lights for myself in 2019. Learnt to love and appreciate the lights I do have.

Learnt that I can force situations to use my lights by going camping in areas that don't have artificial lighting.

After 2019, I am still searching for the perfect EDC light, but learnt that I no longer have a specific idea of that that light would look like.

Maybe I'll try carry some other lights this year that didn't make the EDC rotation in 2019.

 

[Duster1671]

I've learned that I enjoy my flashlights much more when they're used as tools rather than toys.

 

[rexdriver85]

I learned that I may have an addictive personality when I comes to obsessing over new things that interest me. I set out to find a new flashlight for work in the middle of December, started down a rabbit hole, and in the past 3 weeks I've acquired at least 14 new flashlights, getting ready to build a Convoy s2+ as soon as the parts show up, and I just bought an SLN from Vihn, which looks like he is shipping out today!

Oh, and I've been fully converted to warmer HCRI emitters VERY quickly.

Should be fun poking around here. :wave:

 

[richbuff]

I learned that I may have an addictive personality when I comes to obsessing over new things that interest me. I set out to find a new flashlight for work in the middle of December, started down a rabbit hole, and in the past 3 weeks I've acquired at least 14 new flashlights, getting ready to build a Convoy s2+ as soon as the parts show up, and I just bought an SLN from Vihn, which looks like he is shipping out today!

Oh, and I've been fully converted to warmer HCRI emitters VERY quickly.

Should be fun poking around here. :wave:

And living here! :welcome:

 

[Blade Protection]

I learned that i need more lights, and that I need a backup for my main edc. 2 is one and 1 is none.

I broke my favorite EDC light this year and when i went to get another one i found out that it was discontinued and i could not get another one.

It took me a while to find another one i was happy with but for that time i was without and it was very annoying.

I use my lights at work all the time and when i reach for it and it wasn't there it reminded me that i need to be more prepared in the future.

 

[idleprocess]

As fond as I am of the FW3A, it's not quite as robust as I'd like, thus purchasing two has proved to be a tad excessive.

 

[rexdriver85]

As fond as I am of the FW3A, it's not quite as robust as I'd like, thus purchasing two has proved to be a tad excessive.

I've been using the FW3A for work duty about 2 weeks now, and while I love the form factor, the UI, and the emitters, I feel the same as you. It's really upsetting how finicky the light is, and when I have to change a battery I have to screw around with the light loosening and tightening the tail and head just to get it to come on again.

It's a shame the way they designed the inner contact tube, a fatal flaw that kind of ruins an otherwise A+ flashlight. I think if they would have integrated a small springy flap into the tail, it would never have the issues it does because the inner tube would always have contact instead of relying on the head and tail to be screwed down super tight.

 

[idleprocess]

I've been using the FW3A for work duty about 2 weeks now, and while I love the form factor, the UI, and the emitters, I feel the same as you. It's really upsetting how finicky the light is, and when I have to change a battery I have to screw around with the light loosening and tightening the tail and head just to get it to come on again.

It's a shame the way they designed the inner contact tube, a fatal flaw that kind of ruins an otherwise A+ flashlight. I think if they would have integrated a small springy flap into the tail, it would never have the issues it does because the inner tube would always have contact instead of relying on the head and tail to be screwed down super tight.

It's a design that requires fitting, something that the modern industrial economy is moving away from - especially for lower-cost items.

I have two distinct generations of the light and the newer one (retained tailcap) is far and away more troublesome after a couple of drops. I suspect that a contact in the tailswitch PCB is no longer in a consistent position, thus its fussiness over the switch making consistently.

 

[INFRNL]

In 2020, i learned that you all sound like you're in a flashaholics meeting...and i stopped by the wrong room

My name is INFRNL and I am a flashaholic. In 2019 i learned that I needed to stay away.
I also learned that I need to hang out with modernflame more so i can get my chit under control and enjoy what I need.

I also learned that jon_slider is my mentor....i mean we like the same book

In 2020, my goal is to drop down to only what i need/like and start enjoying my select favorites.

Good luck this year, there will be new temptations...a couple that I'm going to bite on, lol

I also learned that I like sw35, sw40, sw45k, otherwise nothing special since my last purchases in 2018

 

[wicky998]

in 2019 ive learned...

that malkoff customer service is far superior to any other, an will forever keep me going back

that the majority of genes products fit my needs/wants near perfect, and will keep me going back

that dons reflectors are the best in the business

learned to enjoy/ find uses for other tints outside of 3000k

HJK is a battery guru

I am highly anticipating infrnls project trucks completion and his runtime graphs are heaven sent

anything over a single 18650/2x123 sized light will be carried far less

rechargable is way funnier than primary

Bykfxer is the definition of wisdom

Hoarding batteries can be a real addiction...

i still havent pulled the trigger on a hds..2020 is my year

I also "need" a 4sevens qk2a mkiii...

Cpf needs a dark mode on its app but nothing beats the homepage on a laptop

I could spend way more money on the wts threads than anywheres else online

I could be addicted to way worse things than flashlights

AA is still my favorite cell

Backup batteries are just as important

Still prefer a clicky over a gas pedal but the SF tacticians switch is my favorite

Orange is the new black

Pocket clips can sometimes be overrated

Moderators are cool

To tail stand or not to tail stand, that is the question

and that this community is a great place to meet and talk/discuss with other addicts of similar addictions

i should have joined years ago :sick2:

 

[elzilcho]

I learned that when it gets darks, an inexpensive light held in my hand is worth a lot more than a pricey "custom" light sitting in the repair shop. That realization will save me money in the new year. :thumbsup: