Dead simple user interface flashlight for walking recommendations

[geepondy]

Tonight was the final straw. I saw not one but two different neighbors I know well, walking their dogs in our narrow (as has snow banks) dark street, wearing dark clothing, no reflective gear and no lighting. I am now strongly considering gifting them a flashlight if I can meet one that meets my criteria. I would prefer a more wider beam vs spotlight and at least ok bright6ess (500-600 lumens?). But most of all, it has to have a dead simple interface, preferably even a physical switch to change the brightness levels but barring that something as simple as possible. I have many lights with complicated interfaces and when I loan them out to non-flashaholics, it doesn't go over well. They get confused easily, particularly when accidently accessing a mode such as strobe or accidently locking out the light. Does such a light exist and relatively cheap, say $40 tops? I'm always unsure whether to give a novice, a rechargeable light or a AA light but If using it regularly to go on walks, I have to think a rechargeable light is better and hope they remember to charge it. I know a headlight might be an option but not sure if they would wear one vs the familiar feel of a flashlight.

 

[jon_slider]

maybe a Lumintop Tool AA?
set the light to medium and tell them to just clic on, clic off?

 

[Monocrom]

maybe a Lumintop Tool AA?

Excellent choice. Though if those neighbors are adults who don't know any better, I wouldn't bother. Children, young adults; that's one thing. I let other adults fend for themselves unless they're directing asking me for help.

 

[dc38]

Tonight was the final straw. I saw not one but two different neighbors I know well, walking their dogs in our narrow (as has snow banks) dark street, wearing dark clothing, no reflective gear and no lighting. I am now strongly considering gifting them a flashlight if I can meet one that meets my criteria. I would prefer a more wider beam vs spotlight and at least ok bright6ess (500-600 lumens?). But most of all, it has to have a dead simple interface, preferably even a physical switch to change the brightness levels but barring that something as simple as possible. I have many lights with complicated interfaces and when I loan them out to non-flashaholics, it doesn't go over well. They get confused easily, particularly when accidently accessing a mode such as strobe or accidently locking out the light. Does such a light exist and relatively cheap, say $40 tops? I'm always unsure whether to give a novice, a rechargeable light or a AA light but If using it regularly to go on walks, I have to think a rechargeable light is better and hope they remember to charge it. I know a headlight might be an option but not sure if they would wear one vs the familiar feel of a flashlight.

I know there's not much love for them here, but the olight oclip pro. Flood, throw, and red modes, dead simple interface.

Flick the switch for the different modes, then hold the button to cycle the brightness.

Wait for one of their flash sales and you can snag them for just around $30, or you could go to their tiktok store and get it even cheaper.

It can clip to their jackets for hands free, and has a magnet on the clip, great for car work or just putting on the fridge for easy access.

 

[jacobd]

Convoy M1 set to 50/10/1/0.1 on no memory.

Bright and simple to use. Basically just one click on and off for 50%, with a few other options to lower the mode

 

[Beckler]

Tactical tail switch not great for casual users tho. I asked same question as OP a few years ago, found nothing really. ALL companies don't really know what they're doing, in general, design wise. It's just random ideas that make partial sense but isn't logical and always a random combination of features. So one model for example will have a critically good feature you always want, but isn't present in any other, for no reason. So anyway, it makes sense then, that each company can't even realize they need just one special model for this: seniors, for disabilities, etc; it offers maximum ease of use and obvious controls that glow, no UI to remember, etc. I meant to just make it myself a few years ago but haven't done the work yet.

 

[jon_slider]

I have to think a rechargeable light is better

The Wurkkos Wk03 has built in charging and costs less than $20, with 18650 battery included. Use discount code VDAY20 to essentially get free shipping.

the UI is very simple, just clic on, click off at last used output:

The button light changes from Green to Red when it is time to recharge.. KISS

 

[jabe1]

Energizer HC300.

 

[geepondy]

This forum is bad for your wallet. I just ordered an Olight Clip Pro. Not because I needed one but it seemed like an interesting light to have.

 

[IMA SOL MAN]

You can't get much simpler than a Mini Mag. Maybe throw in a couple of Eneloops?

https://maglite.com/collections/compact-size/products/mini-maglite-pro-led-2-aa-holster-pack

Or, if you want them to have more lumens and a push button UI, with a rechargeable option, there is the 2C cell ML50L.

https://maglite.com/collections/mid-size/products/ml50l-led-2-cell-c

The 3C ML50L has 705 lumens. That should be enough to light up their life.

https://maglite.com/collections/mid-size/products/ml50l-led-3-cell-c

 

[gurdygurds]

You can't get much simpler than a Mini Mag. Maybe throw in a couple of Eneloops?

https://maglite.com/collections/compact-size/products/mini-maglite-pro-led-2-aa-holster-pack

Or, if you want them to have more lumens and a push button UI, with a rechargeable option, there is the 2C cell ML50L.

https://maglite.com/collections/mid-size/products/ml50l-led-2-cell-c

The 3C ML50L has 705 lumens. That should be enough to light up their life.

https://maglite.com/collections/mid-size/products/ml50l-led-3-cell-c

Good call on the ML50L lights. They’re awesome. If Maglite made them with the warm led, I would probably have a few of them.

 

[Monocrom]

Energizer HC300.

Not a bad option at all. Should be easily found at Home Depot.

 

[dc38]

I just watched maglite's spectrum product line video...and heard this little gem: "...the amount of light they throw out is pretty high, for LEDs of color..." i just thought that was funny.

 

[sgt253]

How about a Streamlight Pro Tac 2AA-X? Its rechargeable, comes with the batteries, or can be used on two AA batteries if so inclined. Dead simple operation (on/off), can be reconfigured if one chooses to, and fits your aforementioned budget. Best of luck.

Streamlight ProTac 2AA-X Rechargeable Flashlight Black

The ProTac 2AA-X USB is a slim, tactical flashlight that uses a USB-C rechargeable battery pack and can also accept two AA alkaline batteries...

ads.midwayusa.com

 

[fuyume]

I got my mother a MagLite 2AA with the warm LED. Dead simple. More than enough light for walking at night without tripping over stuff. (non-affliliate link)

Mini Maglite AA LED Spectrum Series Warm White

This Spectrum Series LED 2 AA features a warm white beam. Warm white light is the ideal light source for working in tight spaces. - Preferred light for electronic technicians because warm white LEDs allow the full-color spectrum to be seen in detail on wires/cables. Cool white Light LEDs make...

maglite.com

 

[bluflaam777]

Lumencraft has an $8 600lm torch that comes with a cheap cell. Even if you buy a $10-$15 to replace the stock one it would be in the ballpark.
On board charging. Simple side switch.
1clk= on/off
1clk on and another clk within a few seconds to low

I've have one that gets used daily as well as my roommate for going on a year with no issues. We both use 18650 samsung 30Q batts.
1.5hrs on high
13hrs on low
They won't need to recharge it for a week if they only use it on low for 2hrs/day.

Comes with the torch, 18650 battery (suggest getting a better one), and a USB charging cable

Worth it for $20 or less

 

[leukos]

They may not want a light and prefer night adapted eyes, so then the light is just for drivers to see them. Maybe get them an AAA glo-toob. Pretty simple UI and pretty bombproof: http://www.glo-toob.com/index.php/en/products/3