EDC with simple UI

[dennisw1mac]

Looking for my first EDC and was taken by the Eagletac D25C but not it's UI. My thinking is get to max lumins ASAP. So then I found SWM V11R & M11R and find them more to my liking. Curious what others like in a small personal defense simple UI.

 

[enomosiki]

Forward clicky, multi-mode head twist
Found in many tactical lights. When the head is tightened, the light will output on maximum, with secondary outputs being accessible by loosening the head. Does not allow for one hand mode switching.
Examples include EagleTac P20C2 MkII, T20C2 MkII, 4Sevens Maelstrom G5 and Quark Tactical.

Forward clicky, multi-mode head twist, multi-bank
Same operating principal as above, but some lights can have their set of modes changed from tactical to general and back by special head twisting sequences. Does not allow for one hand mode switching.
Examples include ArmyTek Predator, Maelstrom G5 and Lumintop TD-15.

Forward clicky, multi-mode secondary switch
A recent trend, the activation switch is complemented by a secondary switch at the tailcap or towards the head for accessing strobe and switching modes. Easy one hand mode switching.
Examples include Fenix PD32, LD12 and Klarus XT series.

Single-stage, single-output
Dead-simple UI that you cannot mess up even during the most heated situations, because it has only single mode--bright. You can't, for the same reason, change modes.
Examples include Surefire 6P, C2, Z2, 6PX-T and G2X-T.

Two-stage, dual-output
Press the switch halfway for low output, put a deathgrip on it to access the maximum output. Out of all switching UIs, this offers the fastest time to change outputs, with one hand.
Examples include Surefire L1, LX2, A2 and Lumintop P16.

Forward clicky, magnetic controller
Found on certain lights, usually with tailcap switch and magnetic control ring towards the head. Outputs and modes can be adjusted via the ring, but the different positions of the switch and control ring may make it tricky to do so with one hand.
Examples include Jetbeam RRT-0 and Sunwayman V series.

Electronic switch, magnetic controller
Electronic tail switch with magnetic control ring surrounding the tailcap. Parasitic drain and tailcap fragility may be an issue, but its advantages include silent activation and near-instantaneous ability to switch between all modes using one hand.
Examples include Blackhawk Gladius and ThruNite Scorpion series.

 

[Gunner12]

Woah, great post enomosiki!

What price range and beampattern Dennis? I'm assuming a floody beam for what you want ot use it for. The post above is a great place to start.

:welcome:

 

[reppans]

Looking for my first EDC and was taken by the Eagletac D25C but not it's UI. My thinking is get to max lumins ASAP. So then I found SWM V11R & M11R and find them more to my liking. Curious what others like in a small personal defense simple UI.

Isn't the process between the ET and SWM V to get to max the same - twist and push? I like the idea of the magnetic rings, but they use power that destroys the low lumen runtimes. Also read that the 4 lumen low on the M is more like 0.4.

 

[rambo180]

Enomosiki that is a very good answer!

 

[dennisw1mac]

Thanks Enomosiki for the thorough summary and interest from others. I just want it bright and quick to deploy without a lot of counting and concentration on the process. I figure 200 OTF lumens minimum. I like Surefire simplicity, but their smaller lights are much lower lumens that these other lights. I will plow through Enomosiki listing and see what jumps out at me. I had no idea so many flashlights were out there, and I'm feeling the early stages of flashaholicism setting in.

 

[yliu]

Sunwayman V series light are very simple to use. I EDC the V10R and I love it.

The JetBeam B series lights are very simple too, only 2 modes. Works great as a beater light if the 2 brightness is enough for you.

Most of Surefire's lights also have a fairly simple UI.

 

[jorn]

Forward clicky, multi-mode head twist
Found in many tactical lights. When the head is tightened, the light will output on maximum, with secondary outputs being accessible by loosening the head. Does not allow for one hand mode switching.

I think this type of ui is the best for canging modes one handed (if youre on the move, walking etc with your hands down). It takes the least amount of effort to change modes, the head is right there between my fingers. So it depends on how you hold/use your light.

 

[Rolex John]

Single-stage, single-output
Dead-simple UI that you cannot mess up even during the most heated situations, because it has only single mode--bright. You can't, for the same reason, change modes.
Examples include Surefire 6P, C2, Z2, 6PX-T and G2X-T.

Forward clicky, magnetic controller
Found on certain lights, usually with tailcap switch and magnetic control ring towards the head. Outputs and modes can be adjusted via the ring, but the different positions of the switch and control ring may make it tricky to do so with one hand.
Examples include Jetbeam RRT-0 and Sunwayman V series.

Electronic switch, magnetic controller
Electronic tail switch with magnetic control ring surrounding the tailcap. Parasitic drain and tailcap fragility may be an issue, but its advantages include silent activation and near-instantaneous ability to switch between all modes using one hand.
Examples include Blackhawk Gladius and ThruNite Scorpion series.

I'm looking for a small EDC light that combines some of these features.

First and foremost, it must have stress proof single output instant on clicky feature for use with a handgun. But it would be nice if you could adjust the output in a rotary fashion from the button end, and perhaps twist lock out the head for constant on mode.

The HDS rotary seems to function in this manner, but seems to be unattainably out of stock every where right now. Any reasonable substitutes out there?

 

[ScaryFatKidGT]

Id get the Jetbeam B series or a Quark tactical once set is every simple. Or a rotary light works

 

[dennisw1mac]

I'm beginning to understand the flashaholicism disease now. It stems from the never-ending quest for the perfect light in different categories. So I have arrived at my short list, which meets my current basic requirements for small size, high lumens and simple UI and in parentheses are each light's detracting characteristic (for me)...

EagleTac D25C (reverse clicky)
Sunwayman V11R (mag switch)
Sunwayman M11R (mag switch)
Jetbeam RRT01 (mag switch)
Jetbeam PC10 (goofy clip)
Jetbeam BC10 (not XM-L, goofy clip)
Niteye EYE10 (mag switch)
Foursevens Quark Tactical QTL (not XM-L, goofy clip)
Klaus P1C (not XM-L)

Reverse clicky I can live with on an EDC, even though forward clicky is required on my nightstand light. I don't know much about the magnetic control switch (and may be judging too harshly), but I don't care for the standby draw and shorter run times. As far as the clip goes, it needs to allow the light to completely disappear in my pocket. And lastly, why would someone choose something other than an XM-L today with it's brighter beam & longer runtimes?

So, the bottom line is that I bought the D25C. (BTW, I learned that the D25C with head tight clicks immediately into turbo mode) I hope I'm impressed when I get it. But hey, this is just my first one, right?

 

[cyclesport]

I'm beginning to understand the flashaholicism disease now. It stems from the never-ending quest for the perfect light in different categories. So I have arrived at my short list, which meets my current basic requirements for small size, high lumens and simple UI and in parentheses are each light's detracting characteristic (for me)...

EagleTac D25C (reverse clicky)
Sunwayman V11R (mag switch)
Sunwayman M11R (mag switch)
Jetbeam RRT01 (mag switch)
Jetbeam PC10 (goofy clip)
Jetbeam BC10 (not XM-L, goofy clip)
Niteye EYE10 (mag switch)
Foursevens Quark Tactical QTL (not XM-L, goofy clip)
Klaus P1C (not XM-L)

Reverse clicky I can live with on an EDC, even though forward clicky is required on my nightstand light. I don't know much about the magnetic control switch (and may be judging too harshly), but I don't care for the standby draw and shorter run times. As far as the clip goes, it needs to allow the light to completely disappear in my pocket. And lastly, why would someone choose something other than an XM-L today with it's brighter beam & longer runtimes?

So, the bottom line is that I bought the D25C. (BTW, I learned that the D25C with head tight clicks immediately into turbo mode) I hope I'm impressed when I get it. But hey, this is just my first one, right?

FWIW I think you made a good choice w/the D25C clicky, particularly since you wanted to use it as a small defensive light w/a handgun. You're right about tightening the head...it comes on in turbo (approx 770 lumens with 3.7v 16340 Li-ions/ 400 lumens w/3v. primaries) and then you can toggle back and forth between turbo and steady strobe with a soft press. Most 2 X CR123 dedicated tactical lights aren't that bright and are usually 2 to 3 times larger! The throw is pretty amazing too for such a small head, and the beam quality is very good with a well defined hot spot even for a light OP reflector.

I have two of these and like em' a lot. It's versatile since it can be used as a tac light with tightened head or EDC light by loosening the head1/4 turn and you have a variety of useful outputs and host of disco modes (easliy avoided if you desire) in a very small light that does indeed disapear in your pocket...Hope you enjoy it and let us know how you like it!

If you really get the flashlight bug...you may want to try one of the many excellent magnetic control ring lights on your wish list next. They're very useful for EDC lights too and quite unique, although generally a little chunkier/larger in OD.

 

[SamNavy]

So, the bottom line is that I bought the D25C. (BTW, I learned that the D25C with head tight clicks immediately into turbo mode) I hope I'm impressed when I get it. But hey, this is just my first one, right?

Been here a week now and this is also what I bought.

Simple requirements... pocket carry, absurdly bright, lotsa modes.
I wanted something small so I would actually carry it, something brighter than anything that size should be (to impress my friends), and lotsa modes so I could experiment and see what I might be missing so I could nail down a requirements list for future purchases. I guess you could say this first buy is for a "toy" to determine all others.

I read "700 lumens direct drive" and knew this flashlight was "THE ONE".

I've got a box of regular 123's at home that run a few other lights, so for this one, I splurged on the AW RCR123 3.7v li-ions.

Of course a full review is in order after I've had it for a week.

 

[shichuhei]

As stated already, great info enomosiki :thumbsup: