Forward Clicky...Rocket Science? Enlighten me please

[phreeflow]

Just a quick question for those in "the know"....what on earth is it about forward clicky's that make them so difficult to produce? I mean, is creating a forward clicky that much more technologically advanced and laborious than producing a reverse clicky? There are so few lights that I see with this option and there are just as few options when it comes to DIY/replacement parts for this feature.

Someone...please enlighten me. :shrug:

 

[Fallingwater]

I was thinking the same. I'd like to see more forward clickies as well.

 

[Lunal_Tic]

 

[scottaw]

I believe some companies, fenix for example, use the reverse clicky because for several modes, it's a much easier UI. Forward works well for single stage, but the reverse, imho, is better for 3+ modes

 

[chimo]

It simpler to manufacture a reverse clicky. All the "click mechanism" (think of the same mechanism that's in a pen) has to do is lift one contact ring off another and let it sit back down on the next full click.

A forward clicky must make and hold contact while the click mechanism is still in movement until the click and hold contact while the mechanism returns to its "land". This implies a little more complex system (perhaps more springs or flexible contacts). Sometimes the contact areas are smaller, oxidize faster and have a higher resistance (e.g. Kroll switch).

I agree that forward clickies are more intuitive and they allow for a quick flash and then off rapidly. They are a must for tactical applications.

Strangely, reverse clickies are better suited for many of the microcontroller based multimode lights.

HTH,

Paul

 

[gadgetnerd]

IMHO a cheap reverse clickie generally works better than a cheap forward clickie, for the reasons chimo stated. And it seems a lot of mid range (>$50) torches seem to use cheap switches to save a few $.

Case in point: my L1D-Q5 (reverse clickie, works perfectly) vs my NDI (forward clickie - the harder you push it the brighter the output until it clicks on).

 

[Blindasabat]

Forward clickies work great with the Fenix style UI, they just work differently. You don't have to ever click on fully if you don't want to. I have replaced two of my Fenix R-clickies with the L1T 2.0 foward ones and they work better for my use.

 

[Crenshaw]

Forward clickies work great with the Fenix style UI, they just work differently. You don't have to ever click on fully if you don't want to. I have replaced two of my Fenix R-clickies with the L1T 2.0 foward ones and they work better for my use.

Crenshaw

 

[USM0083]

Forward clickies work great with the Fenix style UI, they just work differently. You don't have to ever click on fully if you don't want to. I have replaced two of my Fenix R-clickies with the L1T 2.0 foward ones and they work better for my use.

+1

The forward clicky tailcap from a L2T V2 is on me L2D CE.

 

[matrixshaman]

+1 on the forward clickies. Manufacturing costs really should not be more than a few cents difference. And for me it really doesn't matter if I have to pay $3 or $5 more it would be worth it for most lights. Thankfully some are starting to show up finally - the NDI and the Lumapower Incendio are both good examples. The Incendio has three levels and the switch works flawlessly whether you are changing in momentary or clicking all the way on and off. It's a roughly $50 light and with some of it's other advanced features I don't see any reason other lights can't be made with a forward clickie for a reasonable price. On the other hand my favorite switch is the electronic switch as you see in the HDS, Novatac, Eternalight and now the new Zebralight H30. Considering the Zebralight is also around $50 I would think more manufacturers might want to consider this option.

 

[swxb12]

For these 'budget' lights -I think a compromise can be met...just make 'em a little more reliable and continue selling them rather cheaply as an accessory so users can replace themselves easily. Maybe state in the manual that they are the only part of the light that is not covered by warranty? Oh well.

 

[matrixshaman]

You know I had forgotten about the Romisen $10 or maybe it's $11 light now with a nice forward clicky. Who says they have to be expensive? And Romisen makes some very good quality lights.