Ideas for a new UI

[Rochefort]

Reading this and this thread, got me thinking different user interfaces in flashlights.
I like multimode lights with infinite variability and programming, but cycling trough modes every time you turn the light on is annoying. I want to get mode I want, with one click.
I edc the Jet-1 pro v3 and I've programmed it to Low -> (almost)Med -> Max, because if I want to use Low and keep my nightvision I don't want to see higher modes first. Sometimes I need to use Max brightness for short periods of time and constantly turn the light on and off. In this case it would be easier to place the Max to the first position so I wouldn't have to cycle trough all the modes every time.

So what I came up with was two different configurations with some variations:

1. Simple
bezel tight - mode A
bezel loose - mode B
momentary - Max

2. Same, but one handed
one click - mode A
double click - mode B
momentary - Max


Depending what kind of light manufacturer wants to sell, modes could be:

variation 1 (simple light for everybody with fixed modes):
mode A - Low
mode B - Med

variation 2 (my favourite, you get max&low and you can program one mode as you like):
mode A - Low
mode B - Programmable (1-100% brightness or Strobe or SOS)

variation 3 (for flashaholics, not so appealing to the masses?):
mode A - Programmable (1-100% brightness or Strobe or SOS)
mode B - Programmable (1-100% brightness or Strobe or SOS)

So you can get any of the three modes on without cycling trough the others, Max is quickly available, no matter if the light is on or off and you always know the mode that the light will be on.
I have no idea, are these UI's technically possible (especially the one handed version). I think that the momentary Max could be a problem, but I really like the idea of ie. using the light on Med for general lightning and momentarily turning it on Max to see distant objects and then returning to Med.
Also the blinky modes could be easily accessible for the people who like them, I don't.

Disclaimer: It's so late, that it's almost early. :sleepy: I hope my post makes some sense.:thinking:

 

[baterija]

Have you looked at Liteflux?

The one handed variation is just about possible with any of the XT line. Momentary max is always available in the FUI. If you only want 2 modes that you can program that's there. It's a double click to change modes not 1 click for one and 2 for the other. Aside from that a little bit of programming and you've got it.

 

[sparkysko]

Yar, liteflux you can program and turn the memory mode off, so it always starts in low and can cycle to high, or you hold down the button and it goes to max from any mode (Although momentarily only, unless you cycle through the modes)

 

[sfca]

Novatacs can do that.
For example tactical model is programed to momentary-high, click once for constant-on high.
When on, double click for medium and triple click for low. Double click for the previous mode.
When on press for momentary-strobe.

All those commands can be programmed. 2009 models should be out closer to the end of this year.

Sweet flashlight that could do the same one-handed but different is the Surefire AZ2. Dope.

Took one look at the simplified diagram for programming the Liteflux and didn't even try.

 

[NonSenCe]

sounds so familiar to me.. and thats why i like it..

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=221311

its my old thread with my idea for UI. (suprising that i was total newbie when i made it.. maybe month after joining.. and still i think it would be cool UI)

 

[Elliot]

I would go for an easier UI. One Press - ramps from low to high, 3 seconds still pressing goes to strobe, 3 seconds still pressing strobe goes faster, 3 seconds still pressing goes to SOS. Let go and the light stays. A second press turns it off.

The 3 second rule is approx.

This is called the "Elliot UI" © 2009

Elliot

 

[Rochefort]

..and I tought I invented something original.. Well maybe not exactly

I've read something about Liteflux-light before, but somehow I've missed the most iportant parts I guess. Did some more reading and only two questions remains:
1. If I use the momentary Max when the light is off, will it return to off when the button is released and if I use momentary when the light is on, will it return to the mode I was using? I'm quite sure thats how it is, but I want to be sure.

2. If I click the light on, it won't blink the Max (because of the momentary function), but goes straight to the "mode 1", right?


Now, off to study Novatacs.

 

[Rochefort]

I would go for an easier UI. One Press - ramps from low to high, 3 seconds still pressing goes to strobe, 3 seconds still pressing strobe goes faster, 3 seconds still pressing goes to SOS. Let go and the light stays. A second press turns it off.

I think that would be a nice way to program the light, but for daily use I'd prefer Liteflux or my UI.
The problem for me would be that you can't get the mode that you want instantly. IE. if this light doesn't have memory, you would have to go trough the lower levels to get the brightness you want. And with memory, you would not get low without seeing the mode the light was on previously. (If the previous mode was not low of course :ironic
I like to have separate "use" and "program"-modes.

 

[sfca]

Answers to question 1 and 2 yes.

 

[olav]

How about this ?

http://www.vandernet.com/tuotekuvat/XL100-S3016/tiedostot/MagLite LED XL-100 flyer ENG.pdf

 

[Rochefort]

The new Maglite looks interesting, exepct for the 3AAA part. But since I started a topic about UI's I have to say that the XL-100 something totally new. Glad to see that Mag is catching up with the modern lights.

 

[TSD]

I see a future where my flashlight comes with a mini USB port, and a computer program that enables me to select from nearly infinite U.I possibilities. The light would have a rear clicky and a twisty head.

 

[olav]

I see a future where my flashlight comes with a mini USB port, and a computer program that enables me to select from nearly infinite U.I possibilities. The light would have a rear clicky and a twisty head.

With passive infrared sensor and photoelectric eye which turns light on at dusk :naughty:.