Magnetic Control Ring Popularity

[snakyjake]

Why isn't the magnetic control ring type functionality more popular and demanded?

I don't have a control ring light, but here's what I think of the functionality (with no actual experience)...

The magnetic control ring user interface is like the gesture functionality on my phone. A multi-mode clicky is like setting the time on my clock going in one direction; if you pass over the time you intended, you start over and cycle.

With a magnetic control ring type of interface, I can immediately get where I want, and in either direction (higher or lower).

With a magnetic control ring I can adjust the brightness levels real time. As I'm walking and have the light pointed down, I can be on lower power. When I need more distance, I can select higher power. I can go back and forth real easy and fast, and very intuitive.

For EDC, I simply see clicky and twisties as archaic technology, though will still have a niche.

So why aren't we seeing control ring interfaces from every mainstream manufacturer?

 

[Dubois]

So why haven't you bought such a light, then?

 

[phantom23]

Control rings are more difficult to produce, they also make flashlights bigger and more expensive. Personally I really care about the size of my flashlights (except 2x18650 thrower) so control ring is a no-go for me.

 

[Overclocker]

1) complexity. additional ring, ball detents, magnets, etc. additional magnetic sensors, circuits, etc

2) battery drain. most continuously variable MC flashlights have a max runtime of about 4 days. quarks or zebralights could run for weeks or months.

 

[AVService]

When I tried a control ring light it would turn on in my pocket and this was not good!
I never felt it was as rugged or waterproof as a clicky and for the price I could almost get an entry level HDS clicky which does not operate as you say they all do?

The HDS is an amazing light and I have also found the HDS Rotary which is like a hybrid Clicky/Rorary and pretty much the perfect EDC light for me.

I do plan on trying a control ring light again but only after they have evolved a little more.

Ed

 

[persco]

I had a control ring light, the SWM V10R Ti, and didn't find it that useful to have infinite variability. I found that I always used it on one or two of the same levels, anyway: low and high. It worked flawlessly as a mechanism, it just didn't seem to have any more usefulness to me than a 3-mode clicky. I found I always preferred using my McGizmo Haiku and prefer the clicky. So I got rid of the V10R.

 

[Trevtrain]

Circuit overheads as Overclocker mentioned. The magnetic ring lights tend to give particularly poor runtime in low modes when compared with regular fixed-level lights. The idea of being able to dial in just the right amount of light sounds great in theory but in practice has litte advantage over several well-chosen levels. (Think Zebralight for instance)

But I agree, they do have their charms. When combined with a tailswitch you can start at low and gradually increase to the level you need or start at maximum from the outset. Momentary and signalling can be possible with no worry about multiple clicks causing mode changes.

But really, the runtime hit at low levels is probably a major "on paper" shortfall as is the additional cost of including this technology. You just get better bang for your buck without it.

 

[Patrik]

I have had one light with magnetic Control ring, a Sunwayman. I just percieve them as more complex then regular lights and I`ll try and stay to KISS, keep it simple stupid. And the major dawnfall, I really like/need to be using my lights with gloves. Thats my personal reasons for not using the Control ring more, and sold the Sunwayman. :)

 

[Noctiluco]

Fan of the magnetic control ring for the reasons already mentioned by Snakyjake. Not fan of moonlight modes, leds are not needed for them. MCRing: :thumbsup:

 

[Lighteous]

My favorite EDC light, JetBeam RRT01, has a magnetic control ring, and is my favorite because of it. I have been a big fan of this UI ever since I purchased a Nitecore Infilux IFE1. I like the moonlight mode as much as the "turbo" mode. With the RRT01 I can silently initiate illumination in a dark room, without having to first click a tailswitch, and get a custom level of light that suits the situation. I used to use a ZL SC51, however, too many times I inadvertently held the switch too long triggering the high setting and an expletive from my wife! That situation is eliminated with this light. I have a few magnetic control ring lights and I like all of them, but particularly the ones without a tailswitch. I've never had one come on in my pocket, even those without a tailswitch, and I carry one in my pocket frequently. The other ones in my collection are:

JetBeam RRT-0;
JetBeam TCR1;
Niteye Eye10;
HDS Rotary;
Sunwayman V10R Ti; and
Sunwayman V11R.

I hope to expand this list, although at the moment I don't have any others in mind. Suggestions are welcome and encouraged!

 

[Hondo]

I just jumped on the bandwagon, now that RRT-01's are selling at clearance prices. I like it a lot, very addictive. I do worry a little about accidental activation in a pocket, but have not had it happen. Most of all, I can attest to the poor low level efficiency. After a week of nightstand duty, 1-2 hours of moonlight tailstanding a night, and just a little higher level playing, I had nearly killed a cheap RCR123. The same service with a Quark 123 had not even dented the capacity of the battery, good for months of use.

So I see them as cool toys, which can be very useful, but at a bit of a price power wise. If you enjoy them, and are using rechargable batteries and don't mind charging a bit more often, why not? But you can do the same jobs with fixed mode lights for less money (usually) and enjoy longer runtimes at low levels. I think they will be around a while, unlike the piston drive lights, but will not replace fixed level lights the way LED's have replaced the incandescent bulb for compact personal lights.

Dude, buy one and tell us how YOU like them!

(Fasttech has RRT-01's for less than $55 shipped with CPF coupon code, even cheaper for the EYE10)

 

[kj2]

I think I'll like a magnetic control light. Don't have one now, but am thinking of getting a Sunwayman V11R. Although they are a little bit pricey for what you get (in lumens/runtime), but MC is a cool feature :)

 

[sticktodrum]

They have a really keen novelty to them, I think. I had a SWM M11R for a little while, about three weeks. I carried it every day and really enjoyed the use. However the size of it compared to say, the Olight S10 kind of put me off. Granted, it's not much bigger and has a better clip, but something about the chunkiness turned me off. Apart from that, I find that I prefer a switch or a twisty on the basis of size and the action of using it.

I don't have much to put my finger on, but other methods including ZL's button just feel better to me, and I enjoy them more.

 

[bonghernz]

nitecore srt7 and art6 is the way to go....

 

[kj2]

nitecore srt7 and art6 is the way to go....

No Nitecore for me this moment. For what I read, there are quite some quality issues.

 

[NorthernStar]

No Nitecore for me this moment. For what I read, there are quite some quality issues.

Has there been many reports of quality issues on the SRT7 and the SRT6?

 

[sticktodrum]

(Fasttech has RRT-01's for less than $55 shipped with CPF coupon code, even cheaper for the EYE10)

I had no idea... Sold! I guess I'll give the MCR another shot. :hitit:

 

[CarpentryHero]

I love control ring lights because I can select the mode I want before turning the light on. Sunwayman does a great job of this, I really like the old v10a and the v11r.

the Thrunite TN31 is a beast with a control ring :twothumbs


As for the shorter run times on low levels in real world use, that's rarely important in the light you have on you all the time. My bedside light I want long run times in moonlight mode because I don't want to change the battery very often ;)
how much moonlight mode per day do you use on your edc ? I use less than a minute of moonlight mode while at work per week, and hours on max or medium.
For me ill always have control ring or programable lights in rotation, either as edc or backup. Controlling the amount of light I produce, is one of the many reasons I'm a flashaholic ;)

 

[kj2]

Has there been many reports of quality issues on the SRT7 and the SRT6?

There are some reports on Nitecore products, not particular the SRT7 or SRT6.
But there are some who mention the "play" in the control-ring of the SRT7, which probably only gets worse after a while. Also not a fan on their way for anti-reverse polarity.

 

[Bumble]

i still currently edc a rrt-01 with an 18350 battery. great light still imo. guys if your worried about accidently activating the light, then mechanically lock the light out by a third/quarter twist of the battery tube ? thats what i do anyway :).

i also have an eye 10 and a v11r and a tn31. love all of them.