brightnorm
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- Oct 13, 2001
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McGizmo\'s 2-stage gem: Even better than you thought
I received Don’s 2-stage E2E LOTC HA-nat switch (referred to here as the “Mc2SW”) and tested it with the following heads:
KL4
KL1
PR-T917
KL1 mod 5w
KL4 mod 1W 700mA
E2E MN03 & P60
Testing and operation
Although testing in a dark rural setting was not possible the 1.5 acre lawn of a relative’s Long Island residence served as an adequate substitute. The remaining tests were conducted indoors in an urban setting. All listed lights were tested but most of the time was spent with the L4 and PR-T.
The switch's low setting was roughly estimated at 60 ohms (80mA) ±20% making it much dimmer than the full setting but still brighter than a fresh ARC AAA. This was found to be appropriate for use during a dark night with dark-adapted eyes. The sudden transition to full power did not significantly affect night vision as long as the beam was directed at least 10 feet away at a non-reflective surface. The transition from off to low to high was intuitive, smooth and instantaneous and was accomplished with moderate thumb tip pressure or firm thumb pad pressure.
For general walking the KL4 was preferred to the PR-T because of its broader beam but the dimmed PR-T beam cut through the darkness with surprising power.
The other lights were briefly tested and the switch functioned flawlessly with all of them. The switch worked like a “normal” stock switch when used with the two incandescent lamps.
Operational details
The Mc2SW is even more versatile than it first appears. This versatility will be described in terms of modes of operation
1 Full lock-out mode
This is achieved by a very slight cc bezel rotation, about 1/8 turn in my tests.
2 Functional lock-out mode
Although technically the Mc2SW is a non-lockout switch (NLOTC) requiring slight bezel counter-rotation for full lock-out, real life usage tells a different story. When counter- rotated until just rearward of the o-ring (approx one full rotation short of removal) the switch requires very strong pressure to work and although not 100% secure can be considered to be functionally locked out.
3 Stealth mode
Under certain circumstances the user may wish to avoid inadvertent transition to full on (high), preferring only off or dim. This can be achieved by advancing the tailcap until it engages the o-ring, then fine tuned by further rotation according to individual preference and hand strength.
4 Normal mode
In Normal mode the tailcap is set for the full sequence of off/dim/high. To set for easiest actuation advance the tailcap until just before actuating dim. This will enable dual stage function using the least amount of pressure.
5 Low-High mode
This mode is ideal for walking or hiking on dark nights requiring steady illumination with easiest access to instant full-on. Set this by rotating the tail cap until low is actuated and continue rotating until just before high comes on. This will provide many hours of steady low level light with high actuated by the barest touch of thumb pressure. This mode easily accommodates “syringe” position where the light is held between two fingers and actuated by pressure against the palm. Some users consider this the most natural and comfortable way to hold a “tactical” tailswitch light.
6 Preset mode
Although bezel lockout may seem to be a slight inconvenience to the novice user, it actually enhances the Mc2SW’s versatility by adding yet another option. This mode permits carry in full lock-out mode with instant access to any one of the former modes. It is achieved by rotating the tailcap until the preferred mode is established, then set and locked with bezel lock-out.
Comments
Over several days of testing, tailcap and bezel settings remained secure when carried clipped to a left front pocket or clipped to an address book in a right rear pocket.The only potential instability might be shown in Functional Lockout mode because of the relatively loose tailcap.
This Mc2SW provided a relatively dim low beam; other users may prefer a brighter or even dimmer low. TK and mod options will presumably be available in the future.
Conclusion
Although a light with multiple brightness settings may be more versatile than a two-stage light, the Mc2SW enables literally instant light level selection via a tactically located tailcap switch on the smallest and lightest available 2x123 and 3x123 flashlight bodies (Surefire, UBH, etc) accommodating a large variety of commercially and custom made LED heads of varying voltages and capacities while maintaining compatibility with many incandescent lamps.
Thus, Don McLeish’s two-stage switch emerges as a unique product and a valuable contribution to the evolution of flashlight technology.
Brightnorm
I received Don’s 2-stage E2E LOTC HA-nat switch (referred to here as the “Mc2SW”) and tested it with the following heads:
KL4
KL1
PR-T917
KL1 mod 5w
KL4 mod 1W 700mA
E2E MN03 & P60
Testing and operation
Although testing in a dark rural setting was not possible the 1.5 acre lawn of a relative’s Long Island residence served as an adequate substitute. The remaining tests were conducted indoors in an urban setting. All listed lights were tested but most of the time was spent with the L4 and PR-T.
The switch's low setting was roughly estimated at 60 ohms (80mA) ±20% making it much dimmer than the full setting but still brighter than a fresh ARC AAA. This was found to be appropriate for use during a dark night with dark-adapted eyes. The sudden transition to full power did not significantly affect night vision as long as the beam was directed at least 10 feet away at a non-reflective surface. The transition from off to low to high was intuitive, smooth and instantaneous and was accomplished with moderate thumb tip pressure or firm thumb pad pressure.
For general walking the KL4 was preferred to the PR-T because of its broader beam but the dimmed PR-T beam cut through the darkness with surprising power.
The other lights were briefly tested and the switch functioned flawlessly with all of them. The switch worked like a “normal” stock switch when used with the two incandescent lamps.
Operational details
The Mc2SW is even more versatile than it first appears. This versatility will be described in terms of modes of operation
1 Full lock-out mode
This is achieved by a very slight cc bezel rotation, about 1/8 turn in my tests.
2 Functional lock-out mode
Although technically the Mc2SW is a non-lockout switch (NLOTC) requiring slight bezel counter-rotation for full lock-out, real life usage tells a different story. When counter- rotated until just rearward of the o-ring (approx one full rotation short of removal) the switch requires very strong pressure to work and although not 100% secure can be considered to be functionally locked out.
3 Stealth mode
Under certain circumstances the user may wish to avoid inadvertent transition to full on (high), preferring only off or dim. This can be achieved by advancing the tailcap until it engages the o-ring, then fine tuned by further rotation according to individual preference and hand strength.
4 Normal mode
In Normal mode the tailcap is set for the full sequence of off/dim/high. To set for easiest actuation advance the tailcap until just before actuating dim. This will enable dual stage function using the least amount of pressure.
5 Low-High mode
This mode is ideal for walking or hiking on dark nights requiring steady illumination with easiest access to instant full-on. Set this by rotating the tail cap until low is actuated and continue rotating until just before high comes on. This will provide many hours of steady low level light with high actuated by the barest touch of thumb pressure. This mode easily accommodates “syringe” position where the light is held between two fingers and actuated by pressure against the palm. Some users consider this the most natural and comfortable way to hold a “tactical” tailswitch light.
6 Preset mode
Although bezel lockout may seem to be a slight inconvenience to the novice user, it actually enhances the Mc2SW’s versatility by adding yet another option. This mode permits carry in full lock-out mode with instant access to any one of the former modes. It is achieved by rotating the tailcap until the preferred mode is established, then set and locked with bezel lock-out.
Comments
Over several days of testing, tailcap and bezel settings remained secure when carried clipped to a left front pocket or clipped to an address book in a right rear pocket.The only potential instability might be shown in Functional Lockout mode because of the relatively loose tailcap.
This Mc2SW provided a relatively dim low beam; other users may prefer a brighter or even dimmer low. TK and mod options will presumably be available in the future.
Conclusion
Although a light with multiple brightness settings may be more versatile than a two-stage light, the Mc2SW enables literally instant light level selection via a tactically located tailcap switch on the smallest and lightest available 2x123 and 3x123 flashlight bodies (Surefire, UBH, etc) accommodating a large variety of commercially and custom made LED heads of varying voltages and capacities while maintaining compatibility with many incandescent lamps.
Thus, Don McLeish’s two-stage switch emerges as a unique product and a valuable contribution to the evolution of flashlight technology.
Brightnorm
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