S.O.S. and Strobe? Are you kidding me? They annoyingly get in the way.

[the.Mtn.Man]

Seems to me you get the light that works for you. If you positively don't ever want to see strobe/SOS/etc. then get a light that either doesn't include them or is programmable. I'm really not sure why some people seem to think that every light manufactured should fit only their particular needs and desires.

 

[mpteach]

I dont think the manafacturers are listening to their customers and are putting strobes and sos with bad UI in way way to many of the lights available. It can really limit ones options, and is stupid on their part.

 

[the.Mtn.Man]

I dont think the manafacturers are listening to their customers...

I suspect it's only a vocal minority that is adamantly opposed to anything other than a steady beam in their lights. The majority of folks are perfectly content with flicker features perhaps because of the novelty, or their usage habits are such that they'll never see them if they don't want, or they find those features genuinely useful. For those who don't want them, there are a number of high quality flashlights for them to choose from. I really don't see the problem.

 

[TomInOregon]

I'm really not sure why some people seem to think that every light manufactured should fit only their particular needs and desires.

That can be said for people on both sides of the argument.

Tom

 

[Marduke]

That can be said for people on both sides of the argument.

Tom

I don't see the pro-strobe side arguing to incorporate that feature on non-strobe lights. I just see anti-strobe side arguing to remove the feature from strobe lights.

There are plenty of lights on either side of the fence, so why keep complaining about it? You don't like strobe, get a non-strobe light. It's simple...

 

[TomInOregon]

The anti-strobe contingent IS NOT arguing to remove it from all lights. They are saying they do not want to have to cycle through it to change modes. Why do you insist on putting words in other people's mouths?

If no one cared about any other features of a light than strobe or no strobe, your suggestion would work. Unfortunately, some of us care about output, runtime, form factor, battery choices, fit and finish and other qualities.

Tom

 

[Marduke]

They are saying they do not want to have to cycle through it to change modes.

Again, LOTS of lights in that category. Most of them actually, by a large majority.

 

[Wattnot]

The anti-strobe contingent IS NOT arguing to remove it from all lights. They are saying they do not want to have to cycle through it to change modes. Why do you insist on putting words in other people's mouths?

Tom

Maybe not completely in this thread, Tom; This thread number 2495 of this same subject. :mecry:

However, a great many of the other threads of this "long dead and pulverized horse" subject do in fact have that very wish - to remove strobe and/or sos from ALL lights. They may not word it that way, but it's obvious by the conversation. I'm surprised this one is still going! 😀

 

[TomInOregon]

While there are some who say that flashy modes should be removed from all lights since they don't use them, the majority are saying they don't mind HAVING the modes, but don't want them in the way. My biggest complaint is that instead of discussing the issue and providing some constructive input for once on the subject, we continue to have people chiming in only to say buy another light or twisting the opposing viewpoints' words to mean something different than what was actually said. It feels like we are not allowed to say anything negative about the UI and placement of modes without being rebutted as though our observations are invalid. If you like flashy modes, why come in to a thread where someone is venting their frustration just to tell them their opinion is wrong?

Tom

 

[Seb71]

I don't see the pro-strobe side arguing to incorporate that feature on non-strobe lights.

My impression is that most current production LED flashlights already have a strobe mode.

 

[Marduke]

My impression is that most current production LED flashlights already have a strobe mode.

There are MANY MANY models which do not. Overall, there are probably several orders of magnitude more lights sold without strobe than with.

 

[Seb71]

You may be right, but by looking at Fenix and 4Sevens (Quark & Preon) LED flashlights, I would say that the exact opposite is true. And those lights are often recommended on this forum (at least in under 100 USD price category).

 

[Marduke]

You may be right, but by looking at Fenix and 4Sevens (Quark & Preon) LED flashlights, I would say that the exact opposite is true. And those lights are often recommended on this forum (at least in under 100 USD price category).

And both Fenix and 4seven's have UI's which either hide strobe, or put it outside of the primary mode sequence so you never have to encounter it in normal use.

 

[TomInOregon]

And both Fenix and 4seven's have UI's which either hide strobe, or put it outside of the primary mode sequence so you never have to encounter it in normal use.

Only if you define "normal use" as never cycling through the modes back to the beginning mode again. Apparently, if we use a flashlight in exactly the same way you do, then it's "normal use". If we use it the way we would like to, then it's not "normal use". According to you, if, for some reason, you needed to use High, then Medium or Low (and did not want to cycle through a flashy mode or turn the light off), then that is not "normal use" and should require a unique light for that unique usage which falls outside the realm of EDC and into the realm of being for a specific task.

Tom

 

[bkumanski]

Streamlights new stingers and stinger hps seem to address this as well. They always turn on "high" then you adjust it to the mode you want. Strobe is a veri intentional "double click" of the button, only once it has been turned on, so momentary flashing won't change it. A very good UI I think.

 

[TomInOregon]

It is getting much better. These threads will die down as UIs continue to improve to where these modes are hidden. Some of Fenixes models now hide the SOS better than they used to. Perhaps the manufacturers were listening to customer feedback. Maybe they read some of these threads on the forum.

Tom

 

[Marduke]

Only if you define "normal use" as never cycling through the modes back to the beginning mode again. Apparently, if we use a flashlight in exactly the same way you do, then it's "normal use". If we use it the way we would like to, then it's not "normal use". According to you, if, for some reason, you needed to use High, then Medium or Low (and did not want to cycle through a flashy mode or turn the light off), then that is not "normal use" and should require a unique light for that unique usage which falls outside the realm of EDC and into the realm of being for a specific task.

Tom

Like I already said, if you find yourself going both directions in brightness for a task, you obviously need a light capable of going both directions in brightness in the UI.

Even if strobe was not present, I'm sure you would find cycling through other "unwanted" modes equally distasteful. If you went from low to medium , then need low again, you might have to pass by high or turbo, which can be equally inconvenient.

That's a UI issue, not a strobe issue.

Right tool for the right job...

For the majority of people, "normal use" consists of being presented with a task requiring illumination, turning on a light to the appropriate setting, conducting the task, and turning the light back off. The vast majority of UI's present all possible constant level modes prior to presenting any flashy modes, so they work just fine for "normal use" and the user never has to see strobe.

 

[the.Mtn.Man]

That can be said for people on both sides of the argument.

Probably, but the "strobers" don't seem quite as militant as the "anti-strobers". 😀

Besides, there are lights out there to fit everybody's needs, so this whole debate seems much ado about nothing.

 

[TomInOregon]

Like I already said, if you find yourself going both directions in brightness for a task, you obviously need a light capable of going both directions in brightness in the UI.

Why do I need a light capable of going both up and down? I can click through modes just fine. I'd rather click through 2 modes than 3 or 4. That hardly requires a special flashlight.

Even if strobe was not present, I'm sure you would find cycling through other "unwanted" modes equally distasteful. If you went from low to medium , then need low again, you might have to pass by high or turbo, which can be equally inconvenient.

I can assume some things about you as well, but that doesn't necessarily make them true. Going through modes you don't currently need is inconvenient, but can be made less inconvenient by going through fewer modes. That seems pretty obvious to me.

Clicking the on/off switch is inconvenient, but that doesn't stop people from buying lights. Carrying a flashlight is sometimes inconvenient, but doesn't stop people from carrying them. What they do, however, is voice their concerns so manufacturers might address them.

That's a UI issue, not a strobe issue.

Right tool for the right job...

You're right, that IS a UI issue. That's what this thread is about. That's what I have been talking about. The UI, not the inherent value of strobes or SOS per se.

The right tool for the right job is what some of us would like to have. Not picking any old flashlight up that doesn't have strobe. All or most of our requirements need to be met, not just one.

For the majority of people, "normal use" consists of being presented with a task requiring illumination, turning on a light to the appropriate setting, conducting the task, and turning the light back off. The vast majority of UI's present all possible constant level modes prior to presenting any flashy modes, so they work just fine for "normal use" and the user never has to see strobe.

Please post links to data showing the majority of people use one mode only each time they turn on their flashlight? Please also post links showing that flashlights with memory mode and flashy modes at the end of the UI mean that the user never sees strobe? Without data, you're just making things up.


Tom

 

[TomInOregon]

Probably, but the "strobers" don't seem quite as militant as the "anti-strobers". 😀

Besides, there are lights out there to fit everybody's needs, so this whole debate seems much ado about nothing.

"Militant"? Is it "Militant" to voice your opinion if it doesn't agree with yours? I guarantee that if you start a thread singing the praises of strobe modes that are poorly positioned in the UI, I will not come into your thread and post telling you are wrong.

Tom