Suggestions for a Simpler Arc4 Mode?

[Gransee]

This is a group discussion.

Not everyone thinks the Arc4 software is easy to use. Since the light is programmable, why not add a simpler mode for those who want it? Your suggestions are welcome.

Some guidelines please:

1. The method of interfacing with the light will remain a single action button. Although I am sure some people will post suggestions for knobs, double action buttons, magnets, reed switches, hall effect sensors, fiber optics, optical encoders, touch sensors, pressure sensors, rotary encoders, slides, remote controls, etc. This is outside the topic of this thread. Also, I know that the current button has some problems with how it clicks, battery types, etc. This will be fixed this summer. Suggestions that we fix this when we are already working on it will not make the work go any faster. I am just looking for input on the software right now. If you are not so upset to prevent your working with me under these terms, then welcome aboard!

2. Lets try to stay on topic. There are an awfull lot of smart people on this board and one thread just can't contain them all I know, but remember the goal: Simple software for those who want it. This is designed to make the Arc4 more accessible to more people.

OK, I will start off with a suggested mode:

Public Description: Click on, click off. Once on, press and hold for full power. Light comes on in last used level. Double click to change between medium and low power.



Secret Description: Mode is factory default for all Arc4s. Requires 30 presses from off to change to regular mode. Once regular is selected, state is remembered through battery changes. Simple mode can be reselected via options menu. Simple mode works as follows: click on, click off. Momentary is much longer than regular mode and only works after 2 seconds. This provides a wider range of click speeds that will turn the light on in latching mode. Off click is same duration as regular mode. When on, double click to change between level 6 and level 15. Press and hold for level 1 momentary. Last used level survives reset. No triple click and no menu. Force primary is off, beacon is off, ARS is on, RFS is off, etc.


Thoughts?

Peter

 

[Kiessling]

too complicated /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

click --> on
click --> off
while on: hold --> toggels high/low
light comes on in last used setting.
lockout feature needed, maybe hardware?

this would mean only two levels, which are enough for a light of this size and power IMHO.

bernhard

 

[this_is_nascar]

OK, maybe I'm in the minority here, but the only software change that I'd want to see is an easy method to get to lock-out. The existing software is not difficult at all in my opinion. Peter, don't lower the flexability of the Arc because a few can't grasp it.

 

[357]

My simple mode suggestion:

Press and release once-->on
Press and release once-->off

**When light is off, press and hold for momentary.

*When light is on, press and hold for 2 seconds to change level.

(only 2 levels of light--> approx 33 lumens high and 10 lumens low.

Light turns on to previous setting before turned off.

This would be a nice and simple interface IMO. While I like the current configuration of 4 levels, I think I'd actually prefer a dumbed down (simple mode option) run of Arc 4s with only 2 levels and no menus. I think 15 clicks to change from simple to complex mode is better, 30 would make sore thumb!!

 

[Kiessling]

Why not release a "Arc4-D" (with "D" standing for Dummy) without the advanced menues and a reduced price?

357, our thoughts seem to be rather coherent /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

bernhard

 

[spud]

There's nothing wrong with the Arc 4+. Rev 1


How's about going back to the LSI rev2 with a twisty.
Use the LSHP optics and a UCL lens.

Just go for, the smallest brightest , kickass flashlight there is.
Oh yeah, maybe two brightness settings.
(But not important.)

 

[357]

[ QUOTE ]
Kiessling said:
Why not release a "Arc4-D" (with "D" standing for Dummy) without the advanced menues and a reduced price?

357, our thoughts seem to be rather coherent /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

bernhard

[/ QUOTE ]

In the past, Peter said a dumbed down version of the Arc-4 would cost MORE than a version with all the features. This is due to the software they need to write to make a dumbed down version. For this reason, we might as well get the extra features too in case we ever decide to use them (since the price will be higher than $180).

 

[georget98]

First click turns on at low level, second click medium, third click high, click off, repeat.

 

[mut]

I'm with TIN on this one.
The ARC4+ comes preset from factory with two levels. If that is all you want that is all that you need to use.


[ QUOTE ]
this_is_nascar said:
OK, maybe I'm in the minority here, but the only software change that I'd want to see is an easy method to get to lock-out. The existing software is not difficult at all in my opinion. Peter, don't lower the flexability of the Arc because a few can't grasp it.

[/ QUOTE ]

There are times when I need the different settings, and I like to know that they are there for me.

Just my $0.02

 

[Dave Wright]

I like the current normal operating system. Click on. Click off. Double click once on to toggle between 2 levels. Triple click to dim. Press to boost. Return to last used level when turning on. Set levels at 4 and 8 so you have easy access to 1/4/8/16. Control this with an improved switch and you're there. Any simpler would keep you being able to directly access the levels. A cycling system like the Streamlight TwinTask (on dim, off, on bright, off, etc.) is really irritating. I find being able to reach 4 levels important.

How about this: Press to boost...after the press is held for more than 2 seconds the light stays in boost. That would plug the only serious shortcoming of the Arc4's current operating procedure.

 

[djabaley]

^ I agree with Dave above.

Often times I find myself wanting the boost level since my highest of the two primary levels is 3.

Hold >2 seconds to switch into temporary boost - turning the light off or double clicking would return to the previous level from which boost was entered. In other words, something similar to the triple click for dimmest function.

 

[mrg3013]

As someone who is involved in software development, I would approach this problem the same way I would any software effort - who is the "customer" or "user", and what are their _requirements_? Ask how they use their flashlights, not what they want. From the posts I've read, it seems to me there are _at least_ three distinct customer types - the "keep it simple" customer who wants an "intuitive" (which is not the same as an "easy to learn" interface) - I fall into this category; the "flashoholic" customer, who wants every feature possible, the ability to set custom brightness levels, etc., and possibly the law enforcement/military customer who wants the tactical modes. From a software development point of view, there is no reason you can't support each of these user types and more by using the same set of source code to build multiple targets, although admittedly, total cost of development, testing, configuration management, etc. goes up. Be that as it may, as one of the "keep it simple" crowd, I can only speak for what I want and explain why I want it. I want a basic flashlight with at most 3 or 4 brightness settings (minimum, 1 or 2 intermediate, and max) and little or no use of double- or triple-clicking - I do enough of that on the computer. I would use (and currently do use this on the Arc 4) the minimum brightness setting when creeping up to the bedroom at night after my wife has gone to bed. I use this setting to keep from disturbing her with a bright light or by bumping into stuff. I would use the medium setting for most other day to day use. This would be somewhere in the neighborhood of the LSH brightness and I hope would provide several hours of constant use that one would expect from a flashlight. I would use the brightest setting typically outside at night or when challenged to a "my light is brighter than your light" duel.

 

[Noxiousbt]

I'm with tin & mut, I love the way the Arc4 works right now. Though I do understand others wanting something simpler, personally I would hope that the original full blown version still be available to all who want it.

 

[Hoghead]

I agree with TIN.

 

[tygger]

Another supporter of the "keep it simple" idea. Personally i'd love 3-4 pre-set brightness levels with a safety flash and thats it. Too many choices often lead to frustration no matter what the product. It would be great if the Arc5 came in a very basic version as well. But if not, oh well, cause i'm gettin one anyway. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinser2.gif

 

[Sean]

I vote for keeping it as it is (and maybe adding a few more features).

I would really like the software lockout feature more easily accessable without giving up triple-click to level 16. Maybe quad-click? It would beat 12+ clicks.

Anyway, other than an easier way to software lock-out keep it the way it is. Or maybe let people order the light with their desired settings and then program them in before you ship. That way people that don't want to don't have to mess with it.

 

[kj]

Peter is going to add the simple mode so I assume:
<ul type="square">[*]People who love the current features and flexibility of Arc4 will not lose any (*1). They will just get another new feature called the simple mode.
[*]The price of the simple mode Arc4 will not be cheaper than the current Arc4 (*2).[/list]Is my understanding correct?

-----
*1 Because the simple mode will be the default mode, there will be one extra step to get into the advanced mode. I'm assuming it's no problem for the people who like the current Arc4.

*2 Of course, the price may change as time goes on. But this is another story.

 

[nisshin]

I'll vote for PG's first suggestion (on, off, double click to change levels, hold for boost level 1). Having the light use only two levels (levels 1 & 15?) would drain batteries too fast, because you would usually use the light at the high level. Boost is a good compromise to conserve power and preserve the "wow" factor.

To get into the advanced menu, how about instead of 30 clicks, you have to click to a well-known tune? For example, "Jingle Bells": 1-2-3 (pause) 1-2-3 (pause) 1-2 (long press) (two quick taps).

 

[Streak]

The current mode is fine. The addition of coming on in the last used mode as default would be even better.

Whether you are an advanced or a basic user, the mode of operation is still the same. It's just that the advanced user would want to fiddle with programming options.

So in my opinion there is nothing really that needs to be changed. I have handed my 4+ to many people to play with, all I do is say "single click" or "double click" or "keep pressing the button" which they follow quite easily.

Like with most products eg. GPS, VCR, camcorder etc. etc. one tends to settle on a basic set of features and the remaining 60 or 70% never get used unless you are an enuthusiast. This is not a reason not have the extra features but an option for the end-user not to use them if he chooses not to.

 

[georget98]

I've always felt it needs a master reset that resets everything. The current reset leaves the brightness levels and perhaps a couple other settings intact.

I make evening "Home Computer Rescue" visits and although machines infested with adware and such are the most common, there are still plenty of machines where someone discovered the BIOS setup or got carried away with control panel settings.

I'm waiting for my first Arc4 call...