The rotating bezel, gimmick or earth-shattering paradigm shifter?

[spoonrobot]

First attracted to the concept of the rotating bezel by the Streamlight Sidewinder I have continually been on the lookout for similar lights. For general use I have found that having a moveable bezel in a smaller form factor increases the ergonomics of use and the overall utility of any general light.

When using the light to illuminate the ground for walking the rotating head allows a more ergonomic hold on the light. When walking my friend's dog I find that holding the leash in the same hand as the light actually works with a RB light as opposed to using a regular light.

RB lights can also be adjusted and placed into smaller areas since they are usually designed to be stable on their back and provide illumination upwards. I've replaced my large, hot shop light with a RB light when doing underside maintenance/repair on my vehicles. All of the RB lights I have encountered have a stable base that allows upright positioning while rotating the head in a sort of directed candle mode.

When paired with a clip, as most RB lights I have seen are, the light can be clipped to a pocket, belt or hat and directed towards the area of need. Regular lights with clips require either positioning of the body, using one hand to hold the light in place or adjustment of the item clipped to in order to direct the light properly. Anglehead lights like the First Light USA Tomahawk and the Pentagonlight MOLLE light are good examples of this, they can be clipped to something but there is little control over where they point once done so.

There are several problems inherent with RB lights. They are usually larger in size to accomidate the rotating mechanism and thus far are not manufactured in the higher quality levels most flashlight enthusiasts prefer.

The complexity of the rotating mechanism can also increase the price significantly and creates another area of potential weakness in any given system.

User feedback to the rotating bezel light has been limited because there are currently no brand name, single light source models available. The form factor is currently saddled with either several different colors/types of LEDs or poorly made incandescent bulbs.

Is the ergonomic and utility gains in usefulness worth the increase in size and complexity for the general user?

 

[nerdgineer]

IMHO.....no. Unless fulfilling a specific need, e.g. this light must clip vertically to a pocket and project forward, rotating bezels are an unnecessary complication.

Kind of like push daggers, not good for general purpose use...

 

[horizonseeker]

it is for me, I find the rotating bezel useful as an utility light, but i do worry about the potential wear and retention on the bezel. in particular, should the rotating mechanism breaks, the light would be hard to repair on my own.

 

[GreySave]

Like many aspects of our lights, the usefulness of the rotating bezel is a personal preference. While I do not own any at this time and generally do not see a need for one in my future (A headlamp fills the need for me most of the time), I can see situations where it would be beneficial. If I encountered those situations every day I am sure I would have one in my stable.

Nuts! Now you've got me thinking there's a need I have not yet filled.........

 

[abvidledUK]

I would quite like a simple fixed 90º sideways pointing LED torch, single or siide by side double AA / CR123, with clip.

 

[Flying Turtle]

I would quite like a simple fixed 90º sideways pointing LED torch, single or siide by side double AA / CR123, with clip.

Sounds like you'd like the Zebralight, if full flood is okay. I especially like its ability to clip to a pocket and give good walking about light.

Geoff