What features would you rather not have?

[LowBat]

In keeping with my post in the LED section asking what features you'd like to see, I'm now asking what features manufacturers add that detract you from making a purchase.

Mine are:

- TWIST ON TAIL CAP SWITCH. This seems more like a lack of a switch to me. It makes sense on waterproof models, otherwise I see calling this a tactical switch as a way to convince us to accept it.

- A POCKET CLIP. I'm going to rub some feathers on this one for sure. Ok, who decided this was needed; was it the knife industry? Surefire makes precision high-end and expensive lights, only to ruin it with a primitive clip, in my opinion. I'm not saying it's as useless as **** on a bull, but it's something along the lines of installing a luggage rack on a Ferrari. Some lights you can remove the clip, but that will usually leave an exposed mount, and that doesn't look right on a $200 flashlight. Perhaps I'll add a poll to this post to see if having a pocket clip is really a desired feature.

- OVERSIZED BRAND NAME ON THE SIDE. I just prefer the generic look.

- EXCESSIVELY ENGINEERED LANYARD ATTACMENT. Most manufacturers keep it reasonable, some don't. The Princeton Tec Impact XL and the CMG Infinity are examples that may not appeal to those of us that prefer to be lanyard free.

- A RUBBER SLEEVE. Gripping is easier in the hand, but this feature can be a real pain getting in and out of a holster. Yes I'm referring to the SL Scorpion. Another problem was the rubber sleeve stretching loose on the earlier PolyStingers. Some seem to like the aftermarket sleeves for large heavy smooth lights like the 3D Maglight. Since these lights can't be practically put in a holster the rubber makes sense here.

 

[Penguin]

Well it has to be a FUNCTIONAL clip, My Q3's clip, to me, is useless...

 

[bobisculous]

On my Longbow, my EDC, the clip is a must. I dont like having all kinds of crap in my pockets so I clip it to the side of my pocket and I never know its there. I think it looks nice with the Titanium clip.

Cameron

 

[jsmn4vu]

[ QUOTE ]
Penguin said:
Well it has to be a FUNCTIONAL clip, My Q3's clip, to me, is useless...

[/ QUOTE ]

Functional is the key word. Shoot, I'd like two *retracting* clips, one at each end, so you could orient the light in either direction, and the clips would be out of the way when not being used.

I like the Q-III clip for one thing: being able to clip it on top of a ball cap visor as a Q&D headlamp.

 

[InFlux]

I chose YES because, I'd LIKE to have a good titanium or spring steel clip for my EDC lights...
...but the bendable appendage on my L2 is not to be trusted.

And it sure would be great to have a bezel down clip for my Aleph... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/poke2.gif

 

[diggdug13]

I selected "no preference" because I DO like a good pocket clip on a standard EDC but for a Hi end flashlight I prefer to have them in a sheath.

 

[sotto]

I would like a flashlight without a bezel. Frankly, bezels irritate me. They get fingerprints and dust on them, they're too round (usually), too much light spills out to the side from them, they sometimes get too warm when the light's been on awhile, you have to lubricate them, some of their o-rings wear out, you have to cook some of them in boiling water to take them apart and get to the bulb or LED, they're usually too long, and...and...they're just a pain.

Yes, bezels have to go. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[sotto]

Now, I could start on switches too...but I won't. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[chevrofreak]

I HATE having to twist the tailcap for constant on!!! I'm going to have to see about a replacement switch when my XO3 gets here.

A good pocket clip is great.

 

[turbodog]

Batteries..... I get tired of replacing them. I need a light with lifetime batteries.

 

[brightnorm]

I can only respond to these categories as they apply to specific lights rather than a generic preference or non-preference. A desired feature on one light may be a liability on another light.

Brightnorm

 

[IsaacHayes]

Re: Clips. I take them off. They usualy suck on the cheaper lights I have. If I have a light I'm going to EDC, it's on my keychain or in a pouch/pocket. I don't trust a clip and it doesn't allow quick draw and holster. If it does, the clip is weak. Also clips destroy clothes! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[hikari]

Regarding the clip. I voted "for" in your poll, but frankly, it depends on the purpose, size and design of the light and clip. For e.g. I use an SF E2O as my everyday carry light. I love it. I chose the E2O over the (coupla bucks) less expensive E2E because of the clip. I much prefer the longer clip, since it's much more forgiving as to what kind of pocket or piece of equipment I'm carrying the light in. I don't much care for their short clip. Having said that, I don't find that the SF mounting method for the clips is very elegant. I would much prefer that they used a "drill hole and stick a screw in it" method. That would allow for a lot less bulk and less messy replacement (you gotta remove the head on the SF).

 

[Flying Turtle]

Any flashing features are totally useless for me. Give me another power level instead.

Geoff

 

[TORCH_BOY]

I would like to see a light with no price tag free for all

 

[TORCH_BOY]

I have removed the pocket clips and lanyards from
all my small Flashlights as they only get in the way

 

[LowBat]

[ QUOTE ]
I don't find that the SF mounting method for the clips is very elegant. I would much prefer that they used a "drill hole and stick a screw in it" method. That would allow for a lot less bulk and less messy replacement (you gotta remove the head on the SF).

[/ QUOTE ]

I didn't know the Surefire clips are removable. So if the head is removed to get the clip off, is there a trace of a clip mount, or does it look like a clipless model from the factory?

 

[LowBat]

[ QUOTE ]
Flying Turtle said:
Any flashing features are totally useless for me. Give me another power level instead.

Geoff

[/ QUOTE ]

Two power levels are all I need, and I wouldn't want anymore if I had to cycle throught them all to turn the light off.

I agree I don't need a flashing effect. It might be fun to dazzle the neighbors cat with it, otherwise I don't want it if everything is controlled by a single switch.

 

[hikari]

LowBat, if you remove the head of the light, you'll find that the mounting tang of the clip (about 10 mm long) is slipped into a milled slot and sort of wedged in place by a small "key". The key is easily pushed out together with the clip (the pressure of the head against the bend of the clip is what wedges the entire assembly snugly on the body). The slot itself is cut into a shoulder that has been left on the barrel of the body when the rest of the body shape was machined--therefore, in answer to your question, NO, the clip can't be removed without any traces of the mounting being left behind.

I suppose you could throw the body on a lathe and remove the offending protrusions, but at that point, I would think that you'd consider using an Aleph body or something else--more trouble than it's worth.

 

[Steve C]

Well, Low-Bat, as Hikari said, it depends. I too find the Q3's clip a bit too "stout", needing a great deal of effort to get it "open" to slide it onto something.

OTOH, the clips on the A2 I now EDC and the E2e I EDC'ed for years were exactly what was needed for my method of carry; on an ankle rig.

For a light to be carried in the pocket, I agree that a clip is in the way; UNLESS you intend to carry it like a folding knife, as some do. While my A2 is too big (for me) to slip in a pocket comfortably for all day wear, the Q3 has been carried like that on occasion, and the clip was definitely a hindrance. Fortunately, the Q3 clip is easily removed; just haven't gotten around to it yet.

I guess it all boils down to the simple fact that no one light can do it all. I maintain a half-dozen lights, and each one has a distinct function depending upon what I'm doing.

But if I could only have one, it would be the A2- with the clip... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif