What is your favorite UI in a light?

[crocodilo]

Simple, fast, flexible: L1/A2/McC2S style dual level momentary/twist switch. Top of the world.

 

[csshih]

I like a two-level light, high and low--no programming, no gimmicks.

whoops.. haven't posted back here in a bit.

now, what kind of 2 levels would you like?

 

[soghol]

1 fast click - low mode, 2 fast clicks-medium and 3 fast clicks for high mode, or the other way around.
Accessible from both on/off state.

 

[remy b]

My current favourite UI is my NiteCoreExtreme's : nothing exotic...
- one powerful high mode
- very low mode by twisting the head
- strobe for signal (ie, on the bike)

I seldom change the low / custom mode, but when camping, where the high mode is too powerful and the default low mode is just too low around the camp.
That still keeps the high mode close at hand if needed.

The strobe is also way cool when partying!!! :naughty:

I use the GDP version for I am keen on the beam (though even more power could be useful when riding the bike or hiking / walking at night along the river).

I use either an E1E or an E2D (17670) body depending on my needs - that is just because I am a bit of a geek. 😎

Now, when will I find cool drop-ins for that head... ?😗

My second favourite UI is my PD30's, using 4-Sevens' forward clickie, esp. on the bike as I can swap the turbo / strobe whenever I need it by just tapping the switch.

Cheers,

Rémy
:sick2:

 

[Brigadier]

Personnaly, for me, I think NovaTac nailed in in their T series.

 

[Chauncey Gardner]

I like having one of two personally chosen levels available instantly.

You get both and more with the NDI UI.

Infinitely variable, strobes, signals.....

Or just a High set to around 90 and a low for about 5...


Like the new magnetically actuated UI's, but will hang out for a while & see how those develop.

But for now the UI I have on the NDI is pretty good. Would love to see mag actuated switching at that size level. Good orings & threads only go so far when considering the advantage of the new designs.
Be interesting to see what develops.

 

[AILL]

The UI I like most is the Novatac P-UI
Simply perfect.
Even better than the RA-UI for me (though very similar).

Andreas

 

[Federal LG]

Multi mode (only 2 modes: turbo and low) + forward clicky.

Can´t go wrong on that...
Like Fenix TK20, Surefire E1B...

KISS principle rules!

 

[csa]

Whatever it is, in almost all cases, it's a simple two-level switch. I'm not a huge fan of the "tap twice" method, and prefer the PD or the surefire "push, push-harder, twist-on" style lights.

 

[jcw122]

Quark Tactical (forward clicky programmable multi mode, main usage feature is twisting for two programmed modes).

 

[Shorty66]

Here is my perfect UI:

Should use an electronic switch with ultra low parasitic drain (like the zebralights have). That way the light can be smaller.
Essentially my UI is a zebralight UI with added momentary function and less "click and hold" as normal clicks are just easier to do.

My UI features 3 programmable modes + one strobe mode, momentary high mode, low and high modes reachable in a single click and the possibility to switch the light off without going through all modes (by click and hold from on).

What do you think about that?

 

[Moonshadow]

I don't get it. Supose I'm working in an environment or on a task where I need 50 lumens. Every time I switch the light off, I would have to click twice, then double-click to get back to 50 - seems a lot of hassle just to get back to the level I was using a moment ago.

The RA seems to me a better way of managing the levels. Depending how ou have it programmed, you can have momentary at any level you want, plus quick access to max, and you can decide whether you want it to retain your last-used level or not.

 

[Jack Reacher]

I'm a noobaholic, so I can't offer any long-term input.

I voted for programmable multi-mode. One of the prime reasons I chose the iTP Polestar A6 as my first flashlight was because of the side clicky switch (rather than the more "conventional" tail cap switch).

I also like the single switch as I can't see any logic in having to twist bezels or tail-caps or magnetic rings back and forth etc to adjust levels and/or modes on the run. My humble opinion is that all switching actions should be carried out using a single switch, and one that's under your thumb at all times.

The A6 also remembers your last setting, which suits me as I want it to always switch on at its lowest (12 lumen) setting and not have to click multiple times to reset the output level(s). It's then logical — to me at least — to click and hold to move up to the next level, and release to set there.

— Jack. 🙂

 

[jsmitty1967]

My favorite switch is a piston drive becasue of the feel and the fact that it makes no noise. My favorite UI at the moment is that of my Novatac T. I can access the levels I want very quickly.

 

[rayman]

My two favourite UI are that one of the Jet-III Pro and the EX 10.

rayman

 

[Vortus]

Lambalights vara system

 

[kengps]

No selector rings. Too easily bumped. Forward clicky only, with three modes High/Med/Lo and ability to easily lock into any of the three you want. Solution: Lumapower D-Mini (-EX, -VX, VX Ultra). I usually leave it on high. But like to be able to unlock and move to low when I need endurance.

 

[TKC]

My favorite is the McGizmo multi mode and his clicky.

 

[Shorty66]

I don't get it. Supose I'm working in an environment or on a task where I need 50 lumens. Every time I switch the light off, I would have to click twice, then double-click to get back to 50 - seems a lot of hassle just to get back to the level I was using a moment ago.

The RA seems to me a better way of managing the levels. Depending how ou have it programmed, you can have momentary at any level you want, plus quick access to max, and you can decide whether you want it to retain your last-used level or not.

I forgot to mention, that all modes with yellow border are memorized.
Its very similar to the zebralight UI for the H501R, the H60 or the SC30:
You have three modes of which the two lower modes can be programmed to have one of two levels whith a double click.
DId you ever use a Zebralight?

Essentially my UI adds momentary function to the Zebralight UI and reduces the need to push and hold (and wait) to reach modes. I think its a lot more convenient to reach all modes by a simple click and to use Push and hold only for spacial purpose like momentary light and to turn te light off without having to cycle through all modes.

the double click is used to reach the "hidden" strobe mode and to change the level of the two lower modes permanently.

So in you example of a task where 50 lumens are needed you have to click two times and make a double click from off once.
After that the light memorizes the setting of the medium mode and you just use two clicks to reach 50lm.

That way you essentially have a light with 5 levels and a strobe mode but it feels like a three level light which is more convenient in most circumstances. Use a zebralight to get the feeling for it.

 

[Bullzeyebill]

My favorite would be MrBulks Chameleon UI, designed by Georges80. Access to 21 different levels in seconds.

Bill