what would be your ideal L5?

[r2]

The Surefire L4 has been quite a hit, but I haven't bought one yet. Largely because I'm a student and I got in on the W3V McModule run so I've tied up all the funds that I can in that class of light.

I've been thinking about what would entice me to throw down a wad of cash at the feet of the Surefire idol and I'm interested in what other people think.

I'd love to see the L4 with dual output. Full output like it has now and output similar to a KL1. Added bonus for a really-low mode with output like a few 5mm Nichias. The problem is, I really like clickie switches and dual output lights seem to come in the L1 variety (twist on for low, twist on some more for high, or push button for momentary next level) or playing some Morse code style game with a momentary switch to move between different modes.

I'd be willing to compromise some modes for a simple switch mechanism. Maybe high mode is only available in momentary mode? Click it on to normal (KL1) mode, push again and hold it in for high mode? Of course, this means you'll always have a high burst when turning it off which is pretty ugly.

I'm not too keen on the L1 switch (even though I've never used it). I'm just sick of twist-on switches, and the L1 takes this to the extreme. Imagine a 3-level output L5 (3 5mm Nichia level, KL1 level, KL4 level) with the L1 switch mechanism extended in the obvious way to control it. *shudder*

Okay, so what if we compromize? The twist determines the light level, and the push (clickie with momentary action like all good clickies allow) turns it on or off. That's the only way I can think of that doesn't get too ridiculous too fast. You would have 4 levels of twist (lock out, low, medium, high) but you wouldn't have to twist it most of the time when you use it. You'd just click it on and it would be at the setting you used last. A twist would turn the level up or down.

Can anyone think of a better scheme? It seems like some kind of twist is unavoidable, especially if you want a lock-out function (which I do). Maybe something more like the Brinkmann Legend AA switch, where the twist to get lock-out is itself a click so it's easy to tell if you twisted it far enough.

I fear that we'll end up with a tailcap that is 3 inches long (switch mechanisms always seem to take up way too much room--look at D cell maglites or Surefires with the batteries on the table next to the light to see how much space is sacrificed to the switch). Still, if this was done right, I might have to give up eating for a few weeks to get my hands on one.

- Russ

 

[r2]

Is there really no-one with an opinion on this, or did I just post at a bad time? Perhaps a bump is in order?

- Russ

 

[kakster]

How about press to turn on and off and hold down the button to scroll thru brightness levels, with the light remembering the level it was set to, even when switched off.
This way, you can keep the switch mechanically simple, and dump all the work on an IC on the regulator baord.

 

[FlashlightOCD]

Re: what would be your ideal Flashlight

Three Levels of pure white LED light:

1) Very low [like a CMG Ultra-G on lithium batteries].
2) Medium [like a ARC LSH-P would be at 5w].
3) High [like Space Needle II, with same output and throw].

Clickie tail switch that works properly, twist head for brightness mode [like a CMG Reator III uses the head for on/off, only use it to select one of the three output levels instead].

Not much bigger than an Inova X5T, although I suspect the #3 throw requirement will require a slightly larger head.

Edit: Removed any and all reference to L5/KL5 per Al's request [and also removed all other references to SF just to be sure].

 

[Size15's]

Perhaps using the model name "L5" to discuss designs for new SureFires is not a good idea since as we've seen, the KL4 was released as part of the L4 product, and SureFire have a KL5, KL6 and KL7 to release.

Perhaps it's best not to assign model names to concepts being dreamt up at this stage?

Al

 

[r2]

That's a good point, although the pattern is already broken with the L1 and KL1. My guess is that the L5 (if it is released) will not be a KL5 on a 6P or C2 or whatever it is meant to fit (wouldn't it be either of those?). Since that enters the realm of mix-'n'-match parts it seems less likely that we'll see a separate whole package released for each head. The E line seems a little more subject to repackaging (like the E2o) which fits its personal use target market better than the more professionally oriented lines.

Of course, I'm just making this all up so I'll stop now.

- Russ

 

[Size15's]

Russ

You have no idea the stick I gave PK for SureFire going down the L road with the L4.

I guess that if too many people start to understand the SureFire product name / code systems they shake them up!

Al