What's All The Fuss Over A Reverse Clicky?

[Bearcat]

The only drawback that I know of is that you can not signal with one or have a momentary quick burst of light. Other than that, everything else is a positive for having a reverse clicky, as far as I know. Also, if so many people think that they are so bad, why do manufacturers even use them?

 

[thezman]

The only drawback that I know of is that you can not signal with one or have a momentary quick burst of light.

This is why I like forward clickies.
I will refuse to buy any light that has a reverse clicky.

To each, his own.

 

[Vickers]

Reverse clickies make noise. The momentary action of a forward clickie doesn't.

There are times when you don't want to be heard.

 

[Randy Shackleford]

Reverse clickies make noise. The momentary action of a forward clickie doesn't.

There are times when you don't want to be heard.

+1 on that

 

[Outdoors Fanatic]

The only drawback that I know of is that you can not signal with one or have a momentary quick burst of light. Other than that, everything else is a positive for having a reverse clicky, as far as I know. Also, if so many people think that they are so bad, why do manufacturers even use them?

It's because they suck! A light without momentary is useless, even old Mags had them...

 

[bondr006]

Reverse clickies make noise. The momentary action of a forward clickie doesn't.

There are times when you don't want to be heard.

This is why I like forward clickies.
I will refuse to buy any light that has a reverse clicky.

To each, his own.

I too like the forward/tactical clickies better, but I would not go as far to say I would not buy a light with a reverse clicky on it. I have both types of clickies and a few twistys also, and like each of them for different reasons.

 

[WildChild]

Reverse clicky are good for general purpose lights. Not for tactical ones!

For example, the Fenix LxD, P2D and P3D have a reverse clicky which is well suited for their mode switching. For me, all those are general purpose lights. Not tactical lights.

Surefire lights all have forward clicky. They are not designed for the same use and their level switching (for the multi-level lights) is not controlled by the switch. They are almost all (if not all) considered as tactical lights.

This my opinion about reverse/forward clicky.

This ends the discussion!

 

[selfbuilt]

Reverse clickies make noise. The momentary action of a forward clickie doesn't. There are times when you don't want to be heard.

Don't want to be heard, but want to be seen?

Of course, I know you meant, but it just struck me as ironic/funny to hear someone say that they don't to be heard just as they are about to advertise their presence in a big way! ... and let there be light.

But of course that's the point - many people seem to want the "tactical" advantage of a forward clicky.

Personally, I'm quite happy with all my reverse clickies that won't accidentally turn on when I don't want them to.

 

[Bearcat]

Reverse clickies make noise. The momentary action of a forward clickie doesn't.

There are times when you don't want to be heard.

I need some help here understanding what you mean. The only thing that I can picture in my mind is someone trying to slip up on a blind person and wants to be quiet about it for some reason.

 

[Vickers]

I need some help here understanding what you mean. The only thing that I can picture in my mind is someone trying to slip up on a blind person and wants to be quiet about it for some reason.

As an example: navigating around the house after the others (5 in all) are asleep. A forward clickie or a twistie can be used without that *click!* that seems to wake up light sleepers (I work an evening shift).

That's about as "tactical" as I get these days. :nana:

FTR, I have both (or rather all three).

 

[nerdgineer]

Matter of taste and personal preferences. A big deal for some, minor for others, still others don't notice or care.

I like high reliability and small size, which (at a given price) the reverse clickys seem to be a bit better at (just an impression, no hard data).

With the advent of the multi-mode blink controlled lights (Fenix XXD-CEs, et al), I think I might like the reverse clickies more because it makes it easier for you to change modes in mid use instead of just at the initial turn on. But, then, that's only me.

If I WERE going to use a light with a handgun at night, I would certainly want a momentary on. I also would NOT want a tail standing light where the button is recessed - I'd want it protruding prominently to more comfortably control the momentary switch.

 

[BB]

I know the answer to the forward clicky riddle--

Need to be silent so that when you push the forward clickly and the filament bulb does not turn on, you can quietly open the head and tail, change the bulb for the spare, and attempt to tactically light up the foe a second time.
​

Yea, I agree that silent clicky on a 200 Lumen tactical M6 (or what ever) is much better than a little click outside the door with a light set on low / 9 lumen.

Geesh--"lighten-up folks"... Get what you like--try something new.

-Bill

 

[FASTCAR]

Ok once again I can't take it anymore.

As far as "reverse clickey" making SOOO much racket.....


I took out my DB meter and tested the loudest reverse clickey ever..the T5 amilite


at 10' away its a massive 1 db over ambient (often 1/2 a db)....walking on a hardwood floor with rubber sole shoe is 5x this amount.This is in a dead silent closed room with nothing on.

For a goof after my run I set up the meter..heavy breathing is also 3-4x louder then a reverse clickey...making an attempt to breath heavy/quiet is still 2-3x louder.all at 10' away

Because im that kind of *******, I tested 10 "normal clickey" lights I have : from Surefire to Wolf Eyes ( all small tactical lights)

The result ? : all 10' all are about .5 to 1db ..about the same as a "noisy reverse" you all hate so much.


As an X-marine and LEO..I can tell you all for 100% sure : My position was NEVER given away because of a "noisy" flashlight..in fact I have never heard or read about any military or cop or fed who was given way by a click..ever

My m*g lights do make less then .5 DB at 10' BUT if you want not a peep at all..use a twistey.I assume in the coming flames some person will tell me his dog can hear threads twisting..and that bothers him.


In advance : I am NOT picking on 1 person...as I have heard this "Loud click" complaint 500+ times.


P.S. typing this post is 3x louder then my reverse clickey.Cat purring at 10' also louder...4 week old kitty no less.


My 2cents

 

[zipplet]

I think reverse clickies are also easier to manufacture cheaply AND reliably. I have seen many forward clickies in mostly older incandescent lights that will cause the beam to flicker during the "stroke" of the switch.

I have yet to see any such problem with a reverse clicky.

 

[FASTCAR]

Also

I never had a reverse or normal clickey fail..hell I have a m*g 4d from 1985 or so that still works fine.

 

[knot]

momentary on > momentary off

Why on earth would anyone need a momentary off? Signaling? Okayyyyyy.

 

[Vickers]

As an X-marine and LEO..I can tell you all for 100% sure : My position was NEVER given away because of a "noisy" flashlight..

I'm also a veteran, and I never had my position given away by flashlight noise, either.

I have however woken my wife up with the *click!* from an Ultrafire BENNO.

I'd rather face the Rooskies than deal with her at 0300L. :nana:

 

[BB]

Regarding "clickies", military, and war (Good god--how far can this go...)... You can go here to get a WWII clicker "Cricket" replica as used by Allied troops on and after D-Day to identify "friendlies".

So--clickies save lives in war. (Actually, I remember a bit from my Dad talking about using them--82nd Airborne in Europe, he jumped after the D-Day operations--too young at the time for D-Day).

-Bill

 

[knot]

As an X-marine and LEO..I can tell you all for 100% sure : My position was NEVER given away because of a "noisy" flashlight..

Was the enemy deaf, dumb and blind? Just sayin'

 

[BB]

If you shoot at any noise you hear at night--real or imagined--without identifying your target, you probably are not going to have very many friends left. That first shot (ignoring taking the safety off and/or chambering the first round) is probably going to be a 'tad bit louder than a reverse clickie...

Just sayin'

-Bill