Why are clips an afterthought?

[BabyDoc]

Does anyone have an explanation why clips for EDC flashlights seem too often to be an afterthought or not thought about at all by many makers of these flashlights? The Novatacs, the NiteCores, the LiteFluxes, and the RA clicky's come immediately to mind. All of these lights, when originally released never had clips, though most people wanted them. When Novatac finally did release its first clip, it was awful. Even the improved Novatac clip has problems with twisting and scratching the body of the light. The D10 and EX10 clips were produced by 4Sevens himself in response to customer wishes. NiteCore didn't make them. LiteFlux, until now has no plans that I know of of make a clip for the LF3XT, although there are a few work around clip ideas being posted here in the forum.

Hardly any ballpoint pen maker would consider making a pen without a clip. Why would a light manufacturer so disregard what most consumers want for a small EDC light?

A well designed clip can be a selling feature for a light, more so I think, than the lanyards that are almost always provided instead. The abscence of a clip for many people is a deal breaker and many sales are lost to these potential customers. Does a clip cost that much more to make that they aren't offered? If so, why aren't they at least offered as an optional accessory?

Finally, it would seem that the designer of the flashlight body should have in mind a place for a clip, even if the clip isn't produced at the time of the lights original release. For example, one reason the Novatac clip is so inadequate is because of the lame way it has to be attached to the existing light. Had there been some fore-thought, holes might have been predrilled for a future clip and we wouldn't have had to settle for such a lame design where the clip has to fit between body sections of the light.

 

[Armed_Forces]

I tried to encourage the same discussion HERE so please vote!


..but to answer your question, IMHO, I can sum it up in one word..



LAZINESS !!

 

[TMedina]

I think because the notion of a "pocket light" that is small enough and light enough to clip is a relatively new concept and overly specialized - enough that a manufacturer doesn't want to limit their product in such a fashion.

Pens have, generally, an accepted form and functionality - we know this product will sell, generally speaking, this well when it conforms to these standards. Are we willing to gamble on product sales if we deviate from this relatively known baseline?

Of course, I'm also tired, so take this with a grain of salt. And a shot of tequila, if possible.

-Trevor

 

[Flying Turtle]

I emailed LiteFlux a couple days ago to encourage them to make one for the LF3XT. I pointed out there being a number of us wanting one and how it would surely help increase sales. No response yet, though I didn't really expect one. Hopefully they read it.

Maybe some makers feel it's just not worth the potential problems of bent or broken clips plus the added cost if they do it right.

Geoff

 

[TMedina]

Which begs the question, what would be the ideal clip for you?

-Trevor

 

[Flying Turtle]

The Proton Pro has a nearly ideal clip, to me. It starts almost at the end of the tail, allowing the light to ride deep in the pocket, and is about 3/4 the length of the light and 1/2 the width. I'd probably like it better if it was black anodized. A stout wire type clip would also be nice if it allowed the same bezel down carry.

Geoff

 

[NoFair]

STR on Bladeforums makes nice custom ti clips for knives. Some of his designs should work well on lights as well.

Here is one on a Spyderco Delica:

I think he charges about $30 for making and fitting a clip to a knife.

Sverre

PS! Would love to see more good clips on small lights. On larger 2 cell lights the SF U2 and C2 have nice clips. I prefer smaller ones to ride lower in the pocket though.

 

[TMedina]

Hmm - I wonder what he could do for a SF.

-Trevor

 

[BabyDoc]

I emailed LiteFlux a couple days ago to encourage them to make one for the LF3XT. I pointed out there being a number of us wanting one and how it would surely help increase sales. No response yet, though I didn't really expect one. Hopefully they read it.

Maybe some makers feel it's just not worth the potential problems of bent or broken clips plus the added cost if they do it right.

Geoff

I emailed them weeks ago with the same request suggesting that it could mean extra light sales for them. I never got a response. Perhaps they don't have anyone that can respond in English given how horrible their English instruction manuals are written. OK, so this may excuse a foreign maker, but what about US makers who don't care what people want?

 

[BabyDoc]

I tried to encourage the same discussion HERE so please vote!


..but to answer your question, IMHO, I can sum it up in one word..



LAZINESS !!

I can't imagine if you are making a product to sell that you wouldn't want to maximize your sales and profits. Admittedly, a clip might eat into the profits a bit on each unit sold, but why wouldn't you want to sell more units? Don't these makers know that people value their lights enough not to want to lose them or have them fall from their pockets and get damaged? It can't be just laziness on the makers part or why would they market the product to begin with?

While I recognize that members of this forum, represent a small percentage of the light buying public, you would think for the little cost involved, the light manufacturers would follow this forum and see what people really want and then make it that way. "If you make a better mousetrap, people will buy it!"

 

[Kiessling]

A clip is difficult to do for a little feature. The clip itself needs to be made and bend and possibly surface treated. The material needs to be well suited, meaning expensive. A lot of labout goes into this step. Then it needs to be integrated in the light. More work to do and maybe even altering the body for it, meaning more machinng steps.

Much work and $$ involved for a "little" item or feature.

Ask McGizmo about how much it took him to come out with his "death grip clips". In the end, it was worth it. Most people say it is the best clip they have ever encountered. But it wasn't the easy way.

bernie

 

[FrogmanM]

Find a way to get a McG clip on your fav EDC, and your set. Best clip IMO.

Mayo