Gerhard
Newly Enlightened
Hi,
I just wanted to let you know about my experiences with the Nite Ize IQ switch.
Even though the three brightness settings may be useful for some applications, the time the switch can be pressed to proceed down one brightness level is too long: If you need the light to look at something for less than two seconds (or just want to flash it), you cannot turn it off in less than two seconds; instead, the light will cycle through a bunch of brightness and flasher modes.
Physically, this switch is built rather solidly, has a recessed button so that it won't turn on when it's just flying around in your pockets or a holster. The threading fits smoothly and the gold plated contacts look nice, but one of the gold contact rings doesn't actually touch the flashlight. It is there just for optical purposes, from what i can tell.
When adjusting the focus of the light and the light gets turned off on the head on accident for the shortest amount of time, the IQ switch turns off. I solved that problem by putting (lots) of teflon tape in the head threading, and then twisting the head so that the light is in the best possible focus. This destroys the maglite's signature focus ability, but makes the light more reliable and easier to use.
The switch worked the way it should for about two weeks, and then the flashing mode started to function only occasionally. After another hour of use, the switch refused to turn on at all at times. If the light had been on shortly before, switched off, and one then attempted to turn it on again, it wouldn't light up. Waiting a few seconds solved that problem. After another hour of use, the light refused to turn off again. The only way to solve that is to unscrew the tailcap.
Maybe i just got a bad switch, but i hope to be able to help others with this information.
PS: This is my first mini review. Please go easy on me in case i did something wrong here.
I just wanted to let you know about my experiences with the Nite Ize IQ switch.
Even though the three brightness settings may be useful for some applications, the time the switch can be pressed to proceed down one brightness level is too long: If you need the light to look at something for less than two seconds (or just want to flash it), you cannot turn it off in less than two seconds; instead, the light will cycle through a bunch of brightness and flasher modes.
Physically, this switch is built rather solidly, has a recessed button so that it won't turn on when it's just flying around in your pockets or a holster. The threading fits smoothly and the gold plated contacts look nice, but one of the gold contact rings doesn't actually touch the flashlight. It is there just for optical purposes, from what i can tell.
When adjusting the focus of the light and the light gets turned off on the head on accident for the shortest amount of time, the IQ switch turns off. I solved that problem by putting (lots) of teflon tape in the head threading, and then twisting the head so that the light is in the best possible focus. This destroys the maglite's signature focus ability, but makes the light more reliable and easier to use.
The switch worked the way it should for about two weeks, and then the flashing mode started to function only occasionally. After another hour of use, the switch refused to turn on at all at times. If the light had been on shortly before, switched off, and one then attempted to turn it on again, it wouldn't light up. Waiting a few seconds solved that problem. After another hour of use, the light refused to turn off again. The only way to solve that is to unscrew the tailcap.
Maybe i just got a bad switch, but i hope to be able to help others with this information.
PS: This is my first mini review. Please go easy on me in case i did something wrong here.