List of lights with infinite variable brightness control rings

Kevin1322 · Oct 9, 2012

If you're like me and love the magnetic ring/control ring on flashlights, it can be a daunting task to compare them all as they are popping up all over the place as they become more and more popular. I say we start a new thread that lists them all so they are in one spot. With your help, I will keep track of your postings and add them to this first post so everyone can keep up todate and research there next light (with a ring) easier, or at least see their options better. I'm going to start with the infinite variable output lights, but we can do lights using control rings with preset levels (high, medium, low, etc), if there is interest. Oh, and since there are many titanium fans out there, I guess there should be a sub category as well. I'm thinking, so as we don't overdo it but give a good place to start, maybe have the following info: Name, manufacturer, LED used, batteries accepted, lowest lumen output, and highest lumen output. Probably should do size to. Cost might not be the best thing to put, as it changes rather quickly. This would give people a good place to start, and then they can look up the lights from here. What do you think? I'll get the list jump started. If I have anything listed incorrectly, please bring it to my attention so I can change it.

Lights with Infinity Variable Brightness Control Rings

Small - Single CR123/16340 or AA

Model	Manufacturer	Release Date	LED	AA	14500	CR123	RCR123	IMR16340	IMR18350	18650	Lowest Output	Highest Output	Switch Type
RRT-01	Jetbeam	Mar 2012	XM-L T6			1	1	1	1		0.005	542	None
RRT-01	Jetbeam		XM-L L2			1	1	1	1		0.005	600	None
RRT-0	Jetbeam		XP-G R5	1	1	1	1				0.003	255	Mechanical
RRT-0	Jetbeam		XP-G S2	1	1	1	1				0.003	260	Mechanical
RRT-0	Jetbeam	Sep 2011	XM-L T6	1	1	1	1				0.005	550	Mechanical
Infilux IFE1	Nitecore		XP-G R5			1	1				0.1	260	Mechanical
Infilux IFE1	Nitecore		XM-L T6			1	1				0.5	550	Mechanical
SRT3	Nitecore	Jun 2013	XM-L2 T6	1	1	1	1				0.1	550	Mechanical
Eye10	Niteye	Apr 2012	XM-L U2			1	1	1	1		1	662	None
V10A	Sunwayman		XP-G R5	1	1	1	1	1			1	140	Mechanical
V10R	Sunwayman		XP-G R5	1	1	1	1	1			1	210	Mechanical
V11R	Sunwayman		XM-L U2	1	1	1	1	1			1	500	Mechanical

Medium- Double CR123/16340/AA or Single 18650

Model	Manufacturer	Release Date	LED	AA	14500	CR123	RCR123	IMR16340	IMR18350	18650	Lowest Output	Highest Output	Switch Type
RRT-21	Jetbeam	Aug 2011	XM-L T6			2	2			1	3	460	Mechanical
Elite M1A	Lighten7	1/20/2012	XM-L T6			2				1	5%	800+	?
Infilux IFD2	Nitecore		XP-G R5	2							0.1	260	Mechanical
Infilux IFE2	Nitecore		XP-G R5			2	2			1	0.003	345	Mechanical
SR3	Nitecore	2009	XR-E R2			1	1			1	5	220	Mechanical
SRT5	Nitecore	Jul 2013	XM-L2 T6			2	2			1	0.1	750	Mechanical
SRT6	Nitecore	Jun 2013	XM-L2 T6			2				1	0.1	930	Mechanical
SRT7	Nitecore	May 2013	XM-L2 T6			2	2			1	0.1	960	Mechanical
Eye12	Niteye		XM-L U2	2							1	260	Mechanical
Eye15	Niteye		XM-L U2			2	2			1	5	500	None
TF20	Niteye		XM-L U2			2	2			1	2	480	Mechanical
TF25	Niteye		XM-L U2							1	2	500	Mechanical
NWK 600N1	Niwalker	Soon	XM-L U2			2	2	2	2	1	2	700+	Mechanical
V20A	Sunwayman		XP-G R5	2							1	210	Mechanical
V20C	Sunwayman		XM-L T6			2	2			1	0.5	438	Mechanical

Large- Triple CR123, Double 18650, or Larger

Model

Manufacturer

Release
Date

LED

AA

14500

CR123

RCR123

IMR16340

IMR18350

18650

Lowest
Output

Highest
Output

Switch
Type

RRT-15

Jetbeam

Aug 2011

XM-L T6

3

480

Mechanical

Eye25

Niteye

Apr 2012

XM-L U2

2

100

2000

Mechanical

TF40

Niteye

XM-L U2

4

2

520

Mechanical

V60C

Sunwayman

XM-L T6

6

3

5

798

None

Titanium Version Lights with Infinity Variable Brightness Control Rings

Model	Manufacturer	Release Date	LED	AA	14500	CR123	RCR123	IMR16340	IMR18350	18650	Lowest Output	Highest Output	Switch Type
TCR1	Jetbeam	Apr 2012	XM-L T6			1	1	1	1		0.005	550	None
TCR2	Jetbeam		XP-G S2			1	1				0.003	310
Eye10 TiC	Niteye		XM-L U2			1	1	1	1		1	500	None
V10R Ti	Sunwayman		XP-G R2	1	1	1	1	1			1	210	Mechanical
V10R Ti+	Sunwayman		XM-L U2	1	1	1	1	1			1	500	Mechanical
V10R Ti2	Sunwayman		XM-L U2	1	1	1	1	1			1	500	Mechanical

Lights with Infinite Variable Brightness using twist action, but not rings

Model

Manufacturer

Release
Date

LED

AA

14500

CR123

RCR123

IMR16340

IMR18350

18650

Lowest
Output

Highest
Output

Switch
Type

Titan T1A

Surefire

1

90

None

Titan T1-TI-WH-P

Surefire

1 CR2

0

65

None

beach honda · Oct 10, 2012

Re: List of lights with infinite brightness control rings

The RRT-01 and TCR-1 can in fact take IMR18350 cells.

cyclesport · Oct 10, 2012

Re: List of lights with infinite brightness control rings

beach honda said:
The RRT-01 and TCR-1 can in fact take IMR18350 cells.

Niteye's EYE 10 and new Ti/Carbon Fiber Niteye EYE 10 (EYE-10 TiC) also take I8350 IMR's, and there is Nitecore's updated Infilux E1 IFE1 Cree XM-L T6 rated @ 550 lumens, and also available in XP-G.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot the kinda new Veleno Designs Quantum DD! Gotta be the smallest IV light out there...(not really control ring but same princible in that the body rotates).

the.Mtn.Man · Oct 10, 2012

Re: List of lights with infinite brightness control rings

Presumably the HDS Rotary doesn't count because it's not actually infinitely variable?

Brasso · Oct 10, 2012

Re: List of lights with infinite brightness control rings

Does Niteye have thge MSC10? Not sure.

Variable output control rings don't do it for me. I prefer set modes. Too much overhead kills the low output run time.

Noctiluco · Oct 10, 2012

Re: List of lights with infinite brightness control rings

I'm also a fan of the magnetic control ring.

V10A, V10R, and V20A from Sunwayman have leds T6, and V20C has led U2, all of them XM-L. They are not in the website of the brand, but you can find them in main online shops.

aau007 · Oct 10, 2012

Re: List of lights with infinite brightness control rings

Should the Niteye be considered as infinitely variable when they put clicks on the control ring that essential make the light having 10 brightness levels? You can't in all reality make the light stay at any half or quarter notch.

twl · Oct 10, 2012

Re: List of lights with infinite brightness control rings

Does the control ring have to be "magnetic" , or are infinite control rings of other kinds allowed?
Because if they are allowed, all the Peak lights with the QTC, and the Veleno DD with QTC, and some others should be included.
I don't know what kind of control ring that HDS uses, but it seems like that should also be included.

Personally, I have never found a circumstance where such extreme fine-tuning of lumen output seemed to have any use.
I understand that it sounds very sexy, but does anybody ever actually dial it down by 1.5 lumens(or 7.3522 lumens), or are they really just using it like everybody else's modes, but have to dial it instead of switch it?

cyclesport · Oct 10, 2012

Re: List of lights with infinite brightness control rings

aau007: Semantic difference. The Eye 10 utilizes spaced, spring loaded, ball bearing detents but is indeed an infinitely variable design. *(the ring can be slightly mannipulated showing level changes between the detents).

cyclesport · Oct 10, 2012

Re: List of lights with infinite brightness control rings

twl said:
Does the control ring have to be "magnetic" , or are infinite control rings of other kinds allowed?
Because if they are allowed, all the Peak lights with the QTC, and the Veleno DD with QTC, and some others should be included.
I don't know what kind of control ring that HDS uses, but it seems like that should also be included.

Personally, I have never found a circumstance where such extreme fine-tuning of lumen output seemed to have any use.
I understand that it sounds very sexy, but does anybody ever actually dial it down by 1.5 lumens(or 7.3522 lumens), or are they really just using it like everybody else's modes, but have to dial it instead of switch it?

I didn't see the need in IV control ring lights either (like a solution looking a problem) untill I bought my first one, and now own several and am always looking for more. The value of this UI became apparent when I discovered how helpful it was to instantly fine tune the exact amount of light without having to scroll through unwanted levels or disco modes. And in the case of the JetBeam RRT-01 and Niteye EYE 10, the extreme lows are very useful for many things as well. If they could just lower the parasitic drain levels down to acceptable levels and extend run time IMO it would be the perfect UI.

aau007 · Oct 10, 2012

Re: List of lights with infinite brightness control rings

twl said:
...

Personally, I have never found a circumstance where such extreme fine-tuning of lumen output seemed to have any use.
I understand that it sounds very sexy, but does anybody ever actually dial it down by 1.5 lumens(or 7.3522 lumens), or are they really just using it like everybody else's modes, but have to dial it instead of switch it?

Not necessarily the extreme fine tunning of lumen but I can tell you a few situations that the IV control comes in handy but that's also personal needs and preferences, do not necessarily apply to others:
1. When I want to use the light in quiet places (like when others are sleeping), I don't want to click, click, click. Dialing the control ring makes no sound at all.
2. When using the light in extremely darkness, gradually increasing the amount of light is much easier on my eyes.
3. I can increase or decrease brightness directly without cycling the modes.
4. This one is work related. I have to check serial number labels in tight quarters which does not give me the luxury to pull the light back. Being able to adjust the brightness just by that little bit means I can read those tiny numbers about 2mm in height. Especially some shinny label that too little light you can't read and too much light it will bounce the light right back to your eyes.
5. This is really personal preference. I mostly like handshake grip so turning the light on/off and adjusting brightness do not require me to change grip on lights with a tail clicky switch. Have not seen/had a light with the dial on the tail though.

skyfire · Oct 10, 2012

Re: List of lights with infinite brightness control rings

what no surefires?
T1A, minimus headlamps, U2, Kroma, M3LT, invictus series. just to name some.

fenix TA21 had a control ring.

HDS rotary.

atxlight · Oct 10, 2012

Re: List of lights with infinite brightness control rings

cyclesport said:
I didn't see the need in IV control ring lights either (like a solution looking a problem) untill I bought my first one, and now own several and am always looking for more. The value of this UI became apparent when I discovered how helpful it was to instantly fine tune the exact amount of light without having to scroll through unwanted levels or disco modes. And in the case of the JetBeam RRT-01 and Niteye EYE 10, the extreme lows are very useful for many things as well. If they could just lower the parasitic drain levels down to acceptable levels and extend run time IMO it would be the perfect UI.

Ditto on this comment. Just got an RRT-01 as my first variable control light and it has become one of the most used lights in my collection. I love it for all the reasons you mention here in addition to the comments that aau007 makes as well. One question I have is why does this type of UI cause a parasitic drain? I have not been able to get to the bottom of that. Any thoughts to enlighten me?

aau007 · Oct 10, 2012

Re: List of lights with infinite brightness control rings

atxlight said:
... One question I have is why does this type of UI cause a parasitic drain? I have not been able to get to the bottom of that. Any thoughts to enlighten me?

Mainly because the off is an electronic off, unlike a clicky switch that there is a physical disconnection.

Kevin1322 · Oct 10, 2012

Re: List of lights with infinite brightness control rings

the.Mtn.Man said:
Presumably the HDS Rotary doesn't count because it's not actually infinitely variable?

At least for now, I just want to consentrate on the lights using control rings and infinite variable brightness. If there is enough interest, then I/we can do a list of other lights using control rings with preset modes. Certainly, there are many great lights (like the HDS Rotary) out there. There are also lights that use switches to ramp up or down, so technically they have infinite variable brightness too, but as they do not do it control rings, I'm not looking at doing those at this time yet either. Sorry.

Brasso said:
Does Niteye have thge MSC10? Not sure.

Yes, but it uses preset modes.

twl said:
Does the control ring have to be "magnetic" , or are infinite control rings of other kinds allowed?

Any flashlight that uses a ring to control infinite variable output, but again, not a button.

Also, thanks for the additions, but help me out guys. Can you give me the info also? What, you didn't think I was going to do all the work, did you? :crackup:

:naughty:

aau007 · Oct 10, 2012

Re: List of lights with infinite brightness control rings

Kevin1322 said:
Also, thanks for the additions, but help me out guys. Can you give me the info also? What, you didn't think I was going to do all the work, did you? :naughty:

You forgot the Jetbeam rrt0-s2.

fyrstormer · Oct 10, 2012

Re: List of lights with infinite brightness control rings

Add four extra columns to each table:

1) Clicky switch type: mechanical / electronic / none (control ring only)
2) Ring action: smooth / detented
3) Year(s) of sale:
4) Production quantity (only if limited):

LGT · Oct 10, 2012

Re: List of lights with infinite brightness control rings

The Nitecore infiluxIFE2, a light that I thought would become quite popular. It's one of my favorites, but I think because it's debut coincided with the announcment of a new HDS rotary coming out may have cut into it potential popularity and sales.

Norm · Oct 10, 2012

Re: List of lights with infinite brightness control rings

I'm being pedantic here but none of the lights mentioned have infinite brightness, and none ever will.

Norm

fyrstormer · Oct 10, 2012

Re: List of lights with infinite brightness control rings

Norm said:
I'm being pedantic here but none of the lights mentioned have infinite brightness, and none ever will.

Norm

I think everyone here understands the idea is "infinitely-adjustable", not "infinite lumens", and depending on the adjustment mechanism it may provide hundreds of digital settings or infinite analog settings.

List of lights with infinite variable brightness control rings

Flashlight Enthusiast

Enlightened

Enlightened

Flashlight Enthusiast

Flashlight Enthusiast

Newly Enlightened

Enlightened

Flashlight Enthusiast

Enlightened

Enlightened

Enlightened

Flashlight Enthusiast

Newly Enlightened

Enlightened

Flashlight Enthusiast

Enlightened

Banned

Enlightened

Retired Administrator

Banned

Similar threads