Chicken Drumstick
Flashlight Enthusiast
UI's, something that should be simple and easy for manufactures to get right, but something so often ballsed up.
And I'm not talking about over complex or even programmable modes. But there are some basics that should just be part of any modern clicky torch.
These are some of the fundamentals I think any good UI should be able to do:
From the OFF position:
-Activate in Moon/Firefly (or whatever the lowest mode is)
-Activate in Turbo/Max output
-Activate in the last mode you used
If torch makers go this bit right /| /\ i.e. the turning on bit. Then chances are it would likely cover 80-90% of your flashlight needs without the user having to switch modes when on.
From the ON position:
-Instant access Turbo/Max from any mode
-Ability to mode switch up and down between the lowest modes, i.e. Moonlight -> Low -> Moonlight
-Ability to mode switch up and down between the highest modes, i.e. Turbo -> High -> Turbo
-Instant off from any mode
-Ability to cycle through all the 'main' output modes.
Obviously, if you require more modes, such as strobe, beacon, SOS, etc. Or have a tactical angle, then you may want strobe also accessible from off. You'd need to expand the UI, but at the cost of probably making it more complex. But covering the basics can easily be done with a single clicky button on a well though out UI. Or a dual button UI or a head twisty + button UI.
So why do so few torch makers get this right?
To expand on the "good" UI practices. There should always be a physical lockout. And the switches should be designed to never cause accidental activation while carrying the light.
So having defined what a good UI should look like. Which torch makers get close to offering something like this?
P.S.
This isn't about 'recommending' lights. More discussion on UI controls, current offerings and by who and the + and - points of the UI's.
And I'm not talking about over complex or even programmable modes. But there are some basics that should just be part of any modern clicky torch.
These are some of the fundamentals I think any good UI should be able to do:
From the OFF position:
-Activate in Moon/Firefly (or whatever the lowest mode is)
-Activate in Turbo/Max output
-Activate in the last mode you used
If torch makers go this bit right /| /\ i.e. the turning on bit. Then chances are it would likely cover 80-90% of your flashlight needs without the user having to switch modes when on.
From the ON position:
-Instant access Turbo/Max from any mode
-Ability to mode switch up and down between the lowest modes, i.e. Moonlight -> Low -> Moonlight
-Ability to mode switch up and down between the highest modes, i.e. Turbo -> High -> Turbo
-Instant off from any mode
-Ability to cycle through all the 'main' output modes.
Obviously, if you require more modes, such as strobe, beacon, SOS, etc. Or have a tactical angle, then you may want strobe also accessible from off. You'd need to expand the UI, but at the cost of probably making it more complex. But covering the basics can easily be done with a single clicky button on a well though out UI. Or a dual button UI or a head twisty + button UI.
So why do so few torch makers get this right?
To expand on the "good" UI practices. There should always be a physical lockout. And the switches should be designed to never cause accidental activation while carrying the light.
So having defined what a good UI should look like. Which torch makers get close to offering something like this?
P.S.
This isn't about 'recommending' lights. More discussion on UI controls, current offerings and by who and the + and - points of the UI's.