The process of selecting a flashlight can be overwhelming at times. The market is constantly updating, changing, and growing, so there is thousands of flashlights available in the market. There are factors in making a good decision, such as usage, size, lumens, beam types, switch type and price range. Today let's talk about the switch type. It is not important to all flashlight buyers but many people have a preference.
Using a flashlight should be easy and convenient, and this boils down to how you turn it on and navigate its modes. Thinking about how you hold and use your light will help you choose which switch is best and most comfortable for you.
Tailcap switch
Most lights use a clicky switch for activation and navigation on the tail-cap of the flashlight. It allows for single hand use, typically using your thumb to click the switch. There are usually two forms: forward clicky and reverse clicky.
* A forward clicky can be lightly pressed for momentary activation and fully pressed for constant on. Forward clicky switches are common on tactical lights and lights were there is a secondary way to change modes, such as another switch, rotary ring, or other method.
* A reverse clicky has to be fulled pressed and released to turn the light on. Soft presses often switch lighting modes. Reverse clicky switches are common on general purpose or outdoor lights where easy mode switching is more important than immediate, reliable access to one or two modes.
Most tail switches have a memory function in the purpose of convenient use. The flashlight will remember the mode before the power on and off, and the next time the flashlight is restarted, it will automatically start the mode that was turned off last time. For example, the XTAR TZ20 uses a tail switch with a memory mode, and the experience is very good.
Body side switch
The side switch has been applied to flashlights long ago and is one of the oldest switches. A side slide switch allows the use of a discrete button while saving some length on the light. This type of switch is also ideal if you prefer an overhand (thumb facing forward) grip when using your light. However, it is difficult to waterproof this type of switch, so it is typical on inexpensive lights.
A side click switch is typical with larger lights. Click switch located on the side of the light, sometimes rubberized for water resistance, and allows for single hand use. Side switches are often electronic switches in higher end lights.
and the flashlight may be lit by accidentally touching the switch during carrying.
With the development of the times, drawing on the design of this side-press switch, engineers have developed more advanced magnetic control switches. The XTAR diving flashlight D06 uses this switch. On the basis of retaining the convenience of the traditional side push switch, it allows the diver to smoothly turn on the flashlight and adjust the brightness under 100 meters of water.
Bezel twisty switch
The twisty switch refers to twisting the head and the barrel of the light (bezel) to turn on and off, and adjust the flashlight mode. An obvious feature of this switch is that it requires two-handed operation (small size can be operated with one hand). Although the convenience has been reduced, the possibility of accidental lighting of the side switch has been reduced. XTAR WK21 U2 can be operated with one hand because of its small size.
In order to make up for the shortcomings of both, many manufacturers will design two switches on the same flashlight, combining clicky type and twisty type. In this way, it caters to the needs of users who like the style of twisty switches but do not want the flashlight to light up accidentally.
The flashlight's usage dictates the switch type. In order to provide a better use experience, many XTAR flashlights use dual switches, such as D26 magnetic control clicky switch, D36 waterproof clicky dual switch, TZ28 tailcap dual switch, D08 front press tail magnetic switch, etc., all adopt dual switch design to prevent mistakes touch and improve the portability of the flashlight.
What type of switch does your light have? Please kindly show them below.
Using a flashlight should be easy and convenient, and this boils down to how you turn it on and navigate its modes. Thinking about how you hold and use your light will help you choose which switch is best and most comfortable for you.
Tailcap switch
Most lights use a clicky switch for activation and navigation on the tail-cap of the flashlight. It allows for single hand use, typically using your thumb to click the switch. There are usually two forms: forward clicky and reverse clicky.
* A forward clicky can be lightly pressed for momentary activation and fully pressed for constant on. Forward clicky switches are common on tactical lights and lights were there is a secondary way to change modes, such as another switch, rotary ring, or other method.
* A reverse clicky has to be fulled pressed and released to turn the light on. Soft presses often switch lighting modes. Reverse clicky switches are common on general purpose or outdoor lights where easy mode switching is more important than immediate, reliable access to one or two modes.
Most tail switches have a memory function in the purpose of convenient use. The flashlight will remember the mode before the power on and off, and the next time the flashlight is restarted, it will automatically start the mode that was turned off last time. For example, the XTAR TZ20 uses a tail switch with a memory mode, and the experience is very good.
Body side switch
The side switch has been applied to flashlights long ago and is one of the oldest switches. A side slide switch allows the use of a discrete button while saving some length on the light. This type of switch is also ideal if you prefer an overhand (thumb facing forward) grip when using your light. However, it is difficult to waterproof this type of switch, so it is typical on inexpensive lights.
A side click switch is typical with larger lights. Click switch located on the side of the light, sometimes rubberized for water resistance, and allows for single hand use. Side switches are often electronic switches in higher end lights.
and the flashlight may be lit by accidentally touching the switch during carrying.
With the development of the times, drawing on the design of this side-press switch, engineers have developed more advanced magnetic control switches. The XTAR diving flashlight D06 uses this switch. On the basis of retaining the convenience of the traditional side push switch, it allows the diver to smoothly turn on the flashlight and adjust the brightness under 100 meters of water.
Bezel twisty switch
The twisty switch refers to twisting the head and the barrel of the light (bezel) to turn on and off, and adjust the flashlight mode. An obvious feature of this switch is that it requires two-handed operation (small size can be operated with one hand). Although the convenience has been reduced, the possibility of accidental lighting of the side switch has been reduced. XTAR WK21 U2 can be operated with one hand because of its small size.
In order to make up for the shortcomings of both, many manufacturers will design two switches on the same flashlight, combining clicky type and twisty type. In this way, it caters to the needs of users who like the style of twisty switches but do not want the flashlight to light up accidentally.
The flashlight's usage dictates the switch type. In order to provide a better use experience, many XTAR flashlights use dual switches, such as D26 magnetic control clicky switch, D36 waterproof clicky dual switch, TZ28 tailcap dual switch, D08 front press tail magnetic switch, etc., all adopt dual switch design to prevent mistakes touch and improve the portability of the flashlight.
What type of switch does your light have? Please kindly show them below.
