scout24
Flashaholic
Wasn't sure what to title this thread , here to reaffirm a superior UI for stressful situations. I'm not new to stress, or using tools under stressful situations. I fully understand muscle memory, and how it works. Stay with me here... I have an 11 year old Chihuahua mix who takes heart meds every day, and sometimes does not make it through the night without needing to pee. I am a very light sleeper, and we have hardwood floors in our bedroom. Most times I hear him walking around with his nails just ticking off the floor. I'll get up and take him for a quick walk outside rather than clean up after him inside.
Last night, 3am, I hear the familiar tapping of his nails, so I got up and threw on some shoes to walk him. I was using my HDS Rotary, since the low does not wake my Wife, and the beam pattern is great inside at night.
We went outside, rounding the corner of my house into the driveway where the cars are parked. I'm using maybe 5 lumens at this point, ready to crank it up a bit in a few steps as we reach the side yard and I need to see further. About 25 feet in front of me, it suddenly sounds like someone or something scrambling, trying to get away from the front of my Wife's Jeep. We're out in the country a bit, plenty of possums, raccoons, groundhogs, skunks, etc. This is bigger. A lot bigger. Adrenalin hits, and all I can think to do is mash down on the tailcap. Fine motor skills go out the window for a few seconds. Guess what? It worked. I had full output, illuminating the deer that had been snacking on some hosta plants in our front flower bed. Scared it about as much as it did me. Pup wasn't fazed, but I had a stark reminder of what happens under stress. All your confidence in being able to handle mode switching with a clicky UI, side switch, twisty, etc. goes up in smoke. The Surefire momentary/ dual stage L1, LX2, A2 type UI will rule the day, like it or not. Glad I have Momentary Max programmed into my HDS lights... Just some Flashaholic food for thought.
Last night, 3am, I hear the familiar tapping of his nails, so I got up and threw on some shoes to walk him. I was using my HDS Rotary, since the low does not wake my Wife, and the beam pattern is great inside at night.
We went outside, rounding the corner of my house into the driveway where the cars are parked. I'm using maybe 5 lumens at this point, ready to crank it up a bit in a few steps as we reach the side yard and I need to see further. About 25 feet in front of me, it suddenly sounds like someone or something scrambling, trying to get away from the front of my Wife's Jeep. We're out in the country a bit, plenty of possums, raccoons, groundhogs, skunks, etc. This is bigger. A lot bigger. Adrenalin hits, and all I can think to do is mash down on the tailcap. Fine motor skills go out the window for a few seconds. Guess what? It worked. I had full output, illuminating the deer that had been snacking on some hosta plants in our front flower bed. Scared it about as much as it did me. Pup wasn't fazed, but I had a stark reminder of what happens under stress. All your confidence in being able to handle mode switching with a clicky UI, side switch, twisty, etc. goes up in smoke. The Surefire momentary/ dual stage L1, LX2, A2 type UI will rule the day, like it or not. Glad I have Momentary Max programmed into my HDS lights... Just some Flashaholic food for thought.
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