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The NiteIze IQ switch is a replacement switch for the
MiniMag form factor. It provides 5 lighting modes, a
find-in-the-dark feature, and an auto-off to prevent
battery drain if accidentally activated. These were
provided by reader Ken F. Thanks Ken!
Body: On the outside, the IQ switch consists
of little more than an aluminum body with a gold plated
spring on one end and a translucent switch cover on
the other. There is a single hole drilled in the tailcap
for the attachment of a lanyard, and the switch cover
is recessed enough to allow the light to stand on end.
The switch cover is almost clear and allows the little
red blinking LED to shine through for the find-in-the-dark
feature to operate. The blinking red LED blinks once
every few seconds. The switch has an O-ring to help
prevent the entry of water into the light body.
Output: The switch allows for the following
modes, in series:
-
100%
- 50%
- 25%
- Slow Strobe
- Fast Strobe
Leaving the light in any of these modes for more than
2 seconds will result in the next press of the switch
turning the light off.
In actual operation , 100% as indicated by the switch
is not actually 100% light output for the light. I tested
the IQ switch with a MiniMag with stock bulb, a MiniMag
with TerraLux TLE5 LED bulb, and a Streamlight JR which
the switch also fits on. First they were tested with
some slightly used AA cells, then the same cells with
the IQ switch installed. 100% with the IQ switch installed
was significantly dimmer than when the light was used
without the switch. The Streamlight JR took the biggest
hit on output. Despite the output drop, all of the lights
seemed to run just fine with the switch installed.
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Light
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Normal Output
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Nite-Ize high/med/low
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MiniMag
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356
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125 / 23 /
1
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Streamlight JR.
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1726
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500 / 300 / 165
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TerraLux TLE5
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900
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500 / 250 / 130
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All throw readings are in Lux
at one meter. The numbers in parenthesis are for comparison
in the Comparison
Charts.
The auto-off feature works as follows:
- Auto-off (14½ minutes) in the first 3 modes
prevents accidental draining of the batteries.
- At 13 minutes the light will flash to signal that
it is close to shutting off and prompt you to hit
the button to reactivate for another 14½ minutes.
- At 13½ minutes the light will flash to signal
that it is close to shutting off and prompt you to
hit the button to reactivate for another 14½
minutes.
- At 14 minutes the light will flash again to signal
that it is close to shutting off and prompt you to
hit the button to reactivate for another 14½
minutes.
- At 14½ minutes the light will turn off unless
it has been reactivated..
The switch is very easy to activate, although when
you look inside the switch through the clear cover you
can see that the actual switch post is a little off-center
under the cover. The little red find-in-the-dark LED
is also off-center and may not necessarily point toward
the clear switch cover. I received 2 switches and one
of the red LEDs pointed more toward the inner edge of
the metal switch housing.
Size compared to a common 2AA aluminum light
What I Liked: Lots of nice operational
modes, still stands on end.
What I Didn't Like: Light is significantly
dimmer when using the switch, even in its highest mode.
Picky Little Things: Components
in switch appear to be bent/off center in some cases.
Conclusions: The NiteIze IQ switch
adds several operational modes to the Minimag, but it
really didn't thrill me. The fact that you lose so much
output when using the switch seems to negate the benefits
of having all those handy modes, at least in my opinion.
SPECIAL NOTE: I have been informed that
if you are planning on using these switches with the
NiteIze 3 LED bulb upgrade, they will only work with
the white LED upgrade. The color LED bulbs will not
work with the switch.
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