3 way light bulbs - why does the sequence matter?

[Baz]

I have a 3 way lamp by my computer. Kinda cool with a wood surfboard as the base. So I have been through a few 3 way bulbs for it and was just looking on Amazon and on some of them, reviewers mentioned they like this one or that one because it has a particular sequence.

For example.....starts with medium - then low - then high.

Or starts off low - then medium - then high.

Or vice-versa.

I tend to use low most of the time unless I'm doing paperwork - then on high.

What is the big deal on how it sequences through the settings?

TIA!

[wdfifteen]

Interesting.
I didn't know you had a choice. I've never had one that didn't go from low to medium to high.

[asphaltgambler]

Choices my brother........as a consumer it's what drives innovation.

[masraum]

I don't currently have any 3-way bulbs, but it seems like when I have in the past, they always had the same sequence (low, medium, high). I can't imagine that I would care.

There are folks that are very particular about things that 99% of the rest of the world wouldn't care about (or possibly find logic in).

I think, if I could pick an odd feature to add, it would be to be able to select just the strength that I want, and then go straight from that to off without having to cycle through all of the other options.

But I'd probably just stick with the old tried and true.

[flipper35]

Originally Posted by masraum

I don't currently have any 3-way bulbs, but it seems like when I have in the past, they always had the same sequence (low, medium, high). I can't imagine that I would care.

There are folks that are very particular about things that 99% of the rest of the world wouldn't care about (or possibly find logic in).

I think, if I could pick an odd feature to add, it would be to be able to select just the strength that I want, and then go straight from that to off without having to cycle through all of the other options.

But I'd probably just stick with the old tried and true.

This, a push button for on/off and a selector button for those times when I need more light.

[Baz]

Focusing on LED versions.

The current one I'm using starts on high, then moves downward.

I never gave it any thought until I read the reviews and comments.

So far it sounds like no one else has a handle on the logic.

[Noah930]

So no one knows the answer?!

And now, a question I have never seriously pondered before is bugging me.

[Baz]

If I had to guess.......maybe the first setting is the one that person wants - more than the other settings.

Thus.....if that setting is the first one.....one click suffices to achieve that setting.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by Baz

If I had to guess.......maybe the first setting is the one that person wants - more than the other settings.

Thus.....if that setting is the first one.....one click suffices to achieve that setting.

Probably programmable. MrsWD was looking at LED Christmas lights that have 16 programmable functions.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

Probably programmable. MrsWD was looking at LED Christmas lights that have 16 programmable functions.

programmable functions and lights that can be connected to a network currently have no place in my place. If at some point, the "server" could be onsite on my network with no need to "phone-home" then I might be interested, but it bugs me how almost ever smart device needs to phone home and then you connect to home to manage it. Most of those "home" sites have laughable security and even if they had phenomenal security, I don't need "smartbulbsRus.com" selling my lighting habit info to the Chinese govt or power companies or whatever.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Baz

If I had to guess.......maybe the first setting is the one that person wants - more than the other settings.

Thus.....if that setting is the first one.....one click suffices to achieve that setting.

This makes sense but man, the ultimate in fussiness.

You still have to go through three clicks to shut if off but maybe time is not so pressing at the back end of "the project"?

[Tidybuoy]

Slightly related.....

I finally found a small flashlight at Costco that has on & off. I hate the ones that have 3 or 4 settings including one that blinks. Seems like it takes me 4 pushes to turn on or off. Why not keep is simple.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

This makes sense but man, the ultimate in fussiness.

You still have to go through three clicks to shut if off but maybe time is not so pressing at the back end of "the project"?

I think this has to be it, to their way of thinking, Bob.

I don't see any other reasoning.

First click put it at the desired setting - no muss....no fuss.

(or is it no fuss...no muss?)

Mystery solved and now I can go about my existence....lol....

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Tidybuoy

I finally found a small flashlight at Costco that has on & off. I hate the ones that have 3 or 4 settings including one that blinks.

I have a small $20 rubber coated Husky LED flashlight from Home Depot. Love the thing but it has the three settings with final being the flash. I think but not absolutely certain that if you use the first click which is high, then turn it off, it reverts back to the beginning of the sequence after a short period of time rather than forcing you to click it five times to get to the beginning when you fire it back up. I don't notice having to do this.

Originally Posted by Baz

First click put it at the desired setting - no muss....no fuss.

Somebody somewhere had to sit down and design the bulbs, then make them, so that it paths the circuits through the bulb base differently to achieve this. I ain't feeling the demand but if there is one or a few suppliers for many brands, must be worth it.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by masraum

programmable functions and lights that can be connected to a network currently have no place in my place. If at some point, the "server" could be onsite on my network with no need to "phone-home" then I might be interested,

I didn't look real close, but I think these were the kind where you push the button once for #1 function, etc. I don't think it was wifi enabled.
I know what you mean though. I suspect my Neato robot vacuum is sending our house data back to the mother ship. They probably know how many dogs we have and that I eat nachos in front of the TV on football Saturdays.