> I have always wanted a flashlight with a brightness knob, that clicks to off... a ring around the circumference

There is one: the Jetbeam RRT-01, at least certain iterations of it. Most designs use a separate power switch.

This isn't more common because there's a patent covering using a Hall effect sensor in a ring around a flashlight body for this purpose, and the patent holder, Surefire has sued several manufacturers and vendors over it. A well-funded challenge would probably succeed on obviousness grounds, but patent challenges are expensive and I don't think the flashlight industry is profitable enough to justify it. The patent expires in three years, so this will probably become more common then.

maybe when the patent expires in a few years this will become common then.

Funny that I didn't see one from surefire. They should be cleaning up.

They've made a couple using mode selector rings, but not infinite dimming. The UDR Dominator does have an off position on its dial, but that's not intended to be the main switch. You don't see those often, as the market for $1200 flashlights, especially relatively outdated ones is small.

Schiit audio is quite good, I have had the Magni 2 and Modi 2 for about 4 years now and they work really well. And they're small enough that I can throw in my backpack when I go somewhere for longer (>2 months) period of time.

You want one of these: http://flashlights.parametrek.com/index.html?type=flashlight...

I have one of those flashlights (Sunwayman V25C), I love the UI. It's quite old, not sure if they're sold anymore.

You can try searching for "infinitely variable" flashlights. Jetbeam RRT01 is one such example.

For a little extra "oomph", there's also https://skylumen.com/collections/v54-lights?sort_by=created-...

Maglite flashlights behave as you describe - you turn the head to turn on/off and change intensity or pattern

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=maglite

Unless something's changed since I bought my big maglite, the outer ring only controls the beam pattern, and the button just gives you on and off. Things might have got fancier in the meanwhile, but mine still does what it needs to.

Modern ones work as you describe, but you can also press the button multiple times quickly when first turning it on to control the brightness. One press for bright, "double-click" for average, "triple-click" for dim.