Thyrm® LLC is a family-run business founded by Andrew Frazier to create innovative products for tactical and wilderness applications. The company’s first and signature product was the original Switch- Back® Flashlight Ring.
Thyrm introduced the original SwitchBack in 2014. Developed in collaboration with Chris Costa of Costa Ludus LLC, the SwitchBack provides a unique integrated ring to enhance flashlight manipulation and control.
The SwitchBack is made of rigid, heavy-duty polymer and mounts securely between the body and tail-cap of your tactical flashlight. It’s equipped with a large finger ring designed to facilitate deployment, retention, and shooting.
What’s so unique about a flashlight ring, you may be asking. Although flashlight retention rings are by no means a new concept, the patented SwitchBack provides unique capabilities not found in any other retention ring.
Although the SwitchBack may be used with all low-light techniques, it’s the only flashlight retention ring on the market that allows you to shoot using a natural two-handed grip by using the SwitchBack Technique.
To use the SwitchBack Technique, simply flip the flashlight on its ring and grip your handgun as you would normally with two hands. To activate the flashlight, press on the small thumb rest on the SwitchBack ring with the thumb of your flashlight/support hand. This in turn pushes the tail-cap push-button switch against the back of your hand. It’s simple and intuitive.
There are other pluses to the SwitchBack. The rigid ring provides fast, reliable indexing and deployment of your flashlight from a pocket or pouch. It also allows you to maintain retention and control of the flashlight when performing other tasks, such as reloading or malfunction clearance.
The applications clearly extend beyond just tactical. The SwitchBack is an invaluable accessory for any activity where fast deployment and retention of a flashlight are important.
The original SwitchBack comes in three models: a Large model that fits numerous flashlights with a one-inch body, and two models for SureFire® EB1 and EB2 Backup® flashlights, with either tactical (momentary) or click tail-caps. The SwitchBack Large model is equipped with a pocket clip. The models for SureFire Backup flashlights have an integral pocket clip.
The original SwitchBack models are available in Urban Grey, Black, and Tan. MSRP for the original Large ring is $17.99, and $19.99 for the Backup models. The original SwitchBack is an excellent product. I have employed it on my SureFire flashlights for the past several years.
Never one to rest on its laurels, Thyrm has made the SwitchBack even better with the introduction of the new SwitchBack 2.0. It’s the next evolution in the Thyrm SwitchBack Flashlight Ring product line, according to Andrew Frazier.
Presently available only for oneinch bodied flashlights, the Switch- Back 2.0 incorporates new features and refinements that are the result of thousands of hours of use by Thyrm’s subject-matter experts and customers.
Features of the new SwitchBack 2.0 include:
- Finger ring that releases under heavy force/torque but can be reset.
- Stronger pocket clip that also works with MOLLE/PALS webbing.
- Pocket clip position that permits slightly deeper carry than the original SwitchBack Large.
- Tubular portion that is cut lower to allow grip on both sides of the tail-cap during installation.
- Wider thumb rest with traction features.
- Small crush ribs on the SwitchBack 2.0’s lip that create a custom fit across a broader range of lights.
- Aluminum spacer that expands compatibility to Streamlight® HL and HL-X flashlights and other manufacturers with similar designs. You simply place it in between the body and tail-cap when replacing batteries.
The new design addresses the issues I had with the original model, namely the lack of a break-away release on the finger ring and the design of the pocket clip.
That being said, the few minuses I saw in the original design were more than outweighed by the benefits. And not only does the new SwitchBack 2.0 address those minor issues, it also takes the SwitchBack to a new level. I cannot find any issues with it, only advantages.
Whether or not you carry a gun, you should always carry a flashlight. Even during the day, you may encounter diminished lighting scenarios in which a flashlight is necessary. And if you carry a flashlight, I highly recommend equipping it with the SwitchBack. There are no downsides to doing so.
The Thyrm SwitchBack 2.0 Large Flashlight Ring is available in Urban Grey, Black, and Tan. Suggested retail price is $19.99. All Thyrm products are designed and manufactured in the USA.
