Flashlights

Quick current pocket dump since we're talking lights and threads need photos...

 
Last edited:
NjHart said:
N2K have you looked into Mac's Customs? The tri-edc looks really impressive. I don't know too much about it other than it's rather floody and with those super lumens on high it'll melt your hand fast. I know there is a pretty big gap between medium and high, but nonetheless I was intrigued by it.
Click to expand...

Mac's Customs are really nice for the money, no way "it'll melt your hand fast" on high. I have never run one of mine on high for any great length but the body is so substantial, it dissipates the heat well. I have Ti and Cu versions, my wife loves the Cu version and is always using it around the house.
 
Need2Know said:
I stopped buying things based on looks alone a long time ago. They are "water-resistant" so that means it cannot be the one light to trump all others. Plus, if it could be beat and keep on keeping on; I bet more people would be posting about them (like the HDS).
Click to expand...

I have seen far more issues with HDS electronics than Mac electronics and I believe that is just as important as the body if not moreso. I have both along with McGizmo and haven't had issues with any of them but I feel the "HDS robustness" belief is overrated. All three are very tough and I believe the Mac is every bit as "tough" as the HDS and possibly more reliable when it comes right down to it.

At least getting a McGizmo doesn't require all the shenanigans and BS that a Mac or HDS requires, both of which have had a long history of challenges. I didn't have any issues when I bought from Don nor did I have any issues dealing with Chris (although many have) but Henry has had so many challenges and delays, buying direct from him hasn't been possible (although it appears one or more of you recently had some success it appears).
 
I will offer to those getting started in the Flashlight Hobby (for what it's worth) ANY and ALL of the lights mentioned in this thread...
McGizmo, HDS, Surefire, Elzetta, Lenslight, Prometheus, Macs Customs will serve you well and compliment the knife you carry.
No need to parse or rank. All are made in America and represent someones creativity, sacrifice and risk in bringing a product to market.
By buying one you support that effort and get a great piece of gear in the bargain.
Made here, serviced here and used anywhere...
Great info and complimentary to our primary interest but, We are first and foremost about RHK and lets nobody deplete any "Toy Booty"
in the pursuit of lights :)
Next on our magical mystery tour - a thread featuring Funny Hats and the Folks that wear them !
Just kidding ;)
 
I Love my little TCR1, but just ordered a Mac's Custom Tri-EDC. I'm hearing the wait will be quite long, but am thoroughly excited about my first custom light. Been a Jetbeam guy for years...

 
RDA said:
I have seen far more issues with HDS electronics than Mac electronics and I believe that is just as important as the body if not moreso. I have both along with McGizmo and haven't had issues with any of them but I feel the "HDS robustness" belief is overrated. All three are very tough and I believe the Mac is every bit as "tough" as the HDS and possibly more reliable when it comes right down to it.

At least getting a McGizmo doesn't require all the shenanigans and BS that a Mac or HDS requires, both of which have had a long history of challenges. I didn't have any issues when I bought from Don nor did I have any issues dealing with Chris (although many have) but Henry has had so many challenges and delays, buying direct from him hasn't been possible (although it appears one or more of you recently had some success it appears).
Click to expand...

You can likely see from my posts that we agree on many things you typed here, especially the ordering issues. But I will add that one thing I like about HDS is that it says on their Website that their lights may fail and recommend pairing them with a second light. I do just that each time I step out the door.

As for Mac Customs, if it had more waterproofing and an official claim of drop-resistance they'd be more attractive to me.
 
It's True. Even Toyotas can hiccup. That is why one of two(2) questions I ask myself about gear includes the caveat "within reason"
everything can fail. I will say, I have yet to have one of my Surefires fail but I can imagine there are those who have.
Like N2K said and I agree - I rarely ever have just one light (or one of anything for that matter).
With the Great lights mentioned NONE are perfect or have every feature I would like to have - I eliminate the most lacking.
I admit the "biggies" are probably Size, Battery type or number (same as with weapons, I try to stay consistent with the ammo)
then Features.
My Bags have mostly Surefires in them. the HDS is in my pocket (lately) as for what might be a "next" light?
I do not have a couple of the ones listed in a previous post so, seeing as Knives, Guns, Lights etc. are interests, I imagine the light shelf in the safe may see some of those at some point.

Truth be told, I Dream of the day RobO comes on the Forum and announces the coming of a new RHK product! Flashlights!!
That will be a Happy Dance Day for sure :)
 
RubiconSS said:
Truth be told, I Dream of the day RobO comes on the Forum and announces the coming of a new RHK product! Flashlights!!
That will be a Happy Dance Day for sure :)
Click to expand...

When Rick first got into CNC, his plans included making flashlights. That was many years ago at this point though and I believe the knives, pens and all the other accessories take up all the machine time available so I wouldn't plan on seeing an RHK flashlight any time soon.
 
Funny teenager/flashlight story. Awhile back, my middle Son asked me to stop by a Nat'l chain store that may have at one point sold Radios out of a not so fancy building (hint) I thought nothing of it and said sure.
A couple minutes later he comes out and sticks his head in the window and says, "Hey Dad, I need a battery for the light you gave me do you think $18.00 is a good price?"
I said, "For the Light!!" He said, "No, for a battery"
I said, "Get in the truck" and drove away as the "You have questions, we have screws" guy stared longingly as his 'would have been' victim was whisked away from the 'almost' crime scene.
OMG! $18 for a cr123 battery! are you even kidding me.
For those who may not be aware, there are better deals on the much maligned 'little battery that could'.
I know what AA/AAA/C/D cost and I suppose for those who have gone to the Grim Reaper Battery Cave I mentioned above and have fallen for their pitch only to pay off the Battery Financing and lived to tell about it.... I get it but.
The cr123 with 10 YEARS of shelf life and power in a one cell set up bought at the right price - It's a personal Fav of mine.
I just bought a Case of 50 (Name Brand) cr123's for $63 and If I went for house brand (probably still top quality - the bill would have been $45 for 50 batteries.
So, Don't let the batteries cause you any distress. My Son thought I was a genius (for a couple minutes) He was pretty happy when I handed him a Dozen and Yes, asked him for $10. IF he doesn't learn things cost $$$ How/When is reality going to come a knockin'.
 
Just called HDS today to confirm the status of my order placed last night, spoke with a real nice laid back kind of guy, who told me without any excuses that it would be four to six weeks before my custom rotary light would ship ( pretty much what I was expecting to hear). I was kind of surprised at the lack of apology for the wait for an item that was already paid for, then it dawned on me....thats because this item is a custom made product that is best in class for quality and build..... I asked the fellow his name, and he calmly said Henry in a mater of fact way, I almost dropped the phone..... "Dude! your supposed to be making flashlights.... what are you doing answering the phone!" silence,...more silence.....then he realized I was TEASING him.... we laughed and I informed him that he was legendary on the internet, and that I was extremely grateful that an artisan was answering his own phone.... Thanks to all who have steered me into this wonderful experience.....
 
Henry is easy to contact. However be prepared to receive delays as quoted delivery was always "4-6 weeks" for me...but reality was over a year.
 
wowcoop said:
Just called HDS today to confirm the status of my order placed last night, spoke with a real nice laid back kind of guy, who told me without any excuses that it would be four to six weeks before my custom rotary light would ship ( pretty much what I was expecting to hear). I was kind of surprised at the lack of apology for the wait for an item that was already paid for, then it dawned on me....thats because this item is a custom made product that is best in class for quality and build..... I asked the fellow his name, and he calmly said Henry in a mater of fact way, I almost dropped the phone..... "Dude! your supposed to be making flashlights.... what are you doing answering the phone!" silence,...more silence.....then he realized I was TEASING him.... we laughed and I informed him that he was legendary on the internet, and that I was extremely grateful that an artisan was answering his own phone.... Thanks to all who have steered me into this wonderful experience.....
Click to expand...

Cool, right. God Bless America..... I called Microsoft the other day and the guy said his name was Bill.
On a serious note, I had one today.
I was at one of my Business locations and when I walked out (twice in one day) the client looked like they saw a ghost.
"You're......." Yes.
Only point there, sometimes (these days) folks are surprised when the "Owner" actually comes face to face with the people that make their business possible.
Come to a show sometime and meet Rick - more than worth it!
 
RubiconSS said:
Cool, right. God Bless America..... I called Microsoft the other day and the guy said his name was Bill.
On a serious note, I had one today.
I was at one of my Business locations and when I walked out (twice in one day) the client looked like they saw a ghost.
"You're......." Yes.
Only point there, sometimes (these days) folks are surprised when the "Owner" actually comes face to face with the people that make their business possible.
Come to a show sometime and meet Rick - more than worth it!
Click to expand...

That is kind of what I was trying to get at Rubi.... It does mean a lot to the customer to see the owner/inventor i.e. Bill Gates himself.... most of our customer experiences are shipped overseas, and most products we buy offer less than expected..... The fact that your customers Know who you are means you sir are doing it right! Its folks like yourself, Rick and Henry that made this country number one, and that is our ace in the hole...... so as you said God Bless America! and thank you, for caring enough to be accessible to your customers, that is where quality starts. IMO.......
 
IMO 130 lume is really all you need for accomplishing tasks in total darkness, any more and what ever night vision your eyes are capable of will vanish for ten minutes or more.... my allure to the HDS is about the build quality, the implied durability, and the user interface.... I to have an 800 lumen light, and have used it on ski patrol once at night.... it was so bright I was both embarrassed and fearful that our hard bought manmade snow would be vaporized.... IMO when it comes to light less is more, unless of course you want to blind an opponent, then 200 lumen or more...... or if you are actively seeking out a creature in the night give it all your batteries can muster.

and back to the original purpose of this thread which I only found the other night when I read N2K's first posting, I'm kind of humbled, I thought my stainless AA 130 lumen light with the glass lens was the bomb....Then I read all that followed the request from the first post, and I was schooled..... Thanks Guys!
 
Need2Know said:
Henry is easy to contact. However be prepared to receive delays as quoted delivery was always "4-6 weeks" for me...but reality was over a year.
Click to expand...

I saw the time from your first post to when you dropped the bomb with the sandy and the black rotary.....but I also saw your pics of your custom lights, and thats when I was hooked....Just like the pondscum.....you got me again N2K!
 
IMG_0990.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top