The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details:
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is $300 $250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Rubi and N2K both have my utmost respect with your knowledgeable guidance with anything Hinderer and beyond !
And I ordered direct from Henry for the Rotary 200 and have another LE 140 on its way from one of the sites Rubi suggested. However I have been taking the crash course from this site and the Internet on anything related to flashlights.
While waiting for my HDS 200, others have been ordered, and the pile grows!
Finding the right torch for me mirrors the journey to Hinderer Knives.
Appreciate words of caution N2K on torch acquisitions, but too late, I got too close to the rim and slid in!No really I'm good, only entry level buys for comparison reasons ( how is that for an excuse). I sort of knew it would go this way, as a reference point Rubi showed me on of his torches at ECCKS last year and and I told him I would not enter that arena.
Ha, that went well!
Well my first HDS LE 140 clicky due for delivery today, then the wait for the 200 HDS rotary begins.
Finding the right torch for me mirrors the journey to Hinderer Knives.
I think you will like Both very much (140 & 200) in different ways. Different emitters and they behave differently.
The 140 with the Golden Dragon is a nice thrower (I lean toward lights with throw) good spill as well but noticeable throm IMO.
The 200 and its utilitarian aspect afforded by the one-handed operation (tail-cap clicky and rotary) is a winner for me. The Cree XP-G emitter balances almost seamlessly the throw and spill thus taking away the impact of either by the balance of the two beam aspects.
Enjoy!
As of today, I now have my first 123A light, and I'm curious what y'all would recommend for batteries? I probably have a vague preference for a rechargeable option, but my little bit of research has led me to believe that rechargeable 123A cells can have a whole set of issues of their own. Am I better off with just the standard batteries (like the surefire ones I currently have) or is there something else out there? I bought a carry case for batteries so I could always have a few spares in case of an emergency and a few spares batteries to hold me over for now, but any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Review of the Lenslight mini Cu, Haiku Hi CRI, and HDS 200 exec. in lay mans terms. I don't get most of the electronics mumbo jumbo.
Lenslight:
+ brightest, non-scratch clip, rotate bezel for different rates of throw, best flood output, 2 modes
- Cu is heavy and expensive, not grippy, most bulky in size and feeling, weird shaped square throw, only 2 modes
If I got another one it would be aluminum or Ti to save some weight. The adjustability of the beam is the best part of the light. In close quarters the full flood setting lights up a whole room. I like simple, so the 2 modes work for me, but can see the want for more mode options.
Haiku Hi CRI
+ most clear light, best ergonomics, feels super light, 3 modes, prettiest of the bunch, great throw/flood balance
- holy @&$% expensive, only 3 modes, least bright, did I say it was expensive
This one had the most visually appealing beam, I under stand now when the say "real" color light. Even without any knurling, felt most stable in hand. I like the 3 modes, but can see someone wanting more options. If this was brighter and better on the wallet it would be hard to beat.
HDS 200 Exec.
+ built like a tank, brightness, programmability, great throw and good flood, feels good in hand, easy to attach to AR or other weapon, best bang for the buck
-most slippery feeling, light color not appealing, clicky is not so clicky
I wanted to love this light, because of the great reviews, and do think it's the better all rounder, but can not 100% say it's the best yet. The throw/flood is perfect for my use, which is more camping and searching for lost keys. I will get another, in fact I preordered the Hi CRI that has the same emitter as the Haiku above.
So, which one is my favorite? I would take the Haiku body, with the twist adjustability and brightness of the LL, and the throw/flood shape and programmability of the HDS. A Haiku Hi CRI that is 300 lumens and more adjustability.