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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.
Flashlights
- Thread starter Need2Know
- Start date
- Joined
- Jan 4, 2013
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- 715
I was thinking with lens light..
Has anyone thought of this or had any ideas?
Curious to hear your thoughts.
I've been carrying the mini for a month or so now. You can count me in with most of the other opinions here on it- it's good, but not great. The low is a little too bright, the high is quite good and useful if you are willing to play with the focus to get it perfect, and the color is warmer than you'd expect. If you are really interested, look it to the aspects of an aspheric lens. The lack of spill can cause some visual issues. If you want beam shots and can't find any, I'll be happy to post some.
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2011
- Messages
- 7,247
SureFires are fine for that but to save some cash also look at InForce's WML offerings.
- Joined
- Jan 4, 2013
- Messages
- 715
I'm not sure how many of y'all read the everyday commentary blog, but he recently reviewed the HDS Rotary. Reviews certainly never supersede hands on testing for anyone who has the opportunity to handle one, but his reviews are quite good. He has also reviewed Hinderer before, and it's quite a good blog (in my opinion anyway) in general. If anyone is considering one, it could prove to be good supplemental information to this exceptional thread.
On a more personal flashlight related note, this weekend Texas (or at least my small part of it) finally had a little cold and wintry weather. I love the cold and winter, and took this as an excellent opportunity to break out the coveralls and play with my guns, Hinderer, and lens light. I have to say the lens light has actually grown on me. I was quite satisfied when I first received it, then less so when I really saw the limitations of the aspheric lens, and now I've sort of softened on the limitations and I rather like it again. The aspheric lens, for anyone who has never experienced one, has almost zero spill. It creates a circle (or square when the emitter is fully focused) of light with very distinct edges and nothing really peripheral to that circle. The real world effect of this is that if whatever you are looking at/for is in the ring of light its visible and it is even slightly outside it is not. There really isn't any gradual reduction of visibility that helps your eyes adjust to the periphery. The trade-off for this though is the adjustability of the beam focus. On full flood, everything in 30ish yards range is extremely well lit up, and at 200 yards, if fully focused, you can still have a visible and useful ring of light. It isn't a perfect light by any means, but it can do some very impressive things if you are willing to accept the limitations of the lens.
On a more personal flashlight related note, this weekend Texas (or at least my small part of it) finally had a little cold and wintry weather. I love the cold and winter, and took this as an excellent opportunity to break out the coveralls and play with my guns, Hinderer, and lens light. I have to say the lens light has actually grown on me. I was quite satisfied when I first received it, then less so when I really saw the limitations of the aspheric lens, and now I've sort of softened on the limitations and I rather like it again. The aspheric lens, for anyone who has never experienced one, has almost zero spill. It creates a circle (or square when the emitter is fully focused) of light with very distinct edges and nothing really peripheral to that circle. The real world effect of this is that if whatever you are looking at/for is in the ring of light its visible and it is even slightly outside it is not. There really isn't any gradual reduction of visibility that helps your eyes adjust to the periphery. The trade-off for this though is the adjustability of the beam focus. On full flood, everything in 30ish yards range is extremely well lit up, and at 200 yards, if fully focused, you can still have a visible and useful ring of light. It isn't a perfect light by any means, but it can do some very impressive things if you are willing to accept the limitations of the lens.
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2011
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- 7,247
My e-mail accounts are being flooded with nice prices on mass-produced lights. But I'm squared away on these type things and don't want to gift them either.
It's a bit like entry-level timepieces....they serve you well for awhile and are robust enough for some time, but they often lack a quality feel, "nice" materials/finishes, they develop gremlins and so on...
It's a bit like entry-level timepieces....they serve you well for awhile and are robust enough for some time, but they often lack a quality feel, "nice" materials/finishes, they develop gremlins and so on...
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2011
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- 5,064
As yours, My inventory of run of the mill "Light emitting Black Tubes" of mediocre quality/functionality is FULL.
Something has to be really special to get added at this point.
I'm glad the HDS rotary is back in my pocket. The more I go back to my "other" lights the farther I find myself from accepting the feel and function of the lesser lights. I know it is not your perfect light but, for now (for me) it is a very satisfying performer.
Something has to be really special to get added at this point.
I'm glad the HDS rotary is back in my pocket. The more I go back to my "other" lights the farther I find myself from accepting the feel and function of the lesser lights. I know it is not your perfect light but, for now (for me) it is a very satisfying performer.
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2011
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Keep an eye on that light and double check for its location often...I just returned to my seat on the sofa to see my HDS sitting there...it fell out of my pocket while slouching. Raised buttons do help prevent this...flush buttons slip out of pocket more often.
)
- Joined
- Nov 21, 2008
- Messages
- 328
I work construction and have had a few lights over the years. I started out with surefire lights. Loved them but the battery prices kinda killed it for me. I finally picked up a Fenix LD01 that takes a AAA battery and fell in love. I am not not looking for cool factor or brightest, just handy, durable, and useable. I loved that light! You don't even notice it in your pocket and bright enough for everyday tasks. I ended up getting the stainless version, a Christmas Edition I think, which I still carry. Gave my original one to my girlfreind who uses it daily. Great "all around" little light!
BTW: I can't count how many times both have been through the laundry!
BTW: I can't count how many times both have been through the laundry!
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2011
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Glad you found something that works well for you. We all have differing needs/wants. I have little need for only a claimed 72 max lumens even if AAA cells are plentiful.
And if that light lacks a tail clicky...4 7s has little twist lights that run a single CR123 are itty-bitty and put out 200+ claimed lumens. I fly (commercial) with one in my pocket.
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- Jan 12, 2011
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Buy them right and One(1) cr123 battery cost you less than one(1) "store bought AAA ( let alone three (3)) key is knowing how/where to buy. PM me if you are interested. cr123's got a bad rap years ago but IMO not deserving anymore. Good cell - lasts long in a regulated application and the shelf-life/ stability makes for a great power source.