Flashlights

It's kinda amusing that some of you blame me for HDS buying and now I have to give some blame to Final for pushing me over the edge to try for another rotary. If the 250 lumens is the new output, I'm going for one.
 
Any reason not to pick up a Maratak single AAA or AA light? Not a criticism for those that can/do, but I cannot spend more than $50 for a light. I spend more on other things than some of you would so I understand spending on quality.
 
Nice light FO, I have been considering another HDS rotary and it is good to hear that Henry is catching up.

Just an FYI, all other things being equal, we probably can't visually discern any difference in brightness between 200 and 250 lumens.
 
RDA said:
Nice light FO, I have been considering another HDS rotary and it is good to hear that Henry is catching up.

Just an FYI, all other things being equal, we probably can't visually discern any difference in brightness between 200 and 250 lumens.
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Roger that RDA, it came with a Duracell CR123, Henry says you can use rechargeables in it which will boost that 250 even higher. You're very right about discerning differences in an additional 50 lumens. I will try later on with RCR123s. I really enjoy the ability to dial down to I believe he said .05 lumens. I let the dogs out last night and used it in the bedroom at its lowest setting and it was actually more than adequate light, once outside I dialed it up to observe the dogs in my fenced in yard, needed no more than half throttle.
Overall I am very pleased, I knew what I was in for though thanks to Rubi letting me play with his at NYCKS. Only negative and it has been mentioned by N2K is the knurlling could be more aggressive. Of all my lights this is the closest to the Hinderer build quality and US made we are accustomed to without going totally custom
 
RDA said:
Just an FYI, all other things being equal, we probably can't visually discern any difference in brightness between 200 and 250 lumens.
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In some cases...sure. But as you rotate the rotary the output changes...and along the way you can easily see a difference in outputs...this is evidence that one can indeed see a difference in x lumens over x lumens. Side by side a 200 vs. 250...may be less discernible but I'm pretty confident one can perceive a 50 lumen bump.

Hell, I ALWAYS notice the automatic step-down in lumens when I'm running my HDS...another annoying feature.
 
Final Option said:
thanks to Rubi letting me play with his at NYCKS.
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What the heck goes on at these knife shows?? :D

N2K, it seems as if you are on the hunt still for the perfect single cell flashlight. Did I read that you think the HDS is as close as you have seen to ideal, but not quite there yet? As for the 50 lumens bump, from what I read our eyes see light in a logarithmic ramp. Therefore, you can easily tell the difference between 1 and 50 lumens but not the difference between 200-250. Seeing that the 1-50 difference is 50x where the 200-250 difference is only 1.25x.

My v11r has a visually linear ramp (from 1-216 lumens on a CR123 or 1-570 Lumens on 16340). The difference between full power and just under full power makes a huge difference on battery usage but I can barely tell the difference.
 
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I know many here have mentioned the discrepancies in advertised lumens vs out the front in the hand torches. Without proper lab testing equipment it is impossible to know what your flashlight is actually putting out, however like N2K said a 50 lumens bump is easily discernible. Putting all that aside from what Henry from HDS Systems told me he tests each light going out the door. I know from comparing the HDS to my V11 R with turbo mode of 500 lumens (RCR123's) is not as bright as the 200 (250) HDS Rotary with CR123's.
 
Good point FO. My Surefire E2D has 200 lumens and seems brighter that the 216 on the v11r. However, this has a lot more to do with beam than anything in my mind. The E2D has a significantly tighter hot spot and is much more throw-y. The v11r is a VERY floody light in comparison. Does the HDS have a tighter beam than the v11r?

ETA:

Since we are on the subject, I found this on CPF-credit to member named JCD. It shows (roughly) how we perceive lumens and "brightness"

The index on the left is our eye's ability to perceive a difference in brightness with regards to lumens. For example in order for our eyes to see a changes in brightness from 210 OTF lumens, you need 359 OTF lumens. This might explain the differences between your HDS and V11R. I would assume HDS is shoing OTF lumens and the v11r is reporting LED lumens. Real OTF lumens in the v11r may be 350 instead of the advertised 500, that and differences in beam composition may make it appear that the HDS is brighter despite the lumen difference.

 
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MRaymond said:
What the heck goes on at these knife shows?? :D

N2K, it seems as if you are on the hunt still for the perfect single cell flashlight. Did I read that you think the HDS is as close as you have seen to ideal, but not quite there yet? As for the 50 lumens bump, from what I read our eyes see light in a logarithmic ramp. Therefore, you can easily tell the difference between 1 and 50 lumens but not the difference between 200-250. Seeing that the 1-50 difference is 50x where the 200-250 difference is only 1.25x.

My v11r has a visually linear ramp (from 1-216 lumens on a CR123 or 1-570 Lumens on 16340). The difference between full power and just under full power makes a huge difference on battery usage but I can barely tell the difference.
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Yep, still hunting.

But with HDS increasing the range (lowest low to highest high) on the 200, that's a very welcome improvment.

Now, since the UI is very customizable...give us the ability to turn off the parental controls and that would be even better. Shed some weight and bring back (or add a new) more textured knurling and you'd have a very strong contender for pocket light perfection.
 
Need2Know said:
It's kinda amusing that some of you blame me for HDS buying and now I have to give some blame to Final for pushing me over the edge to try for another rotary. If the 250 lumens is the new output, I'm going for one.
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With the exception of the clip, I LOVE my HDS. Little learning curve, but a great light. Built like a tank.
 
MR, that table was very interesting and informative. Yes the HDS is more of a thrower emitter more white light and as you know V11R more flood with neutral tint. Reflector on HDS deeper and smoother and V11R more shallow and orange peel. You can see the comparison with HDS on left. So many variables and what you want out of a torch, I can see why so many people get custom lights. But for me the V11R will most likely remain in pocket for inside and flood applications and then HDS outside for bright thrower. If you go back in this thread Rubi took some outdoor pictures that really showcase the HDS outside.
By the way at NYCKS what ever goes on there stays there :) .


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Now this one is not much of a flood but great thrower!

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I found this picture awhile back on one of the forums, can't take credit for the picture.
 
That is a Great Pic F.O., thanks for sharing it :) Congrats on the arrival of your HDS Rotary (that wasn't too bad at all time wise) I think you will gain in your enjoyment/appreciation of the tool as time goes on. My Rotary is in my pocket with my XM All day Everyday.
Very cool that Henry is sneaking up on the magic 300 mark (not sure what N2K will do with himself when that happens:)) I know, I know... still too smooth and too heavy jk.. no need2 say it.
Consistent (as many have been) I still very much enjoy my XM/HDS pocket combo and don't see that changing in the foreseeable future - I do know that nothing from across a pond will replace my USA made light and the Knife goes without saying.
I may send Henry an email and inquire about what the tweak was - I am, of course, a non-repentant "XYZ-Aholic" when it comes to extra anything (horse power, sharpness, etc) you name it. :)

Oh, and (J) F.O.... thanks for not mentioning that when I let you play with mine, we had excused ourselves from the group and our wives to go in the back where it was as dark as possible :)
 
"no need2 say it". That's friggin laugh out load hilarious!!!

Yep, bring it up to 300 (on disposable cells) and it will compete with (and possibly surpass) all the claims from non-USA companies. Might even give some domestic big dogs a run too.

And I did already send Henry an e-mail with a similar inquiry, Rubi. But not seeking details, just asking if they are available to order with higher output.
 
I'm probably going to shake the "cell-phone dice" on this one..... He had a 200 and went to 250 (pronounced "2-fitty") Is 300 that far off? Inquiring minds want to order.
When that happens.... 300 has arrived, cherry-koat solves the grippy issue and 3 weeks in the Gym solves the weight of the light issue - WaLa! Perfection has arrived!!!

Laaaaaaaaaaaaaa (Angels sing in the background and light from the heavens shines with no help from anyones pocket)
 
RubiconSS said:
I'm probably going to shake the "cell-phone dice" on this one..... He had a 200 and went to 250 (pronounced "2-fitty") Is 300 that far off? Inquiring minds want to order.
When that happens.... 300 has arrived, cherry-koat solves the grippy issue and 3 weeks in the Gym solves the weight of the light issue - WaLa! Perfection has arrived!!!

Laaaaaaaaaaaaaa (Angels sing in the background and light from the heavens shines with no help from anyones pocket)
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Weight issues cannot be resolved with a gym membership. The lights pull down my non-belt lounge/gym pants/shorts when active.
 
Pants on the ground, pants on the ground. Working out in the gym, with my pants on the ground.

Looks like all existing orders will be upgraded to the higher outputs, and his web sight will be updated to show the new numbers. Can't wait for a rotary clip, which he says is now in production.
 
Need2Know said:
Weight issues cannot be resolved with a gym membership. The lights pull down my non-belt lounge/gym pants/shorts when active.
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I am not allowed within 500 feet of anyone with acute eyesight with anything in my pockets that cause them to be "pulled down".

and this from a guy wearing a "robe" in the middle of the day.......
 
I love my HDS Clicky - it's Hi CRI and only about 120Lumens on max. I have several (2 cell) lights that push upwards of 800 lumens, but find I rarely need over 200. When Hi gets much over that, I typically use Mid.

Anyway, if you really want Small, Light and Bright check out the HF (Holy Flashlight) from TheGuyWithNoName at MatchBox Instruments.

His Nuke is a 10280 battery (about 2/3of on an AAA) and it'll put out 500Lumens on Hi - if only for a few minutes.
I recently won a Ti HF-R. I value runtime and ergos over tininess and extreme brightness, so it's not a light I was ever going to buy for myself. But you can't beat Won - and it really is an amazing keychain light.
 
tjswarbrick said:
I love my HDS Clicky - it's Hi CRI and only about 120Lumens on max. I have several (2 cell) lights that push upwards of 800 lumens, but find I rarely need over 200. When Hi gets much over that, I typically use Mid.

Anyway, if you really want Small, Light and Bright check out the HF (Holy Flashlight) from TheGuyWithNoName at MatchBox Instruments.

His Nuke is a 10280 battery (about 2/3of on an AAA) and it'll put out 500Lumens on Hi - if only for a few minutes.
I recently won a Ti HF-R. I value runtime and ergos over tininess and extreme brightness, so it's not a light I was ever going to buy for myself. But you can't beat Won - and it really is an amazing keychain light.
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My tool choices are about far more than output. It's got to perform reliably in less-than-optimal conditions. For example, if I get stuck in the wet I only want to worry about my cellphone and vehicle key fob....anything else to worry about slows me down.

However, in the comfort of a home or similar, keychain lights can be ideal. Good for traveling too; from ashtray storage to carry-on for commercial air travel.
 
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