Flashlights

RubiconSS said:
Send me a PM if you are interested, I know of a vendor with HDS lights in stock. Ordering from Henry directly is only neccesary if you need a custom build. The production backlogs seem to have eased somewhat but again it depends on what you want/need.
The Surefire E1B Backup is a heck of a good EDC, Great throw (TIR lense)
I agree with N2K about lights from overseas and the exaggerations.
I EDC an HDS and have in my Go-Bags HDS and Surefires of higher outputs (Fury models)
The HDS is IMO "the Hinderer" of Flashlights so, until Rick starts making lights - that's what sits in the same pocket.

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Rubi, it's nice to see your HDS collection growing. Which one is currently your favorite?
 
Nj look into the Prometheus lights. I wanna get one of those
I seen those after I bought my lenslight. The hds is only 200 lumens. Lens light mini is 300
And they have a 400 lumen. Prometheus has a 500 lumen custom that is SIIICK! :-)
 
JOHNNY13 said:
The thing i really like about LL is the adjustable beam it's the bomb!
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That was a big part of the selling point to me actually. I use my lights outdoors quite often and need some of the spot/throw features. I have a large spotlight that stays in my truck along with the other essential tools, but the principle is the same as a folding knife for me- carry what can help you most frequently in the most common situations. I don't always have the option of stopping to get the exact gear I want and it is convenient to have gear that works at hand at all times. I've been researching this exact topic as I have my Sunday last hurrah before before work and meetings tomorrow bourbon. I've been trying to figure out exactly what it is I like about each option and clean up my list. I think (it could change) I'm between Lens Light Mini (I like the flexibility), Surefire EB1(I like the durability), and the Prometheus (I like the quality, lumens, and per dollar value, but I'm hesitant on the size).
 
I have and that is actually a significant consideration for me, and if I go with the Prometheus as my next I'd definitely order one. It would be nice to be able to switch out based on my needs (especially since the short body can accommodate 123s). I like the thought of a more thrower type light, but after seeing his videos and with an effective range of 100ish yards it may be hard to get too much better in anything other than a super specialized light. Last time I was down there, the House of Blades had a few Prometheus lights. I might have to make that annoyingly long drive down sometime soon and try to handle one and see how I feel about the size.
 
As far as lights go. IMO there is more to it than just Lumens. It's as complicated as any hobby. Lumens vs Lux vs Function and dependability. Size, weight, material, hand-fit, looks/aesthetics, color and beam shape, throw vs spill, Battery number and type, runtime,
UI, programmability, where is it made and how is it serviced, price, is it waterproof, where is the button?
Will it tail stand or roll away? Does it have a clip and is it reversible?
That's just a couple of factors "IF" Flashlights are more to you than just something you root for in the junk drawer only to go..."Ah Ha here it is, Dang the Batteries leaked all over the partial deck of cards and the broken pencil".

Think for a moment about how many times you have heard (or said, depending on your perspective).....

"It's ONLY a Knife" or "It's only a...... car, a flashlight, a silly game, a little white ball, a stamp, a comic book, a stereo........
People "not in" a Hobby have a way of trying to demean or diminish that which they do not understand or appreciate, Why?
I have no idea. Maybe it's a natural human tendency to denegrate the unknown or misunderstood. Maybe it's just ignorance with a tinge of mean added for extra flavor,, who knows.
I know I (We) have our HH - Hinderer Hobby and We Enjoy the Heck out of it and If someone doesn't get it.... well, too bad for them:)
 
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RubiconSS said:
As far as lights go. IMO there is more to it than just Lumens. It's as complicated as any hobby. Lumens vs Lux vs Function and dependability. Size, weight, material, hand-fit, looks/aesthetics, color and beam shape, throw vs spill, Battery number and type, runtime,
UI, programmability, where is it made and how is it serviced, price, is it waterproof, where is the button?
Will it tail stand or roll away? Does it have a clip and is it reversible?
That's just a couple of factors "IF" Flashlights are more to you than just something you root for in the junk drawer only to go..."Ah Ha here it is, Dang the Batteries leaked all over the partial deck of cards and the broken pencil".

Think for a moment about how many times you have heard (or said, depending on your perspective).....

"It's ONLY a Knife" or "It's only a...... car, a flashlight, a silly game, a little white ball, a stamp, a comic book, a stereo........
People "not in" a Hobby have a way of trying to demean or diminish that which they do not understand or appreciate, Why?
I have no idea. Maybe it's a natural human tendency to denegrate the unknown or misunderstood. Maybe it's just ignorance with a tinge of mean added for extra flavor,, who knows.
I know I (We) have our HH - Hinderer Hobby and We Enjoy the Heck out of it and If someone doesn't get it.... well, too bad for them:)
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Yep, it can be a very time-consuming hobby. And really there is no one light for everyone. I want/need this/that and it may not at all be what you want/need. Same with so very many things.
 
I just snagged HDS EDC-L1B-170. I'm pretty excited about it. I've always been a knife guy and I'm just getting into the world of flashlights. I read and reread this thread several times over the past few weeks. It has been a great resource. Thanks for all of the advice Rubi. You have been a huge help! I'll post some pics with my XMs once it arrives.
 
Jensen81 said:
I just snagged HDS EDC-L1B-170. I'm pretty excited about it. I've always been a knife guy and I'm just getting into the world of flashlights. I read and reread this thread several times over the past few weeks. It has been a great resource. Thanks for all of the advice Rubi. You have been a huge help! I'll post some pics with my XMs once it arrives.
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Dude! So did I, just submitted the order - I'm guessing from the same place, so thanks Rubi!
 
RubiconSS said:
As far as lights go. IMO there is more to it than just Lumens. It's as complicated as any hobby. Lumens vs Lux vs Function and dependability. Size, weight, material, hand-fit, looks/aesthetics, color and beam shape, throw vs spill, Battery number and type, runtime,
UI, programmability, where is it made and how is it serviced, price, is it waterproof, where is the button?
Will it tail stand or roll away? Does it have a clip and is it reversible?
That's just a couple of factors "IF" Flashlights are more to you than just something you root for in the junk drawer only to go..."Ah Ha here it is, Dang the Batteries leaked all over the partial deck of cards and the broken pencil".

Think for a moment about how many times you have heard (or said, depending on your perspective).....

"It's ONLY a Knife" or "It's only a...... car, a flashlight, a silly game, a little white ball, a stamp, a comic book, a stereo........
People "not in" a Hobby have a way of trying to demean or diminish that which they do not understand or appreciate, Why?
I have no idea. Maybe it's a natural human tendency to denegrate the unknown or misunderstood. Maybe it's just ignorance with a tinge of mean added for extra flavor,, who knows.
I know I (We) have our HH - Hinderer Hobby and We Enjoy the Heck out of it and If someone doesn't get it.... well, too bad for them:)
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Well put Rubi. Some people just don't get it. :)

Plus there are some people who can't leave their car, folder, or light stock, no matter how good it is by modding it. If you want the color rendering of your 120 in your Rotary, you can have that (although you may void your warranty).

If you want more output you can have that as well. My Clicky 120 puts out around 300 lumens and my SF L1 puts out around 600 lumens. :D
 
I think you have it right Rubi. There is definitely more to it all than just lumens. There are the practical aspects like durability, size, waterproofing, etc, and there are definitely more abstract aspects like, for instance, how much you actually like the light. I think I may be overstepping plausibility in trying to find one perfect light rather than just researching the products out there and finding the one that best suits my needs and wants.
 
Modding the lights is a whole other hobby atop the basic hunt-find of flashlights.

I'm still looking for a compact light with all the wants on my short-list. Looks more and more like I'll be custom ordering something.
 
EDIT:

I know we have all had that mind blown moment when researching gear, when something suddenly makes more sense. I did a little more reading and research on lux values and suddenly so many more lights make sense. I had been somewhat dismissive of the thought of carrying an HDS personally. They are undoubtedly quality lights, but I didn't expect them to have the ability to put out enough light that would be reasonably useful for my needs based on the comparison to my zebralight. Somehow (and flashlight technology is still over my head largely) with fewer lumens (80 fewer if the numbers are to be accurate) it can provide useable light further thanks to twice as much lux. The surefire EB1 has 5x the lux of the zebralight. I'm sure this is nothing new to most of the folks reading this, but it was sort of a shocker for me just how drastically different these could be. Really interesting in terms of efficiency and actual use. It doesn't require all that much light to see well, I just need enough light to get to what I want to see. Now I have significantly more research to do and a list to reformulate. Anyway, nothing really practical to add, but I felt compelled to share my "Ah ha" moment.
 
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Yes. Lumens and Lux is like Horsepower and Torque or Voltage and Amperage.

Lux, Torque and Amperage :eek:
 
Cant say enough good things about the lenslight mini. I am by no mean a flashlight guru, had a few fenix lights and a few surfires but I have been edc'ing my mini for over three years. The great clip, the variable throw, and american built quality all make it a winner for me. Good luck in your quest.
Cheers,
Patrick
 
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