HDS/RA Systems Flashlights

[kamagong]

This flashlight thing is almost as bad as knives. In a little under a month I've bought a SureFire 6PL and a Fenix TK11. I am now looking at a third light, the HDS Executive Clicky. The specific model I'm looking at is the EDC-E1S-120. It seems that there is are two common variations for HDS lights, the Executive and the Tactical. The only differences that I can see are the that the Executive has the flush button and polished bezel, and everything else is the same. Some please correct me if I am wrong.

This light has four pre-settings -- maximum, 35, 12, and .3 lumens. I like this versatility as I don't always need a super bright light. You can also customize the light for different settings, but I'll probably keep the settings as is.

The specific model I'm looking at is the one with 120 lumens. There is also the version with 170 lumens and HDS just discontinued the 140 lumen version. How much of a difference does 50 lumens make at this level of brightness? I know that there is a huge difference between 10 and 60 lumens, but I don't know if the difference is worth it at 120/170. Please keep in mind that while I like quality gear, I don't need the newest toy on the market. I've had the same Spyderco Military since 2003 and have never been tempted by the BG-42 or D2 versions.

Second, this light will apparently accept rechargeable Li-ion batteries in addition to the usual CR123s. HDS sells a kit with 2 rechargeable batteries and a charger. Do you guys think that it's worth getting the kit, or should I just save the money and put it towards more batteries?

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[powernoodle]

This flashlight thing is almost as bad as knives.

Word. Don't tell anyone, but next to Mrs. Powernoodle, flashlights are my true love.

As for the rechargeables, I am totally into it. I EDC a Quark Mini 123 and it eats a rechargeable. It is so nice to have "free" light and not worry about usage. And you just pop in a fresh rechargeable from time to time.

There are other sources for those chargers and batteries as well. Check out 4sevens.com, or vendor "AW" on candlepowerforums.

 

[ericb445]

I have the 170E with the ti bezel and Sapphire lens. Its a nice light, but I should have saved some cash and skipped the fancy lens and bezel. If I where you I would order the batteries and charger and that way you will be good to go.

 

[somber]

Off topic - But ericB, what is that watch, brother? I saw it on another place and I have to know. It looks fantastic.

 

[ericb445]

Thanks, right now those are two of my favorite things.
countycomm pilots watch

 

[somber]

Thanks! It looks a lot like a Stowa or an IWC. I love the look of it!

And HDS lights are great!

 

[Charlie Mike]

I've been carrying/using the 170 Tactical Clicky for approx 3 or so months. Best light I've owned so far. I think I might need to get into the rechargeable batter thing.

 

[antikythera]

I've been carrying a 140E for close to a year now, and I have nothing but good things to say about it.

I know for the 140 series, the tactical sacrifices ~10% spill for ~20% more throw, but I don't know if that applies to the 120s.



I'll just quickly go over the "user" aspects, look and feel, not so much circuitry.

First off, the beam quality is astounding. It's this creamy neutral white with a smooth transition between hotspot and spill. Wonderful color rendition relative to your average LED light (IMO).

Secondly, the knurling is this unusual type that is incredibly secure, but won't eat your hands. It behaves like a very classy aluminum version of Spyderco's bidirectional texturing. Grippy, but smooth at the same time.

The tailcap switch does balloon out a bit when you put a new battery in, but that usually goes away within a week. It's just an air pressure thing.


I recently got a Pila IBC (best quality hobbyist charger, you will need some CR123 spacers, but they're $3 and will last forever) and some AW 16340s (RCR123s) but that setup is a little pricey compared to what HDS sells. However, when you are dealing with a $100+ light and batteries that tend to "vent with flame" if displeased and cannot be put out with a regular ABC fire extinguisher, I would say it's worth the extra cash. But to each their own, I suppose. I just like the peace of mind.

Regardless, if you go the rechargeable route (which I highly suggest), keep the charging setup in a non-flammable area, and never leave the room that the setup is in. Just in case.

The difference between 120 and 170 is fairly obvious side-by-side, but it won't be much different in practice, and the difference is only ~20% brighter visually, IIRC. The main significance of the 170 is that it uses a more efficient LED, so at the same brightness setting between a 120 and a 170, the 170 will have a better runtime. Regardless, the runtimes are spectacular, at about a month, month and a half of normal usage with primary (nonrechargeable) batteries. For rechargeables, runtimes are supposed to be about 3/4 that, but I honestly haven't noticed any difference.


Overall, I honestly don't feel the need to buy another flashlight (scandalous! ) after buying the Clicky. It is so wonderfully overbuilt and capable, what more could you want?




Well, okay, the clip kinda sucks. It's extremely... functional, but I personally can't stand it. It's just too big and shiny. I just carry it loose (the anno is tough stuff on this light) in the pocket with a small paracord lanyard tied around it. I do know of some people who like it, so more power to them, but I did know this going in.


Long (long! )story short: Get it! (and a Pila IBC, 2 CR123 spacers, and 2 AW 16340s, if you want to go rechargeable.)

 

[Tx Bass Tech]

I bought a HDS Clicky about a year ago. I love the light. The build quality is outstanding. 90% of the time I use it, it is on the half power setting. This light is plenty bright for my needs. I have used the strobe feature several times to stop drunks that are acting stupid and to get someones attention from a distance.
The clip does seem out of place with this light, but I have gotten used to it and have even used it as a head light by sliding it onto a the brim of a hat.
I get free batteries from work so I just use regular CR123s, plus I fly alot and can't have RCRs in my gear.
BTW I'm a roadie in a band and use this light almost everyday.

 

[kamagong]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts guys.

Regardless, if you go the rechargeable route (which I highly suggest), keep the charging setup in a non-flammable area, and never leave the room that the setup is in. Just in case.

Last night I did some reading on the dangers of recharging RCR123A batteries. That's some scary stuff. I think I'll stick with the disposables for now as I don't go through batteries that quickly. Maybe I'll get some rechargeables in the future, but I'm just not comfortable with them at this time.

 

[steelnut]

I have a 170 and a 140,
Trying to resist the rotary 200

 

[antikythera]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts guys.



Last night I did some reading on the dangers of recharging RCR123A batteries. That's some scary stuff. I think I'll stick with the disposables for now as I don't go through batteries that quickly. Maybe I'll get some rechargeables in the future, but I'm just not comfortable with them at this time.

I didn't mean to scare you!

Rechargeables really aren't a risk unless you get a faulty cell (very unlikely with AW or Pila cells) or if you mix-n-match with differently charged cells or between rechargeable and nonrechargeable cells, or charge it backwards, or...

Essentially, the Ra being a single-cell light, you'll be perfectly fine. The only way to kill a battery is to do something stupid with it. They really aren't a major safety risk. No more so than primaries, which can and do fail in a similarly spectacular fashion.

This is one of those situations when you hear about 1 in 1000 exploding (and don't really hear about the other 999 being absolutely fine), so you naturally assume there to be a significant danger in its use.

Like you, I was a bit hesitant at first, but after hours of perusing battery threads on CPF, this is what I took away from it all: Don't do anything stupid, and you'll be fine. But just as a fail-safe, keep the setup in a non-flammable location.

if you're really really really paranoid, keep a steel bucket of sand nearby. That'll do the trick in a pinch. I don't feel the need to, personally, but maybe that's just because living in AZ, sand is not all that hard to find.

 

[Gizler00]

I too am a Flashlight junkie. I have purchased 10 in the last 2 months. But the HDS CLicky is the way to go. Seriously, its the best light I have ever owned. I tried to sell it twice because I needed the money and Both times I came into money and didnt have too. It was like the light new that we were meant to be together. Seriously BUY ONE!!

 

[dinokay]

I have an old school HDS EDC 60 and love it, you can't go wrong with one of Henry's little torches (very well built) and worth every penny. I bought the kit with mine which included some lens and two rechargeable batteries and a charger which I still use. Your buying a quality product that will give you many years of flashlight bliss.

 

[Charlie Mike]

Plus they are upgrade-able!

 

[NaturalMystic]

This flashlight thing is almost as bad as knives. In a little under a month I've bought a SureFire 6PL and a Fenix TK11. I am now looking at a third light, the HDS Executive Clicky. The specific model I'm looking at is the EDC-E1S-120. It seems that there is are two common variations for HDS lights, the Executive and the Tactical....

I feel your pain brother! I got re-hooked on lights, knives and gadgets in general back around 2005. Shortly thereafter I found and joined CPF, Blade Forums, Knife Forums, EDC Forums, etc etc.

I think LA PoliceGear has a sale on Novatac including the Storm which is a single CR123 LED light putting out 120 Lumens. I never really got into the HDS/Novatac lights so don't know much about them. I know they're built like tanks but I wanted bang for the buck and went with Fenix.

Word. Don't tell anyone, but next to Mrs. Powernoodle, flashlights are my true love...

Actually I think I first ran into Powernoodle back when I joined CPF. I don't visit CPF as much anymore since I've managed to curb the urge to buy new lights until something substantial comes out to replace my PD20 Q5 as my main EDC light. I haven't even bought any of 4Sevens' lights because I don't see enough of a gain in output etc to spend more money on a PD20 replacement. Plus I prefer clickies to twisties and it seems most of his single CR123 lights are twisties or too similar to the PD20.

EDIT to add some lights and knife pron! This is a relatively inexpensive collection compared to others I've seen but again, I feel your pain!

This is an older shot of some of my lights. I've bought several more since then and I need to get them all together again for a family portrait!

Some SanRenMu, Bee and Navy knives (in between a Caly3 and Manix2) I picked up cheap to check out. I don't use any of them but keep one or two in various BOB and car kit bags as emergency back up blades that I don't mind damaging, lending out or losing. Some are great quality for the price.

My RATs/ESEE knives. I've also got the Lite Machete and scales on the Izzy.

Most of my Spydies. Missing are my FRN Dragonfly 2, Jerry Hossom Forester, grey(?) Ladybug 2 (or is it 3?), Grasshopper, Manix2.

Pic showing my Benchmades, Fallknivens, Beretta, some Spydies and RATs/ESEE.

My SAKs: