Some thoughts on the HDS Executive.
The size is just about the same as my Okluma DC1 and weighs about 0.5oz more. I thought it would be a lot heavier based on the reviews. For work, I carry a Malkoff MD2 H/L ring with a surefire 6p tailcap (makes it shorter and gives me a proud button) and its almost double the weight but I am ok with that.
The knurling is perfect- grippy but won't shred my pants. The SS bezel looks sharp and the crenulations are perfect- I don't like the sharp crenulations. Inside, the spring design is new to me- I like it. It won't scratch the batteries and allows for solid contact. The flat button is ok- doesn't bother me like other recessed buttons- I think that is due to a shorter travel to click it. Tailstanding is rock solid.
The programming is pretty straightforward; I didn't have any issues there. Accessing the modes is intuitive after playing with it a bit. I kept the factory settings but played with the other features.
Beam profile is similar to my Malkoff M61n. Now to guess the output: Its brighter and whiter than my Malkoff M61L with an xpg ~ 175 lumens and not as bright as my M61N xpg2 ~300 lumens. Taking the cool tint of the HDS vs neutral tint of the Malkoff into consideration, I guess the HDS is probably closer to 225 lumens with a minimum of 200 lumens.
Getting back to the weight, I used a food scale and the HDS is 3.5oz. A Surefire e2e is 3.4oz, Okluma DC1 (aluminum) 2.9oz, and an incan AA minimag is 3.9oz. This is roughly what I carry/carried as my personal light over the years. My Malkoff work light comes in at 6.7oz.
I plan to get a rotary with raised tailcap and enable pseudo-memory. I would probably get the 18650 body for this- it should be about the same size as the MD2 with the 6P tailcap but thinner. As far as the LED tint, even though it's cool- compared to my carry lights that are 4000k- I still liked it. I would like to have an XPL-HI at 4500k- 5000k in it. That should give nice throw with a bigger hotspot and (for me) a perfect tint with higher CRI.
I really like this light, I could see pairing this up with the Okluma- for its floodier beam and HDS for general use.
Thank you Hogo for the passaround! I am going to play with it for another day or two and send it on.
Ps. PK-pr1 is 2.5 oz.
and all lights are with batteries.