Original HDS EDC = Coolest Ever

[F250XLT]

I'm sitting outside playing with one of my original HDS lights, and I'm sorry, but these will forever be the baddest lights of all time.edited to specify the EDC series.

[Norm]

I'm not sorry I sold my EDC Basic 42 XRGT, I'm not sure how I would cope with comparatively short runtime and low output compared to the more modern offerings we have to chose from today.

I think the runtime was 20 minutes on high, that sounds awfully short by today's standard. Although it certainly was a wonderful light when it was first released.

Norm

[nbp]

I kinda feel that way about Henry's Ra Twisty. Just a super cool light any way you slice it. I have a Tw100 with a 18650 tube and McGizmo clip and a 85Tr with a 123 tube. Love those things.

[mossyoak]

I miss my old u60xrgt-s that milky popped a ssc into. Great light

[derfyled]

I'm not sorry I sold my EDC Basic 42 XRGT, I'm not sure how I would cope with comparatively short runtime and low output compared to the more modern offerings we have to chose from today.

I think the runtime was 20 minutes on high, that sounds awfully short by today's standard. Although it certainly was a wonderful light when it was first released.

Norm

An XR version, with an XP-G mod will easily reach somwhere between 160 and 200 lumens (guesstimate...) and can run on high for a good 50 minutes (on a primary), not bad at all. Let's not forget the ultra-low might be one of the most efficient that has ever been created...

[Norm]

An XR version, with an XP-G mod will easily reach somwhere between 160 and 200 lumens (guesstimate...) and can run on high for a good 50 minutes (on a primary), not bad at all. Let's not forget the ultra-low might be one of the most efficient that has ever been created...

My answer relates to the light as sold by HDS not a modified version of it. Which I guess is a totally different animal.

Norm

[F250XLT]

I'm not sorry I sold my EDC Basic 42 XRGT, I'm not sure how I would cope with comparatively short runtime and low output compared to the more modern offerings we have to chose from today.

I think the runtime was 20 minutes on high, that sounds awfully short by today's standard. Although it certainly was a wonderful light when it was first released.

Norm

That's why the thread is titled "Coolest Ever", and not "Most Efficient Ever". It's not always about performance, sometimes it's just about what it is.

[derfyled]

My answer relates to the light as sold by HDS not a modified version of it. Which I guess is a totally different animal.

Norm

Then I agree completely. The stock version was either 42 or 60 lumens. With these ''yesterday'' emitters, any light would be rather boring. The original HDS driver is still however great, it's really just a question of LED. I like the inductor noise on high, makes me think of a diesel driven light...

It's still my favourite form factor...

[JWRitchie76]

I actually sold all my HDS lights over a year ago and I don't miss them at all. I obviously know Henry has a very loyal following and they are a well built light. For some they are the pinnacle of flashlights in both build and price. For me McGizmo ruined how I perceive HDS for EDC and in the marketplace. I know I am certainly in the minority though.

[F250XLT]

I actually sold all my HDS lights over a year ago and I don't miss them at all. I obviously know Henry has a very loyal following and they are a well built light. For some they are the pinnacle of flashlights in both build and price. For me McGizmo ruined how I perceive HDS for EDC and in the marketplace. I know I am certainly in the minority though.

Don definitely makes some nice stuff, but I'm not sure what more you get for 5x the price (other than a Ti shell of course). But lets not get off track, this thread is not meant to compare one against the other.....Just wanted to share my love for the original HDS. I have a couple mint, stock lights, and I have a few w/upgraded emitters. Of course the upgraded emitters get more use, but not only because of performance, also to keep the stock lights I have in new condition.

[JWRitchie76]

Sorry. I wasn't trying to start a comparison. I was just adding my humble and meaningless opinion to the thread. HDS at one time for quite some time to me was the coolest for sure.

[JeffN]

I miss my old u60xrgt-s that milky popped a ssc into. Great light

I don't --- it's still a great light.

There's a note in my file dated 4/2/2008, Mossy -- if it ever goes, you have first dibs.

[Illum]

Isn't "original HDS" known as action lights?
http://www.equipped.com/led_lights2.htm

[gottawearshades]

My favorite light is a U60 GT that Milky installed a K2 tffc in. I own several of Henry's latest generation--twisty, clickie, rotary, which I like a lot, but after three years I'm still carrying the U60. Can't seem to go anywhere without it.

[bansuri]

Alan,
You'll be happy to know that I still carry the Basic60 you gave me such a great deal on. Currently sporting a Nichia 219 HCRI. Thanks again!
I've found that the old models do pretty good if you merely reduce the HIGH setting down 1 level. The modern emitters put out a lot of light in these.
Here's a beamshot in another thread.

[John_Galt]

I really regret selling my HDS EDC B42XR which Milky popped a P4 into...

Especially before I learned of the 250click "easter-egg".

Oh well, it allowed me to afford my current HDS Ra Clicky 140n [which Milky has popped an XP-E into].

These were definitely some awesome lights. Just knowing their efficiency makes me want to transplant their guts into a newer Clicky host, to get that awesome low-level run time, lol.

[F250XLT]

Sorry. I wasn't trying to start a comparison. I was just adding my humble and meaningless opinion to the thread. HDS at one time for quite some time to me was the coolest for sure.

Opinions are never meaningless, and I appreciated yours

Isn't "original HDS" known as action lights?
http://www.equipped.com/led_lights2.htm

My apologies for not being more specific, I meant the EDC series.

[davyro]

I own much more expensive lights than any of my HDS lights but i find myself EDCing one of my HDS lights everytime i go out.One of them is away getting a nichia 219.This one is a legacy model & i know i'm going to love it
,what i really want now though is a Twisty & one of these days i'll be owning one.What i seem to do is sometimes i've got to have my Rotary,then my Legacy 170T with GDP & so on.So i can't say which one i love the most.What
i can say though all of my HDS light IMHO are the coolest ever.

[CarpentryHero]

There's a twisty in the marketplace right now, I'm glad I already have my 85tr twisty or I'd be tempted. I use it as my bedside light with a diffuser cap

[Let It Bleed]

I still regret not buying one of the U60 that were being sold a couple years ago. They were Gov't issue, I think it even had Marines printed on it. Was unused stock of military issue, maybe? I keep hoping another cache will be found and put up for sale one day. Hope springs eternal

[Radio]

I still have and use my two original U85's, nicest lights ever!

[gottawearshades]

Good to know. These lights just will not die.

[F250XLT]

I still have and use my two original U85's, nicest lights ever!

Classy right there, wish I could have gotten an 85 back in the day.

[F250XLT]

Here is my current collection, I regret selling my 18650 & 2xAA tubes.

[Norm]

That's why the thread is titled "Coolest Ever", and not "Most Efficient Ever". It's not always about performance, sometimes it's just about what it is.

I disagreed with your thread title and stated my reasons, surely I'm entitled to my opinion.

Norm

[F250XLT]

I posted my reasons for not agreeing with your thread title and stated my reasons, surely I'm entitled to my opinion.

Norm

Of course Norm.....

[derfyled]

Here is my current collection, I regret selling my 18650 & 2xAA tubes.

Wow Tim !

Very very very nice !

No Ultimate ?

[davyro]

There's a twisty in the marketplace right now, I'm glad I already have my 85tr twisty or I'd be tempted. I use it as my bedside light with a diffuser cap

Yes i know if it was just the light by itself i'd be very tempted but as it is on sale with a pouch(that i'd have no use for)it pushes the price higher than a brand new Rotary from Henry,i know i'd have to wait a while
to get one from him but if i went for an Hi-Cri Rotary it would be cheaper again so i'm not tempted with the one on the MP.Thanks for the heads up though CH.

[F250XLT]

Wow Tim !

Very very very nice !

No Ultimate ?

I may have had a couple in the past, but none now. I'd like to pick up 1 or 2 mint U's now...perhaps even an 85

[mikeymoto]

I have all the HDS lights I've bought, and still regretting not getting one of the 2xAA tubes. One of the 42s still sees use in my camper as a bedside light.