HDS Fan

[thermal guy]

And lets not forget the sorry nothing we can do about it FLICKERWith novatac

 

[lumenlover2]

I would say get the HDS/ RA !

 

[tebore]

The Novatac`s drawbacks for me are : It`s not HDS anymore, the window is easily scratched lexan, the spring has to be fixed not to fall out by itself when changing batteries, some flickering may occur in low modes, no automatic battery type detection (you have to set it right with a series of clicks when changing from rechargable to normal 123`s) which is the biggest drawback for me. So The Twisty avoids all that and if the new light is announced which could be a clicky then get it when it comes out or the twisty now.

Well yeh and what TG said but I was trying to be nice and not sound like I was a fanboy bashing Novatac.

I'm not sure I agree with the auto detection, I can understand the niceness of having it automatic. The detection is not as complicated as you make it sound on the NT but overall I agree with you the downside to the Novatac is it's not HDS.

Also the biggest problem with the NT I've noticed is in the head. The old HDS head had a thick lip where the module met. The lip provides a thermal path, adds strength and takes away any need for retaining rings. The NT tube lacks that and relies purely on the rings.

 

[lumenlover2]

nothing ....

 

[senna94]

+1

Nothing beats the feeling of an HDS in your hands!!!

 

[thermal guy]

Now thats what i like to hear:twothumbs

 

[tebore]

No bashing intended, just facts all proven here on cpf .
The retaining ring thing sounds really bad cause some members have reported when that happens the light won`t turn on or just turn off. Thinking about situations (caving, emergency etc.) this can be pretty bad.

I didn't mean to imply you were bashing (which when I read it again might imply) I just didn't want to sound like a basher.

Again yep all those facts have been proven. Again the design relies too much on those rings. If you compare a HDS head piece without the module and the NT piece without the module you'll see the HDS is way beefier. The lip in the HDS is thicker and the threading is a way better method for holding the module in.

 

[Katdaddy]

+1

Nothing beats the feeling of an HDS in your hands!!!

Oh yeah!!!!!!:twothumbs

 

[Dead_Nuts]

Can you say . . . Ra Clicky?

Just when you thought it was safe to read the CPF forums again . . .

I keep spending my gun money on flashlights! What the heck is wrong with me? You people should be ashamed of yourselves! Especially you, Henry (BTW, I can't wait!!!).


ETA: OP - buy the Twisty now and stay tuned for the Clicky. You won't be sorry.

 

[ViReN]

If you are in a hurry to purchase, the options are a bit limited. However, if you can wait a bit, there will be an announcement I think you will be interested in that will expand your options. Can you wait another two weeks to see the future? Once you have seen the announcement, you will have a better idea of what you want to do.

Henry.

:twothumbs

 

[Thujone]

I feel like a putz for having a novatac that I like and works reliably... You would think that people have lost their lives to faulty novatacs after reading this thread.... Ouch.

 

[xcel730]

You and me both Thujone. I have never handled an HDS light before, so I really cannot compare the two. However, I could say that the Novatac 120P so far has been very good to me. I want to try an HDS flashlight, but I'm not a big fan of twisties, so the RA-Twisty is out for me. I'm eagerly waiting for what HDS has to offer in two weeks. If HDS comes out with a clicky version of the Ra-Twisty ... I'm sure I'll get one.

I think a lot of us fear that our flashlights will fail us during life and death situations. However, in reality, I think most of us here carry more than one flashlights on a day-to-day basis. If the main light fails, we have backup, if the main light and backup fails, we have a backup of the backup, and the list goes on. I think reliability and durability is more important for military and/or law enforcement personnel. I can't say with certainty, but I'm pretty sure that Novatacs are not standard military issue, and the price point is probably too much for most of them (I read from knifeforums that most of them won't even spend more than $30 on knives). There may be a selected few who knows the importance of flashlight and would buy a Novatac or HDS, but I assume it's only a small percentage.

I feel like a putz for having a novatac that I like and works reliably... You would think that people have lost their lives to faulty novatacs after reading this thread.... Ouch.

 

[Art Vandelay]

I feel like a putz for having a novatac that I like and works reliably... You would think that people have lost their lives to faulty novatacs after reading this thread.... Ouch.

If you are asking about the back story, it's not very interesting. No lost lives or anything like that, but if you look back at some of the old threads you will see some issues with the warranty that made some people have better feelings about HDS and worse feelings about Novatac. I have never needed any service so I'm not interested in this. If anybody wants to know, both sides are in the old threads. I say don't beat a dead horse.

 

[sawlight]

The HDS seem like nice lights, I've neve owned one, but I heard the UI is a bit tricky to figure out.
I am also happy with my 120P, it took me a bit to get it right, they can be finiky at first, but once the spring is happy and the threads lubed and clean, it works all the time!! I have no idea why you would need a stronger/tougher light. Yes, the lens gets scratched, but it does NOT break! Once you figure out the UI, it's second nature.
The RA looks nice, and I doubt anyone will ever hurt one, but I don't care for twisties.
But it sounds like Henry is cooking up something new an even more exciting!

 

[tebore]

I read the post by Henry about his new products and it got me thinking while sitting in Class (ok so it was a day dream).

What if this time the product isn't a pocket light that's LED based. What if it's an HDS EDC on Steroids?

Imagine if you will a HID based HDS that's the size of the Eznite. Everything the HDS EDC was, but bigger and better. That'd be kick butt, a multi level EDC HID perhaps a 10 and 35 HID setting then a low achieved via either a set of P4s or a P7. This light can be powered by tri A123 batteries or 6/9 CR123s.

If the Ra is the light that gets you home then this would be the light that takes you there.

 

[Dead_Nuts]

Ok, I tried to stay out of the fray, but . . .

The Novatac is a damn good light!

It is one of my favorite lights and gets used often. So far, I have to say I believe the Ra will prove to be more "bullet-proof", but it still has to prove itself in real life. I simply would not fear for anything while carrying one or the other. I don't feel it necessary to tear down one light to extol the virtues of another.

That being said, there does seem to be some history with support issues surrounding the HDS/Novatac lights. I believe that to be historical data however, since I don't read about current issues. Would that be a fair assumption?

 

[Russki]

Henry thanks for good news.
I am so exited.:drunk::drunk:

IMHO
Henrys lights build better then Novatac.
I own 2 HDS(will buy again), and Novatac 120P(first and last)
In fact, Novatac lights design by Henry, but build by Novatac.
So, where you gona buy product from: original designer who keep improving his product, or from guys who have one model, and have no intentions for development.
Pretty easy answer to me.
Have fan.

 

[tsask]

I've been so bummed about losing my U60 during a recent move, I bought a 120P.I figured twice the power would ease the pain. it has and it hasn't. the Novatac people have been great on the phone when I had programming questions, however my now sacred 42XR GT has a better feel than my Novatac. I like the HDS new twisty's durability, but I am eagerly awaiting that "new like the old" HDS EDC.
how bout a HDS 180 lumen version;-)???

 

[Zeige]

But not everyone likes using a twisty interface. Your EDC Ultimate employs a fairly sophisticated single button clicky interface. I personally prefer a clicky interface.

If you are in a hurry to purchase, the options are a bit limited. However, if you can wait a bit, there will be an announcement I think you will be interested in that will expand your options. Can you wait another two weeks to see the future? Once you have seen the announcement, you will have a better idea of what you want to do.

Henry.

Hmmmm...... sounds like the HDS may get a clicky?

 

[gadgetnerd]

I've an HDS EDC B42, 2 Novatac 120P's and a Ra 70-Tr, and love them all, they're all top shelf torches. If a gun was held to my head I'd keep the Ra and ditch the others (but would be very unhappy).

B42: the originator! Sturdy and reliable, not terribly bright or terribly long running by today's standards, perfect beam quality. Programmable with considerable effort and button pushing. Simple battery detection.

120P: Not quite as sturdy or reliable as the B42, but easier to program and use. Brighter, longer running, perfect beam quality and tint. Slightly complicated battery detection.

Ra 70-Tr: The most bombproof and supremely reliable light I've ever owned. I could probably beat the 120P and B42 to death with it. Simple UI, easily programmed. Almost perfect white beam (has holes in it closer than 15cm), donut hole red beam. No brainer battery detection.

The Novatac retaining ring issue really is an issue, since it says something about Novatac's QC. When I got my 1st 120P I actually thought it was broken out of the box, as it wouldn't fire up properly, going in to error modes etc. I actually had a replacement en route from Lighthound before I stumbled upon tightening the retaining ring which fixed everything. And once I had 2 120P's I couldn't send one back, so paid and kept both of them I've had zero problems since, but only because I took the time to do what Novatac should have done in the factory...