HDS Systems EDC # 16

[the.Mtn.Man]

A quick question if I may, I was messing with a mini mag-lite my son has last night. Sitting in the dark bedroom I was comparing color rendering of the mag and my two HDS 120 & 170. Of course the mag had better rendering, just not as bright as the other two. My question is, how does a HDS hi cri compare just on the color rendering scale to a mini mag? not beam pattern or brightness. I've had a hi cri on order for some time. Just curious. Thanks.

Technically, the Mini Maglite has better color rendering simply because it's an incandescent which has a CRI of 100. At the moment, the best high CRI LEDs only get up to around the mid-90s.

That said, the current high CRI offering from HDS is excellent and competes well with an incandescent source. It's a little higher color temperature at around 3700K, so it won't look identical to an incan (around 3200K), but the color rendering is very, very good and vastly superior to a cool white emitter. I think you'll like it.

 

[P_A_S_1]

Have you got your 200 Rotary yet?
Let us know what your opion of the tint is.
Beamshot would be great.
Thanks.

No I haven't received it yet. With the delays in parts IDK when to expect it either, hopefully by January.

 

[Planz]

No I haven't received it yet. With the delays in parts IDK when to expect it either, hopefully by January.

I see. Hope you get it asap.

 

[Blades]

I recall many, many months ago Henry saying that he redesigned the light so that it was not dependent on the casing for heat dissipation allowing for more exotic materials to be used as flashlight bodies. I think a carbon fiber Rotary would be interesting, although it would probably be outrageously expensive. Heavy duty plastics or self-healing rubber could also be used, making the lights even more indestructible than they already are.

Of course we're probably at least a year away from anything other than standard aluminum.

I'll take a wooden one. Something in a Maple Burl.

 

[peatytheamp]

Has anyone started receiving their orders?

I read Henry's post, but I wondered if any shipments have been going out.

Before Christmas would be great.

 

[Kgp]

Man, I have been gone for months, Im talking about summer time. You have got to be kidding me, these lights still arent in production. Im done. I am just not buyng the stories anymore.

 

[davidwestonh]

Man, I have been gone for months, Im talking about summer time. You have got to be kidding me, these lights still arent in production. Im done. I am just not buyng the stories anymore.

Lots of ceracoted customs right now. I just purchased a orange hi-cri.

 

[louie]

What happens to an old hds 42 or 60 when you do an emitter replacement?
how bright would the lowest level be compared to a new edc 120?
how bright would the locator flash be? Too bright?
would each level be three or four times brighter?
did you replace the reflector to change beam pattern?
any emitter better or worse for fit?
hi-cri or max. Ln.?

My EDC Basic 42 has gone from the original Luxeon (42l) to an SSC-P4 (maybe 80l) to an XP-G Hi-CRI and now a Nichia 219 Hi-CRI (maybe 120l). New emitters vary as HDS would originally adjust each light to meet the output spec IIRC. Also, I think the high-low brightness increases probably aren't very linear to the eye, but my default 4 levels (Basic model has a backdoor to reprogram levels but no locator) by wild guess (by comparison to my other reliable stock lights factory quoted levels) is about 1l, 6l, 60l and 120l with the Nichia. The original spec was 0.3, 2, 10 and 42l.

As John_Galt mentions, the original EDCs have an 8mm seat for the Luxeon or SSC, so yes, I used 8mm MCPCB from the Sandwich Shoppe. I found that a bare MCPCB made a perfect shim. I needed small wire extenders from the MCPCB which I flattened to clear the reflector. I find the beam excellent, very smooth, no rings, gradual hotspot. Without the shim, the beam was terrible.

The XP-G Hi-CRI was the 3K, 90+CRI which mimmicks an incandescent and pretty yellow. The Nichia 219 is the 4500K, 92CRI and similar to neutral white with more red. I am finding the Nichia very nice.

 

[solloron1]

Has anyone started receiving their orders?

I read Henry's post, but I wondered if any shipments have been going out.

Before Christmas would be great.

I've said it before in this thread I believe, January 3rd, still waiting

Maybe after Christmas?

 

[the.Mtn.Man]

Man, I have been gone for months, Im talking about summer time. You have got to be kidding me, these lights still arent in production. Im done. I am just not buyng the stories anymore.

I honestly can't say I blame you. I received my high CRI Rotary after what now seems like a mercifully short 7-months. Feel bad for those folks going on a year.

 

[Shooter21]

I honestly can't say I blame you. I received my high CRI Rotary after what now seems like a mercifully short 7-months. Feel bad for those folks going on a year.

maybe if henry was honest about the waiting time he wouldn't lose as many customers.

 

[eh4]

At this point everyone should be pretty thoroughly aware of the indefinite waiting time.
Everyone should also be aware that orders are fulfilled sporadically and that the retail orders are going to be a lot larger than individual's custom orders.

This means that 1: the retailer orders are likely to seriously slow any custom orders behind them, and 2: if you don't really, really need a specific custom combo then you might be better served to wait and watch the retailers and be ready to jump on an appropriate light when it comes up.

Or put in an order to a custom light maker and put up with their eccentricities...

 

[fnj]

At this point everyone should be pretty thoroughly aware of the indefinite waiting time.
Everyone should also be aware that orders are fulfilled sporadically and that the retail orders are going to be a lot larger than individual's custom orders.

This means that 1: the retailer orders are likely to seriously slow any custom orders behind them, and 2: if you don't really, really need a specific custom combo then you might be better served to wait and watch the retailers and be ready to jump on an appropriate light when it comes up.

Or put in an order to a custom light maker and put up with their eccentricities...

Most perceptive points in this entire thread.

 

[davidwestonh]

My EDC Basic 42 has gone from the original Luxeon (42l) to an SSC-P4 (maybe 80l) to an XP-G Hi-CRI and now a Nichia 219 Hi-CRI (maybe 120l). New emitters vary as HDS would originally adjust each light to meet the output spec IIRC. Also, I think the high-low brightness increases probably aren't very linear to the eye, but my default 4 levels (Basic model has a backdoor to reprogram levels but no locator) by wild guess (by comparison to my other reliable stock lights factory quoted levels) is about 1l, 6l, 60l and 120l with the Nichia. The original spec was 0.3, 2, 10 and 42l.

As John_Galt mentions, the original EDCs have an 8mm seat for the Luxeon or SSC, so yes, I used 8mm MCPCB from the Sandwich Shoppe. I found that a bare MCPCB made a perfect shim. I needed small wire extenders from the MCPCB which I flattened to clear the reflector. I find the beam excellent, very smooth, no rings, gradual hotspot. Without the shim, the beam was terrible.

The XP-G Hi-CRI was the 3K, 90+CRI which mimmicks an incandescent and pretty yellow. The Nichia 219 is the 4500K, 92CRI and similar to neutral white with more red. I am finding the Nichia very nice.

After new years I will have to do some serious shopping.
approximately 3x sounds good but the Nichia 219 @ 4500k sounds better.
i lost my edc 120 in my lazy boy for about nine months so now I keep the locator flash on and the next time I went looking for it, there it was.

When was the locator flash implemented?
all I see of the old models are in mint condition, any pictures of a beater?
how many years have you carried the basic 42?

Being without an hds for months was difficult .
will not let that happen again.
e2dl was way too bright.
zebralight, hot pockets.

Thank for the info.

David

 

[louie]

After new years I will have to do some serious shopping.
approximately 3x sounds good but the Nichia 219 @ 4500k sounds better.
i lost my edc 120 in my lazy boy for about nine months so now I keep the locator flash on and the next time I went looking for it, there it was.

When was the locator flash implemented?
all I see of the old models are in mint condition, any pictures of a beater?
how many years have you carried the basic 42?

Being without an hds for months was difficult .
will not let that happen again.
e2dl was way too bright.
zebralight, hot pockets.

Thank for the info.

David

I've been EDC-ing the HDSB42GT (guaranteed tint) since I got it in Sept 2005, with occasional short-term trials of other lights. At that time, the basic did not have strobe, locator flash, or programmability, but the Ultimate models did (at 60 and 85 lumens IIRC). A few years later, the backdoor to programming a Basic was revealed, but still no strobe or locator. I have modified my light with a knurled tailcap, Ti bezel and Novatac mini-clip along with the continual LED changes. It will never be the absolute brightest, but I don't need or expect that in a discreet EDC, and it works and handles like a great piece of kit. My only complaint really is that the multiple clicks required to change modes sometimes misinterprets me if I am in a hurry or fumbling around.

I feel the anodize is superior to lights such as Fenix, thus even after years of EDC, HDS' still look new, and my Fenixes have tons of nicks and chips in the anodize.

 

[davidwestonh]

I've been EDC-ing the HDSB42GT (guaranteed tint) since I got it in Sept 2005, with occasional short-term trials of other lights. At that time, the basic did not have strobe, locator flash, or programmability, but the Ultimate models did (at 60 and 85 lumens IIRC). A few years later, the backdoor to programming a Basic was revealed, but still no strobe or locator. I have modified my light with a knurled tailcap, Ti bezel and Novatac mini-clip along with the continual LED changes. It will never be the absolute brightest, but I don't need or expect that in a discreet EDC, and it works and handles like a great piece of kit. My only complaint really is that the multiple clicks required to change modes sometimes misinterprets me if I am in a hurry or fumbling around.

I feel the anodize is superior to lights such as Fenix, thus even after years of EDC, HDS' still look new, and my Fenixes have tons of nicks and chips in the anodize.

Wow aug 2002.
I just found cpf a little over a year ago. If I want to keep my lights several years I will need to leash it.

I keep reminding myself E,I,S,A,U,V . I only change levels so i have not mastered the menu
hopefully Henry will stick to international and not get into landline.
click, thunk of a sounder would be a challenge.

David

 

[the.Mtn.Man]

At this point everyone should be pretty thoroughly aware of the indefinite waiting time.
Everyone should also be aware that orders are fulfilled sporadically and that the retail orders are going to be a lot larger than individual's custom orders.

This means that 1: the retailer orders are likely to seriously slow any custom orders behind them, and 2: if you don't really, really need a specific custom combo then you might be better served to wait and watch the retailers and be ready to jump on an appropriate light when it comes up.

Or put in an order to a custom light maker and put up with their eccentricities...

Don't get me wrong, I don't regret my purchase a single bit. In fact, my high CRI Rotary is far and away the best flashlight I've ever owned. The 7-month turnaround on the order was a little aggravating (especially since the original estimate was 6-weeks), but it was all worth it in the end. I understand the frustration, but I'm reasonably certain that those who hold out will not be disappointed with the product they eventually receive.

 

[malfozzy]

Don't get me wrong, I don't regret my purchase a single bit. In fact, my high CRI Rotary is far and away the best flashlight I've ever owned. The 7-month turnaround on the order was a little aggravating (especially since the original estimate was 6-weeks), but it was all worth it in the end. I understand the frustration, but I'm reasonably certain that those who hold out will not be disappointed with the product they eventually receive.

It has been 6 weeks wait for ages according to their website when it obviously wasn't. Now it says there is a significant backlog and it will take a few weeks. If they can get a new order out in a few weeks, all those on back order should be sent very shortly. Either that or he's telling porkie pies about the time wait again.

 

[AVService]

Yesterday I received my Rotary 200(used,don't get all excited!) and I just have to comment here on the sheer genius of this light.
I know I am not the first by a long shot to talk about this but I just wanted to stress just how different these lights are and exactly what makes this one special to me as it seems not too obvious to a lot of potential users.

I have been trying different lights and looking for something ideal for the way I work and play for as long as I can remember. I use a light all day long to see as I service and install AV systems and a good light may be my most valuable tool really,especially as I get older and more blind by the day it seems. For most work during the day I need to be able to work right in front of my face or in an Attic or crawl space or in a drop ceiling or dark basement but have little need for extreme throw.

I have been trying the infinite control ring lights and while I like the ring and the operation in general,the Jetbeam I bought needed to be holstered all the time so it would not turn on in my pocket,which it did. The new lights also seem really bright but the beam is not as useful as I had hoped and need and I also worry that the cheaper lights will not endure what I might put them through at times.

So The Rotary hits all bases and adds a few that I could not even imagine. Mainly the ability to have the B preset be the control ring but the press and hold be another preset. Being able to work close but pull full output with a push of the button is a feature I have not seen elsewhere?This combined with the lockout really gives me the control I need to both switch levels at will with one hand without thinking about it and not have to worry that the light is on while in the pocket.

These things seem so simple and obvious as I say them but are not too common in the market and combined with the build quality they place this light in a different league altogether than any other small light I have worked with.

I have been told that I couldn't understand the allure really of these until I tried them and I will say that is an understatement really. These are a serious tool and need to be used seriously for a while to truly appreciate the brilliance of the design and execution.

I also have observed that while not distinctly a thrower by any means these HDS light each throw better and have uniform beam patterns well beyond anything else I have used and in fact the 120 clicky I have is amazing as a thrower and better than the 2-200's I have at this.

Since I have been working with these lights the last few weeks people have been asking me what the hell they are? How do you really explain them to a non believer?
When I tell the how to use it they just laugh and hand it back to me as they know it is too complicated to be practical to them but like any other specialty tool they just require a little training and practice to get the most out of.

I also camp often in better weather and I look forward to carrying an HDS while outside at night and I have a feeling I will find even more things to like.

Anyway I could go on and on about all of the little details I have left out but I know I am preaching to the faithful here and aside from the uncertainty of getting one in our hands I can't picture working happily again without an HDS in my pocket or Holster.

The careful thought and design choices that clearly go into creating these lights are unique so far in my experience and the total package seems a lot more than the sum of the parts to me.
This is one case where you can get what you pay for!

Thanks for the encouragement!

Ed

 

[thaugen]

Great summary of why the Rotary is still my favorite light. Thanks for sharing and I am glad you're enjoying your "new" Rotary 200!