HDS Systems EDC # 16

[pjandyho]

Anyone have a comparison beam shots, say at 20 / 25 yards (pointed at a wall may be) with a Rotary 200 and a 250?

Pops

I would like to see one too. I doubt you will see any noticeable brightness between both but I got a feeling the 250 will look a little warmer in tint based on some previous posts from folks who have received theirs. I find the 200 rotary a little too cool for my liking (outdoor use mainly) and I really dig the 120 lumen hi CRI for most of my usage.

If the 250 lumen is indeed warmer than the 200 lumen version, as in a more neutral version of cool white, I might get one for my urban usage. I somehow like cool white for urban usage.

 

[HighLumens]

Reviews are coming. The one for the Rotary 170 should be out soon and I will start on the Tactical 250 after I finish up a few other lights.

Thank you, I read a lot of your reviews and I find them really well done and written, can't wait to read the next ones especially about HDS.

 

[neutralwhite]

Can't wait too.....wow HDS!,...
Looking real forward to the review.
Thank you.

WOW, that's a cool mat! .... What is it?


Pops


Gosh I ... .. myself up!

Thank you, I read a lot of your reviews and I find them really well done and written, can't wait to read the next ones especially about HDS.

 

[DaveSebring]

left is 2nd hand rotary 200 -Middle is New rotary 250 cool white - right is Hi CRI 140

left Hi CRI right 250

 

[AZPops]

I would like to see one too. I doubt you will see any noticeable brightness between both but I got a feeling the 250 will look a little warmer in tint based on some previous posts from folks who have received theirs. I find the 200 rotary a little too cool for my liking (outdoor use mainly) and I really dig the 120 lumen hi CRI for most of my usage.

If the 250 lumen is indeed warmer than the 200 lumen version, as in a more neutral version of cool white, I might get one for my urban usage. I somehow like cool white for urban usage.

A side from tint, I think the difference in the beam's profile will be tighter with the 250's XP-G2. Which if I'm thinking right, should give the light a bit more distance. I had the Nichia 219 neutral put in because like yourself, I thought the XP-G in the 200 was too cool (slight hint of blue in the tint).

However, if it does have a bit more distance. It'll compliment the Nichia 219 neutral. I've been living / rotating the 120 HCRI at one point, but the 120 HCRI isn't doing what I want it to do, or how I use the light. That a side, I'll always have a back up Rotary. Nothing else in the market like it. I love that the Rotary is on the tail cap!


Pops

PS took too long writing this post. Thanks for the beam shots Dave! ... :twothumbs ... The 250's XP-G2 has a tighter beam profile.

 

[Hondo]

Silly question but I'll ask, anyone mount their clicky/rotary to a bike? If so what did you use? I'm fiddling around with some old belt keeper from my duty belt but it's not quite working, any suggestions (other then duct tape or tie wire..:thinking?

I have a simple, cheap method that I find more secure and free of "bounce" than any purchased mounts.

First, I take a small rectangle of foam rubber, only about 1" x 1.5". The source for this is a dollar store pair of black flip-flops. The soles are perfect material. I cut a V groove down the length of the one side, almost half way through, for the light to sit in. Then I cut another groove across the other side, for the block to sit on the handlebar. I like to clean up the grooves with a Dremel sanding drum, making nice round channels, but it's not necessary.

Then, with the light sitting in the block, on the bars, I pull a silicone wristband over the bezel, stretch it under the handlebar, and then up over the tail. You know the kind of wristbands kids wear, like the "Live Strong" yellow ones Lance Armstrong marketed. I bought a bag of plain black ones from an internet supplier, so they are neater and not weakened by any embossed logos, but I've never lost any of the embossed ones I used either.

Two or three #64 rubber bands will work, but they don't look as neat, and take longer to put on and off. I usually need to waste some length with those by doubling them around the light before going under the bars, or they are not tight enough. I started this way, and just using some white packaging foam, but evolved to the flip-flop soles and silicone band.

I've had a cheap 18650 light on my beater bike for about four years this way, no problems. What I like is it stays put, you have to feed the band around the bar to raise or lower the light, it won't creep while you ride. And because there is very little foam between the light and bar, it won't bounce over bumps. With the Twofish Lockblocks, it was like riding with a strobe light. Because there are two criss-crossing velcro bands, you have two holes in the rubber block between the light and the bar and this let's the light bounce around when you hit little bumps. Hated it.

 

[the.Mtn.Man]

Why? It sounded like a pretty good deal for consumers. You got a great light you still like 10 years later, at a reasonable price. Win! I hope it does happen again, and I'll be the first in line to buy one of the lights. And another three when they go on clearance!

It wasn't a good deal for consumers at all because Novatac's quality plummeted without Henry, and customers simply weren't interested in the "pauper's line" of lights that were being sold, and the company folded. The reason the lights had to be sold at clearance because they were of such low quality that they couldn't be moved any other way.

 

[AZPops]

I don't know about simple Hondo. You lost me at "First"! ... LOL


Pops

 

[bansuri]

Ok, walkthroughthelight either just doesn't get it or is having fun with us.

I've been having fun modding the beam by lowering the reflector deeper in to the head, also have some XP-Ls on order, will post pics when I get one installed.
For the brave Rotary owners wanting a clip: order a spare reflector, remove the stop on the threaded portion, and use a standard clip. Make sure it's fully tightened into the bezel to maintain the seal at the lens and keep the reflector from bottoming out on the mcpcb retaining screws.

Here's some from a previous mod, the 219 sits a tiny bit lower than an xp-g so the beam wasn't great.
Beam @ 6":

With modded reflector @ 6":

Modded reflector:

It may be hard to see, but I've turned off most of the stop on the reflector to allow the opening to come down further into the head. Had to take material off the back of the reflector to keep it from hitting the screws or the contacts.

 

[the.Mtn.Man]

Silly question but I'll ask, anyone mount their clicky/rotary to a bike? If so what did you use? I'm fiddling around with some old belt keeper from my duty belt but it's not quite working, any suggestions (other then duct tape or tie wire..:thinking?

Google "bike flashlight mount". There's lots of options. I've not done it myself, but it shouldn't be hard to find something that'll work.

 

[the.Mtn.Man]

Ok, walkthroughthelight either just doesn't get it or is having fun with us.

By the way, did you know this forum has an ignore feature?

 

[Hondo]

I don't know about simple Hondo. You lost me at "First"! ... LOL


Pops

Sorry Pops, too many words. Let's do more of a "wordless workshop" (remember that from Popular Mechanics?)

Here is a silicone wristband with a couple of the foam blocks:

And here is the light in a block, upside down, with the band ready to go around the bar:

And finally, although a little blurry, the Clicky Executive safely and securely on the 1979 Raleigh Competition:

Hope it all makes more sense now.

 

[Megatrowned]

And Wow! That is an amazingly simple bike mount solution. And it doesn't look bad at all! Cool thing is, you could modify this idea to fit almost any light, though it would be a waste of time if it wasn't for an HDS

 

[Kid9P]

Great work Hondo !!

I'll be buying some flip flops tomorrow

 

[KDM]

I'll be buying some flip flops tomorrow

I still refuse to. Lol

 

[KDM]

Double post, durn phones!

 

[Hondo]

Glad you like it! I have to admit I've never ridden with one of my HDS's in it, I usually mount bigger lights, like an 18650 P60 host, but the Exec. looks great in there.

The silicone wristband solved two things, the messy installation with rubber bands, and the need to replace the bands frequently because they rot and break. I still have no idea if there is a limit to how long these bands will last, they are all still like new.

Flip flop soles not only are tough and have good traction on the handlebar, but they come in black, unlike most foam packaging. A white block under the light looks tacky.

 

[calipsoii]

By the way, did you know this forum has an ignore feature?

Thanks mostly to the HDS Systems Part [x] threads, my ignore list over the years has gotten to the point where I sometimes don't see any actual posts depending on who is speaking to who. As you've said, ignore is there for a reason and we'd have much less trolling if more people used it.

Also a big thank you to Henry for stopping in a few pages back. I miss your posting and I hope you'll find time to chat with us once in a while!

 

[Bullzeyebill]

OK, that's enough discussion re merits of made in USA or elsewhere. I can see some concern re HDS upping their prices, as evidenced by many posts. However, we can not beat this to death. Let's move away from that discussion. I believe some one recently asked about clips for the HDS's. That seems like a fitting discussion re HDS Systems EDC.

Bill

I posted this 100+ posts back and this nonsense continued. Grizzan is correct in his observation re a thread that has gone awry. I have removed 28 posts that went overboard re the price increase, and HDS quality relative to other flashlights made in the US or overseas. I may go back and remove some more of those types posts.

Bill

I read through all the Malkoff threads, the Elzetta thread, the Surefire C and Z lovers threads, and they are full of happy users posting great information. This one has so many worthless posts that I've stopped my thread subscription.

If this warranty and quality nonsense continues, I'll stop reading it entirely.

880Arm, you state that your photo skills are lacking, but this last one sure looks great to me.

 

[880arm]

WOW, that's a cool mat! .... What is it?

Pops
Gosh I ... .. myself up!

That's a high-dollar mat specifically for photographing HDS lights. You can get your own here

. . . 880Arm, you state that your photo skills are lacking, but this last one sure looks great to me.

Thank you sir. I'm proof that even a blind hog can find an acorn every now and then. Thing is, just when I think I'm starting to get it figured out, I mess up royally on something! :fail:

Thank you, I read a lot of your reviews and I find them really well done and written, can't wait to read the next ones especially about HDS.

Thank you too, I'm looking forward to getting it out there. This has been my first experience with HDS lights and it's been a lot for me to absorb but I suspect my review will be too basic for you guys. You have to remember, it's written by a total HDS newbie!

I've been having fun modding the beam by lowering the reflector deeper in to the head . . . .

That's some cool stuff! I know it's been discussed to death on here but I'm firmly in favor of a pocket clip on the Rotary. I was looking at the reflector and bezel last night wondering if something like that could be done.

I have removed 28 posts . . .

Thank you Bill :thanks: