HDS Systems EDC # 19

Status
Not open for further replies.

Croquette

Enlightened
Joined
Aug 9, 2012
Messages
519
Location
Belgium
ycmgopW.jpg


A quick pic from an old HDS. It was equipped with a golden dragon plus led that has an horrible tint. Now it's nichia 219b 4000k high cri and it's awesome.
 

moltenmag

Enlightened
Joined
May 31, 2017
Messages
581
Hogo,

Would and HDS keychain-style light be an option for the future. I know CR123 batteries are common for people who collect flashlights but it would be nice to have a flashlight with the durability/programmability that HDS is known for but in a smaller package. Maybe use CR2 batteries or AAA? Or even 18350? I am just seeing a trend in the flashlight world towards smaller more compact lights. I know HDS isn't one to follow trends... but... Having an HDS on my keychain would be revolutionary. I love the size of the Muyshondt Aeon but I wish it could run rechargeable batteries and could be programmable like my HDS (nothing against Muyshondt just my personal taste). Am I the only one that would be on board for one of these? Anyone else for this? (I realize that this would require a LOT of work but I feel like there would be a MASSIVE demand for this for people who don't necessarily want a light clipped to their pocket. Like the name could be the HDS Systems EDC micro... HDS EDCm... "the light that's always with you."
 

the0dore3524

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Nov 22, 2015
Messages
1,323
Location
California (Bay Area)
Hogo,

Would and HDS keychain-style light be an option for the future. I know CR123 batteries are common for people who collect flashlights but it would be nice to have a flashlight with the durability/programmability that HDS is known for but in a smaller package. Maybe use CR2 batteries or AAA? Or even 18350? I am just seeing a trend in the flashlight world towards smaller more compact lights. I know HDS isn't one to follow trends... but... Having an HDS on my keychain would be revolutionary. I love the size of the Muyshondt Aeon but I wish it could run rechargeable batteries and could be programmable like my HDS (nothing against Muyshondt just my personal taste). Am I the only one that would be on board for one of these? Anyone else for this? (I realize that this would require a LOT of work but I feel like there would be a MASSIVE demand for this for people who don't necessarily want a light clipped to their pocket. Like the name could be the HDS Systems EDC micro... HDS EDCm... "the light that's always with you."

You pretty much summed up what I would like to see as well!
 

HighLumens

Enlightened
Joined
Nov 17, 2008
Messages
394
Location
Italy
Hogo,

Would and HDS keychain-style light be an option for the future. I know CR123 batteries are common for people who collect flashlights but it would be nice to have a flashlight with the durability/programmability that HDS is known for but in a smaller package. Maybe use CR2 batteries or AAA? Or even 18350? I am just seeing a trend in the flashlight world towards smaller more compact lights. I know HDS isn't one to follow trends... but... Having an HDS on my keychain would be revolutionary. I love the size of the Muyshondt Aeon but I wish it could run rechargeable batteries and could be programmable like my HDS (nothing against Muyshondt just my personal taste). Am I the only one that would be on board for one of these? Anyone else for this? (I realize that this would require a LOT of work but I feel like there would be a MASSIVE demand for this for people who don't necessarily want a light clipped to their pocket. Like the name could be the HDS Systems EDC micro... HDS EDCm... "the light that's always with you."

I got very interested in the keychain sized HDS the moment Hogo mentioned it among with the other priorities. As an LF2XT owner since 2009 I appreciate programmable flashlights and have been looking for an upgrade for the last few years so I really hope this mini HDS will become avalaible at some point in the future (I'm quite sure we will not see it anytime soon, sadly).

If I had to choose between AAA and CR2 as a power source, my vote would go to the AAA cell since it's more readily avalaible than the CR2 and because CR123 and CR2 are, IMHO, too similar whereas AAA would make a very different flashlight than the standard CR123 version. I even think a clicky tail would be the right choiche over a twisty.

That said I hope to see it, and the other priorities, become a reality as soon as possible, so thanks Hogo and Henry for your hard work, wish you good luck :thumbsup:
 

moltenmag

Enlightened
Joined
May 31, 2017
Messages
581
Did you mean to say 18350? Only the HDS already takes a 16340 and 18350 is actually larger.
P

I've never seen an 18350 in person and for some reason I thought it was smaller. Regardless, I still want a smaller HDS that I can rock in my pocket 24/7/365. I think that his product line needs a smaller light for EDC. That doesn't mean he needs to sacrifice in quality though... I'm glad I'm not alone in wanting this. Henry... if you build it... and Hogo if you distribute it... we will buy it...

"We live among its people now, hiding in plain sight, but watching over them in secret, waiting, protecting. I have witnessed their capacity for courage, and though we are worlds apart, like us, there's more to them than meets the eye. I am Moltenmag, and I send this message to any surviving HDS fans taking refuge among the stars. We are here. We are waiting." -Optimus Prime
 

recDNA

Flashaholic
Joined
Jun 2, 2009
Messages
8,761
I'm easy to please.... a rotary with more lumens and a better pocket clip.
 

Hogokansatsukan

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Aug 14, 2006
Messages
5,242
Location
Tucson
There is pretty much nothing that has been mentioned here that Henry and I are not discussing. What is happening is that we are prioritizing what things come first. Top most is eliminating production delays. Once shipping the Rotary, we caught another delay that would have happened pretty shortly after, then another. All avoidable. It's the main reason Henry brought me on, and now we are playing catch up... a game I detest.
There are plans for several new products, but they are going to take some time. Even with Henry just doing what he loves, engineering and R&D, he is only one man, and we are not yet at the point where I have taken over the rest of the operation.
And it's just somehow wrong that both Henry and I have 4Sevens Atom lights on our keychains... it should be an HDS Ra Mini, though David at 4 Sevens will be missed. A great guy.
Henry and I meet a couple days each week, and talk nearly daily now.
the HDS FaceBook Page is now active, and I'm working on a new "look" for the webpage. A lot is happening now behind the curtain. I do think 2018 will be a great year for HDS and it's customers.
 

Tixx

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Mar 29, 2009
Messages
1,975
There is pretty much nothing that has been mentioned here that Henry and I are not discussing. What is happening is that we are prioritizing what things come first. Top most is eliminating production delays. Once shipping the Rotary, we caught another delay that would have happened pretty shortly after, then another. All avoidable. It's the main reason Henry brought me on, and now we are playing catch up... a game I detest.
There are plans for several new products, but they are going to take some time. Even with Henry just doing what he loves, engineering and R&D, he is only one man, and we are not yet at the point where I have taken over the rest of the operation.
And it's just somehow wrong that both Henry and I have 4Sevens Atom lights on our keychains... it should be an HDS Ra Mini, though David at 4 Sevens will be missed. A great guy.
Henry and I meet a couple days each week, and talk nearly daily now.
the HDS FaceBook Page is now active, and I'm working on a new "look" for the webpage. A lot is happening now behind the curtain. I do think 2018 will be a great year for HDS and it's customers.

This is definitely my favorite news of 2018!
 

moltenmag

Enlightened
Joined
May 31, 2017
Messages
581
There is pretty much nothing that has been mentioned here that Henry and I are not discussing. What is happening is that we are prioritizing what things come first. Top most is eliminating production delays. Once shipping the Rotary, we caught another delay that would have happened pretty shortly after, then another. All avoidable. It's the main reason Henry brought me on, and now we are playing catch up... a game I detest.
There are plans for several new products, but they are going to take some time. Even with Henry just doing what he loves, engineering and R&D, he is only one man, and we are not yet at the point where I have taken over the rest of the operation.
And it's just somehow wrong that both Henry and I have 4Sevens Atom lights on our keychains... it should be an HDS Ra Mini, though David at 4 Sevens will be missed. A great guy.
Henry and I meet a couple days each week, and talk nearly daily now.
the HDS FaceBook Page is now active, and I'm working on a new "look" for the webpage. A lot is happening now behind the curtain. I do think 2018 will be a great year for HDS and it's customers.

Glad to know that you're getting back on track. Any chance for a leak of the product development? At least maybe the battery type? I just want to know how much money to save. I think I can speak for all of us HDS fans in saying that we can't wait to hear what's coming.

I checked out the Facebook page. Looks good. I think that will help with communication/marketing. I think you should have a link to it from the HDS website. Or at least an announcement on the home page. It might boost morale until the Rotaries are back on track.

My work started having meetings every week in our department. I thought they were a waste of time at first. After a while, I realized that they were extremely valuable in keeping our team on track for each week. Glad to hear that you're doing the same.

I agree with the keychain lights. Right now I have the LRI photon freedom. Cheap and reliable. Nothing else has caught my attention until now. I would happily buy an HDS RA mini to replace it though. I think that you need a mini HDS, headlamp and an HDS for throw maybe 18650 and your product line would be pretty much perfection. Then you could just come out with different LEDs/variants to round out the product line. You could eventually have an "HDS for any application." If you did that with the quality/reliability you have been pumping out, you would CRUSH the competition. Just throwing ideas out there. Henry obviously knows what he's doing hiring you on to help.
 

peter yetman

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Mar 23, 2014
Messages
5,100
Location
North Norfolk UK
I know I'm in a minority here, but what's new?
HDS is a unique product in. I wonder if making more lines would actually dilute the overall product?
As far as I'm concerned less is more, maybe that's why I'll never be rich and famous.
P
 

moltenmag

Enlightened
Joined
May 31, 2017
Messages
581
I know I'm in a minority here, but what's new?
HDS is a unique product in. I wonder if making more lines would actually dilute the overall product?
As far as I'm concerned less is more, maybe that's why I'll never be rich and famous.
P

I'm a firm believer in being minimal as well. I see HDS as the "Rolex of the flashlight realm." Not the most expensive or beautiful (from a visual appearance), but extremely durable and reliable. It truly is the "Light that gets me home." Rolex does have different models, but doesn't diminish the quality or reliability of each model. A submariner and datejust will be built with the same standards. I think that HDS has reached the peak in quality of its base EDC Rotary/Clicky models over the years. They've added multiple battery tubes and different LEDs. The next logical thing (from a business standpoint) would be to add more models in different sizes focusing on keeping the same quality across all models. Doing this would expand their target audience.

Surefire did this with introducing the sidekick keychain light. People who normally wouldn't buy their bulky lights would be OK with buying the sidekick. It's small (by surefire a standards) and unobtrusive. I look to surefire strictly for weapon mounted lights. The X300 Ultra is on my Glock 19 as we speak. However, if Henry designed a superior pistol light with a TIR-like optic, I would happily ditch my X300.

All this to say, whether businesses like it or not, people in today's society like to have options. It makes people feel more involved in the product selection process.
 

Hogokansatsukan

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Aug 14, 2006
Messages
5,242
Location
Tucson
Glad to know that you're getting back on track. Any chance for a leak of the product development? At least maybe the battery type? I just want to know how much money to save. I think I can speak for all of us HDS fans in saying that we can't wait to hear what's coming.

I checked out the Facebook page. Looks good. I think that will help with communication/marketing. I think you should have a link to it from the HDS website. Or at least an announcement on the home page. It might boost morale until the Rotaries are back on track.

My work started having meetings every week in our department. I thought they were a waste of time at first. After a while, I realized that they were extremely valuable in keeping our team on track for each week. Glad to hear that you're doing the same.

I agree with the keychain lights. Right now I have the LRI photon freedom. Cheap and reliable. Nothing else has caught my attention until now. I would happily buy an HDS RA mini to replace it though. I think that you need a mini HDS, headlamp and an HDS for throw maybe 18650 and your product line would be pretty much perfection. Then you could just come out with different LEDs/variants to round out the product line. You could eventually have an "HDS for any application." If you did that with the quality/reliability you have been pumping out, you would CRUSH the competition. Just throwing ideas out there. Henry obviously knows what he's doing hiring you on to help.


Sorry. No leaks.
The current lights, will always be the HDS flagship, and as has been the case in the past, will continue to see upgrades and improvements over time.
A headlamp is just going back to HDS roots... caving. I for one am tired of using duct tape to make my Rotary a head lamp. It hurts when I take it off.
Most "new" products and things we have discussed are directly related to the HDS EDC lights, but there are other things that can be worked on when time permits. Currently, things are very busy both on my end and Henry's end, and things are happening at a pretty good pace right now. We are going over our 2do list and making deadlines for each of the items on it. I'm very goal oriented and like to see things happen at a good pace.

Now, I have to get on the phone with that lazy vendor who supplies the leather holsters for HDS lights and give him a reaming for not having them done after I ordered them on Tuesday. For goodness sakes, it's Friday already!

Hogo out.

P.S. I just finished them this morning...
 

moltenmag

Enlightened
Joined
May 31, 2017
Messages
581
Sorry. No leaks.
The current lights, will always be the HDS flagship, and as has been the case in the past, will continue to see upgrades and improvements over time.
A headlamp is just going back to HDS roots... caving. I for one am tired of using duct tape to make my Rotary a head lamp. It hurts when I take it off.
Most "new" products and things we have discussed are directly related to the HDS EDC lights, but there are other things that can be worked on when time permits. Currently, things are very busy both on my end and Henry's end, and things are happening at a pretty good pace right now. We are going over our 2do list and making deadlines for each of the items on it. I'm very goal oriented and like to see things happen at a good pace.

Now, I have to get on the phone with that lazy vendor who supplies the leather holsters for HDS lights and give him a reaming for not having them done after I ordered them on Tuesday. For goodness sakes, it's Friday already!

Hogo out.

P.S. I just finished them this morning...

Caving... yes. That is the roots. Im not very familiar with caving because there aren't any caves near my area. In the HDS product line there is the Tactical Rotary and the ability of the lights to be custom built with Infrared LEDs. I'm saying this because I think that you guys have the ability to heavily tap into the tactical (I really am tired of that word these days) community. The EDC Rotary Tactical is seriously innovative and quite frankly badass. I could envision the HDS Tactical models focusing more on throw (i.e. TIR optics). The HDS EDC models focus more on everyday (i.e. normal beam pattern and battery type). Then the headlamps would be for caving/construction. And the mini models would be for keychain EDC (i.e. flood beam and more compact).

One thing that I like about Benchmade Knife Company is the fact that their product line is segregated for different uses (Everyday Carry, Tactical, Outdoor...etc) I could see HDS doing the same thing (EDC, Caving, Tactical). Muyshondt also has a dynamic product line with lights ranging from micro-sized to 18650-sized. I'm sure you guys have talked about these things... I just like generating ideas... obviously... Glad to know that things are picking up the pace.

On another note, Hogo, have you ever thought about merging your Leather Company with HDS Systems? I feel like it could help both companies since HDS now offers holsters. You could potentially offer the same type of customizability with your holsters as you do with the HDS lights. I don't know if Henry would be for it, but it's another idea that might streamline both of your workflows.
 

JKolmo

Enlightened
Joined
Oct 26, 2012
Messages
429
I'm a firm believer in being minimal as well. I see HDS as the "Rolex of the flashlight realm." Not the most expensive or beautiful (from a visual appearance), but extremely durable and reliable.

Amen to that! Toolwatch + toollight.

5d7699c94975f95bc15b1417e80fbadf.jpg
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top