I would like to see this be the case…
HDS HDS Systems #23
- Thread starter Hogokansatsukan
- Start date
Help Support Candle Power Forums Duster1671
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2017
- Messages
- 109
I bought a XP-G Rotary sometime in 2011 and since then I've been on a quest to get the sort of beam I really want from it. The original was cool white and, well, quite ringy (see beamshot below). Eventually I had the emitter swapped for a 4000k 219C, which fixed the tint and CRI issue, but the shape of the beam was unaffected. It's still awfully ringy.
So in my quest for a Rotary that has a beam as nice as the rest of the light, I see two options:
1. Buy a new reflector. The light has an orange peel reflector that's of the 2011 vintage (photo below). Does the current reflector design give a smooth beam with a 219C?
2. Buy a whole new Rotary. I see Nichia 219Bs are available as a custom config at the moment. Does this light have a clean beam?
Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
So in my quest for a Rotary that has a beam as nice as the rest of the light, I see two options:
1. Buy a new reflector. The light has an orange peel reflector that's of the 2011 vintage (photo below). Does the current reflector design give a smooth beam with a 219C?
2. Buy a whole new Rotary. I see Nichia 219Bs are available as a custom config at the moment. Does this light have a clean beam?
Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Lithium466
Enlightened
You can either buy a new reflector (with grooves already cut) or have yours slightly modified (to avoid shorts), and put your led on a thicker led board...Or buy a new rotary 
WarriorOfLight
Flashlight Enthusiast
The beam of the 219B LEDs is quite fine, no rings. The only thing with NB45 is the immer of the beam is cooler in color in compare of the outer beam. But is is a quite nice LED Option. The SDV30 and SDR50 also does not have any rings. Also two great iptions worth thinking about!
Lithium466
Enlightened
Original rotary still had a head/reflector design that could accommodate the Osram GD leds, with an XP-G the led sits a little bit too low for optimal beam...which is even accentuated with Nichia leds like the 219A/B (never tried the 219C in such setup).
HDS made some changes...not sure in the head design, or thicker board, or both, but the newer reflectors have a groove so the led can sit closer to it without shorting the contacts. I had put some pictures in thread #18 maybe? They are gone now unfortunately.
HDS made some changes...not sure in the head design, or thicker board, or both, but the newer reflectors have a groove so the led can sit closer to it without shorting the contacts. I had put some pictures in thread #18 maybe? They are gone now unfortunately.
I had an old version with 219a with similar rings, I changed the reflector to a modern one, it did not change the beam. In modern ones, I never have a see of such rings, but modern 219B / 219C have a chance to have an area with a darker / yellow tint in the inner part of the hotspot, it drives some people crazy when they see this on a uniform surface.
Duster1671
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2017
- Messages
- 109
Okay, so it sounds like the location of the LED in the reflector is the issue. Indeed, when I start to unscrew the bezel (essentially moving the reflector in the wrong direction relative to the LED) the rings gets worse.
And from desert.snake's experience, it sounds like the new reflector does not sit lower per se, but simply has grooves that allow the LED to be mounted higher (by means of a thicker board?).
So I think the bottom line is that regardless of which reflector I use, the solution here is to move the LED, either with a thicker board or by shimming the LED.
1. How would I go about replacing the board with a thicker one? Is this thicker board available as a piece part?
2. Is it practical to shim the LED on the existing board? Remove the emitter, build a sandwich of solder paste and shims between the pad on the board and the LED and then reflow?
And from desert.snake's experience, it sounds like the new reflector does not sit lower per se, but simply has grooves that allow the LED to be mounted higher (by means of a thicker board?).
So I think the bottom line is that regardless of which reflector I use, the solution here is to move the LED, either with a thicker board or by shimming the LED.
1. How would I go about replacing the board with a thicker one? Is this thicker board available as a piece part?
2. Is it practical to shim the LED on the existing board? Remove the emitter, build a sandwich of solder paste and shims between the pad on the board and the LED and then reflow?
How's the tint on the SDV30? I don't think anyone has posted a beam shot yet, but there probably aren't that many out there yet!
WarriorOfLight
Flashlight Enthusiast
It is quite nice. It is really comparable in color and tint to the NB30. I do not have anything to complain with SDV30. I am totally happy with it.
And yes I still have the open task for a new updated compare of (almost all) ever available Rotary LEDs. This one if kind of a 3 years old:
The compare above contains all 219C LEDs but 219B is missing, NLT, SS40, SDV30, SDV50, SDR55, ... such a compare takes time since I must check out what light is on what location burried. My wooden bowl is not big enough anymore to keep all HDS lights I have...
Last edited:
PoliceScannerMan
Flashaholic
I’ve got one. It’s quite nice!!
Seems it's time to upgrade from a large wooden bowl to a small canoe!My wooden bowl is not big enough anymore to keep all HDS lights I have...
Hey Hogo,
I just noticed on my payment receipt the LED selection says “NB40” but I’d selected “SDV30”… is that just an mislabeling for the invoice? Wanted to make sure my selection was received correctly.
I’d email Henry but sounds like he’s swamped and hasn’t been able to return messages.
I just noticed on my payment receipt the LED selection says “NB40” but I’d selected “SDV30”… is that just an mislabeling for the invoice? Wanted to make sure my selection was received correctly.
I’d email Henry but sounds like he’s swamped and hasn’t been able to return messages.
WarriorOfLight
Flashlight Enthusiast
You can check this out by yourself. SDV30 looks this way if you unscrew the reflector:
The box should 'say' this:
But I will not replace my wooden bowl since there is a story behind this wooden bowl. It is self made, when I was young... Its a piece of my own history with a lot great memories.
But to fill, even a small, canoe HDS must start with much more special runs, much more LED options, much more cool stuff like battery tubes, ... to fill the canoe with HDS lights and parts.
Thank you WOL.You can check this out by yourself. SDV30 looks this way if you unscrew the reflector:
The box should 'say' this:
Unfortunately I haven’t received the light yet so I can’t verify. I’d placed my order mid July, but assuming the reflector debacle has caused a significant delays. Hopefully it’s just a mistake on the receipt.
Hogokansatsukan
Flashlight Enthusiast
E-mail Henry. He may be swamped and not reply for awhile but email him anyway.
Mid-July?! I'm waiting on my NB35 rotary ordered in mid-May! But I'm glad to see some orders moving along. Did you order a clicky by any chance? The note on the HDS homepage says they are short of rotary controls, so that may hold up my order.
Hogo - any updates on 18650 rotary bodies? I've been wanting one for a while.
Will do, thank you!
Oh boy! You’re patient lol.
I ordered a rotary, so it sounds like we’re in the same boat..
Robot Mania FU
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Jul 4, 2010
- Messages
- 82
Same, but I still have a ways to go. I ordered an amber rotary mid/late August.
Duster1671
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2017
- Messages
- 109
I'm trying to place an order for a custom-built light and followed the instructions to send an email using the "Ask Permission" button at the bottom of the order page. I did that on Saturday and have not received an email back with a "magic link" to place the order.
Is the problem on my end or theirs?
Edit: I know there are stock shortages for reflectors and rotary controls. I don't expect this light any time soon, I'm just trying to get the order in.
Is the problem on my end or theirs?
Edit: I know there are stock shortages for reflectors and rotary controls. I don't expect this light any time soon, I'm just trying to get the order in.
WarriorOfLight
Flashlight Enthusiast
I would write a friendly email to Henry ([email protected]). sometimes the guys at HDS are busy with other tasks and are focusing on this. I am sure you will than get an answer soon!
@ all
Seems the NB45 stock is getting low. I still hope the 219B LEDs will be restocked. I still have the feeeling this LED option has a high interest and is a good seller...
