How many HDS lights do you own?

[RCS1300]

It is all a matter of perspective. My role models.

Thanks, I love HDS ...

With that out of the way, let's get to some pics!!

I guess a Picture tells more than 1000 words :thinking:

Aspiring:

The last in our party just arrived. Seinfeld, table for five.

 

[kaichu dento]

My observation is that Dan entered the HDS game in a major way with product segmentation including new and unique LED's and new material runs. That wider offering compelled people already sold on HDS flashlights to purchase more. I did.

Impossible to state how important it was for Dan to join Henry. I'd been pestering Henry both on the phone and over lunch for years about a Ti Rotary and it would likely have never happened without the 'Tucson Intervention Specialist' going to bat for us.

If HDS wants to increase sales to the consumer market(they may not) the question becomes, how do they reach out and convert non-HDS flashlight owners to purchase their first HDS Flashlight.

I think it takes a particular type of user to see the value in an HDS and I've only been successful a couple of times in turning someone else into an owner. The most dramatic was the guy who couldn't believe how expensive they were, but freaked out after carrying one for a couple of days and immediately bought one from me. It ended up getting stolen from him and he had me get another off the Marketplace asap.
I don't think they'll ever be carried by the masses, but there are some out there who will fall for them once they've had a chance to actually use one.

 

[thermal guy]

Agree. You will never see a non flashlight geek carrying a hds. For the same reason you will never see me riding a 3000 dollar mountain bike.im not into bikes and a Walmart 200 dollar special is all I need. You have to be really into a hobby "and let's face it this is a hobby " to spend big bucks on a toy. No matter how good it is.Cant tell you how many people I have shown my HDS lights to and first thing they always say is 300! For a flashlight?ill stick to my Maglite. Lol. And that's fine. More for us right?

 

[scout24]

Lol, so true. I've never had someone come up to me and say "OMG- I recognized that pocketclip- is that a so-and-so???" 😄

 

[RCS1300]

I think it takes a particular type of user to see the value in an HDS and I've only been successful a couple of times in turning someone else into an owner.

Agreed. The trick is to define that particular type of user in a way that s/he can be targeted for advertising and marketing. I would not say it is a "Hobbyist" but rather a person that needs/depends on a flashlight to perform important tasks and wants the best product. My bet is that the overwhelming majority, 95%, of those individuals have NEVER been on any flashlight forum - firemen/women, police, EMS, Border Patrol, etc.

 

[Hogokansatsukan]

'Tucson Intervention Specialist' going to bat for us.

And occasionally taking a bat TO people... I'm working on it though.

It's that first "jump" that is hard to get people to take... and most simply will not take it which is fine.

There are two types of people.

Type A:

and type B:

I wouldn't even look through a pair of Swarovski binoculars until I could afford a pair... then when I did, I ended up with 3. I even keep a pair permanently in the Jeep.
It took me since 1996 to get a Chris Reeve Sebenza (I actually got the Inkosi), and I can say another is on the way... finally made the change when my Benchmade Volli somehow opened in my back pocket slicing both my pocket and the seat of a car I was about to sell... I really just used that as the excuse.

It often takes "using" the item to finally "get it", and most never will.

 

[RCS1300]

No matter how good it is.Cant tell you how many people I have shown my HDS lights to and first thing they always say is 300! For a flashlight?ill stick to my Maglite.

The HDS is sold on features, not price. It starts with "let me show you the features in this light and why they are important". The price is inconsequential if the prospective buyer finds the features compelling. In my opinion, the HDS EDC flashlight has zero competition on a head to head comparison of features/capabilities. If one really dives into the features of the HDS light you can tell that Henry designed this light for the elite military and caving. It is fortunate for us that we have access to these lights. A couple of huge military and/or law enforcement HDS purchase contracts and we, civilians, will probably not be seeing these lights for a while.

 

[flatline]

It often takes "using" the item to finally "get it", and most never will.

Truer words were never spoken.

Edit: Just wanted to add that it goes the other way sometimes, as well. After years of hearing the praises of the Spyderco Delica 4, I got my hands on one. I totally didn't connect with it.

--flatline

 

[archimedes]

Why oh why do you have to keep posting about Swarovski ....

I made a big mistake once by looking through a pair ... a costly mistake

 

[Hogokansatsukan]

Why oh why do you have to keep posting about Swarovski ....

I made a big mistake once by looking through a pair ... a costly mistake

LOL! Seeing is believing... unless it is David Copperfield.

My first pair were the EL. I met a rep at the local archery shop who set up the one's I thought I was going to get(15x56 SLC) next to a set of the EL 12x50. Cost me several hundred more than I was planning. I was ruined after that. Even all my "pocket" and "compact" binos went out the door for smaller Swarovski versions. I'm now down the Chris Reeve rabbit hole as well... maybe not at costly as SW rabbit hole, but still deep and cold down there.