how many of you are tired of non hard ano finish?

[JonSidneyB]

There are times that I just want to get rid of everything I have that does not have a hard anodized finsh. What stops me is that I do have some great lights, they would be more than great if they had hard ano. Does everyone else feel this way. Maybe someday I will go hard ano, I will go that way anytime I have a choice. Too bad I can't easily get my 6D SpaceNeedle, My Mr-X, My 12-ZM, and my MrBulk, Pelican easily changed over to Hard Ano.

 

[flownosaj]

I like either HAIII or brushed finishes. Most of my non-HA lights wind up looking like a pseudo brushed finish anyways, so why no just start it looking that way.

-Jason

 

[dougmccoy]

Whilst HA111 is great at resisting damage, once damage has occurred it is usually very noticeable. Also HA111 is not easily come by in black which is the favoured colour of LEO's. Although I love my Surefires, I also love my SL's which are only HA11. IMHO a flashlight is a tool and tools get marked. It is what you expect whether it is HA11 or HA111 so why get worked up over it?

Doug

 

[Cosmic Superchunk]

I think we would all like to see tough durable finishes on metal flashlights, but as is with all things that are meant to be used, they will get eventually get scratches, scuffs or dings if dropped so don't worry about it. Besides, the true mark of a well made flashlight is that it will still function like new after it's been kicked around some. It is then that one truly appreciates it's quality.

 

[NightStorm]

Don't think of those blemishes in the anodizing as something negative, think of them as "character marks". /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Each and every one of them is a story that you can tell at a later date. Besides, there is no coating that is completely "bullet proof" (though TiN or hard chrome come close). Just my two cents.

Dan

 

[JonSidneyB]

I would rather have charachter marks in my H3 then the lesser Ano finishes. Cuz I would rather not have those other finishes

 

[Pi_is_blue]

Don't you mean MR-X instead of MR-S?
HAIII isn't perfect either. It wears of on the edges of my Arc AAA and the knurling on my E2e.

 

[NightStorm]

Its just aluminum oxide after all (controlled corrosion). /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Later.

Dan

 

[chamenos]

IMHO hard anodizing isn't really that important...it makes the light look newer, but the varying tint of the HA coating might turn some people off. regular anodizing on the other hand has a consistant tint, but wears off faster. having said that i do prefer HA for its matte finish /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Minjin]

You guys would be singing a different tune if we were talking about the finish on your car. Hey. poor paint that scratches and comes off easy just makes character spots right? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Perhaps we should start requesting good chrome coatings, which are used on all quality tools...

Mark

 

[JonSidneyB]

I do realize that Hard ano does wear. But the other finishs scratch but just being looked at. But I did carry a Arc-ls on a keychain for for a year, and it didn't get scratched up at all. And yes, there were keys on that key chain. I take my lights into the rocky wilds of the southwest and have not marked on up yet. Now I have noticed that the ARC-LS does seem to hold up to keys better then the old E1.

And watch. I bet if Arc or Surefire said they were going to drop hard ano and to the the stuff Maglite uses. I bet you would get lots of protests out here.

 

[chamenos]

true...but then again the finish on flashlights wearing off doesn't really affect them in any other way besides its cosmectics, whereas if the paint on a regular car comes off the car is going to rust, and the rust might spread to the frame. i still like HA, though i'd prefer it in black /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[flownosaj]

Minjin--I had that exact same idea. I have Craftsman and Mac tool that get abused and look good as new still.

All that stainless and chrome would be a little heavy though /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
-Jason

 

[NightStorm]

The other problem with chrome and other electroplated metals is they tend to keep the heat in. Want your car to run hotter? Just chrome the radiator. As far as "steels" go (many stainless alloys contain very little iron, if any), they have poor thermal conductivity when compared to copper and aluminum.

Dan

 

[Minjin]

Most of my HAIII lights look very good, but my buddy has been carrying an arc aaa for about 6 months that has the knurling all but worn off now. He doesn't have very many keys either...

Mark

 

[tkl]

I thought it was really cool at first, but it's since worn off. No matter what the finish it will eventually show wear. Although my L4 is holding up quite nicely and I have to say I'm a bit surprised. HA chips rather easily though. My E2e had a chip mark, from what I don't know.

The finish is not a deal breaker. I really like the Titanium finish on my twin task lights.