csshih
Flashlight Enthusiast
Hi Everyone,
Up for review is one of Hoyttech's new offerings, the Hoyttech HL-1. Hoyttech seems to be a company that sells variations of sport cameras, and seems to be new in the flashlight business.
Here are the specs taken from the Hoyttech website:
More information can be found in the threads linked below.
This light was supplied by Hoyttech for review, it can also be purchased here. as a CPF special for 89.99, without accessories. It can be purchased with everything for $113.99.
A Bit of Background:
The HL-1 was first announced to CPF on 6/23/09 in their sale thread here, with a CPF special price. Later, on 7/8/09, they further discounted their price, and offered to sell the light without acessories for a lower price.
and now, here is the light:
The light came in a nice carrying case. From the labeling on the end of the lanyard, it appears to be a Otter box.
On the back of the case is a pretty easy to understand instructional diagram. This diagram is a very handy reference guide.. I've used it quite a bit.
Here are the contents of the case.. My review sample also came with 4 titanium CR123A batteries, I am unsure whether it is normally included or not.
Also included is the light itself, and a diffusor bezel. Dissection of the diffusor bezel resulted in a standard glass lens, with an added diffusor sheet. I would think this would be less efficient than a frosted window.
interesting surface.. a break from all the knurling out there. The antiroll ring serves well.
protruding tailcap.. no tailstanding.
shot of the inside of the head.
It seems that power to the electronics is sent via the body of the light, and the signal to turn the light on and off is via this pin in the picture.
A look at the tailcap, and the connection area.
Comparison:
From left to right: Tiablo A9, Hoyttech HL-1, QuarkAA^2, Dereeligtht CL1H V4, Quark 123^2, EZAA W, Quark123, Fenix LD01, AW 18650, Energizer AA, 47s CR123A
Comparison Beamshots:
ON HIGH: From Left to right: Hoyttech HL-1, Dereelight CL1H V4 SMO 1SM-2 WH, Tiablo A9 SMO, Quark123^2
ON LOW/MOONMODE: From left to right: Hoyttech HL-1, LiteFlux LF2XT, 47s Quark123^2
Below shots are with the diffused bezel installed:
ON LOW/MOONMODE: From left to right: Hoyttech HL-1, LiteFlux LF2XT, 47s Quark123^2
Outdoor Beamshots:
All the outdoor beamshots have been consolidated into 1 thread! It can be found here: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?p=2995235
First Impressions:
The Hoyttech HL-1 is an interesting light. Its smooth body is a somewhat welcome relief from all the knurled lights out on the market right now.. all the while being not as slippery as I would have though. The anti roll spikes help with grip, too while not being uncomfortablly placed, unlike some other lights I've used. The UI was very easy to learn.. the quick diagram on the box made things even easier. Currently, I am using Mode 2.. what feel is very similar to the Nitecore piston drive series. The only difference I see is no shortcuts to low/high.. a double tap will bring you to a strobe. The super low low is also a pretty nice feature.. with the diffusor bezel on, it give a nice, width beam of light, with no super bright hotspot.
Conclusion:
The HL-1 uses 2 CR123A primaries. I was informed by Chris @ Hoyttech that the light would not take LiCoO2 rechargeble CR123As, also know as RCR123A. This slightly dissapointed me.. no "guilt free" lumens... but, with a bit of experimenting, it will accept a single RCR123A, with a spacer. That being said, I would suspect a 17670 button top would work just fine .
Also one of the problems I have are with the current drain when off.. I measured ~6.6mA.. which is pretty high.. a standard CR123A is a 1400mAh battery... the current drain will deplete a full battery in roughly 8 days.. luckily, the light is easily locked out with a twist of the tailcap (there mentions a software lockout on the case. I do not think this stops the current drain.... which also erases which mode the light is currently set to :sick2:
All in all, if those problems were revised.. this would make for one of my favorite lights! its currently is pretty high on the list, due to my excursion in rechargeables..
Note: Chris has informed that the circuitry has been revised, and the current drain when off is now 1.2mA :thumbsup:
Experimental picture section: hey.. I like to toy around with my camera.
well oops, I forgot a "head" shot in the beginning of the review. well, here is one..
The hoyttech HL-1 uses a Cree XR-E LED of unknown bin. There are 4 bond wires, though.
Up for review is one of Hoyttech's new offerings, the Hoyttech HL-1. Hoyttech seems to be a company that sells variations of sport cameras, and seems to be new in the flashlight business.
Here are the specs taken from the Hoyttech website:
- Waterproof double O-ring seals :thumbsup:
- Max Output: 155 Lumens
- Min Output: 7 Lumens
- Battery: (2) 123a lithium
- Weight: 6.9 oz
- Runtime (max output): 100 minutes
- Runtime (min output): 100 hrs
More information can be found in the threads linked below.
This light was supplied by Hoyttech for review, it can also be purchased here. as a CPF special for 89.99, without accessories. It can be purchased with everything for $113.99.
A Bit of Background:
The HL-1 was first announced to CPF on 6/23/09 in their sale thread here, with a CPF special price. Later, on 7/8/09, they further discounted their price, and offered to sell the light without acessories for a lower price.
and now, here is the light:
The light came in a nice carrying case. From the labeling on the end of the lanyard, it appears to be a Otter box.
On the back of the case is a pretty easy to understand instructional diagram. This diagram is a very handy reference guide.. I've used it quite a bit.
Here are the contents of the case.. My review sample also came with 4 titanium CR123A batteries, I am unsure whether it is normally included or not.
Also included is the light itself, and a diffusor bezel. Dissection of the diffusor bezel resulted in a standard glass lens, with an added diffusor sheet. I would think this would be less efficient than a frosted window.
interesting surface.. a break from all the knurling out there. The antiroll ring serves well.
protruding tailcap.. no tailstanding.
shot of the inside of the head.
It seems that power to the electronics is sent via the body of the light, and the signal to turn the light on and off is via this pin in the picture.
A look at the tailcap, and the connection area.
Comparison:
From left to right: Tiablo A9, Hoyttech HL-1, QuarkAA^2, Dereeligtht CL1H V4, Quark 123^2, EZAA W, Quark123, Fenix LD01, AW 18650, Energizer AA, 47s CR123A
Comparison Beamshots:
ON HIGH: From Left to right: Hoyttech HL-1, Dereelight CL1H V4 SMO 1SM-2 WH, Tiablo A9 SMO, Quark123^2
ON LOW/MOONMODE: From left to right: Hoyttech HL-1, LiteFlux LF2XT, 47s Quark123^2
Below shots are with the diffused bezel installed:
ON LOW/MOONMODE: From left to right: Hoyttech HL-1, LiteFlux LF2XT, 47s Quark123^2
Outdoor Beamshots:
All the outdoor beamshots have been consolidated into 1 thread! It can be found here: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?p=2995235
First Impressions:
The Hoyttech HL-1 is an interesting light. Its smooth body is a somewhat welcome relief from all the knurled lights out on the market right now.. all the while being not as slippery as I would have though. The anti roll spikes help with grip, too while not being uncomfortablly placed, unlike some other lights I've used. The UI was very easy to learn.. the quick diagram on the box made things even easier. Currently, I am using Mode 2.. what feel is very similar to the Nitecore piston drive series. The only difference I see is no shortcuts to low/high.. a double tap will bring you to a strobe. The super low low is also a pretty nice feature.. with the diffusor bezel on, it give a nice, width beam of light, with no super bright hotspot.
Conclusion:
The HL-1 uses 2 CR123A primaries. I was informed by Chris @ Hoyttech that the light would not take LiCoO2 rechargeble CR123As, also know as RCR123A. This slightly dissapointed me.. no "guilt free" lumens... but, with a bit of experimenting, it will accept a single RCR123A, with a spacer. That being said, I would suspect a 17670 button top would work just fine .
Also one of the problems I have are with the current drain when off.. I measured ~6.6mA.. which is pretty high.. a standard CR123A is a 1400mAh battery... the current drain will deplete a full battery in roughly 8 days.. luckily, the light is easily locked out with a twist of the tailcap (there mentions a software lockout on the case. I do not think this stops the current drain.... which also erases which mode the light is currently set to :sick2:
All in all, if those problems were revised.. this would make for one of my favorite lights! its currently is pretty high on the list, due to my excursion in rechargeables..
Note: Chris has informed that the circuitry has been revised, and the current drain when off is now 1.2mA :thumbsup:
Experimental picture section: hey.. I like to toy around with my camera.
well oops, I forgot a "head" shot in the beginning of the review. well, here is one..
The hoyttech HL-1 uses a Cree XR-E LED of unknown bin. There are 4 bond wires, though.
Last edited:
