New Ra Lights products

[zenas]

paxxus,

for me it's difficult to say... I read the manual for the "new" Executive model and you can still read about burst...
BUT: 140lm is referred to be the "HIGH" setting. And later on in the manual, it's said you get 1 hour runtime on the HIGH setting... Some clear words are missing in the manual!

Nevertheless, it's just a shame that all these CPF members (who bought a 140-C) worked as beta-testers... And they even had to PAY FOR IT (at least the 30$ difference...)!
I bought a 140-Cgt, which seem to be not available any longer. So I'm fine, but if projecting the new price of the Executive model (which is just a renamed 140-C I think!) to a possible "Executive with GT" i paid 30$ to much... AND I had to return my light for a repair (you know: "Beta-tester"...)...

I just don't feel right having bought a light from Henry...

 

[UnderTheWeepingMoon]

what the cheaper models do not seem to have

HAIII
potted electronics
reverse bat protection
overdischarge protection
anti damage bat compartment
full thermal management

I am going to guess that the cheaper models will have at least some of these features. For example, removing reverse polarity protection on a production light seems commercially suicidal for HDS, as it has been a feature on all of his lights since the Arc 4 days. I'm sure Henry doesn't want customers complaining because they killed their lights after inserting a battery the wrong way. Also, because the cheaper lights have the same dimensions as the more expensive ones, I'm sure they will have the anti-damage battery compartment. The blurb for the cheaper models also states that they are hard anodised. There is no "hard anodise" apart from HAIII.

In terms of production, it's probably cheaper for HDS run simpler firmware or lower grade LEDs in the cheaper lights than to retool their manufacturing equipment for a new, less expensive mechanical design. My guess is that it will be like the old EDC days, where they had different output levels and different firmware features as you went up the price scale.

 

[Kamakazikev24]

Never heard of a NovaTac which didn't flicker on low, guess you got lucky. My NT flickers even on the higher levels - you can even see this phenomenon on runtime graphs posted here on CPF - instead of a flat curve it's somewhat bumpy. The major difference between NT and Ra is that Ra has the engineer who designed the stuff so hopefully the bugs will eventually get sorted - NT can basically only change the color and stuff like that.

Yeah I hear what your saying, when I ordered the Novatac I did feel that I was going a step 'back' in the evolution with shorter runtimes ect. But I am just happy that this model simply works as it should, oh and I got a free spring thrown in as well! LOL.

 

[Armed_Forces]

You know guys, somebody should inquire where these lights are made.


It could be that Henry had the same idea that I suggested yesterday and decided to outsource his manufacturing.
This would explain the lower prices. 😱oo:

 

[MikeG1P315]

At these more competitive prices I may get one now.

I have made a habit in the past decade to never ever buy the first or second batch of any new product. Early adopters almost always pay a higher price for so mething that will be refined and cheaper as production increases and initial R&D costs are covered.

There is an executive in my future...

 

[brucec]

NT can basically only change the color and stuff like that.

It's flashlight engineering, not rocket science. There is certainly no scarcity of electrical engineers capable of designing constant current buck-boost or pwm circuits. I know, I hired one, but he is doing much much more complex circuit designs than the simple ones used to drive LEDs. If Novatac isn't working on any improvements, it's due to bad management for not investing in R&D and not because Henry is the only one capable of designing flashlight drivers. Which, I might add, still seems to flicker in low modes according to some of the feedback I have read on CPF.

 

[Optik49]

WOW, I was surprised to read this when I turned on the computer today. It will be interesting to see what Henry does with all the people on CPF that shelled 200 + on a CGT. I think a free light would be a good gesture or part refund something. I mean this did not just happen overnight. When you look at the Clicky registry, we are not talking about that many people. I guess we will have to wait to hear from him. There are a lot of unhappy campers out there today. I feel like I was taken and to think I sold my Novatac.

The Numbers
Total: 73
Prototypes (140C internals): 8
100ww-Cn: 2
140C: 18
140Cn: 20
140Cgt: 17
170Cn: 8


CLICKY SERIAL LIST

Reima......................Proto........#2303
Dadof6.....................Proto........#2307
gswitter...................Proto........#2308
turbodog...................Proto........#2310
mikes1.....................Proto........#2319
kromeke....................Proto........#2321
gottawearshades............Proto........#2599
karlthev...................Proto........#low?
Nekolf.....................170Cn........#5014
wolverine1.................140Cgt.......#5152
luxlover...................140C.........#5155
sorgun.....................140Cgt.......#5160
Dadof6.....................170Cn........#5169
_____?.....................140C.........#5176 (Reima > ??)
9volt......................140C.........#5176
HDS Systems................170Cn........#5177
wrencher...................140Cn........#5184
gottwearshades.............140Cgt.......#5199
tz1m3......................140Cgt.......#5213
Dead_Nuts..................140Cgt.......#5215
Lingette...................140C.........#5219
m16a.......................140C.........#5246
Not So Bright..............140Cn........#5265
jeckyll....................140Cn........#5280
mountain_gav...............140C.........#5285
snoody.....................140Cgt.......#5287
mottom123..................140Cn........#5293
Kamakazikev24..............140Cgt.......#5308
zenas......................140Cgt.......#5310
flummoxed..................140Cn........#5316
Grillmasterp...............140C.........#5317
wolverine1.................140C.........#5319
mikes1.....................140Cn........#5337
HoopleHead.................140Cn........#5342
Not So Bright..............140C.........#5346
Rob........................140C.........#5350
herrgurka..................140Cn........#5355
youreacrab.................140C.........#5358
grinsekatz.................140Cn........#5365
SaturnNyne.................140Cgt.......#5366
tpchan.....................140C.........#5375
discoverEDC................140C.........#5377 (switched to high CRI SSC)
Henk_Lu....................140C.........#5382
gottwearshades.............140Cn........#5383
grinsekatz.................140C.........#5386
PoliceScannerMan...........140Cn........#5861
Strauss....................100ww-Cn.....#5891
Ratton.....................170Cn........#5912
kb2mh......................140Cn........#5922
pete55555..................140Cgt.......#5939
orcinus....................170Cn........#5950
grateful1..................140Cgt.......#5986
eljuez.....................140Cn........#5989
Enzo Morocioli.............140Cn........#5993
karlthev...................140Cgt.......#immaterial
Goatee : )>................140Cgt.......#6006
Moka.......................140Cn........#6008
Enzo Morocioli.............100ww-Cn.....#6012
Sledhead...................140C.........#6024
The Coach..................140Cn........#6042
shomie911..................140Cn........#6047
flummoxed..................170Cn........#6048
Gary007....................140C.........#6049
tricker....................140Cn........#6082
grinsekatz.................140Cgt.......#6099
dtsoll.....................140Cgt.......#6105
PoliceScannerMan...........140Cgt.......#6107
turbodog...................170Cn........#6115
Lingette...................140Cn........#6117
Prime77....................140C.........#6125
????????...................170Cn........#6130 (returned to HDS)
Optik49....................140Cgt.......#6133
Griz.......................140Cn........#6149

 

[LLCoolBeans]

Can we all just calm down a bit and wait for an explanation from Henry? I'm sure he'll chime in soon enough.

 

[LLCoolBeans]

You know guys, somebody should inquire where these lights are made.


It could be that Henry had the same idea that I suggested yesterday and decided to outsource his manufacturing.
This would explain the lower prices. 😱oo:

I know for a fact that the lights are manufactured here in Tucson.

 

[Optik49]

Agreed, but he had to know this was going to tick off everyone on that list.

 

[LLCoolBeans]

Agreed, but he had to know this was going to tick off everyone on that list.

Let's just wait to hear what he has to say.

 

[litetube]

Wow. I personally am excited about the lower prices. I cant seem to see a difference in these new models except for the more expensive ones running a bit briter more efficiently but we are given a choice which is cool.
I dont know about Ra owing anybody anything back though. A private company has the right to sell/charge anything they like in a Free Market and it is up to the consumer to buy or walk. At the time that was the product and the price. Plus I dont think the few extra bucks from the first run of lights made anyone rich or offset any of the inital costs in R/D or Production. It takes a LONG time to actually turn a profit in a small business and recoup the initial startup costs.Those few lights might actually become collectors pieces and double in value in a short time. If so I will be kicking myself for not getting one of the original clickies.

 

[Kamakazikev24]

Well the first 'beta testers' who paid full price and then paid even more to send the lights back to be repaired will be thrilled!

And with so few lights sold, there sure was a high % of returns!

 

[Optik49]

Wow. I personally am excited about the lower prices. I cant seem to see a difference in these new models except for the more expensive ones running a bit briter more efficiently but we are given a choice which is cool.
I dont know about Ra owing anybody anything back though. A private company has the right to sell/charge anything they like in a Free Market and it is up to the consumer to buy or walk. At the time that was the product and the price. Plus I dont think the few extra bucks from the first run of lights made anyone rich or offset any of the inital costs in R/D or Production. It takes a LONG time to actually turn a profit in a small business and recoup the initial startup costs.Those few lights might actually become collectors pieces and double in value in a short time. If so I will be kicking myself for not getting one of the original clickies.

:shakehead

 

[Deleted member 14754]

Those few lights might actually become collectors pieces and double in value in a short time. If so I will be kicking myself for not getting one of the original clickies.

Exactly!

I personally have no intention of selling my Original RaClicky. It's a rare bird now!

I will be picking up a Tactical Clicky as well. Kudos to Henry on great prices and a great new line !

 

[litetube]

Hey, dont get me wrong, I feel the pain and have mucho compassion. I fall prey to wanting the latest and greatest myself and in some ways CPF has turned into a large pen of prey for a large number of predators (not that I am calling RA a predatory organization) all trying to get the best position to clean out our wallets/purses. I have very limited funds for flashlights now and can't even come to a decision anymore because of stuff like this. If I pull the trigger and stuff like this happens I would be truly depressed so I find myself hanging back and not getting anything. Just when you think the dust is settling something else comes up.
I truly do think the original clickies will maintian and increase in value just like the original HDS EDCs have

 

[zenas]

Can you tell me how to distinguish between the "old" Clicky and the "new" Executive?
Both look the same, have the same features (or maybe not... think about the new ones runing @ 140lm for an hour ) and even serial numbers are not enough (we already are in the 6xxx range - do you think the new ones all will be 7xxx???) to distinguish between them.
Maybe the little color code on the PCB (blue, white, black, etc.) has gone and the new lights don't have this. But hey, I can paint!
But as already said: Lets wait for Henry's answer to this! I hope he is reacting fast 🙂
Anyway my light is away for repair...

 

[brucec]

Wow. I personally am excited about the lower prices. I cant seem to see a difference in these new models except for the more expensive ones running a bit briter more efficiently but we are given a choice which is cool.
I dont know about Ra owing anybody anything back though. A private company has the right to sell/charge anything they like in a Free Market and it is up to the consumer to buy or walk. At the time that was the product and the price. Plus I dont think the few extra bucks from the first run of lights made anyone rich or offset any of the inital costs in R/D or Production. It takes a LONG time to actually turn a profit in a small business and recoup the initial startup costs.Those few lights might actually become collectors pieces and double in value in a short time. If so I will be kicking myself for not getting one of the original clickies.

I completely agree that Ra doesn't really owe anyone anything. People payed (some prepaid) the asking price at that time knowing full well that the light had no track record except Henry's reputation, and perhaps the Twisty. That was the price and people received what they paid for, right? Just be glad it wasn't a $600 iPhone that was slashed to $200 in a few months.

This is all too bad because I REALLY want to like Ra's lights, but with the production delays, lack of communication, QC issues, unremarkable GT, simultaneously upgrading the spec to burst while downgrading the max output, and now some pretty questionable pricing moves (I won't even include the clip here because that must have been just a bad dream), I can't bring myself to support this company yet until they clean up some of the mess. It really is too bad because that means McGizmo is going to end up getting more than his fair share of my money...:sigh: 😛

 

[Pöbel]

I thought Clicky serial numbers were random?

 

[Watchguy]

This is great news! Now I can afford one. Think I'll get the new EDC Executive for $99.00.:thumbsup: