Novatac Storm and Blister Packaging

[andrewnewman]

I recently received a new Novatac Storm from batteryjunction this weekend. As there are already plenty of threads about how this particular light is awfully similar to the existing 120 series of lights Novatac makes, I thought I would cover the differences. Some of these may not in fact be differences as this is the first Novatac light I have owned. Officially this light is listed as the 120ST-PT for what that is worth.

That said:

1. The anodizing is very nice but only type 2 anodizing.
2. Despite the fact that the manual claims otherwise, the clip comes pre-affixed under the bezel for bezel up carry. The bezel is either cemented or screwed down so tight I cannot remove it or the clip.
3. The light comes with both a battery and a moderately nice carry case that allows for horizontal carry and has two elastic pockets for spare batteries.
4. The light is made in China (according to the packaging).
5. The tail advertises the Novatac web site. The web site doesn't return the favor and has no mention of the new lighrts. Novatac seems to have forgotton it has a web site given the currency of most information there.
6. The product comes in a blister pack.

This last point is (oddly) most significant in my mind. When a flashlight company seems to stop producing new and innovative products, we assume that it might be losing its way. There is another possible explanation. The company may be focusing on trying to expand it's market with existing (or similar) products that have already made up for the R&D costs associated with their developments. I think the blister pack factors into this.

While historically high theft potential small items were typically sold in boxes and required a sales person to assist you in any pre-sales examination, over the past few decades the blister pack has become quite prominent. The blister pack allows a person to examine (but not touch) a product without a sales person being present and provides ample space for sales-related information about the product so you don't need to ask a qualified sales associate. The blister pack also reduces theft as it is really hard to remove the product discretely from the blister pack and stealing the whole package is awkward. Further there is often an anti-theft chip inside the blister pack which will set off an alarm unless deactivated.

Over the years such companies as Leatherman have gone from mostly boxed products to mostly blister pack products. My local Target has 80 dollar Leatherman tools hanging right next to 17 dollar pocket knifes. Apparently the brand name is strong enough that people "get" the claimed value proposition of the Leatherman product.

Novatac is hardly a household name but with a price point below 100 dollars and a product that has "impulse" visual appeal (they are really pretty), I wonder if we won't soon see these lights hanging on display stands at big box sporting goods stores or home improvement stores. Perhaps even Walmart / Target.

Anyway, just a thought.

 

[carrot]

I think you're right. Novatac is certainly taking steps to reach the big box market and that is great news all around. I picked up a Wichita at SHOT and have been quite pleased with it despite its relatively low output.

 

[matrixshaman]

Can you post a pic of the carry case that came with your Novatac? I got one yesterday but no carry case with it. It is one of the units that was built in the U.S. though before they started building them overseas so that may be the difference.

Have you tried unscrewing the bezel with the shoe trick? Find a shoe that has good rubber on the bottom and push hard against it while turning - seems to work for a lot of people on other stubborn bezels.

 

[RichS]

Thanks for this information. I have two older NovaTacs which I still love, and have been contemplating picking up a Storm.

I'm very dissappointed they've dropped the hard anodizing in place of Type II. Is this something they advertise, or does it just appear that it is Type II to you?

 

[andrewnewman]

I'm very dissappointed they've dropped the hard anodizing in place of Type II. Is this something they advertise, or does it just appear that it is Type II to you?

I'll check the packaging when I get home but I recall a mention in the specifications on Type II HA.

 

[spc]

mine came from a seller stating it was a first run in the US.. The blister pack wasn't sealed it just pops open like a clamshell. You can still tell it was new though. The bezel on mine came off very easy, it was loose to begin with. But the tailcap was another story, very tight! At first I though they made it a 2 piece light becasue it came apart easy at the head/body joint. But The tailcap eventually came off. I lubed it up and gave it the 120P hack and now its one of my favs :thumbsup:..
*edit in the manual it states Military type II hard anodizing:thinking:

 

[RichS]

I was curious about the anodizing, so I called NovaTac from the number on their website and spoke with a rep. Here's what he said:

The Storm, Special Ops, and Classic models are all made overseas, and are all type II (non-hard anodized). When I asked why they moved to this, he told me it was a combination of hitting the price point for the consumer market and the capabilities of the vendor it has been outsourced to. I mentioned that "Type II hard-anodized" was listed in the manual, and he said that was a marketing mis-print, sincy type II is not hard-anodizing.

However, he said that the 120T, 120E, 120P models are still made in the US, and this won't change any time soon. Each of these models are still Type III hard-anodized.

 

[matrixshaman]

I believe one or two of their new military models are also type III but they do cost more than the type II models. BTW just to let you know how easy the bezel comes off I did the shoe trick on mine and did it without even taking my shoe off. Just don't make the mistake of trying to blow the lens clean once the bezel is off with dust-off or other compressed air cleaners. The lens went flying but at least I thought there was a chance that might happen and got in a place where it had a soft landing.

 

[Flashlike]

The bezel on my new Novatac Storm was extremely tight when I received it. I tried the "shoe" trick but had no success.

I heated the head and bezel with a hair dryer on the high setting for about 5 minutes then used a pliers with a strip of leather between the pliers and the bezel. It finally broke loose and I was able to unscrew it and remove the clip.

I don't know if anyone has noticed this, but the bezel appears to be made of aluminum painted black. I have an electronic postal scale and weighed the bezel then compared it to the stainless steel bezel from an older Novatac 120P that I have:

(Aluminum?) bezel from Storm: 1 ounce

Stainless steel bezel from older 120P: 2 ounces

Then I reassembled the bezels and compared the weights of the complete flashlights (each without clip and using the same exact battery):

Storm total weight: 2.8 ounces

120P total weight: 3.0 ounces

The knurling is a lot smoother and less "grippy" on my Storm flashlight compared to my 120P.

The Storm is still a great flashlight in my opinion. At least it can be programmed with the 250 click method. Plus they still have a lifetime warranty (unless abused or modified). However, I'm going to order a replacement stainless steel bezel because I don't like the cheap aluminum one. (I checked and yes the bezel from the 120P threads in and fits the Storm perfectly).

 

[spc]

hmm I thought the bezel felt kinda light

 

[itora]

Are the limited first run Storms made in the USA come with a flat button or the extended button? It seems like the Storms made over seas come only with the extended button.

 

[andrewnewman]

Actually my "overseas" Storm has a flat button. The guys at batteryjunction indicated that all of their Storms had flat buttons (I asked before ordering). It tail stands nicely.

 

[3one5]

I picked up a Storm tonight at Sportsmans Warehouse (Paid more than I should have $89). Thus far it seems to be a pretty nice light. Picked it over the Surefire E1B mainly because of the extra features. Though I'll probably still pick up the Surefire down the road

 

[Brau0303]

Greetings,

I am new here and actually found this forum while researching the Storm. Nice light but when I found out what the differences were for the extra $$ to get the 120T, I went back and swapped out for the 120T within two hours.. Way Better Light (Much better build quality) Found this out mostly thanks to this thread.

Thank You

Cheers
BR

 

[Deluminator]

... Have you tried unscrewing the bezel with the shoe trick? Find a shoe that has good rubber on the bottom and push hard against it while turning - seems to work for a lot of people on other stubborn bezels.

Thanks for the Shoe Trick!
I've been using strap wrenches and other specialized tools for years for camera repair and other optics work. I don't currently have a strap wrench narrow enough for the Storm bezel.
The Shoe Trick did the job!