Why are HDS (RA) lights so popular?

[rhpdchief]

Deleted...double post.

 

[Sparky's Magic]

HDS 'lights are popular and deservedly so. It is a Flashlight that you confidently put in your pocket and when you have a lighting task, at any output level, you pull it out and get the job done. This is an oversimplification, however, that's the way it is!

It is an ideal size, feels very good in the hand, has an extremely user friendly UI., a smooth attractive beam, is virtually bomb-proof, is covered by what must be, not just the industries best and most comprehensive lifetime guarantee but the best of any so-called warranties anywhere. HDS's after sales service is legendary!

In the final analysis, even for those of us with more 'lights than we care to admit to, it is the one that goes in the pocket; and, for me, at least hasn't been replaced as a do everything, go everywhere lighting tool: Also, of all my lights, it is the only one that hasn't become, at any stage, boring. It has maintained its' mystique from day 1 and continues to impress!

Good Luck. :thumbsup:

 

[chaoss]

The only RA i own is an older 140GT clicky and it has been a great light.
It managed to survive my big sell off of lights, including Surefires & McGizmos if that tells you anything.

 

[ElectronGuru]

There is such a solid feel to the light.

To me it has nothing to do with where the light is made. Like most people here I have too many lights and most of them are not made in the USA. They are all quality lights and they are all reliable but, as good as they are, they don't have the same feel as an HDS light.

This feel is prevalent with US made lights.

 

[pjandyho]

This feel is prevalent with US made lights.

That's also why I like buying US made lights.

 

[davyro]

Thats also one of the things i've found out since i bought my rotary,the feel of the light is just perfect
its just one of many reasons why my next light will be another HDS,i'm thinking about a Ra Clicky 200T
next & nothing else,so hopefully in the next couple of weeks i'm the proud owner of my second HDS &
i feel it won't be my last.

 

[nutcracker]

I second the good feel or fit in the hands.
For that reason I removed my makeshift lanyard. It bugged me, standing in 90° angle away from the light's body.
Now the rotary is free again like it was, when it came.
Just laying vertically in the pants front pocket.

Though I may opt for the HDS holster in the future

 

[flatline]

I bought my HCRI HDS Clicky purely out of curiosity since it was the only light mentioned on CPF that, near as I could tell, had no detractors even considering the relatively high price point.

It is my favorite light now.

It is simply a pleasure to use. And so I use it. A lot.

This thread has over 100 posts saying positive things about the HDS lights, but really, nothing we can say can be as convincing (one way or another...I'm sure the HDS isn't for everyone) as simply holding one in your hand and trying it out.

If you can't borrow one, considering buying one. You can always sell it in the marketplace if you decide you don't want to keep it.

--flatline

 

[sawlight]

You can have my HCRI when you pry it from my cold dead hands!
But with that said, I wish the tail caps were more like the Novatac's, I'm tiring of grabbing it to find the battery dead again! YES, I know I can lock it out, but I never had this problem with my Novatac, and don't think I should with the RA. But this is nit picking, and no, you still can't have it!

 

[Bullzeyebill]

You can have my HCRI when you pry it from my cold dead hands!
But with that said, I wish the tail caps were more like the Novatac's, I'm tiring of grabbing it to find the battery dead again! YES, I know I can lock it out, but I never had this problem with my Novatac, and don't think I should with the RA. But this is nit picking, and no, you still can't have it!

Contact Henry via phone, or email and tell him about your problem. My HiCri Ra was draining my CR123's too quickly I thought, so I contacted him. My test prior to contacting him was to take a fresh cell, reading 3.25 volts, and install it per normal procedure, and not turn it on, but leave it for a week without use. I then took out the cell and compared it to another un-used CR123 that read 3.25 volts. I found the CR123 in the Ra had dropped severely in voltage, below 3 volts, this without being used at all. I then contacted Henry. I sent it in and it was returned, and no further drain problems have occurred. Got to use a DMM, or other voltage meter.

Bill

 

[mikedeason]

I guess I got spoiled early by getting the PD31 as my first purchase.

I would require at least 300 lumens and an 18650 for EDC.

I dont use the 300 lumens often but its nice to know i have it wherever i go.

 

[nutcracker]

Thrust me, the 200+ Lumen measured 233 are ample. At least for me (I also own/owned lights with 500-800 Lumen)

 

[OCD]

I guess I got spoiled early by getting the PD31 as my first purchase.

I would require at least 300 lumens and an 18650 for EDC.

I dont use the 300 lumens often but its nice to know i have it wherever i go.

What is the relevance of a Fenix light running on an 18650 to the OP of HDS lights being popular? :thinking:

Just for the record, I have a big +1 for everything said regarding the feel, look, UI, output, etc. of these great lights.

 

[Search]

I guess I got spoiled early by getting the PD31 as my first purchase.

I would require at least 300 lumens and an 18650 for EDC.

I dont use the 300 lumens often but its nice to know i have it wherever i go.

Lets not forget that HDS measures OTF lumens and not emitter lumens either. There is a very big difference.

 

[notsofast]

I guess I got spoiled early by getting the PD31 as my first purchase.

I would require at least 300 lumens and an 18650 for EDC.

I dont use the 300 lumens often but its nice to know i have it wherever i go.

I think you got confused early by getting the PD31. ;>)

It isn't even close to the quality and function of a HDS. Turn both on high and you would be hard pressed to tell which one is the brightest.

 

[kaichu dento]

I guess I got spoiled early by getting the PD31 as my first purchase.

I would require at least 300 lumens and an 18650 for EDC.

You didn't get spoiled so much as self-deceived, not to mention that your post is irrelevant to this thread. You could have made it relevant by weighing in with informed decisions on your part derived from comparisons you made between two lights, but your post serves no purpose here as it stands other than to act as a bump in the road.

Try your present light alongside an HDS and we'll look forward to your findings. Although you may or may not find one to be a good match for you, remember that it's always hardest to know much about things one knows nothing at all about. If I'm wrong that you have no experience with HDS lights then some addition of content to show that would be helpful.

 

[tyrantrave]

I too had no idea why they were popular until I used one. The fit, finish, quality, output, and UI is just right. I was skeptical at first since there are lights that put out 5x more lumens, but the HDS just works.

 

[Bullzeyebill]

Enough said about miledeason's post. Yes, it was irrelevant to this thread, and a moderator will deal with him if he posts anymore OT posts. Bring OT posts or possible Rule violations to a mods attention.

Bill

 

[sawlight]

Contact Henry via phone, or email and tell him about your problem. My HiCri Ra was draining my CR123's too quickly I thought, so I contacted him. My test prior to contacting him was to take a fresh cell, reading 3.25 volts, and install it per normal procedure, and not turn it on, but leave it for a week without use. I then took out the cell and compared it to another un-used CR123 that read 3.25 volts. I found the CR123 in the Ra had dropped severely in voltage, below 3 volts, this without being used at all. I then contacted Henry. I sent it in and it was returned, and no further drain problems have occurred. Got to use a DMM, or other voltage meter.

Bill

It's not an electrical issue, it's just the tail cap switch gets turned on in my pocket, I've tried two tail caps on it now, but neither are as recessed as the Novatacs were. That and they don't tailstand as well either.
I use RCR's so it's not a huge issue, but it's the only complaint I have. The new signal wire is leaps and bounds ahead of the Novatac!

 

[nutcracker]

Can't you program the lock feature?
And then press triple click to lock it in off mode?