Ra Twisty (HDS Systems) - Part 2

SaturnNyne · Sep 15, 2008

Re: Ra Twisty part 2

StandardBattery said:
I can also add the the total width of the beam is identical to the NovaTac, so I'm guessing the reflectors are quite similair.

Or the angle between the emitter and the edge of the bezel, since it's spill light and not focused light. However, the reflectors likely are very similar since the SSC version is said to have a beam very similar to the NT, in spot and transition as well as overall width.

StandardBattery said:
The very small focused spot on the 85-Tr is interesting, I don't have another light like it, I'm guessing it's a property of the specific emitter. Because of the focused spot the 85-Tr does noticeably out throw my NovaTac 85P.

I've also done this comparison and it's not much of a contest, an 85Tr very clearly out-throws my 120P. I haven't done enough comparing to say for certain, but I think the only led light I have that will significantly outperform a Tr in throw is the Malkoff M60 at well over twice the output. A very nice beam indeed.

StandardBattery · Sep 15, 2008

Re: Ra Twisty part 2

I suspect in the smaller sized single CR123A lights the E1B will out throw the 85-Tr as my testing and others have shown it to be a micro throw monster.

However; the spot is a lot bigger on the E1B so there are a lot more lumens down field, but they are spread wider... so it might be a close call and I think I'm going to have to test this.

I'm having fun with the twisty, but I haven't quite forgotten about the Clicky.

SaturnNyne · Sep 15, 2008

Re: Ra Twisty part 2

StandardBattery said:
I suspect in the smaller sized single CR123A lights the E1B will out throw the 85-Tr as my testing and others have shown it to be a micro throw monster.

However; the spot is a lot bigger on the E1B so there are a lot more lumens down field, but they are spread wider... so it might be a close call and I think I'm going to have to test this.

I don't have any experience with the E1B so I don't know how much of a difference its higher output makes, but before posting earlier I did ask my friend with the Tr if it would out-throw his L1 Cree, which should have the same beam. He confirmed that it does by what he judges to be a significant margin. So please do test this out, I'm curious to know too.

gadgetnerd · Sep 17, 2008

Re: Ra Twisty part 2

SaturnNyne said:
Or the angle between the emitter and the edge of the bezel, since it's spill light and not focused light. However, the reflectors likely are very similar since the SSC version is said to have a beam very similar to the NT, in spot and transition as well as overall width.

I've also done this comparison and it's not much of a contest, an 85Tr very clearly out-throws my 120P. I haven't done enough comparing to say for certain, but I think the only led light I have that will significantly outperform a Tr in throw is the Malkoff M60 at well over twice the output. A very nice beam indeed.

I just got my 85Tr back after some repairs (thanks Henry, it went to the USA as a 70Tr and came back as an 85Tr) and after reading this thread went out the back and did some informal tests. Basically, with that tiny bright hotspot it out-throws all of my torches, even throwers such as my Jetbeams. And yet it is still nice for close in stuff. Great great torch.

StandardBattery · Sep 17, 2008

Re: Ra Twisty part 2

I tested the 85-Tr against the E1B, but the E1B took the crown with a further throw and a bigger down range target.

I've not been too impressed with throwers other than my FC P4 Lenser, but these two little lights are very exciting. Typically I don't really need throw, but these lights do have a nice mix, I keep a F04 diffuser on the E1B as many have started doing. I don't really need the E1B for flood, but it's fun to pocket right now.

Still I'm really surprised at how well that tightly focused spot on the 85-Tr will throw. It definetly makes the twisty better for some outdoor tasks than the NovaTac. I'm very encouraged on the potential for the new Clicky. I don't think the Twisty was too popular for a couple of reasons, but I have a feeling the Clicky is going to be a really big smash.

Moving into the Red Zone... Enjoy!

Illumination · Sep 18, 2008

Re: Ra Twisty part 2

Received my Twisty 120 yesterday. I think the three level twist is the optimal UI - better than any other light out there (except maybe the U2 - and that is so much bigger).

However, my Twisty had a nasty scratch and other imperfections on the reflector. The beam is better than my crees, of course, but quite honestly not as nice as my Peak and Novatac seoul based lights.

As a result I am somewhat undecided on my purchase.

Does anyone else have reflectors like that?

SaturnNyne · Sep 18, 2008

Re: Ra Twisty part 2

StandardBattery said:
I tested the 85-Tr against the E1B, but the E1B took the crown with a further throw and a bigger down range target.
. . .
Typically I don't really need throw, but these lights do have a nice mix, I keep a F04 diffuser on the E1B as many have started doing.

That's very impressive, thanks for comparing. Remember, if you put a little tape inside that F04 it will fit the Twisty as well, very handy.

seery · Sep 18, 2008

Re: Ra Twisty part 2

Illumination said:
However, my Twisty had a nasty scratch and other imperfections on the reflector....As a result I am somewhat undecided on my purchase.

Does anyone else have reflectors like that?

The 120-T I sent back to Henry for a refund had several issues and the reflector was one of them.

paxxus · Sep 18, 2008

Re: Ra Twisty part 2

seery said:
The 120-T I sent back to Henry for a refund had several issues and the reflector was one of them.

Just curious, what were the other issues?

Given that it most likely are very quality conscious persons who are buying such an expensive light, I'm surprised that a light can leave the shop with obvious reflector smears etc. It's almost guaranteed that the light will be sent back for service, so why not expend 10 secs peering down the business end to check that all is good (centered LED and no reflector smears/scratches etc.) and save the cost of a return that's almost certain to happen. Seems like an investment in time which very quickly pays off...

Anyway, my Twisty is pure perfection - and I'm the type of person who notices very small details. I'm sure this level of excellence is the norm for Ra products :thumbsup:

seery · Sep 18, 2008

Re: Ra Twisty part 2

paxxus said:
Just curious, what were the other issues?

- Two of the three brightness modes stopped functioning.
- One of the two wires was soldered with it bent out of position.
- Poorly polished bezel resulting in several flat spots.
- Too much heat on the solder resulted in darkened metal.
- Fine scratches on the lens.
- Smears on the reflector.
- Scratches on the s/s bezel.

I called Henry 5 minutes after the USPS dropped it off. He had me send it back
directly to him and authorized a 100% refund. Henry took 30 minutes out of his
busy schedule to discuss the light's issues over the phone, handling the situation
with complete professionalism. :twothumbs

HDS_Systems · Sep 18, 2008

Re: Ra Twisty part 2

Several folks mentioned a desire for Titanium bezels a while back. They have been produced and are available through some of the dealers. They are made from very pure grade 2 titanium and weigh about 1/3 less than the stainless steel bezels. They have no marking and will fit both the Ra Twisty and the Ra Clicky.

Henry.

Enzo Morocioli · Sep 18, 2008

Re: Ra Twisty part 2

I just got one of the Ti bezels that Henry mentioned in the mail today.. Ordered it from unique titanium on Monday night and it arrived this afternoon.

It's a nice matte finish without any blemishes, and the 1/3rd less weight is actually noticeable! It gives the Twisty a nice center of balance, rather than it being heavier more toward the front.

Overall I'm pleased. Can't wait to pocket carry the Twisty to see if the improved weight distribution makes it any more comfortable.

tsl · Sep 18, 2008

Re: Ra Twisty part 2

Enzo Morocioli said:
I just got one of the Ti bezels that Henry mentioned in the mail today.. Ordered it from unique titanium on Monday night and it arrived this afternoon.

It's a nice matte finish without any blemishes, and the 1/3rd less weight is actually noticeable! It gives the Twisty a nice center of balance, rather than it being heavier more toward the front.

Overall I'm pleased. Can't wait to pocket carry the Twisty to see if the improved weight distribution makes it any more comfortable.

Can you post a picture please?

tsl · Sep 18, 2008

Re: Ra Twisty part 2

HDS_Systems said:
Several folks mentioned a desire for Titanium bezels a while back. They have been produced and are available through some of the dealers. They are made from very pure grade 2 titanium and weigh about 1/3 less than the stainless steel bezels. They have no marking and will fit both the Ra Twisty and the Ra Clicky.

Henry.

Henry, a while back you mentioned about a black bezel. Any progress on that?

Also, is the titanium bezel more scratch-resistant than the stainless steel?

HDS_Systems · Sep 19, 2008

Re: Ra Twisty part 2

Tsl,

Titanium scratches just like stainless steel. We have identified a vendor for the black coating but there are things with higher priority vying for resources.

Henry.

Enzo Morocioli · Sep 19, 2008

Re: Ra Twisty part 2

tsl said:
Can you post a picture please?

Yep.. here ya go..

FredericoFreire · Sep 19, 2008

Re: Ra Twisty part 2

Enzo Morocioli, do you feel the weight loss due to the Ti bezel? If not, the Ti bezel seems to be useless.

Also, I don't like the idea of loosing the laser engraveness.

Chronos · Sep 19, 2008

Re: Ra Twisty part 2

FredericoFreire said:
Enzo Morocioli, do you feel the weight loss due to the Ti bezel? If not, the Ti bezel seems to be useless.

Also, I don't like the idea of loosing the laser engraveness.

When I temporarily swapped a Ti bezel onto my aluminum Ra (this one was numbered... :devil:) the difference was ever so slight. However, there is a nice "bling" factor to the Ti as well as its inherent resistance to corrosion. It may well be a bit more robust than a SS bezel too.

Thank you for the pictures Enzo! It looks great.

Enzo Morocioli · Sep 19, 2008

Re: Ra Twisty part 2

FredericoFreire said:
Enzo Morocioli, do you feel the weight loss due to the Ti bezel? If not, the Ti bezel seems to be useless.

Also, I don't like the idea of loosing the laser engraveness.

Frederico,
Yeah I do feel the weight loss.. It's slight, but noticeable..
The weight difference is mostly felt in the hand when holding the Twisty during use...Before, when holding near the back of the tailcap, I could feel the weight of the SS bezel kind of pulling down.. Now, the weight seems to be more towards the center of the torch, and it's more comfortable to hold with just two fingers. (cigar grip)

I don't want to make something out of nothing, but the weight loss is significant enough to be considered useful, in my opinion.

As far as the engraving goes... I don't really mind either way..I think the plainness of the Ti bezel may spur people to get creative. It might be fun to get some custom laser engraving, or perhaps some kind of cool anodizing color.

Bottom line? The Ti bezel is a nice accessory. Not necessary by any means, but the improved weight distrobution and the customization possibilities make it well worth the effort.

Oh.. I'll weigh the Twisty with the SS and Ti bezels on a electronic scale and post the numbers a little later.

EDIT: So I went and weighed the Twisty with the two different bezels.
85Tr with Ti Bezel and RCR123 = 3.1oz
85Tr with Ss Bezel and RCR123 = 3.3oz

So when I use the words "slight but noticeable" I guess that means I can feel the difference of 2/10ths a ounce.

FredericoFreire · Sep 19, 2008

Re: Ra Twisty part 2

Oh well, very nice. I think that worths keeping the engraved bezel in a safe and use the "aftermarket" Ti one. The light looks very clean and plain.

Ra Twisty (HDS Systems) - Part 2

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