Ra Clicky Executive vs Novatac 120E

run4jc

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Hate to start a thread on this my searches didn't give the answer - LA Police Gear is closing out the Novatac for $89 - I was this close to ordering an Ra before I found that deal. Ra seems to be the chosen one between the 2, but for $50 difference for small EDC.....
Thoughts? Construction? Interface? Output? Comfortable to carry? Finish holds up? Is the Ra worth $50 extra?

Thanks in advance!
:thinking:
 

Dead_Nuts

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I think most people will tell you the Ra is worth the extra $. But if money is seriously tight, the Novatac is a decent light. I own multiples of each, so I know what makes them both nice lights.

The NT is smaller in size -- but I still carry one of my Ra lights daily. The Ra's design does a better job of protecting the lens and they are built like tanks.

OTOH, I don't believe I would be concerned if I was stranded with only the NT in pocket.

Of course the flashaholic answer is: BUY BOTH!!!
 

matrixshaman

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The Novatac is 120 Lumens max. The Ra EDC is 120 Lumens and is $99. However between the two I'm going to say it's a rough call due to some issues the Ra has had - main one now is not being able to tailstand with the newer style tail switch. I don't know if that is still an issue but it may be something you want to check into before buying. As you know both lights were designed by Henry. Ra has a few new features but the low end one at $99 is not a lot different and uses the same emitter as the Novatac. If Novatac ever gets its s%#* together they will be selling the Novatac Storm for around $60 or a little less. It's been promised for the last year but still is getting bumped into future delivery dates - latest I've seen is 10-15-09. Don't hold your breath though as it has been bumped up at least 10 times IIRC - usually a month or so ahead each time a delivery date approaches. These are their foreign made versions but sound like they will be essentially the same as current models with programming available to customize them.
 

run4jc

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Thanks - I'm leaning toward the Ra. I just read the owner's manual online. Wow. Do you happen to have any photos of the light next to something like a SF E1B or one of the little Fenix single cell - 123 or AA - lights? I'm interested in a tank of a light to carry at all times. I love my little inexpensive Fenix and the Surefire E1B is terrific, but neither one is exactly what I want for EDC. Gonna give the Fenix to my wife for her purse and the Surefire is running a primary only, so I'd like the EDC to be capable of handling RCRs.

Gotta love the fact that you can customize the Ra lights on their site, too. $89 for the Novatac - heck, you are right - I should buy both!!
 

EEG

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I have one of each and after the easter egg clicks my NT tail cap has not been right since so I think they have a limited number of reliable clicks in them. I still use it and like it but it only sees short term use so I say Ra Clicky w/ smooth bezel and bezel down TI pocket clip. Rides the pocket like a dream.
 

run4jc

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The Novatac is 120 Lumens max. The Ra EDC is 120 Lumens and is $99. However between the two I'm going to say it's a rough call due to some issues the Ra has had - main one now is not being able to tailstand with the newer style tail switch. I don't know if that is still an issue but it may be something you want to check into before buying. As you know both lights were designed by Henry. Ra has a few new features but the low end one at $99 is not a lot different and uses the same emitter as the Novatac. If Novatac ever gets its s%#* together they will be selling the Novatac Storm for around $60 or a little less. It's been promised for the last year but still is getting bumped into future delivery dates - latest I've seen is 10-15-09. Don't hold your breath though as it has been bumped up at least 10 times IIRC - usually a month or so ahead each time a delivery date approaches. These are their foreign made versions but sound like they will be essentially the same as current models with programming available to customize them.

The Ra I am looking at is 140 lumen with recessed button and sells for $139....unless I've missed a deal somewhere!
 

run4jc

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I have one of each and after the easter egg clicks my NT tail cap has not been right since so I think they have a limited number of reliable clicks in them. I still use it and like it but it only sees short term use so I say Ra Clicky w/ smooth bezel and bezel down TI pocket clip. Rides the pocket like a dream.

Thanks - this forum always ultimately points the way.

Carbon Hill, AL? Heck, I've got family in Carbon Hill!! I'm originally from T-Town.....

:twothumbs
 

Dan FO

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Remember that 140 lumens is only good for 10 seconds then it drops.
 

EEG

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Thanks - this forum always ultimately points the way.

Carbon Hill, AL? Heck, I've got family in Carbon Hill!! I'm originally from T-Town.....

:twothumbs

The web makes the world a whole lot smaller.

I had a sale on another forum found by a guy in T-Town and turns out we worked a couple miles from each other and met up at lunch and made the sale.

Back on topic- Get the narrower beam by the way
 

Knife Boy

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I don't own a RA (yet), but my Novatac 120E is one of my favorite lights. Very well built, beautiful beam, ingenius UI, and at that price you can't go wrong. I would grab it at $85 and then order a P style tailcap from lIghthound for it. In my opinion this makes it nearly the ultimate EDC light. As many ahve said I am sure both are great but I can only opine on the NT
 

run4jc

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I don't own a RA (yet), but my Novatac 120E is one of my favorite lights. Very well built, beautiful beam, ingenius UI, and at that price you can't go wrong. I would grab it at $85 and then order a P style tailcap from lIghthound for it. In my opinion this makes it nearly the ultimate EDC light. As many ahve said I am sure both are great but I can only opine on the NT

I really want to get one of the Ra lights, but as you say, it is hard to turn down the Novatac for $90.....sold. Ra will enter my wish list!
 

AILL

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Go for the Novatac. I own two 120P and a RA140CGT, I had a RA140CN. Both RA's have/had issues whereas the Novatacs work 100%.
Last weekend I went for some days to Venice/Italy with my wife and I thought long which light I should choose between my 140CGT, the 120P and the LF3XT to accompany us.
Finally I preferred the Novatac.

Andreas
*AILL*
 

Yucca Patrol

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I really want to get one of the Ra lights, but as you say, it is hard to turn down the Novatac for $90.....sold. Ra will enter my wish list!

If you haven't already bought the Novatac, for $9 more you can get a Ra EDC Executive. It's 120 lumens instead of 140 but that is the main difference. When I bought mine, I couldn't figure out any other significant difference between the higher end Clickys and the EDC. I think it has a few less optional modes and no choice of beam shape, but it comes with perfect settings that I dont wish to change.

Plus, the extra $9 gives you an American made light.
 

run4jc

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Plus, the extra $9 gives you an American made light.

I agree- but it is not an extra $9 - it is an extra $50. I much prefer to buy the American products - that's why I slowly switching over to Surefire. I'll (embarrassed) admit - this was purely an impulse. LA Police Gear had a clearance on the Novatac - of course, that made me comparison shop and I know the Ra lights are great - so I put the question out there. The Novatac will be here next week - and next month I'll probably order the Ra!

:sssh:
 

run4jc

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That challenges this information.

bansuri is right - direct quote from Novatac's web site:

"All of our lights are Proudly Made in the USA."

at this link

So now I'm feeling really good about this $89 purchase (for a $139 MSRP light.) And it can handle 4.2V so I can drop that RCR in when I want to. My collection of 123 lights is growing so batteries may be an issue...

:bumpit:
 

run4jc

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$99 plus free battery caddy and 4 batteries here:

http://batterystation.com/hdsedcexecutive.htm

Cool - but I was confused. The one I was looking at was this one:

Ra Clicky Executive


but now I see the one you mention at Ra's site for $99 also - of course no caddy or batteries.

Ra Clicky EDC

So you can see why I was confused. When I get the Ra I'll order the Executive and have it customized - so I'm still happy with the Novatac decision. Thanks for the info!!
 

Yucca Patrol

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Sorry I goofed on the made in USA bit. They are both sweet lights and you really can't go wrong. :twothumbs
 
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