Lost Hawaiian
Newly Enlightened
Hello All,
I've been a long time lurker here, so I figure it's about time I get off my butt and contribute something.
I've always loved collecting things, flashlights not being among the least. I have a ways to go before I enter the realm of some of you folks here, but my wife says I'm off to a good start. Around 10 years ago, I would've put my set of Maglites up against anyone's and I thought that was all there was...Then came a Christmas Day when my brother-in-law presented me with a Surefire Z2 Combatlight and overnight my shiny, colorful aluminum cylinders became paperweights. I worked my way through most of the SF incan's (LEDs weren't really doing much then) and then I picked up a NovaTac 120P which has been my EDC for quite a few years. I followed all the threads here about the "new 2008" models to be released...and I waited...and waited.
In the meantime, I tried a few of this and a few of that, but always came back to my 120P. I even picked up a couple of little brothers (85Ps) for it along the way. I love the beam and the fact that it's been through everything short of a blender and it stills works like new.
Finally I see a few new models coming available and picked up a couple. I thought I'd do a quick walk through for those interested. As always, the following are my opinions and observations only, YMMV...
First off, an SPA-Defense SPL-120.
I found this on ebay for $59.95 with free shipping. From SPA's website it looked to be a 120T in a desert tan disguise, so I figured I'd find out. It came with a weapon mount, IR filter, and an extra tailcap that has both a small tactical clickie and remote tape switch. Heck of a deal if you ask me.
Second, a NovaTac 120M from an online retailer.
The easter-egg works on both of these, and I now have 2 new 120Ps!
The first thing I noticed was that these are lighter in color than the pics I could find online, and while I would've preferred a darker shade, they still look very nice. Also, the bezels are the same color as the bodies. I was worried that they were not stainless, but after taking them off, they feel like stainless, although I'm not sure how they get their color. Maybe someone in the know can verify this for me.
The second thing I noticed was that the knurling is different, both from each other, and from my older models. The 120M is a more aggressive than my 120P, and the SPL-120 is quite a bit more so.
Here's a side-by-side:
and here's the old next to the new:
I tried to get the light at an angle to show the difference in the knurling. As you can see, the original NTs are much smoother, though still effective.
All 4 of these are "Made in the USA", but interestingly enough, only the SPL is so marked.
In fact, I couldn't find anything on the packaging of the 120M as to its' origin.
One thing I was worried about was the possible decline of NTs QC with the new models. From what I can tell after a day or two, it doesn't look like I'll have anything to complain about. I guess only time will tell.
One area that my old NTs suffered in was the consistency of the anodizing. As you can see below, on one of my 85Ps it was spotty, and the tailcap of my 120P was several shades lighter than the body.
On both of my new lights, the anodizing and the color consistency looks perfect to me.
There are also some changes/improvements? on the inside as well. Below you can see the differences in tailcaps, springs, contacts, etc.
From left to right: 120P, 85P, SPL-120, 120M
I know y'all always want beamshots, and all I can say is this: I hadn't tried shooting any before, and to give a fair and accurate representation, I'm going to need a little more time and preparation.
However, just from my untrained eyes;
120P - perfect beam, smooth transition from hotspot to spill, no anomolies, and a very white tint.
85P - same perfect beam, with a very slight green tint.
120M - same as 120P
SPL-120 - slight out of round hotspot and a more pronounced greenish tint.
Now I probably sound like a NovaTac fan, and I am. My 120P has been used and abused, and has never given me a problem, and like they say, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". That being said, I have read many great things about the Ra's. If the NT didn't fit my hand so well, I'd probably already have one of those beauties...I guess there's always next year...
To be fair to the other brands, I still like my SF's, and I tried a Quark MiNi123 and liked it so much that I got a bunch for stocking stuffers this year and they were very well received.
Anyhoo...thanks for stopping by, and here's a last shot of the boys (missing in action is one of the 85Ps).
Have a Safe and Happy New Year,
Rich
I've been a long time lurker here, so I figure it's about time I get off my butt and contribute something.
I've always loved collecting things, flashlights not being among the least. I have a ways to go before I enter the realm of some of you folks here, but my wife says I'm off to a good start. Around 10 years ago, I would've put my set of Maglites up against anyone's and I thought that was all there was...Then came a Christmas Day when my brother-in-law presented me with a Surefire Z2 Combatlight and overnight my shiny, colorful aluminum cylinders became paperweights. I worked my way through most of the SF incan's (LEDs weren't really doing much then) and then I picked up a NovaTac 120P which has been my EDC for quite a few years. I followed all the threads here about the "new 2008" models to be released...and I waited...and waited.
In the meantime, I tried a few of this and a few of that, but always came back to my 120P. I even picked up a couple of little brothers (85Ps) for it along the way. I love the beam and the fact that it's been through everything short of a blender and it stills works like new.
Finally I see a few new models coming available and picked up a couple. I thought I'd do a quick walk through for those interested. As always, the following are my opinions and observations only, YMMV...
First off, an SPA-Defense SPL-120.
I found this on ebay for $59.95 with free shipping. From SPA's website it looked to be a 120T in a desert tan disguise, so I figured I'd find out. It came with a weapon mount, IR filter, and an extra tailcap that has both a small tactical clickie and remote tape switch. Heck of a deal if you ask me.
Second, a NovaTac 120M from an online retailer.
The easter-egg works on both of these, and I now have 2 new 120Ps!
The first thing I noticed was that these are lighter in color than the pics I could find online, and while I would've preferred a darker shade, they still look very nice. Also, the bezels are the same color as the bodies. I was worried that they were not stainless, but after taking them off, they feel like stainless, although I'm not sure how they get their color. Maybe someone in the know can verify this for me.
The second thing I noticed was that the knurling is different, both from each other, and from my older models. The 120M is a more aggressive than my 120P, and the SPL-120 is quite a bit more so.
Here's a side-by-side:
and here's the old next to the new:
I tried to get the light at an angle to show the difference in the knurling. As you can see, the original NTs are much smoother, though still effective.
All 4 of these are "Made in the USA", but interestingly enough, only the SPL is so marked.
In fact, I couldn't find anything on the packaging of the 120M as to its' origin.
One thing I was worried about was the possible decline of NTs QC with the new models. From what I can tell after a day or two, it doesn't look like I'll have anything to complain about. I guess only time will tell.
One area that my old NTs suffered in was the consistency of the anodizing. As you can see below, on one of my 85Ps it was spotty, and the tailcap of my 120P was several shades lighter than the body.
On both of my new lights, the anodizing and the color consistency looks perfect to me.
There are also some changes/improvements? on the inside as well. Below you can see the differences in tailcaps, springs, contacts, etc.
From left to right: 120P, 85P, SPL-120, 120M
I know y'all always want beamshots, and all I can say is this: I hadn't tried shooting any before, and to give a fair and accurate representation, I'm going to need a little more time and preparation.
However, just from my untrained eyes;
120P - perfect beam, smooth transition from hotspot to spill, no anomolies, and a very white tint.
85P - same perfect beam, with a very slight green tint.
120M - same as 120P
SPL-120 - slight out of round hotspot and a more pronounced greenish tint.
Now I probably sound like a NovaTac fan, and I am. My 120P has been used and abused, and has never given me a problem, and like they say, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". That being said, I have read many great things about the Ra's. If the NT didn't fit my hand so well, I'd probably already have one of those beauties...I guess there's always next year...
To be fair to the other brands, I still like my SF's, and I tried a Quark MiNi123 and liked it so much that I got a bunch for stocking stuffers this year and they were very well received.
Anyhoo...thanks for stopping by, and here's a last shot of the boys (missing in action is one of the 85Ps).
Have a Safe and Happy New Year,
Rich
