Darwinsdead
Newly Enlightened
This might be considered blasphemous to some (since apparently these companies were one in the same at one point) but what are your thoughts?
RA is nice with all of the UI options and the 170 output but very pricey. Availability of a remote switch is also another perk of Novatac. The 250 "backdoor" opens up the Novatacs for almost the same customization options as the HDSs.
With a hacked Novatac can the different output levels be accessed directly or must you stair step through them?
any other thoughts about these two lights?
Thank you in advance.
DarwinsDead,
Contact customer support about a remote switch for a HDS Systems (Ra) flashlight.
Here is a quick comparison of the two different brands:
* HDS Systems: constant power electronics, flat regulation, stable light levels. Novatac: constant current electronics, many comments about flickering on the low settings.
* HDS Systems: armored and padded stainless steel bezel fully protects scratch resistant ultraclear glass lens without fear of breaking, sapphire optional. Novatac: stainless steel insert bezel, scratch-prone plastic lens.
* HDS Systems: smooth battery case interior - no battery damage when dropped, unique dampened dual spring contact system that prevents damage to either end of the battery and maintains electrical contact even with severe impacts, attached well protected signal wire. Novatac: spring-lined battery compartment can damage battery in impact, spring signal wire has many signal failure modes and can fall out, (older design: ) dimpled plate positive contact, conical spring negative, rubber spring negative generates high forces - roughly 20 pounds pressure, battery can still move off positive contact and cause reset.
* HDS Systems: lightly loaded heavy duty threads - no significant thread wear. Novatac: (older design: ) heavily loaded thin threads - thread failure around 200 battery changes.
* HDS Systems: sealed switch with gold plated contacts for higher reliability. Novatac: dome switch on circuit board, not sealed.
* HDS Systems: runtime on High setting: 1.25 hours typical. Novatac: runtime on High setting: 30 minutes.
* HDS Systems: many output options including IR, 100, 120, 140 and 170 lumens, high CRI, different beam patterns. Novatac: 85 and 120 lumens, one beam pattern.
* HDS Systems: fully automatic rechargeable battery detection and protection. Novatac: manual rechargeable battery detection - Battery Detect Reset.
* HDS Systems: numerous improvements to the user interface, both the Option and Brightness menus work the same so less to learn, all lights can be customized. Novatac: Option/brightness menus work differently, P models customization on, E and T model customization off - requires 250 click back door.
* HDS Systems: no retaining rings to come loose and cause bad connections. Novatac: retain rings can come loose and cause bad connection, company video on how to use ballpoint pen to retighten.
There are more items, but you probably get the idea.
Henry.
RA is nice with all of the UI options and the 170 output but very pricey. Availability of a remote switch is also another perk of Novatac. The 250 "backdoor" opens up the Novatacs for almost the same customization options as the HDSs.
With a hacked Novatac can the different output levels be accessed directly or must you stair step through them?
any other thoughts about these two lights?
Thank you in advance.
DarwinsDead,
Contact customer support about a remote switch for a HDS Systems (Ra) flashlight.
Here is a quick comparison of the two different brands:
* HDS Systems: constant power electronics, flat regulation, stable light levels. Novatac: constant current electronics, many comments about flickering on the low settings.
* HDS Systems: armored and padded stainless steel bezel fully protects scratch resistant ultraclear glass lens without fear of breaking, sapphire optional. Novatac: stainless steel insert bezel, scratch-prone plastic lens.
* HDS Systems: smooth battery case interior - no battery damage when dropped, unique dampened dual spring contact system that prevents damage to either end of the battery and maintains electrical contact even with severe impacts, attached well protected signal wire. Novatac: spring-lined battery compartment can damage battery in impact, spring signal wire has many signal failure modes and can fall out, (older design: ) dimpled plate positive contact, conical spring negative, rubber spring negative generates high forces - roughly 20 pounds pressure, battery can still move off positive contact and cause reset.
* HDS Systems: lightly loaded heavy duty threads - no significant thread wear. Novatac: (older design: ) heavily loaded thin threads - thread failure around 200 battery changes.
* HDS Systems: sealed switch with gold plated contacts for higher reliability. Novatac: dome switch on circuit board, not sealed.
* HDS Systems: runtime on High setting: 1.25 hours typical. Novatac: runtime on High setting: 30 minutes.
* HDS Systems: many output options including IR, 100, 120, 140 and 170 lumens, high CRI, different beam patterns. Novatac: 85 and 120 lumens, one beam pattern.
* HDS Systems: fully automatic rechargeable battery detection and protection. Novatac: manual rechargeable battery detection - Battery Detect Reset.
* HDS Systems: numerous improvements to the user interface, both the Option and Brightness menus work the same so less to learn, all lights can be customized. Novatac: Option/brightness menus work differently, P models customization on, E and T model customization off - requires 250 click back door.
* HDS Systems: no retaining rings to come loose and cause bad connections. Novatac: retain rings can come loose and cause bad connection, company video on how to use ballpoint pen to retighten.
There are more items, but you probably get the idea.
Henry.
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