Novatac 120E 120T HDS200 runtime Lflex driver Observation

I have to much free time. Got to thinking How my HDS200 compaired to my Easteregged Novatac 120T at mid level. In this case I went HDS 50 lumens and 120T 42 lumens. These are the levels I feel I give the most use.

HDS200 Stepped down at 3 hours 5 minutes.
120T Stepped down at 5 hours .

I expected more out of the HDS, and I figured something wrong with the Eagletac RCR16340's. So I recharged, switched cell, and ran the HDS again. This time I ran it against a Novatac 120E.

HDS200 stepped down at 3 hours.
120E stepped down at 2hours 40 minutes

I am confused. Recharged and ran the 120E and 120T again.

120E stepped down at 2 hours 45 minutes
120T stepped down at 4 hours 55 minutes

These were both at the 42 lumen level but the 120T apeared to be slightly brighter.
I am still comfused.

Can anyone tell me what is going on ?

Re: Novatac 120E 120T HDS200 runtime Observation

Do you have a light meter or anyway to measure the output? Due to the logarithmic way we perceive brightness, I personally find it a bit difficult to perceive a 60% lumen difference unless it is from the same light, and a I can switch back and forth on a white wall. Add tint and beam profile differences to the equation and it's even harder. Battery consumption is quite linear with lumen output though.

If you have manual camera like a DSLR, you can measure with around +/- 10% accuracy or even a free light meter app for smartphones work better than your own eyes will.

Re: Novatac 120E 120T HDS200 runtime Observation

Thanks for you reply reppans.
I will look into the smartphone apps.

My eyes are very good at telling what light is brighter.
The 2 Novatacs are very close in percieved brightness.
The 120T That I percieved to be brighter ran twice as long.

Re: Novatac 120E 120T HDS200 runtime Observation

Odd. You'd think the HDS, with the most current emitter would have the best runtime even with the higher output. I've found my previous generation HDS Clicky light to have better runtimes then my current Rotary despite the emitter being more 'efficient'.

Re: Novatac 120E 120T HDS200 runtime Observation

HDS200 over 3 hours at 50 Lumens
Novatac 120E 2h 45m at 42 lumens
Novatac 120T 5 hours at 42 lumens



I am told the 120T must have LED with low forward voltage.

Re: Novatac 120E 120T HDS200 runtime Observation

The 120T is the keeper! I got my HDS lights because of their reputation for long runtimes, to date I've found them a little short of expectation.

Re: Novatac 120E 120T HDS200 runtime Observation

Try comparing the HDS to the 120T on a sub lumen level, from what I've read the 120T should run 4x as long due to the different drivers.

Re: Novatac 120E 120T HDS200 runtime Observation

Not sure I can stay awake that long

P_A_S_1 said:

Try comparing the HDS to the 120T on a sub lumen level, from what I've read the 120T should run 4x as long due to the different drivers.

Click to expand...

Re: Novatac 120E 120T HDS200 runtime Observation

LOL.

Just ran my HDS Rotary (200) on a RCR, from high with burst enabled got 1 hour 6 minutes before step-down, and 1 hour 30 minutes until it shut off.

Re: Novatac 120E 120T HDS200 runtime Observation

HDS200 clicky primary. From high without the 40 second step down and got this

40min
12min
15min
6min
4min
4min
5min
5min
6min
7min
15min
22min

Then i fell asleep. All times were recorded with alarm clock.

Re: Novatac 120E 120T HDS200 runtime Observation

Don't read too much into that. Your rotary has a significantly less efficient driver than a standard clicky. This is the reason many people prefer the clicky. That and it has a clip. As much as I love the UI of the HDS, however, I just can't love the light as a whole. They are too short. Shorter than the width of my palm which makes them very awkward to handle. Maybe one day Henry will make a AA version.

Re: Novatac 120E 120T HDS200 runtime Observation

I would love a 17670 tube for my clicky.

Re: Novatac 120E 120T HDS200 runtime Observation

Just ran Novatac 120T on High with a CR123 got 2 hours 35 minutes till first step down.

Re: Novatac 120E 120T HDS200 runtime Observation

chadvone said:

Just ran Novatac 120T on CR123 got 2 hours 35 minutes till first step down. 3 hours 8 minutes ANSI

Click to expand...

Is that at the 120 lumen output, and if so is there a 'burst' step-down like the newer HDS lights?

Re: Novatac 120E 120T HDS200 runtime Observation

Yes sorry, that was at 120 lumens. Light has been modded since earlier post to a XRE2 neutral by THINK2X.


No burst

Re: Novatac 120E 120T HDS200 runtime Observation

2h 35m at 120
15m at 60
15m at 30

Lost track of steps after that but it just shut off at 4hours 55 minutes.

EDIT. I thought it shut down to soon for the light it was putting out. So I swapped batteries long enough to program
a level 10 (1.9 lumens) and I am still running it. Will update if I don't fall asleep.

Re: Novatac 120E 120T HDS200 runtime Observation

chadvone said:

Yes sorry, that was at 120 lumens. Light has been modded since earlier post to a XRE2 neutral by THINK2X.


No burst

Click to expand...

Just curious, what was the previous emitter used and if modified isn't it possible the light is turning out more lumens then 120?

chadvone said:

2h 35m at 120
15m at 60
15m at 30

Lost track of steps after that but it just shut off at 4hours 55 minutes.

EDIT. I thought it shut down to soon for the light it was putting out. So I swapped batteries long enough to program
a level 10 (1.9 lumens) and I am still running it. Will update if I don't fall asleep.

Click to expand...

That's still pretty good. I use to have a a HDS 170T, it would run at 120 lumens for 1:35-1:40 before step down. I'd then get typically another 5-8m at 85 lumens before it dropped again.

Re: Novatac 120E 120T HDS200 runtime Observation

think I will look for a light meter to see how much these are putting out.
I have 2 120M's that went 63 and 74 minutes before step down on a RCR

Re: Novatac 120E 120T HDS200 runtime Observation

P_A_S_1 said:

Just curious, what was the previous emitter used and if modified isn't it possible the light is turning out more lumens then 120?

Click to expand...

The original emitter in it was an SSC P4

chadvone said:

Yes sorry, that was at 120 lumens. Light has been modded since earlier post to a XRE2 neutral by THINK2X.


No burst

Click to expand...

Hey Chad,

Actually, it's an XP-E2 5000k tint.

Are you going to do a runtime test on the 120T triple XP-E2 when it arrives? Hope you like it.

Jamie

Re: Novatac 120E 120T HDS200 runtime Observation

think2x said:

The original emitter in it was an SSC P4




Hey Chad,

Actually, it's an XP-E2 5000k tint.

Are you going to do a runtime test on the 120T triple XP-E2 when it arrives? Hope you like it.

Jamie

Click to expand...

Yeah, What he said.

I ran the 120T another 25 minutes at level ten then I fell asleep, it was off when I woke.
Reset it to level 1 and it has been running for 8 hours. I am giving up on this cell for now. Will turn it back on when i go to bed.

Getting ready to run a 120M on High with RCR123 and my HDS at 100 lumen level.