Surefire Aviator w/ Amber or HDS Rotary

So I am just curious to get some opinions on the two lights mentioned here as I will be picking up one or the other soon. I do like the fact that the Aviator has an amber option as it would be helpful to not attract insects. Both seem similar in output although HDS doesn't list their throw numbers (but I assume they're about the same as the Aviator.)

As of now I'm leaning towards the Aviator but I do like the rotary switch on the HDS, and it seems HDS has possibly the best reputation for durability. So I'm curious what you guys think, is it worth the extra money and not having Amber to get the HDS? If so, what reasons? Is the beam quality superior with better tint and color options? (I don't know what tint or CRI the Aviator even is.)

Looking forward to what you guys have to say.

Usual CPF advice- get both ! [emoji16]

I can't speak for the Aviator but the HDS rotary I have I really like.

Hello,

Brand new to the forums here.
Thought I'd make a first post to try and help you out.

Please bear in mind that these are photos using 'auto white balance' so yes, it's not going to be 100% accurate.
But the H3LL with it, I enjoy seeing beam shots just as much as the next person!

Like you, I wondered which one to get, except I already own the SureFire Aviator Amber and will most likely get the HDS Amber to throw into the collection. I heard the the HDS is going to be brighter and I'll bet a cleaner beam.


For reference (Left to Right):
1. SureFire Aviator Amber
2. Malkoff MD2 w/ 3000k Warm Low Emitter Installed (M61WL)
3. HDS Executive 250Lumen 'Cool White' ~6200K
4. Lumintop 1xAAA Nichia something... can't remember, supposed to be more neutral
5. Last on the far right is a MagLite Spectrum Solitaire w/ Warm LED.






















The wall shots are for you to get an idea of beam pattern/ shape/ etc for the the SureFire Aviator only.
Personally, HDS has a cleaner looking beam to my eyes. More evenly spread, SureFire Aviator has more of a 'Hot Spot' as seen below
I took a photo for each brightness level of the two emitters in the SureFire:

SureFire Aviator - White Low


SureFire Aviator -White High

SureFire Aviator -Amber Low

SureFire Aviator -Amber High


Hope this helps somewhat. Personally, the low amber is real nice around the house late at night. Doesn't have a blinding effect, at least for me.

I am a huge fan of HDS, but another thought, as I am also an OR fan. If you like a low output amber secondary an Oveready BOSS could be another option.

My HDS Amber has become my most used light. You cannot go wrong with the HDS. Beam is excellent and output is a lot more than I expected. The rotary...well, its a Rotary.

Here's an HDS Rotary (325Lm NLT, Cree XP-G3, 3D, S5) compared to the SureFire Aviator.

SureFire on the left - HDS Rotary on the right

I have two Aviators and an HDS. I use thrm quite often. It's a really hard choice if you had to pick just one. It would really depend on what your use cases are. I'd say if you need something with good throw, secondary colors, and a simple interface, then go with the Aviator. It is an excellent light. If you don't need secondary colors but can use a moonlight level of output, want something indestructible, and has near infinite adjustability, then go with HDS. It too is an excellent light.

For outdoors, I like an incand A2 a lot more than either hds or an led A2 because I prefer the primary beam to be warm and the secondary one to be high cri daylight.

The latter is provided by 5600K 5mm yuji leds. Had surefire created a single cell "A1", I would never edc anything else.

I have both, the Amber HDS and the Amber Aviator:



You must see it in that way:

Aviator pros:
- Has White And Amber (high and low for both light colors)
- In Compare to HDS Amber Rotary it is less expensive
- Well build quality light (Made in USA in case this is important)

HDS pros:
- 24 steps of Amber brightness are possible
- Much brighter Amber light in compare to SF Aviator Amber
- Well build quality light (Made in USA in case this is important)

If you would like to have the option of using Amber and White light than go for the Surefire. I you only need Amber light than go for the HDS. That would be my advice. Both lights are great.

Really appreciate the beam shots, I do like the more throwy profile of the aviator and I think for now I'll pick up an aviator followed by an HDS and an Oveready, the future is looking expensive :twothumbs

I'll update you guys when I pick one up!

PaperKnife said:

Here's an HDS Rotary (325Lm NLT, Cree XP-G3, 3D, S5) compared to the SureFire Aviator.

SureFire on the left - HDS Rotary on the right

Click to expand...

mrsteel said:

Really appreciate the beam shots, I do like the more throwy profile of the aviator and I think for now I'll pick up an aviator followed by an HDS and an Oveready, the future is looking expensive :twothumbs

I'll update you guys when I pick one up!

Click to expand...

Glad you found some useful advice here.

Please don't "requote" numerous large photos, however, as this makes the site more difficult to navigate (especially on mobile) ... thanks in advance.

sledhead said:

My HDS Amber has become my most used light. You cannot go wrong with the HDS. Beam is excellent and output is a lot more than I expected. The rotary...well, its a Rotary.

Click to expand...

Concur

sledhead said:

My HDS Amber has become my most used light. You cannot go wrong with the HDS. Beam is excellent and output is a lot more than I expected. The rotary...well, its a Rotary.

Click to expand...

Why you preferred the amber over a very warm high cri?

ma tumba said:

Why you preferred the amber over a very warm high cri?

Click to expand...

Amber is a mono chromatic light with a wavelength of ~590nm. Warm white is not monochromatic and has not that effect on keeping night visibility of the human eye due to the large bunch of wavelength in the warm white light.
Even on higher levels the Amber light does not harm the night visibility. Any type of white light will kill the night visibility on the human eye at some much lower level.

And the other reason: Amber is really cool. The best mono chromatic HDS I have

WarriorOfLight said:

Amber is a mono chromatic light with a wavelength of ~590nm. Warm white is not monochromatic and has not that effect on keeping night visibility of the human eye due to the large bunch of wavelength in the warm white light.
Even on higher levels the Amber light does not harm the night visibility. Any type of white light will kill the night visibility on the human eye at some much lower level.

And the other reason: Amber is really cool. The best mono chromatic HDS I have

Click to expand...

These are great reasons, I was just wondering if you can have just this single light with you? I have found that while I love warm tints, I do need a daylight high cri flashlight as a secondary (or even primary although daylight tints are so dull at low lumens) to see true colors. And with a monochromatic light it is just imposiible

Aviator showed up and I got to testing it out, perfect size and perfect beam for what I need. Couldn't be happier, this ones definitely going in my EDC.