A brief history of the HDS universe

[THE_dAY]

Great info Hondo!
Here are a couple of prototypes from maybe 2005 era.
The LEDs inside are Luxeon, this was right before Cree exploded onto the market.

This was the HDS HD (Heavy Duty)

This was the HDS LR (Long Range)

 

[kj2]

That are great pics! :twothumbs

 

[ven]

+1 fantastic , thanks for sharing all these amazing pics of history. Wow to the HD...and here was me thinking HDS are heavy duty ....

 

[archimedes]

Wow @THE_dAY ... so cool !

Thanks for posting those photos.

 

[Lithium466]

There was also the prototype run of coated Ti legacy clickies:



These weird Novatac (particularly love the snake (?) button) and the bezel



And the golden Novatac, picture courtesy of Hogo :

[url=http://tof.canardpc.com/view/7e244705-3b05-48fd-a543-281f4dde949e.jpg]
[/URL]

 

[Lithium466]

Also if someone could tell me more about these Arcs:

 

[Hondo]

Awesome THE dAY! Very low volume variants in the HD and LR. I thought I recall some production lights going out for those, not that your copies are not prototype examples. Or that may have been curtailed by the move to Novatac, I can't recall for sure.

Lithium, dying for the story on the V3 Action Light

Just a little story I recalled while thinking about the loss of the brightness calibration step on later Novatac lights:

Opposite of other lights, Henry guarantied the brightness of his lights, and hand tuned the level, so that higher performing LED's resulted in longer than advertised runtimes. So a premium LED could get bumped from a B42 to a U60 or a B42XR. A real high performer would make for a U60XR.

But here is the funny part. Lumen junkies started posting "want to buy" threads for B42's that barely made the runtime cut. Because that meant that Henry had tuned the light to the highest allowable power level to get that LED to meet specs, if they got their hands on a loose premium LED and did a swap, they had a screaming bright HDS! Of course, all of the levels were bumped up, and Henry's calibration work was lost, but those wanting an HDS brighter than the rest did not care.

 

[archimedes]

... milky SuperNOVA

 

[Lithium466]

Whow, what's the story about this one?

Lithium, dying for the story on the V3 Action Light

I'm sorry but I can't tell you much, that was a picture I knew I had on my computer, I thought it's be fun to post it. I can't recall where I found it...probably somewhere buried on this very forum! I remember something about 120lumens models, too, but that's all. And I was wrong, the reflector isn't the same as the LR HDS. I also had these LR and WR pictures on my computer, downloaded around the same time as the Action Light III... Sorry that's all I can tell, for further information we'll have to ask the man himself!

Edit : this is all I could get : https://web.archive.org/web/20040622040440/http://www.hdssystems.com/ActionLight.html

The Action Light III provides the following features:

• 100 lumens on the maximum setting
• 16 hours of 8 lumens constant output typical using two lithium CR123A batteries. Every two settings dimmer doubles battery life.
• Fully regulated settings for constant brightness. Gracefully steps down to lower brightness settings to extend dying batteries.
• User selectable 22 brightness settings spaced for visually even appearance. Maximum, minimum and two configurable settings are quickly accessible. Minimum setting will preserve dark adaptation without the use of red filters.
• High efficiency electronics - 2.0 to 6.5V - supports most common battery chemistries (alkaline, NiCad, NiMH, Li-ion, Li-polymer, Li-SO2, Li-MnO2, Li-SOCl2, Li-FeS2) and cell configurations
• Ultra clear coated glass lens for maximum light output and improved scratch resistance
• Will not damage rechargeable batteries
• Reverse battery protection without diode power penalty
• Intrinsically safe configuration
• Full thermal management - cannot overheat or get excessively hot
• Simple, intuitive single-button interface allows single-click on/off and momentary operation as well as momentary use of maximum brightness when light is on
• Configurable options: primary and secondary brightness setting, SOS emergency signal (46CFR161.013-7 compliant), emergency strobe signal, flashing locator (so you can find the light in the dark), automatic turn-off, automatic switch lock (prevent accidental turn-on during transport or storage), remote trigger switch and more

Comparison between models : https://web.archive.org/web/20040812172610/http://www.hdssystems.com/LightComparison.html

A 60 lumens model appeared in 2005 : https://web.archive.org/web/20050204075405/http://hdssystems.com/LightComparison.html

Action Light III disappeared in 2006 from the HDS website


User guides : https://web.archive.org/web/20050304064532/http://www.hdssystems.com/ActionLightUsersGuide.pdf
https://web.archive.org/web/20060518111737/http://www.hdssystems.com/ActionLightQuickRefCard.jpg
https://web.archive.org/web/20050304064740/http://www.hdssystems.com/ActionLightQuickStart.pdf


Finally! This one's for you Hondo! https://web.archive.org/web/20051124134111/http://www.hdssystems.com/ActionLight.html




About Novatac : [url]https://web.archive.org/web/20061105030810/http://www.hdssystems.com/
[/URL]

 

[Lithium466]

Just a little story I recalled while thinking about the loss of the brightness calibration step on later Novatac lights:

Opposite of other lights, Henry guarantied the brightness of his lights, and hand tuned the level, so that higher performing LED's resulted in longer than advertised runtimes. So a premium LED could get bumped from a B42 to a U60 or a B42XR. A real high performer would make for a U60XR.

But here is the funny part. Lumen junkies started posting "want to buy" threads for B42's that barely made the runtime cut. Because that meant that Henry had tuned the light to the highest allowable power level to get that LED to meet specs, if they got their hands on a loose premium LED and did a swap, they had a screaming bright HDS! Of course, all of the levels were bumped up, and Henry's calibration work was lost, but those wanting an HDS brighter than the rest did not care.

Sorry about the long previous post. Here's a little illustration :

The EDC Ultimate flashlights provides the following features:

• Your choice of maximum output - the world's smallest tactical brightness LED flashlight. 4 preset levels, 20 brightness levels with visually even spacing
• Fully regulated settings for constant brightness. Gracefully steps down to lower brightness levels to extend dying batteries
• 10 hours constant output on the Primary setting (10 lumens) using a single lithium CR123A battery. 20 minute minimum runtime on Maximum setting

No wonder why replacing factory leds with more efficient emitters gives so much light!

And now I wonder why Henry won't push the actual design further, invoking runtime as an "excuse"? These lights started with 20 minutes runtime minimum on high...come on! 1,5A instead of ~1A could give HDS a bit more "edge". I'm not talking about me here, I'm a high CRI low lumens guy

 

[Hondo]

You're too modest, that link tells most of it! Thank you Mr. Peabody! (OK, I'll explain for most of you - Sherman and Mr. Peabody were in a 60's cartoon - a sub-plot in "Rocky and Bullwinkle" - where they time travelled to learn about history, in the "WABAC (Way-back) Machine").

2004 at the bottom says this almost came out from the Arc company, I presume. The driver had all of the features of the upcoming EDC series - 22 levels, auto-off, locator flash, etc. Looks like it fell victim to the separation at the end of 2004. I was looking closely between the bezel on that and the LR too! Close, very close.


I did track these down, so in darkzero's own words:

Top: Sterile Arc LS head w/ 14670 TSP (P7 Tri-FLuPIC mod)
Bottom: Arc LS3 (not an original & the 2x123 TSP's anodizing isn't so great but I'm happy to own it)

mraymer posted the other pic in the same (cool) thread:


I love Arc flashlights, especially the old LS lights. They may not be as flashy or beautiful as a titanium light. They don't have the multi-functionality or a dozen different modes like high end torches. They don't put out as many lumens or light up the night like newer more recent offerings. But they appeal to me. Simplicity and durability, the total package in my opinion. I don't know how many of these were made but do know there are only a handful of members who have one of these. My prized rare blue Arc LS.

 

[Lithium466]

That's the thread! Thanks!

 

[bigfoot]

Older photo: Twisty 85-Tr up top, early Ra Lights EDC Clicky on bottom. Every now and then you let go of a light and realize, "oops", later on. I sure miss that red/white Twisty! :sigh:

 

[emarkd]

Welp, hope you guys are happy. I've gone and bought an old USA-made Novatac 120P from the WTS forum. Told you all I shouldn't be hanging out here...

 

[Lithium466]

I hope you'll enjoy the light It feels like a rustic version of the current lineup, but still very nice. Love the interface...and it's easy to mod!

 

[Hondo]

Congrats! I think you'll be pleased, emarkd. What I like most about those is that with a double-click-press I am ramping up brightness, and repeating switches to ramping down. I can keep the new setting by turning off, or revert to the old memorized setting by changing to another level before shutting down. Very nice for splitting levels during the dusk hours when walking out of the woods after hunting. That interface on a light with a modded-in HCRI Seoul makes for my all-time favorite woods light.

 

[nbp]

Those old HD and LR protos are awesome! I have never seen or heard of those before. Would love to see a run of those HDs. [emoji2]

 

[Blades]

Older photo: Twisty 85-Tr up top, early Ra Lights EDC Clicky on bottom. Every now and then you let go of a light and realize, "oops", later on. I sure miss that red/white Twisty! :sigh:

Yep. I had a 85-TR at one time.

 

[Crazyeddiethefirst]

I have 4 USA Novotacs, one modded that is the most awesome of the group in output & tint. I then purchased the aforementioned 18650 bodies & springs, but somehow torqued the 16340 spring-no way to get a replacement after weeks of trying so I contacted Henry to see if he had a stash that would work. Despite his busy schedule, and the fact I was looking for a part for a product no longer produce, he responded very quickly and for a fair price I had the part in the mail in less than 24 hours. Ever since, HDS is on my list for the next best light I want to buy. A man who's ethics and standards are proven with every light he sells.
Thanks for the history ( although as I think back to times I had the opportunity to buy various HDS lights and did not do so causes me to cringe now)...

 

[parametrek]

I've always admired Henry's work and a High CRI Rotary is probably my grail light. While HDS is not a frequent request, I've added his lights to my database today. (I'd directly link to that section of the DB, if I were allowed. Open the 'brand' filter and check HDS instead.) His masterpieces deserve to be better known.

I was unable to find the lower lumen value for the Tactical UI. Is it 0.02 lumens like the Rotary, or is it tuned higher?

On a related note, if you don't like playing the waiting game there are a handful of Tactical models on Amazon, with Prime shipping