HDS Systems EDC #21

[Cpl S]

Don't tell anyone, but I am in possession of an HDS rotary.

It's okay, I guess. It's pretty good.

Funny, we have a town in Michigan named Hell. Really. And it froze over last week. I knew something big was about to happen

 

[Modernflame]

I'll have more thoughts on the rotary with time. I like it, but my clickies definitely will not be losing their jobs. For now, I'd like to share some thoughts on beam tint.


The High Noon (5700K): It's no surprise that it appears to be pure white in daylight conditions, even during overcast weather when the ambient color temperature is cooler than normal. It does betray a bit of blue/green under the 4000K florescent lighting at the office. The 5700K is capable as an outdoor light after dark, but once I've retired for the evening in 2700K fixed indoor lighting, it's bed time for the high noon.


The 3 O'Clock (5000K): This emitter is surprisingly similar to the 5700K. All of the above observations apply here, except that it maintains a more neutral appearance under 4000K florescent office lighting.


The 219B (R9080, 4500K): This little gem comes into its own after dark. Colors dance and sing like a Broadway musical. It's not recommended for use with psychedelic drugs. You won't notice the rosy hue when this is the only source of light. However, you will catch odd glimpses of lipstick red under certain circumstances. I notice it particularly on overcast days, which are plentiful in this part of the world in February. I'll add something very subjective. For me, the overall color is crisp in a way that makes it seem brighter than comparable lights, even the 5000K.


The 219B (R9050, 4000K): Always pleasant, but never dazzling. It's equally at home day and night, if you don't mind a bit of yellow. I frequently use it for creeping around the house in the wee hours and it has never disturbed my circadian rhythm. It presents itself as pure white in the evenings under 2700K fixed lighting.

 

[Grijon]

Great writeup, Modernflame.

The beam on my 4000k Nichia 219 (I'm guessing R9050) is my favorite beam of all the lights I've ever owned; you almost make me want to try an R9080 despite my own decision to never buy cooler than 4000k. Even more, I'm now actually curious about the High Noon, which is so cool (tint) that I've never had any interest in it at all.

Well done!

 

[RCS1300]

I'll have more thoughts on the rotary with time. I like it, but my clickies definitely will not be losing their jobs. For now, I'd like to share some thoughts on beam tint.


The 219B (R9050, 4000K): Always pleasant, but never dazzling. It's equally at home day and night, if you don't mind a bit of yellow. I frequently use it for creeping around the house in the wee hours and it has never disturbed my circadian rhythm. It presents itself as pure white in the evenings under 2700K fixed lighting.

Which LED emitter did your order with the Rotary? Also, any thoughts on going to 3000K or 3500K in High CRI Nichia 219C?

 

[neutralwhite]

3500k 9080 would be sweet, sweet!.

Which LED emitter did your order with the Rotary? Also, any thoughts on going to 3000K or 3500K in High CRI Nichia 219C?

 

[tech25]

Great write up.
I feel my 3 O'Clock is great during the day but as evening nears I see a bit green so I tend to keep it as backup (yes there is an element of crossing beams as I carry more than one light). My 4500k is great and is also a bit rosy, this is my main light. I had to send this in to HDS as my baby got ahold of my light and somehow bit of pulled out the button so I have been carrying my Malkoff M61N which has a 4000k tint. I find the 4000k is my sweet spot but the higher cri on the HDS lights do make a difference. Another light that I carry is my Zebralight H600fc mk3, which has an xml2 easy-white, this is also 4000k but has about 4 points higher cri than the Malkoff.

I guess what I'm rambling on about is, a high cri 4000k HDS is next on my list.

Would be be nice to have an 18350 body for much better runtime than the 16340s... hint hint...

 

[jon_slider]

thoughts on going to 3000K or 3500K in High CRI Nichia 219C?

since you already have and enjoy 4000k, I vote 3000k

4000k is only 500k difference to 3500k.. I prefer a spread of 1000, or more between my cooler EDC.. in my case the 4500k, and my warmer evening light.. since I just got the 3500k, and it strikes me as a bit golden, or yellow, I prefer the 3000k, that moves in the direction of a more orange candle or sunset.

the yellow aspect of 4000k, as well as 3500k, is not my personal preference

the first 4 lights all have LED mods, my favorite pairing is the 3000k with 4500k

If I had to pick just one for 24/7 edc, it would be 4500k. I dont consider 3000k an EDC CCT, its more of a specialty, winding down at the end of the night, and full dark adapted light.

 

[tclementi1]

Hey guys not sure if this is allowed if not I'll delete but I am selling my al bronze rotary spot if you are interested please pm me thanks HDS Fanatics I have also posted this too the Facebook flashlight fanatics group so im going on a fcfs basis have a good day
Tom

 

[Modernflame]

...you almost make me want to try an R9080 despite my own decision to never buy cooler than 4000k.

I understand your perspective. I would only suggest that this emitter is sufficiently unique that it's at least worth trying in an inexpensive light to see if you enjoy it. You might find that it's ideal for an HDS.

Which LED emitter did your order with the Rotary? Also, any thoughts on going to 3000K or 3500K in High CRI Nichia 2.19C?

The rotary has the high noon emitter. I've decided that 4000K is the basement for me. Although Hogo's early post on this topic caught my attention, I don't get on well with warm emitters.

 

[kaichu dento]

...any thoughts on going to 3000K or 3500K in High CRI Nichia 219C?

My favorite range is the 3-3.5k range and that's what I've got coming with both the bronze and titanium Rotary.

3500k 9080 would be sweet, sweet!.

Exactly, that's the one!

 

[greatscoot]

I've had 5000K, 4000K and 3000K. I kept the 3000K only because I have other lights at 4000K and I agree it's not the best during the day, but makes a great night/nightstand light.
I sold the 5000K because for whatever reason, it just didn't look good to my eyes at lower levels.
I would really like to get a 3500K.

 

[InvisibleFrodo]

Yikes. A few months ago I was looking forward to trying to get one of the 180 lumen 9080 3500k offerings in an aluminum clicky when they finally make their way into general availability, think I even posted about it. Now I swear every one else seems to have come to the same conclusion, and it's like: Crap, it's happening all over- those items that sell out too fast to be able to buy.
Hogo- I know you're up there somewhere... There seems to be real interest in something in the 3500K range. Any chance of some 3500K 9080s, not just the few that may or may not still be available, but enough that they won't sell out in 22.2 seconds?

 

[DinoCakes]

Well, you all inspired me to start putting together a grab and go kit for travel/long term sustainable glowiness

needs a few things still, not least of all being a AA tube, and a dummy cr123 cell. But I'm liking how it's shaping up.

 

[thermal guy]

Well that should get you through just about any situation I could think of. Very nice

Just a 2XAA tube and a bunch of 18650's and your done

 

[jon_slider]

For those looking to decide about the 3500k 9080, here is another beam photo, that is sure to add to the confusion.

Here is a base of some of the emitters taken off from a FB group.

You can see the 3500k looks nothing like the 4000k, and imo this photo is not an accurate comparison. But photos are very difficult to use to compare beams, unless all the beams are shot side by side, at the same daylight white balance.

At the end of the day, the only way we know what we like, is to try it out in person.

I was looking forward to trying to get one of the 180 lumen 9080 3500k offerings in an aluminum clicky when they finally make their way into general availability

InvisibleFrodo, you have my respect for doing your homework, and I thank you for reminding me that the 219b 3500k 9080 is not as efficient as the 219b 4500k 9080, the 3000k 219c, and 3500k 219c.

Here is Hogos post about the potential 180 lumen limit.
https://www.candlepowerforums.com/v...oing-on-sale&p=5237864&viewfull=1#post5237864

Nichia 219b 3500k 9080 will be added. There is a chance that this emitter will not reach 200 lumens at the levels that we drive our lights, but an estimated 180 lumens.

I confirm that the 3500k N219b 9080 is less efficient than the XP-G in my HDS Rotary 200 lumen model. When the 3500k was installed into my Rotary, the lumens dropped to 170 max, in fact after a few moments, its closer to 165 lumens. (same was true for the 200 lumen reading, after a few moments it would fall to about 194 lumens).

My light meter is calibrated to that HDS, when it was, @200 lumens, and after the 3500k mod, the light was not recallibrated, so the lumen levels achieved by the N219b 3500k 9080, that Im reporting, are imo very realistic. (even though I dont own an expensive sphere)

So, word to the wise, if you go with a warm 219c, such as the 3000k, you will get about 18% more lumens, than with the 219b 3500k 9080.


fwiw, if some of you are interested in testing a warm LED to see how you feel about its color temperature for your applications, there is a 3000k Nichia E21a in the Folomov C1. It is very close to the 3500k 9080, and the Folomov costs only about 1/10 the price of an HDS, so its a cheap way to explore a 95+CRI warm LED experience. And believe it or not, the Folomov can, briefly, be over 100 lumens brighter than the HDS.

 

[Modernflame]

My father bought a 3 O'Clock rotary last summer and carries it with him everywhere. He won't walk from the bed room to the living room without it. Yesterday, I had lunch with him and we sat in the back corner of a restaurant extolling the virtues of HDS flashlights. He said, "You fixed me. I didn't know I needed a flashlight but now I can't function without it." Aside from the odd looks from other patrons of the establishment, it all seemed quite normal to me.

 

[RCS1300]

He said, "You fixed me. I didn't know I needed a flashlight but now I can't function without it." Aside from the odd looks from other patrons of the establishment, it all seemed quite normal to me.

Thors Hammer holster?

 

[Modernflame]

Thors Hammer holster?

Still working on that, although he said he's thinking of a shoulder rig for his basic edc gear. He doesn't like things on his belt. It's an interesting idea if you frequently wear a jacket.

 

[RCS1300]

Still working on that, although he said he's thinking of a shoulder rig for his basic edc gear. He doesn't like things on his belt. It's an interesting idea if you frequently wear a jacket.

Two lights or one (Credit: ThorsHammerCustomLeather)?

 

[Modernflame]

Two lights or one (Credit: ThorsHammerCustomLeather)?

Probably just one light, but also his keys, wallet, and phone. It's been fun discussing the design.