HDS Systems #23

[desert.snake]

To blow a hole through on of Henry's mantras about led thermals/temp and why his light output levels suck compared to competitors....

About ~4 years ago I bought a malkoff 2x123/1x18650 light. It runs hotter on 18650 due to circuitry working harder due to lower voltage and longer runtime due to higher capacity.

As it so happens, this light is perfect for an activity in which I leave it in a machined wooden holder (clamps at the tail so appreciable heat transfer) until the battery dies... every single night for ~4 years. Head temp is >150F. No airflow.

No output/emitter problems/degradation. (I confirmed w/ a light meter). No color shift.

Henry's just making excuses. Don't fall for them.

You're very lucky with your flashlight. A friend of mine had a Hound Dog Super 2 x 18650 battery, and he used it almost every night for about 10 years. It became less bright, the color shifted to the blue side, and it also got quite hot. We'll have to wait another 6 years and see, although if something happens, it might be easier to buy another one or two. But now LEDs have improved in terms of reliability. I've seen tests of XHP50.2, and it seems to continue to glow blue brightly even after the phosphor burns out with good heat dissipation

LED test / review - Cree XLamp XHP50.3 HI H2 45G (90 CRI) - High performance but severely damaged after short time at higher currents

LED test / review Cree XLamp XHP50.3 HI H2 45G (90 CRI) XHP50D-H0-0000-0D0UH245G 2023-06-24 This test was primarily started due to recent problems with the ultra-bright Imalent SR32. During the passaround of this light in the German flashlight forum, two XHP50.3 HI LEDs were...

budgetlightforum.com

If I understand correctly, Henry makes flashlights in case there's no way to buy another one in X years, and this one will continue to work as well as the day it was made

 

[muichimon]

The HDS rotary with the SwitchBack 2.0 attached fits in better than I expected. And the retaining ring makes it easier to use.

 

[iacchus]

The HDS rotary with the SwitchBack 2.0 attached fits in better than I expected. And the retaining ring makes it easier to use.View attachment 93538View attachment 93539

I assume this is the non dual-fuel version?

 

[iacchus]

I've been looking at organizers, want to tidy my carry bag up.
Lookit what I found on Tom Bihn's site in the example pic of one of their offerings:

 

[dc38]

I've been looking at organizers, want to tidy my carry bag up.
Lookit what I found on Tom Bihn's site in the example pic of one of their offerings:

View attachment 93567

Loading…

www.maxpedition.com

 

[iacchus]

Loading…

www.maxpedition.com

I've got plenty of Maxped pouches. I need something sleeker and lighter I think. X-pac and the like, or at least that's what I'm looking about at.

Generally a good suggestion, though. Thanks

 

[muichimon]

I assume this is the non dual-fuel version?

Mine has a standard CR123A battery compartment. It should also work with 18350 or 18650 battery compartments. There will be a gap inside, so you'll need to insert some kind of sleeve.

 

[iacchus]

Mine has a standard CR123A battery compartment. It should also work with 18350 or 18650 battery compartments. There will be a gap inside, so you'll need to insert some kind of sleeve.

No, I meant for the therm. There are two sizes. I'm reasonably certain which it is though

 

[muichimon]

No, I meant for the therm. There are two sizes. I'm reasonably certain which it is though

Are you referring to the THYRM SWITCHBACK? I used it on my Elzetta and 6P, so it's for a 1-inch body.

 

[davidwestonh]

What date were the clicky acme threads and the rotary’s first sold?

 

[archimedes]

What date were the clicky acme threads and the rotary’s first sold?

2011-ish ?

Indeed, the new driver was introduced with ACME models, to accommodate the rotary control part, even on non rotary lights. The low was reduced something like 4 years later, but the overhead on the driver makes that 0,02lm consumes almost as much power as 0,08lm...what's used to drive the led being insignificant compared to what the driver component take.

Edit : new driver came with firmware 2.0 in 2010/2011, lower low introduced end of 2013 with firmware 2.10 (haven't checked on HDS website, this is from memory). Also 40s burst compared to 10s on the old "more efficient" driver

 

[archimedes]

Yes, after a bit more of a search, I think the changeover was right between 2010 and 2011 ...

There is 3 generation of HDS EDC.

1) the original HDS EDC (the subject of this thread) ( produced around 2005-2008)

2) the RA era (now known as the ''legacy'' series) ( produced around 2009-2010)

3) the new HDS EDC series (known as the ACME thread new lights) ( produced around 2010-2012)

I might be wrong about the dates but that's what I can remember...


For the original series, about 50 18650 and 2xAA tubes were produced. As far as I know, these numbers have never been confirmed. They are very rare these days... 17670 tubes are very common, inexpensive and easily available.

For the legacy series, I don't know how many 17670 were produced but not a lot. Rumors says there is around 50 2xAA tube floating around. No 18650 tube were ever produced for that series.

I'm not sure if any 17670 were ever produced for the ACME thread lights.


If you are not a primary fan, you could consider RCR123 (rechargeable). HDS lights are fully compatible with RCR and its the best low cost option. You can even buy a solar charger for them.

 

[davidwestonh]

Thanks I will look in the manual to see my firmware number

 

[kaichu dento]

Thanks I will look in the manual to see my firmware number

I'm not sure if he can do it to all of them, but Henry has been offering firmware upgrading for several years now. He'd told me that he didn't want to do it because of the hassle, but I suggested that he just offer it for a fee. Nice to have the newer firmware features for many of us.

 

[davidwestonh]

I'm not sure if he can do it to all of them, but Henry has been offering firmware upgrading for several years now. He'd told me that he didn't want to do it because of the hassle, but I suggested that he just offer it for a fee. Nice to have the newer firmware features for many of us.

Yust want to know the age of my flashlights. I used to bye from goinggear until the owner died. I do not have auto turnoff set and will get around to turning it on.
my clicky golden dragon used to lower power down in 10 min.

 

[kaichu dento]

Yust want to know the age of my flashlights. I used to bye from goinggear until the owner died. I do not have auto turnoff set and will get around to turning it on.
my clicky golden dragon used to lower power down in 10 min.

The most knowledgeable person would be Henry himself, have you tried contacting him yet?

 

[davidwestonh]

The most knowledgeable person would be Henry himself, have you tried contacting him yet?

Just a hobby related question. I will not bother a busy man.

 

[davidwestonh]

Thanks @Rstype for selling me a 18650 clicky.
What emitter do I have?

 

[WarriorOfLight]

What emitter do I have?

Should be L5B2V4 - CRI 75, 300lm, 3900K, Emitter: Cree XP-L (Link)

 

[davidwestonh]

Wow thank you.