I finally got some time to get some good pictures (good by my standards which isn't very high 
) and sit down and write about my new light.
[just a note, you can click on all pictures except the beam shots to get high resolution versions]
The HDS EDC U60 is made my HDS Systems. There has been alot of buzz about these lights for quite some time. I decided about a month ago that I really did need one of these lights. Before that I never gave these lights another thought. Then I started reading more and more rave reviews about people loving these lights. So, I thought I would give it a try. Then I hear that they are discontinuing most of their EDC line of flashlights. My first thought was,"Oh, great. They'll be out completely by the time I can afford one.". Well, that was partly true. I originally wanted a U60XRGT. The 'XR' meaning 'extended runtime' and the 'GT' meaning 'guaranteed tint'. Those were sold out by the time I got around to ordering one so I went for the U60XR. Come to find out someone had ordered the last one just before me. No, huge deal, I finally got the U60 ordered. I got mine from www.opticshq.com because it was the same price as most other places plus it came with a Pelican 1010 case and 24 Titanium brand batteries. Here is everything I got from OpticsHQ.
"What makes the HDS EDC U60 so special?", you ask. Well, I'll tell you. First this light has 4 different brightness levels, primary (10lumens), secondary (2.6 lumens), maximum (60 lumens), and minimum (.33 lumens). The cool thing about the four leves is that they are either two or three clicks away. And you can change the brightness of any given level. When changing the brightness you can choose from up to 20 different brightness levels ranging from 60 lumens down to .08 lumens.
"What other features does this have?", you ask. Lets take a look. The list of features from the HDS website:
Now, when I first read the list of features I was very curious about how quick the Strobe and SOS functions actually where. Well, I tried to get a video of the Strobe function but the flashes of light are too quick for my camera to pic up. But it does flash a quick little 'blip' every second. I did happen to get a video clip done of the SOS signal. Here it is.
SOS.MPG 5.9Mb
In this clip you will see the light flash 5 times first. That is me clicking 10 times to get into the main menu. once in the menu the light stays on for a second to let you know that you have entered the menu. You then see the light do a quick little 'blip' that is actually the strobe setting. I didn't want that one so I went to the next option by clicking once and you see three flashes. This is the beginning of the SOS signal option. after then three flashes there is a longer flash from me holding down on the button to select that option. After than I point flashlight at the camera then realize its too bright to do that so I pointed it away alittle bit.
Sounds complicated but I assure, once you play with it for awhile it becomes very very simple.
Now alittle about my particular flashlight. When I initially got my light I clipped it onto my pocket. I thought the clip was way to weak for these so I did some research and found a cure for that. I griped the clip with a pair of needle nosed pliers up by the screw holes and bent the clip so it would hold better. Now it holds like you wouldn't believe. Here is a pic of the clip for those interested.
As far as tint goes........All Luxeon LEDs come in different colors. Some more blue, some more purple, some greenish, and some just absolutely pure white. Mine is a cool white with just a slight hint of purple. Overall a very pleasing color that I don't mind one bit. It is really close to white though.
The cool thing about this light is that he has thermal protection built in. So, if you light gets too hot it will kick down two levels so you still get light and the Luxeon is protected from cooking itself to death. Also when the battery is depleted to much to maintain a brighter level, the light will search for a level that it can maintain. I checked the runtime of my light with a Surefire cell. I placed my light in a cup of cold water to keep the light cool and keep the thermal protection from kicking in. I set the light on high and put in the cup and waited for it to kick down a level. It took 27 minutes and 21 seconds to do so. The is more than I was expecting. The XR versions from what I've read gets about 10 more minutes.
From here on out I'll let the pictures do the talking for me. Not much more I can say.
EDC apart.
Inside the tailcap of the EDC.
Underneath of the EDC head compared to the underneath of the Fenix P1 head.
EDC nest to the P1
Beam Shots.
Fenix L1T vs. HDS EDC U60
Fenix P1 vs. HDS EDC U60
Streamlight Propolymer 4AA vs HDS EDC U60
Streamlight Propolymer 4AA vs HDS EDC U60 up close
Over all, I really really really like this light and can't wait to see what comes from HDS next.
If you have any questions or anything feel free to ask.
clipse
) and sit down and write about my new light. [just a note, you can click on all pictures except the beam shots to get high resolution versions]
The HDS EDC U60 is made my HDS Systems. There has been alot of buzz about these lights for quite some time. I decided about a month ago that I really did need one of these lights. Before that I never gave these lights another thought. Then I started reading more and more rave reviews about people loving these lights. So, I thought I would give it a try. Then I hear that they are discontinuing most of their EDC line of flashlights. My first thought was,"Oh, great. They'll be out completely by the time I can afford one.". Well, that was partly true. I originally wanted a U60XRGT. The 'XR' meaning 'extended runtime' and the 'GT' meaning 'guaranteed tint'. Those were sold out by the time I got around to ordering one so I went for the U60XR. Come to find out someone had ordered the last one just before me.
No, huge deal, I finally got the U60 ordered. I got mine from www.opticshq.com because it was the same price as most other places plus it came with a Pelican 1010 case and 24 Titanium brand batteries. Here is everything I got from OpticsHQ.
"What makes the HDS EDC U60 so special?", you ask. Well, I'll tell you. First this light has 4 different brightness levels, primary (10lumens), secondary (2.6 lumens), maximum (60 lumens), and minimum (.33 lumens). The cool thing about the four leves is that they are either two or three clicks away. And you can change the brightness of any given level. When changing the brightness you can choose from up to 20 different brightness levels ranging from 60 lumens down to .08 lumens.
"What other features does this have?", you ask. Lets take a look. The list of features from the HDS website:
Now, when I first read the list of features I was very curious about how quick the Strobe and SOS functions actually where. Well, I tried to get a video of the Strobe function but the flashes of light are too quick for my camera to pic up. But it does flash a quick little 'blip' every second. I did happen to get a video clip done of the SOS signal. Here it is.
SOS.MPG 5.9Mb
In this clip you will see the light flash 5 times first. That is me clicking 10 times to get into the main menu. once in the menu the light stays on for a second to let you know that you have entered the menu. You then see the light do a quick little 'blip' that is actually the strobe setting. I didn't want that one so I went to the next option by clicking once and you see three flashes. This is the beginning of the SOS signal option. after then three flashes there is a longer flash from me holding down on the button to select that option. After than I point flashlight at the camera then realize its too bright to do that so I pointed it away alittle bit.
Sounds complicated but I assure, once you play with it for awhile it becomes very very simple.
Now alittle about my particular flashlight. When I initially got my light I clipped it onto my pocket. I thought the clip was way to weak for these so I did some research and found a cure for that. I griped the clip with a pair of needle nosed pliers up by the screw holes and bent the clip so it would hold better. Now it holds like you wouldn't believe. Here is a pic of the clip for those interested.
As far as tint goes........All Luxeon LEDs come in different colors. Some more blue, some more purple, some greenish, and some just absolutely pure white. Mine is a cool white with just a slight hint of purple. Overall a very pleasing color that I don't mind one bit. It is really close to white though.
The cool thing about this light is that he has thermal protection built in. So, if you light gets too hot it will kick down two levels so you still get light and the Luxeon is protected from cooking itself to death. Also when the battery is depleted to much to maintain a brighter level, the light will search for a level that it can maintain. I checked the runtime of my light with a Surefire cell. I placed my light in a cup of cold water to keep the light cool and keep the thermal protection from kicking in. I set the light on high and put in the cup and waited for it to kick down a level. It took 27 minutes and 21 seconds to do so. The is more than I was expecting. The XR versions from what I've read gets about 10 more minutes.
From here on out I'll let the pictures do the talking for me. Not much more I can say.
EDC apart.
Inside the tailcap of the EDC.
Underneath of the EDC head compared to the underneath of the Fenix P1 head.
EDC nest to the P1
Beam Shots.
Fenix L1T vs. HDS EDC U60
Fenix P1 vs. HDS EDC U60
Streamlight Propolymer 4AA vs HDS EDC U60
Streamlight Propolymer 4AA vs HDS EDC U60 up close
Over all, I really really really like this light and can't wait to see what comes from HDS next.
If you have any questions or anything feel free to ask.
clipse