HDS Clicky

I figured that instead of touching on a few lights for a few people, I would focus on one good light that everybody should have.

When I say everybody, I mean everybody who can work out a few mouse clicks.  If double clicking escapes your grandfather or parents, this isn't a light for them.

I've featured it a few times before, but since I ordered one the other day, I figured I'd do an introductory post now and a detailed review when I got it in my hands.

I've mentioned it before, but what I'm going to talk about today is the HDS Systems EDC Clicky (formerly known as the Ra Clicky).  Specifically, the 170 Tactical, which is the 170 lumens version (also available in 100 High CRI, 140 wide, and 140 guaranteed tint narrow).  Runs on ONE CR123!  Incredible!

You can get it from HDS System's website, or from OVEREADY.COM

The first point I'd like to mention is that the light (slightly over 3" long and 1" wide) is small enough to go in any purse, or nestle nicely in your back pocket alongside your wallet.  Personally, my phone goes front left, keys front right (with Strider SMF clipped to pocket edge), and my wallet back left, so with a pocket clip, this light may ride back right clipped to pocket edge.

With a programmable User Interface, and 4 possible fixed settings, you can choose any one of the 26 available brightness levels (including strobe, for those that had asked about it), and it'll fit your needs.  The brightest, 170 lumens on this particular model, is MORE THAN BRIGHT ENOUGH FOR ANY APPLICATION!  The size of the reflector doesn't lend itself to a lot of throw (that'll be covered in tomorrow's post), but it can get the job done.  The lowest setting (.08 of a lumen), is commonly referred to as "moonlight", and will give you enough light for dark-adjusted eye navigation.  The runtime is guaranteed 1 hour at maximum brightness, and will go for over 6 days on the lowest!  Incredible!

The crenelated bezel, while good for hitting a motherfucker in the bridge of the nose, is also good for indicating whether the light is on when bezel down.

Available from SureFire is the F-04 light diffuser, which is a rubber cap with an opaque lens, allowing for a generous spill when reading a map or lighting up a room by bouncing light off of the ceiling.

 

Seen left is an unfiltered light, with the F-04 filtered light on the right.

The cost may be a little high for some, weighing in at about $149 for the 140 lumen models, $189 for the 170 Tacticals, but you're only going to buy it once...

Have a look at either website mentioned above for more information!

Michael