For Styerman: Some RA lights info

[prime77]

Styerman asked for some info into RA lights. I have to admit to being a little lazy and not writing a new review from scratch. But this is some info I posted on another forum. I will tell you Styerman of my RA experience first the good and the bad. I was one of the many who got a clicky as soon as they came out. Some of early lights had problems with the electronics that caused flickering. Mine was one of those. It flickered the first time I cliked it. When I called RA I was surprised to talk to Henry the man himself behind HDS and RA. He as very nice and catted about lights for a while. When I finally got my Clicky back after something like a month wait it worked for a couple of months and then I had another problem with it. I called Henry and again he was very friendly and apologized for the problem and told me to send it in. I got it back much quicker this time but when I went to put the clip back on one of the screw holes was stripped out. I wasn't very happy to say the least. I fixed that problem myself. These problems were early in the life of the Clicky when they first came out many of the problems have been ironed out since then. There is a huge 9 part thread on CPF that I have followed about Clickies and no one has reported any problems lately. I have carryed my 140C everyday since I got it back and it has worked really well. Anyways I thought I would be honest withsome of the problems before moving on to the good.

The good. The clicky is a solid light. Thick walled body, extra thick glass. Nice knurling. Everyone hates the clip but I like it. I never use it clipped to my pocket but it's the best clip you can find for clipping to your hat. Output is good and getting better as Henry keeps putting different emitters in them. Of course the light it fully programmable and the UI is very easy to use. Even after all the problems I really like my Clicky and even got a second one. Here is some shots and info.

The man behind RA lights also designed the Novatac. I thought I would take some shots of both lights to show the similarities and differences between each one. I don't mean this to be a "which one is better" thread as they are both great lights and will serve any user well. I hope this will help anyone with questions about both of these lights.





The NovaTac is smaller than the Clicky and features a bezel down pocket clip. While the Clicky has it's black factory clip installed. It's bezel up and rides deep in the pocket. Much has been discussed about this clip and can be found in numerous threads. Fortunately, if you don't like this clip there are many custom clips available here on CPF.



Both the Novatac and the Executive Clicky utilize the same LED and have very similar beams that have a have a nice hotspot that transitions to spill really well with no rings in the beam. Both lights have a stainless steal bezel to protect it against falls. The Clickys bezel is bigger and incorporates itself into the body of the light. 




Here's some shots of the light taken apart. You can see that the tailcap of the NovaTac can be removed from the body of the light while the tailcap of the Clicky is pressed fit to the body and battery tube. Some other differences to note between the two lights is the use of a spring on the NovaTac to send the signal from the tailcap to the head. While the Clicky has a signal wire incorporated into the body of the light. One other difference that has been disused in many threads is the beefier threads the Clicky is built with.

Here are some beamshots taken using the highest levels of both lights. Something to note here is that the Clicky has a higher level than the Novatac called a burst level where the light will shine 141 lumens for 10 seconds then drop down a level to 100 lumens. While the highest level setting on the Novatac is 120 lumens.







Both lights are built like tanks and will handle tons of abuse. Choosing which light isn't easy so I hope this will help somebody new to both these lights make a decision.



The tactical clickies have a tighter beam because of the Golden Dragon emitter. This is the EDC Tactical which has one less level than the 140C but makes up for the less lumens with more throw.


I knew that the GD was small but seeing in person you really see how small it is.

Some beamshots of the 140C, NT, and EDC T.

[NutSAK]

Thanks for the great review Prime.  I had missed this one over at CPF.

Well, that makes it a bit tougher for me.  I was planning to get the SSC emitter because I love the beam profile of my Novatac.  However, I really like the tint of that GDP.  Did you use the same white balance for all beam shots?

There are a few things that have kept me from replacing my Novatac with a Ra.  Those are the size increase, the clip, and the non-replaceable switch.  I don't like the idea of a huge, bezel-up only clip.  I like to be able to clip to a hat, but I must be able to carry bezel down for "tactical" situations also.  I also really don't like the idea of having to replace the body or send the light in if I have a switch problem.  Is there any way to service the switch yourself?

[Benner]

Wow, what fantasic timing.    I have been toying with the idea of getting a new light (still not sure if I can justify it yet) and the 2 I am interested in are the RA and the Novatac.    The RA 140 and the Novatac P are available for the same price here and both look like great buys.

[NutSAK]

Wow, what fantasic timing.    I have been toying with the idea of getting a new light (still not sure if I can justify it yet) and the 2 I am interested in are the RA and the Novatac.    The RA 140 and the Novatac P are available for the same price here and both look like great buys.

If you can talk me into buying a Ra, you can have a good deal on my upgraded Novatac.   

[Styerman]

Thanks Sir , great review , appreciate the candor about both up and downs . I don't mind the extra length , glad about the beefier threads , both HDS and Novatac have recieved crits. in that department . Like you , I prefer bezel down to bezel up , but not a dealbreaker . The clip is kinda here or there as I only use the clip for tempory parking , for serious use - holsters only . I like the sound of the burst mode .

Since I got a Novatac in trade from GG , they have really grown on me .

Anyone got a pic of a Ra beside an E1B ?

Chris

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Very fine write up James

[prime77]

There are a few things that have kept me from replacing my Novatac with a Ra.  Those are the size increase, the clip, and the non-replaceable switch.  I don't like the idea of a huge, bezel-up only clip.  I like to be able to clip to a hat, but I must be able to carry bezel down for "tactical" situations also.  I also really don't like the idea of having to replace the body or send the light in if I have a switch problem.  Is there any way to service the switch yourself?

I know what your saying about the size but it no big deal for me. I have found the bigger RA easier to grab and use over the NT. The clip is well.... it 's a big rectangular piece of metal really only good for clipping to your hat. I have never carried it clipped to my pocket. The NT clip is the best. The older RA lights have a press fit tailcap but the newer ones have threads and screw to the body of the light. You still can't just buy a replacement, you have to get a new body. Also after the tailcap redesign many guys say the new flush tailcap has a slight bulge that makes tail standing not possible.

If the clip is the only thing holding you back from getting a RA light there was a guy on CPF making some really nice Ti clips but he kind of went AWOL. You may be able to find one around.

Anyone got a pic of a Ra beside an E1B ?

But of course

[prime77]

Very fine write up James

Thanks Mike.

[Styerman]

Perfect Pic , just what I wanted . I like the extra length , short stuff is too easy to fumble . I've decided to get one , and if happy with it a second .
Chris

[NutSAK]

Also after the tailcap redesign many guys say the new flush tailcap has a slight bulge that makes tail standing not possible.

Yeah, that's not good.  I prefer a tailstanding light.  I would probably opt for the tac switch since there's no tailstanding ability in the flat one.  However, if I can't get on with the clip and remove it, I'll want the flat switch for pocket carry. 

If the clip is the only thing holding you back from getting a RA light there was a guy on CPF making some really nice Ti clips but he kind of went AWOL. You may be able to find one around.

I was following that sale thread and his clips nearly made my mind up about buying a Ra.  I was sad to see that, after a while, he wasn't responding to any requests or orders.  It's not the appearance of the Ra clip that bothers me, like with most people.  It's the fact that it's bezel down and looks like it would be uncomfortable in the hand that turns me away.  The well-designed "flat" clip on the NT makes the Ra look like a terrible design.  If I could get used to carrying in a sheath this would be a non-issue, but I've tried and just can't do it.

If the Novatac were as efficient as the Ra, I probably wouldn't even be considering the switch from NT to Ra.  I like to use rechargeable batteries, and RCR123 Li-Ions don't store enough energy to be worthwhile, IMO.  That's why I run my Novatac with the 17670 body.  The efficiency of the Ra may be good enough reconsider RCR123, however.

[Styerman]

Since i don't trust pocket clips , and use holster carry, the Ra would work for me .

Chris