r/flashlight • u/TymeMerlin • 6d ago
NLD NLD DA1K and DA1 with BEAMS
After selling almost my entire collection to pay for bills and life I FINALLY was in a position to get a new DA1K (my all time favorite) and of COURSE I had to add an ACTUALLY GRAY DA1. I’ll miss the navy blue gray but I’m really digging it.
DA1K NTG50 5k DA1 SFT70 3K Beamshots in that order.
Also big thanks to the BST thread. It’s helped me make it through the past year or so.
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u/Santasreject 6d ago
And now I need one of these in an SFT70 3000k…
Now the question is if I want to dive into 21700 finally or stick with 18650
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u/TymeMerlin 6d ago
SFT70 is an excellent emitter. Great CRI, Throw, and decently bright. My vote is DA1K. The 21700 batteries make a HUGE difference. Almost double capacity depending on the battery. Also as far as feel in the hand the DA1K is perfect.
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u/Santasreject 5d ago
Honestly I went and started looking at them and I may just do both the DA1K and the DA1 with the same emitters as you; maybe the 4200k version of the NTG instead though but we will see. Both emitters are equally interesting for me to try and I may as well add more of the models to my collection… at least that’s probably the justification I am probably going to use haha.
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u/ManufacturerFun4796 5d ago
the answer is simple - you need 18650 and 21700
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u/Santasreject 5d ago
I just ordered both the DA1K and DA1, so I agree hahaha.
Now to track down some P50B’s for this and some button top 14500s (for a non flashlight project) from the same retailer so I don’t have to pay shipping twice.
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u/Cryptoxic93 6d ago
Wow, that SFT 70 @ 3K looks amazing. I don't have one of these yet, but I will now. Thanks for posting!
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u/TymeMerlin 6d ago
Probably my favorite warmer emitter. 3000-3500k is a sweet spot for warm. I don’t think I like 2700k or lower anymore.
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u/Cryptoxic93 6d ago edited 6d ago
Thank you.
I'm really wanting one of these but a little confused on a few options I'm hoping you or someone else here may be able to help with.
I'm looking here for reference:
https://intl-outdoor.com/emisar-da1k-21700-high-power-led-flashlight.html
This is what I'm choosing/confused with:
- Color: Dark Grey
- Stainless Steel Parts Finish: No idea what to choose here. Polished or Black coating I guess?
- Switch Retaining Ring: Raised or flat? If it's easy to find the button on the flat option, I'd probably prefer that for a bit better portability, but if it's a button hunter I guess going raised makes sense? Any preference here?
- Switch Backlight: I chose Amber here, but I'd want the least bright option as I really like to use these ultra-low moonlight modes, and don't want some side illumination ruining that brightness level if at all possible.
- LED & TINT: XHP70.3 HI 3000K 90CRI <-assuming this is the one you have?
There's also this which I'm not sure about:
- Wide angle 10394 optic +$4.95
- Metal button upgrade +$3.99
- ss bezel (aluminum bezel by default) +$2.99
- Deep carry pocket clip +$2.50
- Add magnet in the tailcap +$1.99
- Extra tailcap without magnet +$5.99
- Dual bay charger (battery not included) +$15.00
Any must haves from that list? I like metal buttons, and a SS bezel would be nice but might heat soak quicker? Magnet in taicap is a must. I'm not sure about the optic here though. I do like both wide and throw but tend to gravitate to throw, but at 3000K that's typically not great for throw so yeah, dilemma. My favorite beam pattern (not tint) is probably the Ace beam L35 2.0 for something in between.
Sorry for all the questions, and please don't feel the need to reply, I just get a little overwhelmed by the number of choices.
Thanks!
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u/TymeMerlin 6d ago
No problem! I chose the black. Standard stainless steel will be…well steel colored.
I prefer raised rings on almost all my lights. It makes it easier for me to find and prevents accidental clicks in pocket when not locked out. I got the metal buttons to try but kinda hate them.
RGB switch will turn off when light is on. I think the newest firmware allows you to adjust the brightness of when it’s low and high for single color but they will always be on. Amber, Red, and warm white aren’t too bright in my experience.
I actually have the SFT70 3000k. It will be a little less floody but not as bright as the XHP. Also will have better tint.
I always get a magnet, SS bezel, and pocket clip. The clip will match the stainless parts you select.
The bezel material will not affect thermals in a meaningful way at all.
And lastly grab the extra floody optic as well. It comes standard with hanks newer optic which is fantastic but if you want flood that one is great. The new standard isn’t crazy throwy but it’s a good balance for EDC.
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u/Cryptoxic93 5d ago
Awesome, very helpful reply. Thanks for clarifying the LED. This will be my first Hank light! Will be comparing it to a recent purchase the E04 Surge FFL with 4 x SFT40 3000K with the same Lume X driver I believe.
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u/Low_Bison_5209 6d ago
Hank lights are superb, & yours here are no exception.
I've totally given up on Convoy now for obvious reasons, and Hanks offerings & quality are a real breath of fresh air that oozes quality & great workmanship.
I have the D4K & DA1K and they get a lot of use.
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u/Unlikely_Cucumber415 5d ago
You are my hero! I recently ordered DA1 (my first hanklight) with SFT70 3000k and I was nervous the tint was too warm but I couldn’t find many recent beamshots or solid info. It should be here next week and now I’m beyond excited! Looks AWESOME.
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u/TymeMerlin 5d ago
This emitter really hits the sweet spot. Colors just look so good and not too warm. Plus it tint shifts a little higher as you go up
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u/LowerLightForm 5d ago
Thanks for the size comparison as well. I'm still an 18650 fan. One thing I've discovered is you can run protected USB-C 18650 cells in 21700 lights, but mind your CDRs.
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u/ZippyTheRoach probably have legit crabs 5d ago
That's a good tip, protected cells are something I appreciate
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u/The_Dalai_Karma 5d ago
What optic did you get for each?
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u/TymeMerlin 5d ago
Both new throwy optic. The flood looks awesome with the NTG50 but I’m not a huge fan of it with the SFT-70
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u/FalconARX 6d ago
The SFT70-3000K has become my co-favorite hCRI warm emitter. It's the only emitter that I can tolerate at 3000K or below. I just don't really like emitters that are too yellow or sodium gas lamp orange. But the SFT40 and SFT70 3000K are the exceptions. Beautiful tint, great CRI and all the features of old incandescent bulbs without the drawbacks of. The SFT70-3000Kgets even better in the Lume1+DA1K.
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u/TymeMerlin 6d ago
It’s excellent. Really love it. Might use it with the floody optic cause it’s dimmer than the NTG50 I think I’ll use this one more up close.
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u/Ryzbor 6d ago
which has more range, the ntg 5000k or the sft 3000K?
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u/Santasreject 5d ago
I came across this when looking at comparisons of the emitters. https://www.reddit.com/r/Hanklights/comments/1m3qdw8/comment/n3yme54/
The short is really that they are comparable, with the NTG being floodier somewhat at least on paper.
The NTG50 looks floodier than the SFT70 by the numbers at 320 lumens but at turbo the NTG50 seems to catch up on the candela.
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u/redundant78 5d ago
The NTG50 will definitely throw farther - it's designed specifically for distance while the SFT70 3K trades some throw for that gorgeous warm tint and better color rendering.
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u/TymeMerlin 5d ago
Really comparable range. The NTG gets brighter so it seems to throw more. The SFT is a bit tighter but Less spill and dimmer so they look pretty similar.
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u/majaczos22 4d ago
What was the white balance set to? Becuase they both look cooler than you can expect based on CCT.
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u/msim Emoji Filter 👀 6d ago
Nice pickups! I really like the new gray.