HDS Rotary or Sunwayman V11R which would you buy if you can only have one ?

You can see the archived poll results on the Wayback Machine:

https://web.archive.org/web/20221220093741/https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/72674

People probably need a little more info.

And would it ever really be the case of “can only have one”?

However put simply, I have no idea why anyone would spend $270 on the HDS. Not saying it’s rubbish, but it’s on paper spec it pretty darn poor. And I just can’t see were the value for money is.

So sorry, the HDS is IMO a product for people with more money than brain cells.

Did not originally intend to create a poll, but fat fingers on iPhone screen, managed to hit that button when trying to write a post.

On phone screen did not seem to be a box for more explanation, just the title line and option choices.

I was dead set on buying the HDS because of the rotary control, but by the time I added 18650 host, Saphire glass, clip, special colour , Flip up SF DIFFUSER, it came to near on $650 ! So I have not bought it.
Just seen similar sized, though not 18660 V11R . Small and Rotary looks good.

Wanted to see what others thought.

When I saw the poll thingy I thought, yes I’ll do a Poll to just get numbers, with no comments.
Had not realised people could post comments as well. I thought it was just a vote

http://www.sunwayman.com/html/products/201203/87.html

http://hdssystems.com/Products/Edc/

I have the Sunwayman V11R with XM-L2 and in Neutral White tint.

It’s brilliant.

It’s CR123a/RCR 16340, although there is an AA extender tube should you want it. Sadly not 18650 however.

As said, I’m sure the HDS isn’t rubbish, but I honestly fail to see where the extra money goes.

The idea behind the HDS is that it is tough to the extreme, can be run over by trains and such (well, perhaps not that). You pay dear money for that aspect but if you are not in the habit of storing your flashlights on top of train tracks (like me, city guy), most flashlights will perform better: my current EDC (cheapo 16340 host, Nichia219Bdedomed, 3modes1400mA, total costs $17) has better output, better tint, better throw, and is way smaller and lightweight and thus more convenient. The SWM V11R is somewhere in between those in price and performance and might be a nice compromise for some.

If I could only buy one? I’d go for the Sunwayman because it’s MUCH cheaper.

If I was being given one as a gift and didn’t have to pay? I’d take the HDS.

The HDS rotary interface is one handed, complicated and does everything that I have ever asked for in a light. That said I no longer own one because it was being passed by brighter, less expensive and lighter weight rivals.

V11R. I appreciate the ruggedness of the HDS but not for what 3 high end Chinese lights cost. Buy 6 V11R and keep 5 for backup and I think you’re better off.

If you like 18650s, the V20C might be more what you’re looking for. Comparable lights are also available from Nitecore, Jetbeam and Niteye with better output and vastly lower prices than HDS. None position their rotary control as conveniently as the HDS. The Thrunite Lynx does, if you can find one. Its UI is to program several discrete modes in to the stops on the rotary switch though, which seems worse that the smooth dimming of the other options.

I own the V20C and it’s a fine light as well.

Or, if you want a 18650 RRT01 without a S2 body, you can also buy a RRT01 extender to give it 18650 support.

Or a native 18650 light, as others have suggested. There are several, especially if you’re willing to consider slightly larger items. I wouldn’t mind a Nitecore CU6 or SRT7, for example, and the SRT7 has a nice control ring.

I’ve had both a RRT01 and a V11R. I’d take either one over the HDS Rotary, even if they were free. But then, I prefer djozz’s EDC over any of the above (I have one almost identical to it). And it’s not even in my top five EDCs, which all together cost less than the HDS the OP spec’d out.

Aaaasrrrggggg
Too many choices and none of them are just quite right. Thanks for the other suggestions.

If a poll was just a poll, with no option to add comments, I’d have just seen the results and probably gone with the V11 .
Now after reading all the comments, don’t feel like getting either. Went to look at the Nitecore SRT6 and V25C. Both looked great on first look.

Then I see they are 33mm ish heads. Since I have a flip up 25.4 inch diffuser on the way, they are out. Not spending yet more on another diffuser

The Nitecore SRT5 is the right size but has lots of the bloody blinky modes

I remember about a year or two ago I started looking for a lamp and gave up, I got so fed up . I can see this happening again. I keep knocking things off the list of what I want my ideal light to be. but still not finding it. You find one light that seems to fit your already compromised list of features, scroll down the particular lights festures and then. BANG. a feature you are trying to avoid.

Your last post is spot on.

When I first thought to post this question, my fingers ht the poll button by mistake on the iPhone So I thought “Hey, lets just leave it and create a Poll, so i just get a straight ‘answer’ with no comments. I had not realised there cold be comments added as well.

Probably just as well, because now I see there are more options, I wont get either.

Though…I do so like the look of theta HDS…but a load of money to waste.

I have a C21C on order and wondered about adding the V11 to the same parcel.but have left it for now…just got the C21C coming.
I’d like to order the SureFire Aviator A2 too, but no one on this forum from the the USA is prepared to act as a buying agent for me. :frowning: even with the chance of getting 40% discount on any SureFire product for themselves. Like you “LedSmoke” I am in Europe and can not buy direct from SureFire.

I have the V11R, and my wife says Im not allowed to get the other one you mention (LOL, like I listen), so I guess its the V11R so far. I like the V11, its easy in the pocket and a nice light. I also have 3 V25Cs, they are pocketable, but are not lightweight in there, you will notice them. The V11R, I forget its there all the time. To me the V11 and the V25 are not comparable due to size.

On that the V25C is a nice light too, lightly OP reflector makes for a nice beam and decent spread, I keep mine in the holsters I bought for them separately (not included in the SWM box). The V11 just goes in my pocket naked, it came with a sheath but I choose not to use it, its unnecessary for EDC IMO.

SWM, just a note, I find that odd the one that needs a holster, does not have one, while the one that its superfluous for has on… wait, I get it, you know we will buy the one for the 18650 light separately.

I never use any of these holsters. I have a small box of them, kept just in case. I’d rather have a slightly cheaper price, and a waller box, without all the unnecessary fancy box wrapping hoses things come in, so wasteful.
if you want a holster it could be an optional extra added if you want it when buying.

I have an SRT5, and I never notice the blinky modes, other than strobe, which is possible to hit by accident on occasion when going to max with gloves on. I’ve found beacon useful on occasion for making myself visible to oncoming traffic.

That is good to know, thanks

I would not be using gloves ever with it. So are the detents quite good ? Generally easy enough to feel.

1.- Natural user interfaz is in head, not in tail.

2.- Aesthetically, v11r is a winner.

3.- Sunwayman is a quality manufacturer.

There is a button also. The V11r cannot go from off to a pre-selected level as easily as a Rotary with just one hand. That is where the Rotary shines.

The interface is not intuitive, it is programmable. With one hand, you can rotate to approximately whatever level you want or click straight to max or strobe. It isn’t cheap but in my experience, if you get one that has no problems, it stays trouble free for years. There are also 18650 tubes available. It ain’t cheap but this is a mid-tech light and not for the budget minded at all.