BALDER HD-1 XM-L U2 (Production unit)

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BALDER HD-1 (XM-L U2 version)
Led: XM-L U2
Batery: 1x AA / 1x 14500
Modes: 3 (High-Med-Low) with no memory.
Switch: Piston.
Price: $30.99
Date: August 2012

Links:
BALDER HD-1 (Pre-Production)
Balder / Hilo en ForoLinternas / CNQG / RdL

PRESENTATION:
Balder has sent me the new final version of the HD-1, which has been reviewed months ago thanks to the pre-production sample.

Instead of the XP-E featured on that sample, this HD-1 has now a XM-L U2 (CW).
Aside from that, the company has listen the users’ comments on the pre-production reviews and have integrated a few tweaks to the final version, like a new Med mode, and a less tricky shut off function.

EXTERIOR FISNISH:
The exterior finish has zero changes compared to the first sample. The only visual changes are inside the head, and are the new SOP reflector, new driver and new cree XM-L U2.

Something I didn’t point out at my first review is that the space for the battery is a bit tight, causing mode changes or shut down problems when using protected 14500 batteries. Anyway, it works flawless with 4 of my 7 TF flames. (Well know ramdoness leght of the cheap cells)

OPERATION:
IMHO, here we have the main diference.
The mode arrangement goes from two-mode to three-mode, High-Med-Low, introducing a new Med mode, and the current on low mode has been slightly increased.

It also features a new function to shut off the light at any mode, with just pushing the piston for two seconds in any mode, without having to cycle all modes like we saw on the pre-production unit.

Using as reference the current at the high mode, the aprox. intensity arrangement betwen modes is:
100% - 45% - 5%

CURRENT DRAW & BATTERY LIFE:

NiMH Sanyo ENELOOP 2000mAh @1.4V:

High: 2000mA
Med: 1180mA
Low: 140mA

Li-Ion Trustfire “Flame” 14500 900mAh @4.2V:
High: 2250mA
Med: 1000mA
Low: 90mA

This values are an estimation when comparing measurements with Jetbeam RRT01 ceiling bounce test.

BEAM PROFILE:
The new LED XM-L, combined with the small SOP reflector, give us a floody beam, but not near to the insane flood levels featured on the SE-1:

Tint is typical of the U2 bin, cool white with slight greenish hints around the corona.

PERSONAL CONCLUSION:
I only can repeat what I said about this Balder HD-1.
The desire to make things right, hearding the opinion on pre-production sample reviews and having them fully into account when making the final version.
Again, hats off.

Pros:
Compact.
Original and versatile.
Powerful.

Contras:
Tight fit for protected Li-Ion.

Great follow-up on the production version! Would you please perform the battery life analysis for Sanyo ENELOOPs?

Nice review, im guessing the runtime tests were done using a fan?

Tail cap readings seems similar to the Balder SE-1

Tail Cap readings

Ni-MH Trustfire 14500(4.14v)

High 2.23Amps 2.45Amps

Medium 0.78Amps 0.74Amps

Low 0.06Amps 0.02Amps

Yes. As you all should know this little baby gets real hot fast! I used a pan of water and a fan. The head was left out of water (for luxmetter dataloging pourposes), so I placed a fan to blow directly to it.

I’m working on it. I’ll update as soon as I have it done. Thanks!

Nice review !

Done!
Review updated with ENELOOP test chart:

Thanks for the update, UPz! Nicely done.

just found this nice review thread.

bump this old thread just to let other knows that the ” Mil-Spec Type III Hard Anodized finish” doesn’t stand up to expectation at all.
mine which is only carried in small pocket inside backpack/shoulder bag already shown fading/peel off anodize on the crown bezel.

carrying duration about 5 months…

Stopped carrying mine…

Too many times it was inadvertently activated with a slight nudge on something and a few minutes later I found a hot rocket in my pocket. (Not the good kind)

Then I left an alkaline in there for about three weeks, and it was long enough to slightly leak and damage the inside rear end of the outer housing. I’ve scraped and scraped and it’s still ultra finicky, I gave up on it.

Makes me sad because this was my favorite edc, but it’s not really even usable anymore.

IMO it's also one of the best form factor lights out there, but it just didn't deliver in reliability, and with a 14500 I think it could be dangerous.

If they increased the length by a few mm and had an actual clickie, as well as temperature stepdown... would be a perfect EDC.

Agreed

actually it is better to use LiFePO4. will be much cooler than Li-ion 14500…
myself only use Eneloop XX since the beginning to avoid the leaking.
the only reason I have this light is due the small size compare to other AA.
very shorty and visually looks aesthetic.

Personally I switched to a zebralight sc52... the form factor is not as nice, and obvious there is the price difference, but you can safely use any battery, and not worry about overheating.

The Balder HD-1 is a failure. I stopped using. Parasitic drain is unacceptable. Keep the battery in for 1 month and its nearly dead. Constantly flickers on a AA. The only great thing about it is that it is bright on a 14500. The piston switch sounds great in theory but practically it has too many problems.

maybe you mixed me up with somebody else.

I ain't martin or marvin the martian :p

this light still has rooms for improvement however i think the manufacture already forgets about this model. most retailers are out of stock.

I never experience such heavy parasitic drain with eneloop XX.

can you share more for the bold sentence?

Practical problems - the mode switching, and turning off was inconsistent on mine, and it had an annoying tendency to turn on.