LHAAU2 / BalderHD-1

Well all the way back on 10/8/12 I created a post asking if anyone had heard of the Lighthound AA U2 light and the unanimous response I got was that it looked exactly like the Balder HD-1. I decided to order it the following day (10/9/12) and I received it today just 3 days later!

This is how it arrived to me,

And once I flipped it over I had my answer haha!

It comes with an instructional card and two sets of replacement O-rings.

Here are a couple of shots of behind the LED and the generous amount of lubricant used on the threads (this light threads together very smoothly, this makes the light feel that much more solid to me)

Here is a shot of the CREE XM-L U2 emitter that came on it.

And as a rough size measurement, I have the light lined up against others and some cells.


UF 10440, Alkaline AA, 18650, Streamlight Microstream, LHAAU2/HD-1, Digilight 1000XB, AF P60 host

On regular alkalines this light preforms well, all of the functions work flawlessly and the light output is more than adequate for mundane tasks. Upon putting a Lithium primary AA in, the output rose noticably without any decrease in functionality.

The user interface is simple but with a complex twist. To turn the light on, you must hold down the button for two seconds and then release. I found that by loosening the head and tightening it back down would turn the light on way faster for use in emergency situations where you need the light on ASAP. Once on, just pressing the button changes modes from high to meduim to low. This sequence repeats for as long as you keep pressing the button. Turning the light off requires another two second press of the button and upon release, the light is now off.

I am still waiting for my 14500s to come in but I stuck that 10440 in there (only charged to 3.7v) and the light virtualy transformed! Tons of light pouring out despite how small it is! No clicking/mode switching issues with the Li-Ion but then again the 10440 is 6mm shorter than a 14500 (of the same non-protected variety).

I will wait for my 14500s to arrive before posting beamshots but I hope this information is useful to somebody here on this forum!

Excellent info; thanks for sharing !

My pleasure! I enjoy contributing where I can to our community!

On a side note, I really thought that this light would be bigger than it is. It’s barely bigger than the microstream (albeit about twice the weight)!

Oatmeal, I went to purchase the U2 tonight from Lighthound and the U2 is out of stock - bummer . Good price too: with discount and shipping, same as FancyFlashlights with much faster shipping.

Enjoy your new light!

Between Rides- I’m loving it sofar! Everyone who sees it says that it is the coolest looking flashlight they have ever seen!

Lightning fast shipping, I had mine in less than 36 hours! Although it should be mentioned that I live about 6ish hours away from where they are…