New BALDER HD-1 [ AA - 14500 - 2 mode EDC ]

Hi old4570,
Thanks for the nice reviews + pics. How is the brightness compare to the SE-1 xml? Thanks!

Been a very busy day . Charging up some batteries now …

Seems to be a great light. I’ll wait for price and beamshot comparison…

old that looks like an XPE.

Balder continues to put out unique designs and this one is very attractive. Two things: Can you post a picture side by side with a few other (non-Balder) AA lights? And has Balder indicated what the price will be?

@oldbobk: Just curious, but why would you not want OP in a pocketable EDC light? Even with a SMO reflector, this isn't going to be a thrower with that sized reflector. I just did a quick check and every one of my AA/AAA lights is OP, with the exception of the Mini-Mag Pro+. Again, just curious.

Still trying to figure out the workings of this light (looks really nice, BTW) and from what you say, as I understand it, the light is basically a mechanical version of an electronic switch. It sounds like it’s always in the “always on” position or in “standby” and by breaking the circuit you tell it if it’s on, off, or changing modes. I would assume this means that there has to be parasitic drain on the cell with this design. Is that correct?

Yes , constant contact , to activate or change modes you break said contact :

Now with this sort of activation the first thing to cross my mind was parasitic drain , when the light is turned of , I measured some 0.007A , but within some 10 seconds the current had gone from 0.007A to 0.001A and then nothing , yep ! The light turns off . I held the MM in place till my hands got sore and detected nothing , so WOW !

Posting = Like to see more options , as before … [ to Admin ]

Side by side with other AA , sure , but its 1am ATM , time for bed [ still have the flue ]

Im seriously impressed by this sample , maybe too impressed ! It just works , and works well , been a long time since a flashlight has stirred such anticipation !
This light has potential , and I hope Balder takes it to greatness .
As is , its a damned nice light , but it could be more than that , so much more !

I hope to have a review sample to do a review myself here very shortly. Good to see your initial impressions. Balder has told me that their goal is to have output around the same as an SE-1 and with a target price of $30.

where can I purchase this flashlight?

Received mine today.
All pre-production samples have a XP-E instead the XP-G R5 or the XM-L (U2 for CW or T6 for NW).
I’ll try to review it this next weekend.
Great looking light.

Nice looking light.

XP-E , that explains the intolerance to the 14500 , though this would still be better as AA .

There are some good AA drivers out there , capable of over 170Lumen and then some .

Still , wish it was 3 mode .

My Jetbeam BA10 with 14500 puts out over 250 lumin and doesn’t seem to have issues. I don’t think I woukd consider a 1AA that didn’t do well on 14500 now.

My jetbeam with a fresh cell does about 170 with a AA , and I know everyone wants a hotrod or pocket rocket .
I see no reason why a decent AA should not do at least 200 these days or more if fitted with the XM-L , Im considering a XM-L mod to my jetbeam , got to take the dial callipers to it and see if there is enough room inside for a XM-L …

PWM on the Balder , low has it , but its on the faster side … [ This flue ! keep forgetting stuff ]

Some other AA lights for comparison

Hey, looks very nice :open_mouth: And small :stuck_out_tongue: Thanks for the pics, Matt. Waiting the final version.

Mine is coming from the second batch so it should have an XP-G 8)

Might be 3 mode next ! [ Maybe ]

How much will this light cost in XP-E, XP-G and XM-L versions?

SirJohn sais target price = $30 , from what I heard , currently the only offer is going to be XP-G , ? but things can change .