Balder HD-1 (Pre-Production)
LED: XP-E (Final model will have XP-G & XM-L)
Battery: 1x AA / 1× 14500
Modes: 2 (High-Low) memory.
Switch: Piston Drive.
Price: TBA
Date: July 2012
Links:
Balder / ForoLinternas / Review at BLF by old4570 / RdL
PRESENTATION:
Balder has sent me a pre-production sample of what will be their new AA flashlight, which will soon be in the market in the new HD range.
This little flashlight comes in the now Balder’s classic telescopic box, with a small silicone diffuser and keyring loop.
Being a pre-production unit, does not have the regular card with the main features, but from my conversations with the manufacturer I can say that will be sold at least three versions:
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HD-1 XP-G R5 CW
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HD-1 XM-L U2 CW
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HD-1 XM-L T6 NW
EXTERIOR FINISH:
The first thing that stands out in this new Balder is the original body design. Along the tube we see some slots that shows the guts of this compact: A piston which is housed the battery and it works as switch, similar to that found in some Nitecore.
Another thing you notice is how compact it is. Thanks to this system switch, gains some valuable mm, achieving a total length of 83mm, 19mm diameter and weighs 39.4g without battery.
It comes with a handy clip, similar to that found in the SE-1, and has also two slots next to the button to set the ringkey loop or a landyard.
The design of the area around the button on the piston, is also designed to allow the use of this flashlight candle mode, and it comes with a small silicone diffuser, which is useful to illuminate a room with a diffusely light.
The head of the HD-1 has a silver part, followed by another finished with a nice knurling, which gives a very good grip and makes it much easier unscrewing .
The lens is glass, and then we have a small reflector slightly textured.
This pre-production unit has a cree XP-E perfectly centered, but the final version will have a XP-G (economic) and XM-L (premium).
OPERATION:
The Balder HD-1 has only 2 modes, high and low, and no memory mode.
These modes are selected by pressing it, just as in flashlight with “clickie”.
The main difference is that to turn it off, you have pass by the two modes. Starts on High, press and switches to low, and we press again to turn it off.
Fortunately, by having only two modes is not very cumbersome.
To avoid the parasitic consumption, it has a system that after a few seconds from being turned off(standby), blocks the flashlight. So to turn it on after a period of inactivity, it is necessary to hold two seconds the piston.
Using as reference the high mode current draw, the intensity distribution on modes would be approximately as follows:
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100% – 2%
CONSUMPTION AND BATTERY LIFE:
Sanyo eneloop NiMH 2000mAh@1.4V:
High: 2050mA
Low: 48mA
Li-Ion TrustFire “Flame” 14500 900mAh@4.2V:
High: 2550mA
Low: 20mA
The low mode is achieved by PWM, but must be of very high frequency because I could only notice it through the camera lens.
Being a pre-production sample, I imagine that the circuit installed in this unit is designed for XM- L, and hence the exorbitant high mode draw with Li-Ion for a XP-E.
Consequently, I’ve avoid to take measures for graphs or beamshots, since it would be totally irrelevant. We’ll have to wait for the final version for this.
I have checked the system equipped to prevent a parasitic consumption with a eneloop:
After turning off the flashlight, this enters on standby for about 5 seconds, during which has a consumption of about 4 mA and after that drops to 0.02mA to remain stable.
PERSONAL CONCLUSION:
Balder again pleasantly surprised me with one of their flashlights. Although perhaps still too early to assess the outcome of the HD-1, the flashlight has a lot of numbers to became a budget reference EDC.
With its successful policy of building the best possible flashlight within a tight budget, I have once again to take my hat off to the outstanding work of this young company.
I like:
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Compact.
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Original and versatile.
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XM-L versions promising!
I dislike:
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IU / need to complete cycle for shutdown .
EDIT:
As per request of BetweenRides, I’ve taken a pair of pics of the light without the pocket clip: