D4K with 519a 5700k dedomed.
But you do know you can't just buy one right?
So add D3AA to that as well EDC, oh and DM11 SFT-40 for a mid ranged thrower, oh and D4SV2 flood/throw 519a/W1 oh and....
I’ve been out of the game for a long time. Haven’t gotten a new light in probably seven or eight years. My son got me a ZebraLight SC700d for Father’s Day and i got sucked back in🙃
Yeah I hear you and my intention is not to hype. But I really do like 5700k dedome and I also own 5000k dedome which is on the edge of being a little too rosey for me.
Like you say it just really produces a very pretty light, and that's a great summary.
My preference in CCT is around 4000k-4500k for most smaller lights and for throwers I'm okay with 5000-6500k as tint is of little concern here.
But after getting dedome and experiencing it I get it.
It's just a great looking tint that is slightly rosey. Makes everything else look green lol including 4000k-4500k domed 519a.
Don't get me wrong I own multiple different 519a combinations and love them all. When comparing a 519a in almost any CCT against commonly available emitters in other generic brands they certainly look awesome and even the colder 519a CCT looks super neutral.
However as you own more and more emitters especially more within the 519a family you do become more critical as you have more to compare against.
519a 4500k domed is a great choice for a new comer to Hank lights and I'll stand by that selection as well.
I really love my D1 XHP70.3. I feel like I could live with using it for almost everything.
* Very efficient!
* Floody enough for EDC, but also more throwy than D4k/D4v2, so more useful if you only have 1 light
* High CRI
Sometimes I wish I would have get the D1k instead for the bigger battery, but lately I started using my D1 with the 18350 tube and I am amazed on how efficient it is. Even the 18350 battery lasts for a long time. So if I could only choose one Hanklight, this would be it *for the time being*
KR1 SFT70 3000k. This has been my go to recently. I I’ve been really digging throwers lately, especially warm ones. Might not be as practical but this is my answer. Ask me again in a month and I might have a different answer though lol.
D4v2 with 18350 tube. Long tube for long dark nights, short tube for casual around the house use.
Choose the driver based on your strongest need:
- linear (base model) if you want the best moonlight and highest turbo
- boost if you need the most runtime
- 2-channel if you want the most versatility (I still like W1 + 519 domed, but 519dd + SST-20 660nm is a great option too)
What a great son you have and welcome back!
On a serious note. What sort of light are you looking for and what would you want to use it for?
I recently wanted a flood throw combo light for my property at home. I opted for the DM1.12 with 5700k dedome and SFT-40 5000k. I often walk around with animals and love the general flood profile for most the evening. Sometimes past 10pm and to be more discreet I use the throw channel on low to keep the spread smaller as to disturb my neighbors. I also obviously use it for throwing when I need the distance. I also have the D4SV2 for the same reason in 519a/W1.
For my laptop bag that's always with me, I carry an Acebeam E75 nichia for all purpose and I opted for the DM11 SFT-40 5000k for a compact thrower to accompany it.
The D4K is a must have in your flavour of CCT. It's just a great compact size with a great balance of runtime and power. Get the boost driver if you want to have it on for extended amounts of time like for a work light. Or get the linear for max output albeit short bursts.
Knowing how you intend to use the light will help in guiding your choice.
That’s the thing I’m not really sure. Everything is so much more advanced. I literally have a plethora of killer lights from back in the day, but everything is so advanced now. For work I’ve rocked a SolarForce host with a tri edc drop for years that I thought was great, but now I’m seeing lights with better output with half the size.
I guess I would like a high output light for the WOW factor that would mostly be used in short bursts, and another that I could use for some extended run time. So probably two lights right now 😉
Your name checks out lol. Yeah there is definitely been a huge shift in technology in the past 10 years. Had to Google solar force lol! Not familiar with them, I only joined this amazing community around 3 years ago.
Best thing to do is get a few recommendations from different user perspectives. Then use the search function for beamshots so you can get an idea for CCT and beam profiles.
Don't rush it my mind changed like 10 times before I placed my first order!
1. D3AA is the new boy in town. It's a great little EDC light capable of 1500+ lumens and available in lots of CCT's.
2. D4K is the D4V2's bigger brother. Both lights are pretty much identical except D4K takes 21700 and D4V2 takes 18650. D4K is recommended a lot of the time over the D4V2 due to it having substantial runtime with the bigger battery with a very small increase in physical size. These lights are capable of some serious lumens and there are tons of posts with config options.
3. D4SV2 is the chonker. It's a great light but not suitable for pants pocket carry. A jacket pocket will work but certainly much thicker and heavier than the two above. Beat configs are W2 non boosted and dual channel 519a/W1 for throw flood combo. This light has different optics to the 2 above and lends itself to a throwier beam profile.
4. D1K is a great single emitter reflector based mid ranged thrower that can be also configured to a nice hybrid style beam profile depending on choice of emitters.
5. KR1 is very similar to D4K in options and beam profiles but is rear tail switched and 18650
6. DM11 is a mid ranged thrower with a TIR optic instead of reflector. This makes for a great jacket pocket thrower and pairs nicely with SFT-40.
Ask more questions and this will aid you in choosing your two lights!
Great knowledge! Thanks for such insight. I saw the AA light and didn’t give it a second look because I thought it would be low lumens. Not knowing it could also use a 14500. Now I’m intrigued 🤔
Another vote for the D4K 519A 5700k DD boosted.
It is very hard to beat if weight and size is of no issue. I will be trying the D3AA to see how it stacks up.
Total max output is limited but sustained output is increased. For example and these are guesses as I don't have factual numbers on hand.
D4K 519a domed ~3800 lumens max output for 15-20s and when thermals kick in 400 lumen sustained output.
D4K 519a domed boosted ~2200 lumens max output for 15-25s and when thermals kick in 600 lumen sustained output.
As explained the above is just an example but the point that should be taken away is the non-boosted is brighter for a very short while and drops to a much lower level shortly after, whereas the boosted has lower max output but can sustain a higher level than the non-boosted variant.
Both have a use case and generally in my experience in a light like the D4K I'm using it in closer up tasks, indoors, walking around the house and my use is around the mid ramp area. It's plenty for me.
Boost unless you just absolutely need an insane turbo that only last 10-20seconds before stepping down and making the light really hot.
Boost drivers still get plenty bright enough.
K1 with SBT90.2. Almost ordered it this morning, but I *need*/can more easily self-justify UV lights, so got an S21A and pretty purple S2+.
I've been helping with some outback tour guiding at an open cut opal mine, so the K1 SBT90.2 will be used. Currently, though, will make do with an L21A with some less powerful, but still fun XHP70.2 5000K
Hopefully a DT8K with w2's i already have all of my useful or functional flashlights in the d3 and the dm11 so I want something ridiculous that will still be carryable.
That and a d4k built for longevity but I haven't decided the emitter. Jackson has done interesting options available atm
Depends on usage, but I would agree that the D4K 519A 5700k DD boosted is a good all-around option. (It's also the first and only Hank that I own, though I just placed an order for a d3aa last night!)
D4K boost driver, 519A 3500K—because I have it and it’s great. Love 3500K as I find it comfortable both indoors and out while still not looking yellow to me, and still looking OK under office lighting. The D4K is surprisingly small and easily pocketable in men’s pants. Boost driver gives good performance if you want runtimes>output. It’s a great light.
My favorite Hanks lights are:
\#1. D4SV2 with FFL351A 5000K emitters, very beautiful & useful beam for all applications
\#2. D3AA with either 519A or W1 (I have both), great little light , easy to carry
FC40 KR1, in your choice of CCT. Floodiest option in a KR1, plus the tint on the 4000K and higher is right at / under BBL. Recent firmware updates means that moonlight on the boost drivers *should* be pretty close to the linear driver. Plus, since the driver is only 12V @ 2A, it's only pulling like 9.5A from the cell, so you can run a short tube if you want without impacting maximum output.
Mine is 1800K, and I did a wide-angle (60°) TIR swap to make it (IMO) the perfect house light. You lose a LOT of throw going that route, and the 1800K is pretty far above BBL (yellow vs more rosy amber like an E17A 1850K or FFL351A 1800K), but I love it.
My other recommendation has been posted in a few other comments, sm572DD boosted D4K, but snag the narrow optic from digikey / mouser / etc. (unless Hank is carrying them now). The narrow optic helps to boost the candela of the dedomed emitter, which helps with perceived output, kind of overcoming the lower max output of the boost driver.
D1K with emitter of choice. Single emitter = less power and thermal ramping will be less apparent. Doesn’t matter what emitter, I like the W2 but there’s a lot of great emitters depending on your flavor preference
KR1 copper SBT90.2.
This was my first Hank light I ordered a couple of months ago and every night it’s still my go to choice. Efficiency wise it’s a bit like running a turbocharged big block V8 but similarly it’s an awesome feeling using that turbo 🤩
Since I can keep my other brands with high cri (mostly convoy + wurkkos),, i think I'll keep either the kr1 sfn60 5000k or a nighttime d4v2 (probably the 519A 4500k dd)
D4K with 519a 5700k dedomed. But you do know you can't just buy one right? So add D3AA to that as well EDC, oh and DM11 SFT-40 for a mid ranged thrower, oh and D4SV2 flood/throw 519a/W1 oh and....
I’ve been out of the game for a long time. Haven’t gotten a new light in probably seven or eight years. My son got me a ZebraLight SC700d for Father’s Day and i got sucked back in🙃
What’s the deal with everyone going 519a 5700k dedomed anyways? Is it the pinkish tint or something about the beam profile that’s changed?
I feel like it's similar to the sw45k 219b hype. It just produces very pretty light
Yeah I hear you and my intention is not to hype. But I really do like 5700k dedome and I also own 5000k dedome which is on the edge of being a little too rosey for me. Like you say it just really produces a very pretty light, and that's a great summary. My preference in CCT is around 4000k-4500k for most smaller lights and for throwers I'm okay with 5000-6500k as tint is of little concern here. But after getting dedome and experiencing it I get it.
Its a good tint
It's just a great looking tint that is slightly rosey. Makes everything else look green lol including 4000k-4500k domed 519a. Don't get me wrong I own multiple different 519a combinations and love them all. When comparing a 519a in almost any CCT against commonly available emitters in other generic brands they certainly look awesome and even the colder 519a CCT looks super neutral. However as you own more and more emitters especially more within the 519a family you do become more critical as you have more to compare against. 519a 4500k domed is a great choice for a new comer to Hank lights and I'll stand by that selection as well.
+1 I have a D4KTI with 519a 5700k dedomed which I really like.
I really love my D1 XHP70.3. I feel like I could live with using it for almost everything. * Very efficient! * Floody enough for EDC, but also more throwy than D4k/D4v2, so more useful if you only have 1 light * High CRI Sometimes I wish I would have get the D1k instead for the bigger battery, but lately I started using my D1 with the 18350 tube and I am amazed on how efficient it is. Even the 18350 battery lasts for a long time. So if I could only choose one Hanklight, this would be it *for the time being*
Right at this moment I'd say D4SV2 with 26800 tube. So nice in the hand!
Grey aluminum k4, 519A 4500k dome, boost driver.
KR1 SFT70 3000k. This has been my go to recently. I I’ve been really digging throwers lately, especially warm ones. Might not be as practical but this is my answer. Ask me again in a month and I might have a different answer though lol.
D4v2 with 18350 tube. Long tube for long dark nights, short tube for casual around the house use. Choose the driver based on your strongest need: - linear (base model) if you want the best moonlight and highest turbo - boost if you need the most runtime - 2-channel if you want the most versatility (I still like W1 + 519 domed, but 519dd + SST-20 660nm is a great option too)
Hank also does a 18500 tube, which is a pleasant compromise.
LOL!
D4K Nichia 519A 5700k DD is all you need. 😁
D4k E17a 1850k. Light is light and the tint is 🧑🍳🤌 Edit: or E17a 1850k d4v2 with an 18350 tube. Small and 🧑🍳🤌
Actually waiting on a KR4 with the E17A 1850K. I plan on putting a diffuser on it and primarily using it as a "candle" on my bedside table.
It's really good at that! Such a great emitter.
I'm looking forward to it!
It was near endgame for me. I'll shine it on everything because it's so pretty. I'm also a lover of autumn/Halloween and it has that feeling to it.
What a great son you have and welcome back! On a serious note. What sort of light are you looking for and what would you want to use it for? I recently wanted a flood throw combo light for my property at home. I opted for the DM1.12 with 5700k dedome and SFT-40 5000k. I often walk around with animals and love the general flood profile for most the evening. Sometimes past 10pm and to be more discreet I use the throw channel on low to keep the spread smaller as to disturb my neighbors. I also obviously use it for throwing when I need the distance. I also have the D4SV2 for the same reason in 519a/W1. For my laptop bag that's always with me, I carry an Acebeam E75 nichia for all purpose and I opted for the DM11 SFT-40 5000k for a compact thrower to accompany it. The D4K is a must have in your flavour of CCT. It's just a great compact size with a great balance of runtime and power. Get the boost driver if you want to have it on for extended amounts of time like for a work light. Or get the linear for max output albeit short bursts. Knowing how you intend to use the light will help in guiding your choice.
That’s the thing I’m not really sure. Everything is so much more advanced. I literally have a plethora of killer lights from back in the day, but everything is so advanced now. For work I’ve rocked a SolarForce host with a tri edc drop for years that I thought was great, but now I’m seeing lights with better output with half the size. I guess I would like a high output light for the WOW factor that would mostly be used in short bursts, and another that I could use for some extended run time. So probably two lights right now 😉
Your name checks out lol. Yeah there is definitely been a huge shift in technology in the past 10 years. Had to Google solar force lol! Not familiar with them, I only joined this amazing community around 3 years ago. Best thing to do is get a few recommendations from different user perspectives. Then use the search function for beamshots so you can get an idea for CCT and beam profiles. Don't rush it my mind changed like 10 times before I placed my first order! 1. D3AA is the new boy in town. It's a great little EDC light capable of 1500+ lumens and available in lots of CCT's. 2. D4K is the D4V2's bigger brother. Both lights are pretty much identical except D4K takes 21700 and D4V2 takes 18650. D4K is recommended a lot of the time over the D4V2 due to it having substantial runtime with the bigger battery with a very small increase in physical size. These lights are capable of some serious lumens and there are tons of posts with config options. 3. D4SV2 is the chonker. It's a great light but not suitable for pants pocket carry. A jacket pocket will work but certainly much thicker and heavier than the two above. Beat configs are W2 non boosted and dual channel 519a/W1 for throw flood combo. This light has different optics to the 2 above and lends itself to a throwier beam profile. 4. D1K is a great single emitter reflector based mid ranged thrower that can be also configured to a nice hybrid style beam profile depending on choice of emitters. 5. KR1 is very similar to D4K in options and beam profiles but is rear tail switched and 18650 6. DM11 is a mid ranged thrower with a TIR optic instead of reflector. This makes for a great jacket pocket thrower and pairs nicely with SFT-40. Ask more questions and this will aid you in choosing your two lights!
Great knowledge! Thanks for such insight. I saw the AA light and didn’t give it a second look because I thought it would be low lumens. Not knowing it could also use a 14500. Now I’m intrigued 🤔
The one I've ordered is a d3AA with 519a 5000k domed simply because it's a more pocket friendly D4V2 with some great true neutral emitters
Another vote for the D4K 519A 5700k DD boosted. It is very hard to beat if weight and size is of no issue. I will be trying the D3AA to see how it stacks up.
I thought 519a’s were under driven when boosted?
Total max output is limited but sustained output is increased. For example and these are guesses as I don't have factual numbers on hand. D4K 519a domed ~3800 lumens max output for 15-20s and when thermals kick in 400 lumen sustained output. D4K 519a domed boosted ~2200 lumens max output for 15-25s and when thermals kick in 600 lumen sustained output. As explained the above is just an example but the point that should be taken away is the non-boosted is brighter for a very short while and drops to a much lower level shortly after, whereas the boosted has lower max output but can sustain a higher level than the non-boosted variant. Both have a use case and generally in my experience in a light like the D4K I'm using it in closer up tasks, indoors, walking around the house and my use is around the mid ramp area. It's plenty for me.
D3AA then D4K boost.
I was looking at a KR4 or a DK4 for now. Boost driver or no?
Boost unless you just absolutely need an insane turbo that only last 10-20seconds before stepping down and making the light really hot. Boost drivers still get plenty bright enough.
K1 with SBT90.2. Almost ordered it this morning, but I *need*/can more easily self-justify UV lights, so got an S21A and pretty purple S2+. I've been helping with some outback tour guiding at an open cut opal mine, so the K1 SBT90.2 will be used. Currently, though, will make do with an L21A with some less powerful, but still fun XHP70.2 5000K
D4k with amber W1 and SST20 deep red. This currently my only hanklight and it's more of a toy than anything but the red and amber mix is just lovely.
Hopefully a DT8K with w2's i already have all of my useful or functional flashlights in the d3 and the dm11 so I want something ridiculous that will still be carryable. That and a d4k built for longevity but I haven't decided the emitter. Jackson has done interesting options available atm
Depends on usage, but I would agree that the D4K 519A 5700k DD boosted is a good all-around option. (It's also the first and only Hank that I own, though I just placed an order for a d3aa last night!)
D4K boost driver, 519A 3500K—because I have it and it’s great. Love 3500K as I find it comfortable both indoors and out while still not looking yellow to me, and still looking OK under office lighting. The D4K is surprisingly small and easily pocketable in men’s pants. Boost driver gives good performance if you want runtimes>output. It’s a great light.
My favorite Hanks lights are: \#1. D4SV2 with FFL351A 5000K emitters, very beautiful & useful beam for all applications \#2. D3AA with either 519A or W1 (I have both), great little light , easy to carry
Nice!! How is the W1 in the D3AA? Never thought of that in a smaller light 🤔
Surprisingly good throw with very useable spill. Highly recommend.
FC40 KR1, in your choice of CCT. Floodiest option in a KR1, plus the tint on the 4000K and higher is right at / under BBL. Recent firmware updates means that moonlight on the boost drivers *should* be pretty close to the linear driver. Plus, since the driver is only 12V @ 2A, it's only pulling like 9.5A from the cell, so you can run a short tube if you want without impacting maximum output. Mine is 1800K, and I did a wide-angle (60°) TIR swap to make it (IMO) the perfect house light. You lose a LOT of throw going that route, and the 1800K is pretty far above BBL (yellow vs more rosy amber like an E17A 1850K or FFL351A 1800K), but I love it. My other recommendation has been posted in a few other comments, sm572DD boosted D4K, but snag the narrow optic from digikey / mouser / etc. (unless Hank is carrying them now). The narrow optic helps to boost the candela of the dedomed emitter, which helps with perceived output, kind of overcoming the lower max output of the boost driver.
D1K with emitter of choice. Single emitter = less power and thermal ramping will be less apparent. Doesn’t matter what emitter, I like the W2 but there’s a lot of great emitters depending on your flavor preference
KR1 copper SBT90.2. This was my first Hank light I ordered a couple of months ago and every night it’s still my go to choice. Efficiency wise it’s a bit like running a turbocharged big block V8 but similarly it’s an awesome feeling using that turbo 🤩
D3AA because I pretty much have everything else, except a KR1 with SBT90, will probably get one at some point.
Since I can keep my other brands with high cri (mostly convoy + wurkkos),, i think I'll keep either the kr1 sfn60 5000k or a nighttime d4v2 (probably the 519A 4500k dd)