Any ideas about the Muyshondt Beagle?

[PoliceScannerMan]

How do you like the beams fyrstormer?

I love my beagle. It is unlike any light in my collection, which is what I try to do these days when I buy a new light. Find something different.
I am also not a huge fan of a reverse clicky, but for the beagle I am used to it. Light press when on changes level. I wish I could put a different clip on it though. Not a fan of the clip, but it does look cool I must say.

 

[fyrstormer]

The beam is fantastic. It's what the Lunasol could've been if McGizmo had more resources for designing and building his flashlights. That just makes my dissatisfaction with the UI all the more bitter, because I'll have to return one of the nicest pocket flashlights I've ever seen.

 

[scout24]

I wonder if the ten year difference in release times may also have something to do with the differences in those two platforms? The available tech, and emitters, weren't where they are today. I think beam wise the LS-27 is closer to the Beagle than the LS-20. Agreed, the UI and switch on the Beagle are not my preferred, but it has a useful place in my collection.

 

[fyrstormer]

I have a LS27 and I absolutely agree it is dated in several ways compared to the Beagle. It would be crazy to argue otherwise. Rather, I meant that the Beagle essentially represents what the Lunasol series could've become had it continued to be produced and refined rather than having been discontinued in 2009. Now I wish even more that it hadn't been discontinued in 2009, because the Beagle proves the flood+spot combo is still a great idea. My sole complaints are regarding the electrical properties of the shiny little button on the tailcap, and the method by which it interacts with the driver circuit. Everything else about the Beagle is pretty much perfect, though the casing is a teensy bit too overbuilt, but I could overlook that pretty easily if the UI didn't drive me nuts.

 

[PoliceScannerMan]

Perhaps the Beagle Mk II will be programmable with a new clip and forward clicky LOL.

 

[fyrstormer]

Not likely. Enrique Muyshondt builds things the way he thinks they should be and everyone else can take it or leave it. There's something to be said for trusting your instincts and expertise, but only in moderation. I work as a software engineering consultant, and if I completely disregarded my clients' design requests and delivered the very-expensive custom-built software I think they should want, I'd be fired pretty much instantly. It is my job to use my expertise to meet as many of my clients' needs as possible, the best way I can. If I want to fulfill my own dreams, I can do that during my off-hours.

- - -

The Beagle was sent back today. They're going to charge me 10%, or $60, as a restocking fee to pay for the hard physical labor of opening the box, examining the light for scratches, and then mailing it out to the next customer. (whoever ends up getting it, don't worry, it's in 100% new condition. I even wiped-off my fingerprints before putting it back in the box.) The customer service representative at Muyshondt Enterprises, Inc. is "unable" (i.e. unwilling) to make any exceptions to the restocking fee, even though I clearly stated the only reason I was returning it is because their website hadn't given me all the information I needed to make an informed purchase in the first place. Yes, I should've assumed that even a prestigious boutique manufacturer wasn't fully representing the specs of their products, and I should've gone looking for more information first, so responsibility for my purchasing decision ultimately falls on me, but this will be the last time I buy something from Muyshondt nonetheless. It's not just because of this single incident, it's also because of his supercilious attitude. In that respect, he actually reminds me a lot of Peter Gransee in the waning days of his leadership at Arc Flashlight, LLC.

By contrast, my new McGizmo Makai has a bezel with a minor defect that is essentially purely a cosmetic flaw, something which McGizmo does not explicitly warranty, but he is mailing me a replacement bezel and offering to pay the return shipping for the bezel I already have. Now that is $600-flashlight-grade customer service. (and no, I'm not trying to provoke competitive urination between McGizmo and Muyshondt fanboys, I'm just conveying an anecdote about a concurrent experience with a different brand. if you want to fight about brand loyalty with each other, do it via PMs, not in replies to this post.)

Oh well, at least I have two Aeon Mk.2's. Those are awesome little lights. I hope they last forever.

 

[nbp]

Seems to me that before dropping $600 on this light, you should have fired off a quick email to the maker or posted on the Flashlight forum you've been a member of for nine years to see what kind of switch and UI it utilized. Btw, in post 14 of this thread, from 1.5 years ago, the switch was revealed to be reverse clicky, and a discussion of UI followed shortly thereafter. I realize this research would have deprived us all of a good fyrstormer rant, so thankfully you didn't take the time, but as you are a seasoned flashaholic who has owned many high end lights the onus is really on you to know what you're buying.

 

[fyrstormer]

Someone has already pointed that out, and I agreed with them.

As I have already acknowledged multiple times: Yes, I should've done more research first. I made the mistake of trusting my experience with Muyshondt lights I've bought in the past, every single one of which I was happy with. I am 100% guilty of allowing myself to believe that past results would indicate future results. Also, I hadn't been on CPF more than a couple times a year for the past 5 years or so; I'd been focusing on different hobbies during that time, and it was no longer my habit to double-check manufacturer specs and user reviews for flashlights. Out of the blue I remembered the name Muyshondt, so I went to their website and saw a cool-looking new light. I bought it because I didn't see anything objectionable in the product description, and because I'm out-of-practice I failed to notice there were important things that hadn't been mentioned at all. Mistakes happen from time to time. It would've been nice if Muyshondt had at least been a little more forgiving, and I absolutely would've said nice things about them if they had done so. But instead I'm out $80 between the cost of two-way shipping and a "restocking fee" which is indisputably punitive and deterrent in nature, and in no way reflects the actual cost of restocking. Some people perhaps think I deserve that $80 penalty for my momentary carelessness; obviously I have slightly different expectations regarding the extent of personal responsibility in civilized society than they do, and there is no way to reconcile that difference of belief.

Anyway, I'm done in this thread. Talk amongst yourselves.

 

[usdiver]

Ugh. I wish I'd read this thread before buying my Beagle. Such a great concept, ruined by having no mode-memory and having a reverse-clicky switch. The clip doesn't bother me, I could round-off the edges myself using a whetstone and a sanding sponge, but there's nothing I can do about the deficiencies in the driver.

Sure, the original Aeon and Nautilus didn't have mode-memory, but they also didn't require repetitive motion to select the desired brightness setting -- just tighten the head and stop when you reach the brightness you want. There is no clicky-switch equivalent for the progressive-twist UI, and Muyshondt should've known that. At the very least, for $600 I would expect UI settings to be somewhat customizable. Even McGizmo, king of the "simple and durable" titanium flashlight, offers user-programmable drivers nowadays.

Also, it surprises me how difficult it is to go back to a reverse-clicky switch after spending several years using forward-clicky switches exclusively. I keep unlatching the switch when attempting to change modes, and relatching the switch requires releasing it completely and turning off the light. If I accidentally unlatch a forward-clicky, I can just relatch it without having to turn off the light.

I'll have to return it. $600 is too much money to spend on something that doesn't work exactly the way I expect.

I too WAS a fan of Muyshondt starting off with the Aeon (wish I could still get one in titanium) bought the Aeon 2 too flood, got the Flieger proto AND the production brushed titanium, had huge hassle from Muyshondt to get batteries (I'm international but have a US address also) then saw the Beagle and though the outer ring looked cool, specs and runtime didn't trip my trigger. Then sold the proto for about half of what I paid for it second hand, figured the built in memory function for a Clicky of this nature isn't as useful as the start from 1 click to get 5...I prefer rotary lights but in this case wound up keeping the titanium (Just for the cool factor and the beautiful beam it provides) and ok with it not having memory BUT a light of this caliber and price SHOULD have a programming option.
The whole experience with the "exclusiveness" and arrogance attached to Muyshondt enterprises, plus the emails which basically say WE are the maker, YOU are just the customer as if i m small and insignificant has made me not even want to try the Beagle nor anything else from the company.
I have 2 favorites but due to fear of getting into trouble by distracting or veering off this thread I ll keep quiet.
Good luck to those who love the Beagle but at this point even if it what I wanted how I wanted, the above facts would prevent me from spending my money there and I d go somewhere else. There are many other very pleasant people to deal with who will give you what you want AND appreciate your business.

 

[desert.snake]

I will not say that my eyesight is very sharp, it is not sharp, but the reverse button looks 1 in 1 with a Convoy or Eagtac button, the only difference is that on the rotary ring, which it presses, there is the name of the manufacturer. Button like https://www.aliexpress.com/item/lighted-switch-for-convoy-flashlight/32843122324.html

Those who have already lost the warranty in 1 year, can unscrew and show us what is inside the button?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lAfK7PepMo

Here they were replaced on forward clicky
http://budgetlightforum.com/node/61860


Only problem is that it is small and must be looked for. I had a Eagtac d25a ti, its reverse button broke 2-3 hours after receiving, I was sent a new button and she came to me after 2 or 3 months. At this time I was trying to find a replacement for a button with a forward click and soldered. I did not find a direct equivalent in size, the one I found required the trimming of the pusher, but it was too sensitive. I received a factory part, installed and presented a flashlight to my friend. For several years now he has been using it without problems.

 

[Subfanatic]

Hi everyone, I just ordered a Beagle Mk I Turned Ti. I've sold pretty much everything else and my fingers are crossed I will love this one.

 

[InvisibleFrodo]

Not likely. Enrique Muyshondt builds things the way he thinks they should be and everyone else can take it or leave it. There's something to be said for trusting your instincts and expertise, but only in moderation. I work as a software engineering consultant, and if I completely disregarded my clients' design requests and delivered the very-expensive custom-built software I think they should want, I'd be fired pretty much instantly. It is my job to use my expertise to meet as many of my clients' needs as possible, the best way I can. If I want to fulfill my own dreams, I can do that during my off-hours.

- - -

The Beagle was sent back today. They're going to charge me 10%, or $60, as a restocking fee to pay for the hard physical labor of opening the box, examining the light for scratches, and then mailing it out to the next customer. (whoever ends up getting it, don't worry, it's in 100% new condition. I even wiped-off my fingerprints before putting it back in the box.) The customer service representative at Muyshondt Enterprises, Inc. is "unable" (i.e. unwilling) to make any exceptions to the restocking fee, even though I clearly stated the only reason I was returning it is because their website hadn't given me all the information I needed to make an informed purchase in the first place. Yes, I should've assumed that even a prestigious boutique manufacturer wasn't fully representing the specs of their products, and I should've gone looking for more information first, so responsibility for my purchasing decision ultimately falls on me, but this will be the last time I buy something from Muyshondt nonetheless. It's not just because of this single incident, it's also because of his supercilious attitude. In that respect, he actually reminds me a lot of Peter Gransee in the waning days of his leadership at Arc Flashlight, LLC.

By contrast, my new McGizmo Makai has a bezel with a minor defect that is essentially purely a cosmetic flaw, something which McGizmo does not explicitly warranty, but he is mailing me a replacement bezel and offering to pay the return shipping for the bezel I already have. Now that is $600-flashlight-grade customer service. (and no, I'm not trying to provoke competitive urination between McGizmo and Muyshondt fanboys, I'm just conveying an anecdote about a concurrent experience with a different brand. if you want to fight about brand loyalty with each other, do it via PMs, not in replies to this post.)

Oh well, at least I have two Aeon Mk.2's. Those are awesome little lights. I hope they last forever.

I gotta chime in here with my experience. I purchased a Beagle in polished copper. When it arrived, there were some pretty major machining flaws on the pocket clip. One side was rounded, and not even flat as it should be, and several of the chamfers were missing, or would taper off from one end of the pocket clip to the other meaning they were basically "half there". And the tumbled finish step was skipped completely, as the machining marks are present like the prototype lights in the early photos of the Beagle.
I contacted Muyshondt and sent pictures. They offered to send me a new pocket clip provided I would send back the original. Okay, good deal.
When the replacement pocket clip arrived, I immediately noticed a big chunk missing from the end of the clip. It literally looked like a chipped tooth. And the chamfers? Present on one side, and missing on the other.
Now I had 2 pocket clips in a row that should have never passed QC. The second ones defects were even more obvious than the first.
So I contacted Muyshondt again. I sent detailed pictures again. I got a response saying they no longer send out replacement parts, and now it is my responsibility to pay for shipping and insurance to ship the entire light back to Muyshondt for inspection and repair. Of course in my mind I'm imagining the possibility that they will either send the light back saying nothing is wrong, or replace the pocket clip with another one that has clear machining defects, and then what? Pay to send the light back again?
I already paid to have the light shipped to me. Now I have to pay to ship it back. So I'm looking at almost $40 in shipping costs alone just to get a light that doesn't have manufacturing defects.
Some sick part of me still wants an Aeon MK. III, and part of me is worried I'll have a similar experience. I want to ask Muyshondt if they would give me a store credit for all the hassle, but I'm kinda guessing they will tell me to sit and spin...

 

[staticx57]

Id be asking for a full refund as you are yet to recieve what you paid for. Or I'd be contacting my credit card company if they don't refund in full.

 

[InvisibleFrodo]

Between the back and fourth E-mails, the replacement coming in, more E-mails which Muyshondt never responded to, and then having to resend the E-mails, and now my current hesitation to send the light in for fear I will either get it back with a pocket clip that is even worse, or no replacement at all, or Muyshondt saying they want me to pay for something else, my warranty period is now technically expired.

 

[alphaBRAVO]

Okay, let's make this really easy. The cutoff of regulation being set at 2.7 is violating the manufacturer warning. 2.7 is less than 2.75. It doesn't matter much anyways. Those cells should not be discharged down that low. If you bring them down that low, you will greatly reduce cell cycle life. You should probably be recharging the cells before the voltage gets below 3.5 or 3.4 volts. I recharge at 3.8 or 3.7 volts. The cells have no memory. Recharge more often whenever possible and your cells will last much longer and provide better output.

I recognize this post is ancient, but could someone kindly point me to a battery primer on what all this means, e.g., what terms of art like "protected," and "regulated" mean, best practices, the best way to verify voltage, consequences of improper use (compromises life of cell?, will ruin torch?, fire
risk?).

Thanks so much.

 

[alphaBRAVO]

My perfect solution was getting a KeepPower 1200mAh protected battery. When I messed around with a CR123 battery to check it out, I found I didn't have any rattle or issue and didn't need the tube.

Sorry, novice here. What precisely is this a solution to, and given the age on your post has your solution held up, which is to say, you still going this route or another?

Thanks!

 

[lion504]

I recognize this post is ancient, but could someone kindly point me to a battery primer on what all this means, e.g., what terms of art like "protected," and "regulated" mean, best practices, the best way to verify voltage, consequences of improper use (compromises life of cell?, will ruin torch?, fire
risk?).

Thanks so much.

Here's a good starting point. https://www.candlepowerforums.com/v...1-General-Li-ion-safety&p=3826472#post3826472

 

[lion504]

I recognize this post is ancient, but could someone kindly point me to a battery primer on what all this means, e.g., what terms of art like "protected," and "regulated" mean, best practices, the best way to verify voltage, consequences of improper use (compromises life of cell?, will ruin torch?, fire
risk?).

Thanks so much.

Also, several very good stickies at the top of the Flashlight Electronics subforum here. https://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?9-Flashlight-Electronics-Batteries-Included

You probably want to check out
- Simple guide to using a DMM for measurements
- Using Li-ion cells in LED flashlights safely

 

[lion504]

Sorry, novice here. What precisely is this a solution too, and given the age on your post has your solution held up, which is to say, you still going this route or another?

thanks!

I didn't look at the post you quoted, but here's what I think logicalbeard meant:

Some newer single-cell lights (like the Beagle) have a wider bore diameter to accomodate larger, higher capacity li-ion rechargeables. The beagle will take either a 16340 or a 18350. Both run at 4.2v (when fully charged), but are different dimensions and mah capacity. The 16340 is 16mm in diameter and 34mm long, usually about 700 mah capacity. The 18350 is 18mm in diameter and 35mm long, and the bigger size allows a capacity closer to 1200 mah.

NOTE: CR123 primaries (single use, non-rechargeable) are the same size as a 16340 but with 3v lithium chemistry. They have a capacity more similar to an 18350 (1200-1400 mah). The Beagle will accept CR123s, or 16340s, or 18350s.

In the body/battery tube of lghts like the Beagle, the difference in battery length (1mm) is negligible because of the spring contacts - they just compress a little more to accomodate the longer battery.

But the diameter of the battery tube must obviously be rigid/fixed. Some older lights like the HDS Executive or Rotary only accept 16mm cells, precluding the use of 18350s and the longer runtime. But the Beagle's diameter is purposefully wider to provide the user the option to use either 16mm or 18mm cells. But if the user then inserts a 16340s or CR123 (16mm diameter) into the larger diameter battery tube, then sometimes the smaller battery will rattle around inside the 18mm compartment (this is the "problem" he was solving). To prevent this rattle, some manufacturers will include a 2mm battery "sleeve" into which the battery is inserted to make a tight fit and prevent rattle. Sounds like Muyshondt includes this sleeve with the Beagle for tight fitment.

Finally, many 18350 or 18650 lights actually have a inside diameter of closer to 19mm, because battery manufacturers don't exactly adhere to the standard (their batteries are chubby as they compete with their competitors to eke out a few more mah) and flashlight vendors want to make sure these chubbier non-spec batteries will work to keep the customer happy. So even true 18mm cells will rattle inside many a flashlight body (i.e. Convoy S2+, BOSS 70, HDS 18650 tube, etc). My solution is to wrap some blue painters tape around the battery as a DIY sleeve to make up the differnence.

I'm sure someone more knowledgeable than me will chime in if I got any wires crossed. Hope this helps.

 

[alphaBRAVO]

Here's a good starting point.

https://www.candlepowerforums.com/v...1-General-Li-ion-safety&p=3826472#post3826472

Thanks so much.