Bob_G
Enlightened
I put together my second goldserve SSC flupic LE in an A2 tonight and was puzzled why they had such different beams. I took ~.010 off one reflector and ~.020 off the other, but didn't think that could make so much difference. The 020 has this big, sloppy spot.
Finally realized that the reflector surface on the two was quite different. I don't know how I never realized this before, but there you go. This sort of thing (even if it's my inattention that's the thing) can have repercussions beyond the obvious. For instance, I remembered being a little disappointed in a PD that Scott (milkyspit) did a LED swap on for me. It had originally been a R/O and I ran it with a diffusion lens, so never paid any attention to the beam. Scott swapped in a SV1H Lux1, which I thought would be an interesting combo with the PD voltage, and got back this big sloppy spot. Ran to check, and yep, it has the heavy texture reflector, and its beam looks like the 020 modded one. So it's the reflector, not Scott's workmanship at "fault." My other Al PD LuxIII has the smoother surface and a nice defined spot. The difference at working distance is very noticeable, especially with the SSC.
So, question: If I buy a new McR20, in either original or "S" version, can it be said in advance which surface it will have? The heavy ones seem to be older, but it could be random, so way for me to tell.
Finally realized that the reflector surface on the two was quite different. I don't know how I never realized this before, but there you go. This sort of thing (even if it's my inattention that's the thing) can have repercussions beyond the obvious. For instance, I remembered being a little disappointed in a PD that Scott (milkyspit) did a LED swap on for me. It had originally been a R/O and I ran it with a diffusion lens, so never paid any attention to the beam. Scott swapped in a SV1H Lux1, which I thought would be an interesting combo with the PD voltage, and got back this big sloppy spot. Ran to check, and yep, it has the heavy texture reflector, and its beam looks like the 020 modded one. So it's the reflector, not Scott's workmanship at "fault." My other Al PD LuxIII has the smoother surface and a nice defined spot. The difference at working distance is very noticeable, especially with the SSC.
So, question: If I buy a new McR20, in either original or "S" version, can it be said in advance which surface it will have? The heavy ones seem to be older, but it could be random, so way for me to tell.