McGizmo Haiku - An Ideal EDC - An Essay

[nbp]

Thank you again js, you're very kind. I am very glad that you are so happy with your Haiku, and I appreciate you helping me to extoll its virtues to the masses.

I had better not read my own story again...I'm perilously close to having Don build me another Haiku as it is!

Is it wrong that I am such a proponent of the Haiku and yet it is a McLux T that is in my avatar?

[pjandyho]

Thank you again js, you're very kind. I am very glad that you are so happy with your Haiku, and I appreciate you helping me to extoll its virtues to the masses.

I had better not read my own story again...I'm perilously close to having Don build me another Haiku as it is!

Is it wrong that I am such a proponent of the Haiku and yet it is a McLux T that is in my avatar?

Hey Nick,

I too just can't thank you enough for starting that thread and getting me hooked onto the McGizmos. Really awesome lights and I am in love with them. I have practically lost interest in other lights except for HDS and maybe Zebralight.

[nbp]

It was a great relief to me that you liked them so much Andy. After our conversations, I was pretty nervous that you would find they weren't right for you, and having spent so much, you would be upset. Don's lights are definitely different from what you had gravitated toward in the past. I am glad that my fears were unfounded.

[jalal20]

Great Essay, I've read it a while back but didn't have the light at the time. Now i've had it for about 4 month and I've gotta say that this is one of the best flashlights i've ever owned. My collection reached about 8 or 9 High end and custom lights at its max. not I have 3 and another 3 on the way. I've had other customs which are nice but not the ones which stick with me every where. I've had a makai and a Mule as well, great lights and I loved them but just wasn't my cup of tea and I don't like to keep shelf queens so they were sold to a local friend who loves them and uses them on a daily basis which makes me happy.
I just would love to see it driven a bit higher which mcgizmo would never do. I like higher outputs and 500 lumens from this beauty would be great even if for a short time

[Shooter21]

i'm glad i am satisfied with one mcgizmo otherwise i'd be broke.

[nbp]

As someone posted recently, it's better to have light when you have no money, than have money when you have no light.

I tend to agree.

[muttsnutts]

@nbp
Your 4000 words just cost me over $400

[nbp]

A most excellent first post!



Please let us know how you like your Haiku when you recieve it. Also, what version did you get?

[muttsnutts]

Please let us know how you like your Haiku when you recieve it. Also, what version did you get?

I've had it for less than a week now and can't stop playing with it (to my girlfriend's annoyance).
Got the Haiku XM-L for EDC, and a Mule High CRI Head to swap out for the occasional photo.

I'm now reading about tritium slots (precisionworks) and O-rings...
Stalking you Haiku guys (McGizmo, nbp, js, fyrstormer, run4jc, pjandyho, etc) has turned me into a monster

[nbp]

You made excellent choices. Welcome to the light side! Now, who's next to convince?

[diesel79]

Im definitely convinced. Now I just need the money.

[pjandyho]

Stalking you Haiku guys (McGizmo, nbp, js, fyrstormer, run4jc, pjandyho, etc) has turned me into a monster

Hey! I am innocent!

Im definitely convinced. Now I just need the money.

You will find the money.

[nbp]

Im definitely convinced. Now I just need the money.

Just find something you have an extra of and sell it....eye, kidney, ear, hand..you get the point.

I reread my story here and I have nearly convinced myself I need another Haiku. Oops.

[Raven-burg]

Great review which finally made me email Don.
Just waiting to buy my 1st McGizmo.
Had to put a few things on Ebay recently to fund it. Nice items, but not as nice as a Haiku XM-L so they had to go.
As soon as more 1x123 McClickie paks come in, one will be put on a plane headed for the UK. Anyone from the UK here orderd one? How long will my torture last?
It's painful fun waiting for something to arrive that you really, really, really want!! Stangely addictive feeling!
Is everyone happy with their XM-L ?

[nbp]

Congratulations on your order! I think you will be pleased. The Haiku is one of the finest EDC lights out there. I look forward to hearing your thoughts when you get it.

I only have experience with the XM-L in my Mule, not in the Haiku, but I know there are a few floating around here, so maybe those guys can chime in. My understanding based on beamshots is medium throw, large smooth hotspot, significant spill. Should make a great EDC.

Let us know when you get it.

[jiuong]

I can see that you guys had converted quite a few while I was away.

[stoli67]

I have a warm xpg and an XML haiku too..... I pick up the XML preferentially... More floody but also brighter (even though I am a fan of warmer tints usually)

[nbp]

I realized I just crossed over one year of EDC on my Haiku XP-G. That's a pretty good feat, not too many lights have been carried consistently for that long by me. But it still looks great, works great. I am still excited to put it in my pocket every day, even after a year. I really don't see it going anywhere, and at this point, probably would be the last light I'd get rid of if I had to liquidate my collection. It just suits me so well.

I just got a Ti Tri EDC and I'm eager to carry it with my Haiku to do some comparisons. The Tri better bring its "A" game.

[pjandyho]

I just crossed the 8 months period of daily EDC and I still love both my Haiku and my Mule. Other than HDS, McGizmo is the only other brand that I never got tired of carrying everyday. Every time I take it out of my pocket I can't help being awed by it.

[scout24]

Mine's from the first run, Feb/March 2010, with an XRE prior that was sold as soon as I experienced the XPG. Others have come and gone, none have taken it's edc place for more than a few days at a time. No better pocket light out there. 3 useful levels, KISS UI, timeless bombproof design. I go through two AW RCR123's worth of use a week on average,and it's not missed a beat. It would take an exponentially better light to move mine from my pocket.

[run4jc]

I bought my first one in October of 2009, an original XRE purchased directly from Don. Almost 3 years now, I've never been without at least one - had as many as 4, but dropped down to a reasonable level of 2 (although I have an extra light engine.) Used my high CRI Haiku this morning to, believe it or not, pick out a suit and tie. Subtle shades and color differences show clearly.

Ah, would it not be wonderful to have a single AA Haiku that could run on any chemistry battery! Driven just a bit harder than today's Haiku?

No matter, the classic will remain in my possession until the day I pass it (them) on to my kids!

[nbp]

Great to see you guys chime in with your experiences. I agree, an "exponentially better" light would need to come out to replace this one in my pocket. I'm not sure at this point who could come up with something to do it, unless Don himself introduces a new light that somehow improves on it.

I at times have to carry other lights for this reason or that, usually only if space is at a premium, but I always feel most comfortable when I have the Haiku on me. Like a well worn pair of jeans or sweatshirt, it just feels right.

And it works. I top off my AW RCR123 every so often and I go. I dont worry about it, because I don't have to. It doesn't get get fussy with me, I don't need to pamper it. It just works.

Enrique's lights are a close second for me, and they take over when I need more compact lighting, but Don's products are definitely the lights I've felt the most passionately about since I've been here. Everything about my three McGizmos is just "right".

[nbp]

Ok you guys know I love my Haiku, but I have recently started carrying a Mac's Ti Tri EDC with some flucero28 mods to HI CRI and level adjustments alongside my Haiku and it is really good. Really good. There are some pros and cons to each light that makes it really hard to decide which is better! So as not to hijack my own thread, I'm going to have to start another thread about "Another Ideal EDC".

[skyfire]

Ok you guys know I love my Haiku, but I have recently started carrying a Mac's Ti Tri EDC with some flucero28 mods to HI CRI and level adjustments alongside my Haiku and it is really good. Really good. There are some pros and cons to each light that makes it really hard to decide which is better! So as not to hijack my own thread, I'm going to have to start another thread about "Another Ideal EDC".

cant wait to see it!
youre making me want to do a "ideal EDC" write up on my edc, a 1st gen L1.

[Megatrowned]

Well nbp, you done it to me to! Always wanted to get my first McG from Don, but its bad form to pass up a good deal

Just received my hi cri modded Haiku. It's awesome! Pics do not do it justice. One just needs to hold one to really appreciate it. It has a little more heft than a aluminum light, however it feels way more solid. Not heavy, mind you. If anyone has held a very nice pen, one with a little weight behind it, this is how the Haiku feels. Classy. But with a bit of the excitement of handling a custom made knife added in!

The beam it throws is excellent. It is a XPG version. Mine has been modded, so I cannot comment on the brightness. I would actually like it to go lower, but that's what's cool about these lights! Easily modded.

Lots of pluses for the Haiku!

[nbp]

Awesome! Glad you got yours. Let us know how it's working for you as you get to use it a bit. Hope it is a great EDC for you too.

[Ghostwalker54]

Being a Cardio-Pulmonary specialist and having a wife that is from Tibet and convinced me that I should use my skills to help the Chinese effected by the last several earthquakes in the western central region of China (Chengdu, China and the Sichuan Province on this last one) good lighting means everything to me and my colleagues. Having many Surefire lights with no mods Don's lights fit the bill for me since several "E" series and an older L5 always accompany me. A Haiku, Sundrop and (most recently) a 6V Mule now make every trip. I couldn't tell you what engines Don placed in these lights for me if my life depended on it. But I know good lighting from poor and Don's lights are exactly what the doctor ordered. Don, after hearing my needs, made the recommendations and got it right each and every time. Your article was excellent and compelled me to post! I travel some of the coldest and harshest climates on earth (Tibetan Plateau - avg elevation 14,500 ft; Climate - F***ing cold; Terrain - rough as "it ain't my bed" hell; Why do I go - insanity, I'm thinking and love for my wife and the Chinese people) about three times a year and Don's lights haven't failed me...ever! I also appreciate the fact that they can go into O.R. after a sterile prep. Many thanks to Don and a great post.

[nbp]

Very nice post, Ghost. Hey that rhymes. Haha. I am glad that you are enjoying your McGs! I still love my Haiku, carry it all the time. One of the best lights I have ever owned. And good on ya for volunteering to help those who are suffering from disasters; that is truly heartwarming. I'd love to see any pictures you have of your Gizmos on your adventures if you have them.

[tomgj]

great thread saving my cash and hoping to get a Haiku but struggling with making final decision and how available these flashlights are can anyone offer some advice.

[nbp]

Haiku XM-L and Nichia 119s are plentiful and ripe for the picking. Just send Don an email when you are ready to take the plunge. Go for it!