The total awesomeness of the MAKAI

[ma_sha1]

I am sure it works great, but from just the design angle, I think the lS27 with teardrops around the head looks better.
The slots are similar to the vintage Surefire E1 tear drop bezel, but that's an association one could be proud of.

This one kind of reminds me of the DX Shower head, especially the one in the middle of the photo below, not that it's
not good looking, just that if I was to spend >$300 for a head, kind of don't want to see it looks similar to a $20 one, especially, when the $20 one isn't a clone or copy cat, it's been around for a long time. If I haven't seen the DX shower head, I'd be all aver the Makai turbo head, functionally, it make sense.

Just my honest 2 cents on the look, no offense intended to anyone.

 

[Kiessling]

Those are some impressive beamshots Keisling. Would you go so far as to say the tints are fairly the same? To me that looks accurate but it is hard to tell from pictures. :popcorn:

Between my two units the Makai is warmer then the LX2. But what does that mean? Nothing really. I don't think one can deduct any reasonable rule from my two units. Tint is a lottery, but thankfully one can be happy without caring for tint.
I personally don't give a damm. I tried that when Lux I's where the hype some years ago ... too much trouble and noth worth it. Don't care about tint anymore. And besides ... the tints of today are all very attractive compared to what we had back then :green: ...

Surefire does not publish bin data of their LEDs, and Don does do so from time to time. IIRC.




ma_sha1 ... every one has his own perception, of course. Where you see similarities I don't really see them. BUT ... if you let the DX aspheric head stop you from getting a Makai because of the look ... you miss something :nana: :)


bernie

 

[McGizmo]

ma_sha1,
I am inclined to comment on your observation but not in my defense as it were. If you feel my design infringes on or follows from the DX design you have shown that is your call. I realize that ultimately I do compete with other builders and manufacturers but I don't look at the competition for their styling or as a means of identifying some possible edge or opportunity. I moved into a niche which at the time was not occupied by others to any extent a few years ago. That niche was high end titanium lights and hopefully based on the merits and integrity of the lights themselves. If there were better or more viable choices than my offerings, so be it. I sought and seek to make honest, straight forward in function lights and with the luxury of not compromising in material selection as based on price. I design and build the kind of light I want to have with price as no object; within reason. (diamond window and heat sink are probably still a bit down the road)

There are only so many ways one can alter the surface and form on these cylindrical flashlights. As for the tear drop flutes, I too find them esthetically pleasing and I believe SureFire was first in using them on the E series. I considered using a teardrop on the Makai but with an eye to function, I suspected the full width of the flutes that it does sport would provide a better grip in the hand and at the possible expense of appearance. Holding the light in hand, I think I was right. I do attempt to let function dictate form because I think I have a much better sense for function than I do for form and I consider function a priority anyway.

You say it is critical to differentiate from the competition and likely that makes it much easier to be considered as an alternative. There is simply no way I could compete with 99% of the flashlight providers out there nor do I have any desire to do so. As a result, I don't even pay attention to what it is they are doing. With blinders in place, I seek a clear path ahead from where I have been and not where others are or are going. I realize this could be a problem and at some point I might have to cease my endeavors. Until then, I will do what makes sense to me and hope that it works. :o

There are all kinds of legitimate and compelling reasons people won't consider getting a Makai and so be it. If there are others who do wish to get a Makai then I haven't failed completely and I can continue to move on. :tinfoil:

 

[ma_sha1]

ma_sha1,
If you feel my design infringes on or follows from the DX design you have shown that is your call.

Hi, McGizmo,

I am not hinting you are infringing or following the DX design at all. I am sure any similarity is purely coincidental.
Like you said, there's only limited ways one can vary a flashlight design.

I just want to clarify this point to avoid any possible misunderstanding.

I have the greatest respect to your work. I admit that I tend to be shallow, paying too much attention to the looks some times :o

 

[run4jc]

Makai hits the mainland...

Like the middle aged kid that I am, I went with great anticipation to the mail room of our office building, only to find the familiar postal service one rate box waiting....(photos are horrible - I am at work - good camera at home)

Better photos later, although I don't think I can top Don's or Kiesslings, but this is a beautiful light - beefy and solid. I got it with a 2x123 McClicky and am running an AW17670 in it.

Just can't wait to use it after dark!! Thanks, Don! Another HOME RUN!!

 

[tino_ale]

I ordered the same configuration and will run on a 17670 too.
Can't wait for the postman, but it'll take a few more days to make it to here :oops:

I am so used to ordering stuff from oversea that it's unbelievable for me to think that you guys get ALL your stuff typically within 48 hours. Unfair!!! :grin2:

 

[GhostReaction]

Now dont anybody thinks that a toilet plunger fell on Don's head when he was on the drawing board?

 

[Henk_Lu]

Now dont anybody thinks that a toilet plunger fell on Don's head when he was on the drawing board?

Is that supposed to be a joke?

Well, then I laughed I guess... :shakehead

 

[octaf]

OK, here are some quick'n'dirty beamshots

bernie

Thank you bernie.

It actually is impressive that 660 Makai over throws LX2.

And I suppose it provides broader side spill, too.


Thanks Again. :wave:

 

[McGizmo]

Unless you have one with rhinestones, a toilet plunger is all about function and it better get the job done!! :nana: If the Makai can serve equally as well, so be it. :D

When a flashlight actually counts, you aren't looking at the flashlight. If folks mistake the nature of the Makai and go chasing turds with it then I admit there is a problem.... :crackup:

 

[Kiessling]

Thank you bernie.

It actually is impressive that 660 Makai over throws LX2.

And I suppose it provides broader side spill, too.


Thanks Again. :wave:

It certainly does provide spill, but the width of said spill is difficult to compare to the LX2 because of the SF optic. As you can see in the pics the area coverage of the LX2's spot is bigger than the Makai, the corona is also bigger, but the spill is slowly fading whereas the Makai has a well defined spill circle as it is typical for a reflectored light.

They are different animals in beam anatomy for sure. But the spot of the Makai is a little hotter. Which really surprised me.

 

[easilyled]

Isn't the head of the Makai wider in diameter than the SF LX2?
I would expect a wider head to out-throw a narrower one, even if the narrower head employs an optic instead of a reflector, so I'm not too surprised that the Makai out-throws the SF LX2.
If this was not the case, there would be no point in designing a wider head since that comes with the disadvantage of less portability.

 

[GhostReaction]

:shakehead:
All turbo headed lights have that sort of form to accomodate a larger reflector. You should see a SF M4 :nana:

Is that supposed to be a joke?

Well, then I laughed I guess... :shakehead

 

[fourdogs]

ok guys and gals, fwiw here is my observation.

I've tried to post several time on Don's threads but since I'm new ( relatively speaking ) my posts must be ok'd before they are made public ( a few anyway ) and none have made it into print as of today. Call it censorship or whatever you like, these sites are not required to adhere to the 1st amendment. Maybe this time my words will find there way to you.

I only have one of Don't lights. A LS27 which I dearly love. It's high functioning art, and perhaps the last of the true purest lights Don will ever make with no regard of building to a price point. My guess is it was a financial failure but a functional artistic success. Sure, he could produce more if he desired, but the cost imo would be much more than the initial offering, and considering what a pita they were to assemble I am wagering good money what is in the wild today will be all that will ever be......but never say never.

The Makai.....a good design I thing. I can remember people were so up in arms about how big the LS27 was. ' The head is SO BIG ' some said. ' I could never get used to a head that large for EDC ' others exclaimed. I thought the size and design of the 27 was brilliant, and wisely picked one up before they became virtually non existent on the open market.

I don't know for certain, and honestly I don't care, but after the LS27 I think the ensuing lights including the Makai seem to be built to a price point. Yup that's my belief right or wrong, and it's really the only way to stay in this kind of business in todays world. Take the grooves on the head of the Makai for example. They are functional but not functional art. It seems to me it would be less expensive to machine those grooves than teardrops. Make several design changes from the original ( because of economics ) and you have a good functional design but not high functioning art. Then you invent reasoning why this or that was preferable to something else and sell it to the public.

Anyway, just a few observations which possibly will make it this time into the ether. No harm intended by my comments to anyone on this planet.

Take care...... :wave:

 

[tino_ale]

It always amaze me how some can write a pretty long post yet at the end of it you still wonder what the point is :confused:

 

[McGizmo]

...... Take the grooves on the head of the Makai for example. They are functional but not functional art. It seems to me it would be less expensive to machine those grooves than teardrops. Make several design changes from the original ( because of economics ) and you have a good functional design but not high functioning art. Then you invent reasoning why this or that was preferable to something else and sell it to the public.

.....

It is my suspicion that there is no difference in cost between tear drops or the straight flutes. I would imagine that the shop quoted the part to me based on material cost, machine time involved in the machining and anticipated tool wear. I imagine this because I didn't ask for a quote on the head with teardrop VS the flutes as designed. I didn't invent any reasoning in this issue either.

I don't presume to call any of these lights "Art" that's up to you guys.

I think the LS27 is big for an EDC but it has its merits if the size can be accepted. I consider the Makai as a more specialized light than the LS 27 and not a great candidate for typical EDC unless one needs what the Makai has to offer on a daily basis.

Perhaps I might have made more of you happier if I had gone with a tear drop. I wanted more material removed and if anything because of the specific angle I used for the path of this cut relative to the Z axis it might have been more trouble in programming than a simple tear drop plunge. :shrug: I don't know because it wasn't discussed with the machine shop.

If I failed in your opinion on artistic merit with the Makai it is not because I wanted to cut cost corners and hit a price point as you suggest and I won't let you state that without contest. I failed simply because I am a shitty artist and focus elsewhere because I know this about myself! :nana:

Welcome by the way!

 

[:)>]

I think that the Makai is simply beautiful... and I prefer the grooves in the Makai to the grooves in the LS27.

Don built the Makai for me anyway so what I think matters most:devil:

:touche:

 

[kaichu dento]

How can anyone think that is not good looking!?! But then it looks just like a C-cell Maglite doesn't it!

I may end up getting one of these before all is said and done! :naughty:

 

[Kiessling]

Isn't the head of the Makai wider in diameter than the SF LX2?
I would expect a wider head to out-throw a narrower one, even if the narrower head employs an optic instead of a reflector, so I'm not too surprised that the Makai out-throws the SF LX2.
If this was not the case, there would be no point in designing a wider head since that comes with the disadvantage of less portability.

Considerung the almost magical performance of the SF optic coupled with the power of the LX2, I was surprised. Howerver, you are right I guess. :)
I am in no point to argue on this ground though as optics and reflectors are all books with seven seals to me :D



As far as beauty goes ... for me, it is the departure from the teardrops that has some appeal and looks really good on this head. Cost is not of interest here IMHO.

 

[RIDE]

All I know is that I want one! :)

RIDE