Finally Got My GRAIL!! -- McGizmo PD-S

[RichS]

I have admired the McGizmo PD-S light ever since I found CPF back in 2007. It was, and still is to me the prototypical McGizmo and grail of all lights. I did buy one of his Haiku's, but sold it later as it just didn't look and feel like the McGizmo I always wanted - even though it was an amazing light. It doesn't matter that this isn't the brightest, doesn't have the latest emitter or latest tech...it is still the ultimate EDC to me. I just got lucky enough to find one that is in new condition, just as if I had purchased it directly from one of Don's waves..

I hope Toon doesn't mind, but I borrowed the below awesome pics from his sales thread as it is still in the mail on its way to me..

So I searched (trust me), but I couldn't find all the specs to this light anywhere. Lots of information about it, but not all the specs I am looking for. For instance, what kind of lens does it have (UCL, sapphire, etc.)? What is the input voltage? Does it recognize RCR vs. Primary? etc. If someone could forward me a link to a thread with all the specs that would be awesome!

I just had to share the enjoyment of this with you all as I wait for my grail to arrive. No one else would understand my excitement over the purchase of a flashlight...

-Rich

 

[dbleznak]

Mazel Tov!!! It's the best feeling in the word, knowing that you finally found your GRAIL!!!!!!!

 

[carrot]

The PD-S is one of the best lights in the world. Congrats and enjoy!

 

[JustinFournier]

Grats on your grail acquisition! Not sure if this is going to do much to answer all your technical questions, but a couple is better than none and pics, well it can't hurt!

Simple titanium "twisty" version based on the McLuxIII- PD:

Next to the PD's:

The "T" has a separate aluminum heat sink which is clamped into its seat in the Ti head along with the converter PCB. The heat sink is bedded in place with an efficient thermal grease and both the sink and converter can be removed at any time after undoldering the two LED lead wires. Future modifications with newer LED's is possible with no alteration to the titanium host.

A 2 mm thick sapphire window as used in the PD is also in the T package and behind a crenelated Ti bezel ring. Titanium fasteners mount the titanium clip to the CR123 battery tube. The T will run on CR123 or R123 cells and the converter is the same Wiz2x2 converter that is used in the PD. The drive levels are approximately 20 mA and 525 mA. Some thermal evaluations point to adequate thermal relief of the LED in typical applications and use.

The head to tube O-ring seal as well as the window O-ring seal in this light will allow for submersion under water with no ill effect provided proper attention and maintenance of seals and sealing surfaces are addressed. The T will handle the wild outdoors with no problem.

---

Some additional images of the T after some customizing:

 

[PoliceScannerMan]

I have had My Ti PD-S for over 7 years now. I don't carry it much anymore, but every now and then I do. It is a great light and McGizmo's best ever light IMO. Congrats!!!

 

[archimedes]

Congrats !

Here are links for more info ...

https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/85527

&

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?143519

 

[Toons]

Congratulations Rich! And thank you. I am very pleased my former charge will be in the hands of someone who will appreciate it and enjoy it as much as I have!

Very nice links Archimedes :thumbsup:
Those should get Rich going!

:thanks: Guys! and a little nod to Don....:nana:

 

[RichS]

Wow - thanks for all the kinds words! I am so stoked about this...I knew you guys would celebrate with me..

Justin - thanks so much for all the technical info and those pics...oh my......

archimedes - very helpful links! I've got some reading to do....

Don (and Toons) - you made it happen! :wave:

So just curious - did Don McLeish start any threads on the PD light to discuss his thoughts when he was creating it, or working through protos, gathering feedback, etc? I thought it would be interesting to see what he said about the light when he was in the process of designing it..

One other question - I think I'm going to use Krytox lube from the Sandwich Shoppe for my Ti threads for smooth function/wear resistance. Any concerns with this?

Thanks again all!

-Rich

 

[Tim W]

One other question - I think I'm going to use Krytox lube from the Sandwich Shoppe for my Ti threads for smooth function/wear resistance. Any concerns with this?

-Rich

Best stuff there is for it, IMO

Enjoy, I've had mine since 2008 and although no longer use it daily, it remains my favorite light and the (probably) LAST one I would ever get rid of.

 

[RichS]

Best stuff there is for it, IMO

Enjoy, I've had mine since 2008 and although no longer use it daily, it remains my favorite light and the (probably) LAST one I would ever get rid of.

Thanks Tim - great to know about the lube. And I'm glad to hear you still consider the PD-S your favorite light after all these years.

 

[ven]

WOW Rich,astonishingly beautiful work of art..........it must be an amazing feeling owning such a beautiful light.

One day i will own one,maybe divorced or would lead to it...........but i think its worth it................just :laughing:

It gives me something to look forward to owning at some point,i would have to use it too!!! to get my value,that way i could justify the cost(not that its not worth it,just that its a lot of money to me)

Congrats:twothumbs genuinely made up for you

As mr king once said..........."i have a dream"

 

[RichS]

ven - thanks so much! I've never been this excited about a light. It is just something I always thought I'd never had, and I was in the right place at the right time when one became available. Not only that, I happened upon one in new condition - it's just like I bought one from an official wave!!

Thanks again for the congratulations!

 

[RichS]

Oh, and see my avatar?? That's gonna change soon....

 

[greatscoot]

Rich,

Congrats on your grail. I was lucky enough to pick up a PD in HA III the other day. These are truly amazing lights and the UI is one of the best I have used.

Scott

 

[RichS]

Got it! This light is simply amazing. Love the twisty one-handed operation, love the momentary options, love the ability to go from constant low to momentary high when needed.. love the size, weight, look.. I also love how easy it is to find at night when I need it! Love that little trit... believe it or not it's the first light I've had with one...

What I love so much about this light, is that it was obviously designed to be the ultimate user light. Everything about it from the flared tail to avoid drops, to the flutes on the head to make it easy to activate, to the single trit in the tail to be easy to find when needed (but not irritating at bedtime), to the size, weight, and just super simple but amazing UI and perfectly spaced levels. Yep, this light wasn't designed for the purpose of sitting on a shelf or in a display case.. (although it looks really pretty there...)

I was little surprised at the tension when going from low to high, but with the help of input from McGizmo experts I was able to ever so slightly bend down the Kilroy and now the spacing and tension from low to high is perfect.

The beam pattern on this light is about the best I have seen. I was very surprised to see how deep the reflector was in this little light. Gives the beam a lot of reach without pushing the LED very hard. Also, from a mizer edition I was expecting some very faint light, but it is much brighter on high than I expected. But, now that I have seen the upgrade thread from Geogecko I'm going to have to look into that...

Alright - I have to post a couple amateur pics...Bass needs to give me some photography lessons lol...









Thanks to Toons for giving me a great deal on a light I have always wanted, and it like-new condition from the maker! :thumbsup:

 

[ven]

WOW rich,you have made me decide though,i dont want one of these lights............





















I NEED ONE

Made up for you,i am going to have to dig deep,dig discretely and get myself one over the coming months i think!!!

Beautiful....:twothumbs:rock::bow:

 

[nfetterly]

Late to the thread- but ENJOY! I agree 100% with you as to the interface & the EDCability of the light. I have had my lights modded because I prefer a more warm to neutral tint.

 

[RichS]

Thanks guys!

Well, I've decided to get a little work done to her to bring her current. Going with a 4000K, 80 CRI XP-G2, current boost to ~850mA, and an ice blue trit.. might even go with a UCL lens for a little more output.

But I'm not even considering changing this perfect UI.

Going to be hard packing this up and sending it away....

 

[easilyled]

RichS, congratulations on your purchase of the PD-S.

I share your opinion of this being perhaps my favorite EDC light that McGizmo has produced for many of the reasons that you have touched on and more besides.

I have managed to dig up one of the McLux III PD (piston drive) original concept and design threads and its a great read.

There is more info on the specs in the Kiessling's McGizmo Product Overview Thread - you will need to scroll down some way until you see the McLuxIII-PD heading.

I approve wholeheartedly of your upgrades but I humbly suggest keeping the sapphire lens which has an anti-reflective coating. In my opinion the very small difference in light lost between this and a UCL would make no discernible difference to your eyes with the kind of output levels that you can expect with an XP-G2 driven at 850ma. The sapphire lens adds an extra touch of class and is in keeping with the bombproof nature that Don (McGizmo) intended for these beautiful lights.

 

[nfetterly]

RichS, congratulations on your purchase of the PD-S.

I approve wholeheartedly of your upgrades but I humbly suggest keeping the sapphire lens which has an anti-reflective coating. In my opinion the very small difference in light lost between this and a UCL would make no discernible difference to your eyes with the kind of output levels that you can expect with an XP-G2 driven at 850ma. The sapphire lens adds an extra touch of class and is in keeping with the bombproof nature that Don (McGizmo) intended for these beautiful lights.

Second this !!