Hello from a light Noob...

[I'mGatMan!]

After lurking for a good while and being TOTALLY overwhelmed by all of the techspeak, I've decided to join up and dive right in.

My name is Jason, and I'm a big child. I like cool things, and especially well-made cool things. I've been a member over at BladeForums for awhile, and while spending time there and over at with the Toxic Goats, I've developed a serious lust for Don's pieces of art. In short, I love Ti, and want a few McGizmos, but know NOTHING about the language you people all speak so fluently.

What the hell is a piston in terms of a flashlight? What is a light engine? A McClicky? Yeh...I know...after spending a lot of time collecting Busse Combat knives and hanging around with fellow Hogs, I realize there is a lof of jargon that gets picked up in just hanging around. However, I would REALLY appreciate it if any of you fine light fiends could guide/direct me to a place where an complete NOOB such as myself can start learning your dialeact. Please...assume I'm an idiot...which isn't really that hard to do once you get to know me.

I'm really looking forward to learning more, and hopefully picking up some more quality pieces of kit. Got my guns and knives in order...the lights are next.

Thanks,

Jason

 

[KeyGrip]

A piston is part of the switch system on lights like the McG LunaSol. When you push the button on the back of the light, you are actually pushing a metal cylinder that extends through the body of the light to the head. The edge of that cylinder makes contact with part of the head, and you complete the circut and turn on the light. Note that this is a very simplified explanation, and that people who actually own one of these lights will post with more detail and experience.


A light engine is the combination of electronics + LED that goes in the head of the flashlight. Most LED lights these days use some sort of circut to control output and/or the switching of levels. These circuts are commonly refered to as "drivers."

A McClickly is a tailcap switch made by McGizmo. You press a little bit for momentary light, or press further until the switch "clicks" and the light is constantly on. Think of a Maglite switch, but on the butt end of the light.

 

[Zeruel]

And check out The Welcome Mat.

 

[Barefootone]

Jason :welcome: ,

If you desire to become a Flashaholic you have certainly come to the right place. There are lots of good folks here that will share their knowledge with you and as suggested check out
The Welcome Mat.

It's fun lighting up your small part of the world lovecpf.

 

[I'mGatMan!]

Thanks for the info, people. The Welcome Mat was exactly the kinda link I was looking for. Now I just need to take the time to read throught the whole thing.

Jason :welcome: ,

If you desire to become a Flashaholic you have certainly come to the right place. There are lots of good folks here that will share their knowledge with you and as suggested check out
The Welcome Mat.

It's fun lighting up your small part of the world lovecpf.

I wouldn't say that I'm looking to become a flashaholic, but I AM a man who likes to buy well the first time so as to not have to buy again anytime soon. On top of that, I love when I get a piece that is crafted by hand and I can tell there's been time and attention to detail applied. That's worth extra money to me.

In folding knives, I really appreciate Rick Hinderer's XM-18
In Fixed Blades, it's Busse Combat
M4's, it's LMT or Noveske
etc, etc, etc...

 

[jch79]

I wouldn't say that I'm looking to become a flashaholic...

Jason,

:welcome:

You can't buy one of Don's lights and NOT become a flashaholic - it's just not possible.
Here's my advice: never come back to CPF again. :duck: But if you decide to stay, welcome to the family. :nana:

:thumbsup: john

 

[Crash]

Welcome, Gatman.

Don's lights are revolutionary as well as innovative in many respects so it is easy to be confused by the variety available. In addition to the Welcome Mat mentioned already, look at the sticky threads at the beginning of this forum and you'll be able to follow the evolution of Don's brilliance. Almost all of Don's lights offer different combinations of strong points that fit an enormous range of end user needs. It is likely that one particular light may not offer you an instrument that fits a particular need that you have defined. Even Don recognizes that the design criteria for some of his creations may have a narrow appeal. However, it is extremely unlikely that at least one of his lights will not satisfy whatever your needs are with very few compromises.

The bad news is that buying one of Don's lights is not an end but a start because you'll have to see just what ARE the capabilities of his other lights.

Good Luck! The fun is just beginning.

Bill S.

 

[Barefootone]

Welcome, Gatman.

Don's lights are revolutionary as well as innovative in many respects so it is easy to be confused by the variety available. In addition to the Welcome Mat mentioned already, look at the sticky threads at the beginning of this forum and you'll be able to follow the evolution of Don's brilliance. Almost all of Don's lights offer different combinations of strong points that fit an enormous range of end user needs. It is likely that one particular light may not offer you an instrument that fits a particular need that you have defined. Even Don recognizes that the design criteria for some of his creations may have a narrow appeal. However, it is extremely unlikely that at least one of his lights will not satisfy whatever your needs are with very few compromises.

The bad news is that buying one of Don's lights is not an end but a start because you'll have to see just what ARE the capabilities of his other lights.

Good Luck! The fun is just beginning.

Bill S.

Bill S,

Very well put and I find your point of view exactly where I started back in 2003 when I first discovered CPF and Don's fantastic lights.

It has been a constant learning experience and a lot of fun watching Don's lights evolve and progress into such sophisticated light tools.

Gatman, your in for a lot of fun and quite possibly the start of an expensive hobby :naughty:, beware :laughing:.

Enjoy,

Jeff

 

[I'mGatMan!]

Jason,

:welcome:

You can't buy one of Don's lights and NOT become a flashaholic - it's just not possible.
Here's my advice: never come back to CPF again. :duck: But if you decide to stay, welcome to the family. :nana:

:thumbsup: john

Ahh...but you've obviously never heard of Busse Combat Knives, or else you'd know that I already know what it's like to be sucked into a swirling vortex of addiction and melting credit cards.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm29/Prozepoetik/IMG_3882.jpg

[over-size image replaced by link - DM51]

Okay, so what I'm looking for FIRST is a good all-arounder. Something small (and prefferable Ti) with a pocket clip, that I can use as an EDC, and keep with me at work (I'm a teacher). I want it to have a crenellated bezel (prefferably Ti, again).

As for actual light capabilities, again, I want it to be an all-arounder. Something I can use to walk around my yard at night, or search my car, or for when something goes bump in the night. Any suggestions on what to look into? I like the form-factor of the Lunasol 20(?) and the Sundrop 3S.

 

[Crash]

For me, it is Chris Reeve Sebenzas for EDC, William Henry automatics for dress up "gentleman's use" and Microtech dual -action, single-side OTF for rapid deployment.

You can see that we all have multiple addictions. Oh by the way I have 9 of Don's lights and use all of them for different "missions".

Bill S.

 

[I'mGatMan!]

For me, it is Chris Reeve Sebenzas for EDC, William Henry automatics for dress up "gentleman's use" and Microtech dual -action, single-side OTF for rapid deployment.

You can see that we all have multiple addictions. Oh by the way I have 9 of Don's lights and use all of them for different "missions".

Bill S.

I just got a Sebenza...actually, I bought it for my wife's OBGYN after I saw him ogling my orange XM-18 at one our sonograms. Then I spoke with him last week and he mentioned being into "Tactical" solutions. Now I've got another XM-18 coming, and I've got to find something to do with the beautiful minty Sebenza. Did you say you had a few of Don's lights? I'm kinda digging the TiPD.

 

[Crash]

I do have nine of Don's lights but I didn't mean to imply that I am interested in trading them. They are all keepers for me. I only have one LS 20 that I've committed to sell.

Bill S.

 

[I'mGatMan!]

I do have nine of Don's lights but I didn't mean to imply that I am interested in trading them. They are all keepers for me. I only have one LS 20 that I've committed to sell.

Bill S.

No offense intended, brother. I will look your LS 20 up (assuming you've posted a thread.) Btw...where would I post a WTT or WTB thread around here?

Thanks

 

[Th232]

For custom lights, post in the Custom & Mod BST that I think you've already found, for production lights, head on over to the Marketplace (need to sign up over there as well), separate sections for trading and buying over there.

 

[loszabo]

Welcome to CPF. Here are the most important things to learn:

= batch of McGizmo's / Spy007 is closed.

= we all know that symbol.

:tinfoil: = I like Muyshondt, Neoseikan, and others.

= You bought a non-CR123A light?

:candle: = I only have seven SureFire flashlights.

 

[I'mGatMan!]

For custom lights, post in the Custom & Mod BST that I think you've already found, for production lights, head on over to the Marketplace (need to sign up over there as well), separate sections for trading and buying over there.

Is the custom B/S/T where I would go if I wanted to post a thread offering non-light fodder of my own in search of a custom light?

 

[Th232]

Erm... that's actually a very good question. I've just PMed one of the mods, since I'd like to know the answer to that as well.

 

[DM51]

Is the custom B/S/T where I would go if I wanted to post a thread offering non-light fodder of my own in search of a custom light?

C&M B/S/T is for Custom & Modified items only. I think you would probably do better to sell your non-custom items in the appropriate forum in the MP, and then post a WTB for the custom light here.

 

[I'mGatMan!]

Thanks, DM51.

What I'm trying to find is a place where I can list a couple of knives I might want to trade for say an LS20 and LS27. I've tried on BF and USN, but where would be better than here to get a McGizmo?

Btw...thanks for all the help, people. I've spent some hour reading trough suggested threads and I've come to realize Don's got a real intuition about these wonderful devices. I'm anxious to get one in my hands.

 

[DM51]

If they are custom knives you can trade them in C&M here.