Longbow anodizing Q

[Niteowl]

I recently received a Micra in black. The tailcap and body are a stunning matte black, while the head assembly has an almost polished finish.

I had sent back a Micra with the natural HA because the head/body was very light and the tailcap was a very dark green.

Is this the norm for Longbow? I realize there is going to be some variance with HA finishes, but why put something together with such marked differences.

I really dig the matte black of the body/tailcap, and they match perfectly! The shiny head assembly kills the look IMO. I like the design of the light, and thought it would be good to have something I can compare other lights to that many CPF members seem to have. Even though I have already aquired a reflector/lens kit for the Micra (not installed), I don't know that I want to keep it.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Mark

 

[TORCH_BOY]

I have a Longbow Micra and the color is the same on both the head, body and tailcap.

 

[rycen]

My stock head and booster head are smooth and polished.

 

[RonnieBarlow]

I own three Micras, one being black in color. It's got a matte finish on the body and tailcap, and a more polished-looking finish on the head. Do I care? Not really.

My two OD Micras are almost identical in finish throughout the light.

It's not a LongBow issue; it's an HA process issue. Ever own a SureFire? Good luck finding one with a consistent finish.

 

[Niteowl]

I'm well aware of the HA process and the variation involved. Still a minimal effort could be made to get things close. I have a couple SF's and they each have three, four shades to them, but it's not drastic by any means.

Sure, the look won't affect the performance. I happen to appreciate the asthetics of the Micra, and the polished head kills the look. Some things, like knives and lights, cars and trucks, women.... get my attention with their style. Naturally, performance is important also. If either one is lacking I'll usually pass on the item. Performance does carry more weight than looks and may over-ride a poor visual impression. Often, I don't care how something looks, as long as it gets the job done. Um....bartime would be a good example....

In a nutshell, I'm one anal S.O.B. and I'm not happy with my Micra's look. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rant.gif

Mark

 

[RonnieBarlow]

[ QUOTE ]
Niteowl said:
In a nutshell, I'm one anal S.O.B. and I'm not happy with my Micra's look. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rant.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/sssh.gif

Perhaps you should post a WTB message on the B/S/T Forum. I'm sure someone has one that would meet your expectations.

 

[Niteowl]

[ QUOTE ]
Niteowl said:
.....Performance does carry more weight than looks and may over-ride a poor visual impression....

[/ QUOTE ]

WallaceD,

I haven't put the IMS reflector in yet so I'm reserving final judgment until I get around to it.

I'm mainly interested in finding out if my experience is common. I figured the black would be a safer bet. If I had gotten an OD one with a finish like yours, I'd be smiling right now, and not ranting about something silly like my Micra's finish. I'm supposed to have a twisty coming because of a error in the exchange. Curious to see how it looks.

Mark

 

[RonnieBarlow]

The reflector/UCL combo is a must for the Micra, IMO.

Two of my Micras have UCLs and the IMS reflector. This combination provides lots of useful, smooth sidespill and a smaller, round hotspot.

One Micra has the stock optic and a UCL-LDF. This combo actually works quite well. The sidespill is smaller, but the hotspot is larger and no longer has the stock "square diamond" shape.

Aten Imägo actually has the best beamshot comparison I've seen. It clearly shows the differences between the stock optic and the reflector. Check this page, about halfway down the page.

If you want some good photos of the OD Micras, check here. A fellow named hrbngr is selling a couple in the B/S/T forum, and has provided some outstanding macro photos of both a twistie Micra and clickie Micra. I would say their appearance is typical of most Micras.