Lunasol owners: feedback and pics

[easilyled]

Lunasol owners, please post your opinions of your new lights here.

In addition, pics of your lights (and even beamshots if possible)

I may be lucky enough to acquire one of these soon, but have not
seen as much feedback on these as I was expecting.

I thought this was perhaps because there was no specific thread
created for this purpose, so I just made one.

(Hope that's ok with the moderators)

 

[WAVE_PARTICLE]

After a few days of real world use, I must say that this light is extremely useful. To tell you the truth, I had my doubts when I was deciding to purchase because I had the Surefire PKEF which operated on a similar concept, but not as well executed as the LunaSol. The PKEF was a bit of a disappointment to me as it was overly complex and tried to do too many things. The LunaSol is much simplier, and therefore turns out to be more reliable.

The ring of Nichias is fantastic. The resultant flood of light is very even and smooth. The brightness is set at a good level, however, it would be nice if we were somehow able to have a lower level.... but then again it would take away from the simplicity of the light. If I were to choose, though, I would likely keep the brightness level of the Nichias at the current levels, as it is more useful for general use. I just wanted a lower level so that when I sneak home at 3:00am in the morning, I can move about the house without stirring the kids and the wife...especially the wife.... (just kidding).

On high, the brightness of this light exceeds that of my Ti S27 (non-mizer) by a very noticeable margin. The throw is surprisingly adequate for such a small reflector and the lack of reach is made up for by the higher output. Still, it is not a throw monster (though it was probably not designed to be) and the S27 will easily out-throw the LunaSol.

Overall, this light is an excellent addition to anybody's collection of lights. Extremely useful and has become my go-to light. Quality of build is exceptional. Not one speck of dust underneath the glass. No smudges, nicks or scratches. The twisting of the head appears to be smoother than my S27.....and the overall weight appears to be no different.

A well thought out and well executed light. Just goes to show that innovation at the McGizmo Skunkworks is alive and well and I can't wait to see what the Man has in store for us next.

I rate this the best light yet from McGizmo....

Build Quality 10
Reliability 9.5
Function 9.5
Appearance 9.0
EDC-ability 9.0
Value 9.7

Average 9.5 /10

 

[JohnTz]

In short for me it replaced two lights as my EDC. I used to carry both an A19 and a mule. The LunaSol does both. It is an excellent flood and a powerfull flashlight. I primarily use the flood 90 percent of the time. The Nichias are very white and pure. There are sometimes when I need the throw and the Cree gets the job done. I am using it with both primaries and rechargeables and it has worked flawlessly. Build quality is excellent, it is smooth and there are no machine marks that I can see. I am not as picky as some of the collectors here. I am a user and this is a great tool that I plan on keeping forever. It is now my primary light. The only thing I would bring up is that it is heavy and somewhat big, so it doesn't just fit in the pocket. I clip it to my waist band and outside. I do have a lanyard on it and I would highly recommend it, since I almost dropped it a couple of times but the lanyard saved the day. I will probably get a holdster for it since I like it so much I want to keep it looking nice. Overall it is a huge success and the best light I own. I will most likely buy a second one when they start showing up on the B/S/T forum for a backup. So go get one, you won't be sorry.

 

[jeffb]

Posted pictures an commentary in the Review section.

here


jeffb

 

[yaesumofo]

I also posted in the reviews forum have a look...
The lunasol has at least two very distinctive features which I would like point out.

One is the unusual beam. The hi mode outside is quite amazing the wide beam and spot combine to create a beam which is both unusual and very useful. The Low with it's smooth even light is as much like a mule as it isn't. The beam from the lunasol is softer and more narrow than a mule.

the other thing I would like to point out is that these lights are so extremely well finished. the surface on mine is superfine and smooth. Look at the image in my first impression which is a detail of one of the flutes. Theses areas are so well machined. Heck the whole light is well machined. Like I said and also like the PD the lunasol is an instant classic.
Yaesumofo

 

[easilyled]

Thanks for the feedback guys. :thumbsup: Keep 'em coming.

Sounds like one heck of a light.

 

[WAVE_PARTICLE]

The Low with it's smooth even light is as much like a mule as it isn't. The beam from the lunasol is softer and more narrow than a mule

That's a good point to make. Although I do not have a mule to compare to, I think the LunaSol's "soft" light in low mode has to do with the fact that there are six sources of light which helps greatly in softening the shadows. The mule, with it's single LED being a point source of light, will create rather harsh shadows...

Kinda equivalent to the hard shadows created by the sun on a hot sunny day versus the soft shadows created by an overcast sky.

Good observation.

WP

 

[jch79]

Good to hear you got one, Donald!! :wave:

 

[starfiretoo]

Good observations:thumbsup:
Initially, i too wanted a dimmer low to preserve night vision but the lack of a bright reflection from a hot spot actually helps preserve that vision. Again that lack of a hot spot works ideal for close work w/o being blinded by the hot spot.

Combining a light with choice of a flood lacking a hot spot and a bright spot light in one using the latest LED technology has raised the bar again:thumbsup:

Aleph Mule is less about compromise and more about being a portable light bulb/lantern/floodlight. Experimenter friendly, with a change of the LE different emitter/converter combinations can be configured.

 

[dcjs]

Portrait

The finish is the best I've seen from McGizmo yet, threads are smooth and tight. These appear to be
6Al4V again, which I greatly prefer over Grade 2.

Beamshots on low and high are comparable betrween lights, high and low are different camera settings though.

LunaSol low

PD-S low

LunaSol high

PD-S high

weird shot

 

[easilyled]

Mine arrived today, courtesy of a CPF friend of mine who kept
one spare and mint for me. :thumbsup:

I endorse all the prior comments about the machining. The finish
is very fine and the nicest of all my McG lights to date.

I have to wait until nightfall before I can comment on the beams,
but it appears to have an irresistible combination of ingenious design,
electronics and high calibre finish. :bow:

 

[dmdrewitt]

Mine arrived today, courtesy of a CPF friend of mine who kept
one spare and mint for me. :thumbsup:

I endorse all the prior comments about the machining. The finish
is very fine and the nicest of all my McG lights to date.

I have to wait until nightfall before I can comment on the beams,
but it appears to have an irresistible combination of ingenious design,
electronics and high calibre finish. :bow:

Glad it arrived ok easilyled :twothumbs. My other two Lunasols are keepers! I have never sold a McGizmo light yet and don't intend to start now. I consider that I purchased this on behalf of easilyled whilst he was on vacation knowing that he would want one on his return!!

David :thumbsup:

 

[easilyled]

Glad it arrived ok easilyled :twothumbs. My other two Lunasols are keepers! I have never sold a McGizmo light yet and don't intend to start now. I consider that I purchased this on behalf of easilyled whilst he was on vacation knowing that he would want one on his return!!

David :thumbsup:

It was much appreciated, my friend. :buddies:

 

[billybright]

easilyled,I'm sure i read somewhere you were going to pass on the LunaSol27:nana:...:tinfoil:...



Glad you got one! :thumbsup:

 

[easilyled]

easilyled,I'm sure i read somewhere you were going to pass on the LunaSol27:nana:...:tinfoil:...



Glad you got one! :thumbsup:

:lolsign:

I was trying to cut down billybright, but when I saw the comments and
pictures, I couldn't resist.

dmdrewitt came to the rescue as he knew I'd change my mind. :thanks:

Either he knows me better than I know myself, or maybe he just
understands the nature of addiction. :devil:

PS! Thanks for PMing me to let me know the Sales Thread had started.

 

[Eric242]

Mine arrived today as well. Right now I can´t give much feedback on the light since it is not dark yet and the fact that I own it for just about 3 hours.

Very well machined, pretty cool low with great spill => I really like that and prefer it over a low with tight hotspot.

Eric

 

[Sable]

Well, I just received my LunaSol, and I'm carrying it instead of my PD-S just to see how I like it.

The first thing is that the head isn't uncomfortable how I usually carry the light - clipped to the back of a front pocket, with the light inside the pocket. It might wear faster, but the bezel of my PD-S already wore a pretty good hole there (Time for new jeans!). The head feels smaller than a Kroma's, but I'll have to compare when I get home.

It's heavier than a PD-S (obviously), but not enough to bug me. These lights are so light anyway, but the heft feels nice in the hand. As others have mentioned, the finish is stellar - I can't find any machining marks, and the head is silky-smooth. Great stuff!

The dual-beam is something I am still getting used to - but is definitely more "useful" than the already-nearly-perfect PD-S beam. The "low" flood is fantastic for walking around at night both in the house and outside, and the throw beam has an incredible "reach out and touch" something. I'm extremely pleased.

Will it replace my PD-S? Well, I can't say yet really. My PD-S has been "nearly perfect" for me ever since I got my first Lux3 PD (then got it upgraded) - this feels like it might inch a little bit closer to that perfection.

The only complaint I'd have is that the clip on the (my) Lunasol 27 is really stiff! I'm certain it will wear in some, but holy crow! This thing will never let go of where you clip it, which is both great and a little frustrating... :thinking:

And, of course. it looks damn cool. The multi-LED face and the bezel just look great. Stupendous work and design.

 

[McGizmo]

....

The only complaint I'd have is that the clip on the (my) Lunasol 27 is really stiff! I'm certain it will wear in some, but holy crow! This thing will never let go of where you clip it, which is both great and a little frustrating... :thinking:

.....

Thanks for all of your comments and observations. I pulled the one out by itself as it is something I should comment on myself and thanks for bringing this up. When I put the final form bend (the radius where the clip seats on the light) in, I also take some of the "pre tension" out of the clip but not as much as I used to do. I have a stop in place which allows me to be consistent from clip to clip but these are tight! It is relatively easy to remove pretension by the user whereas you would have to remove the clip to put it back in. I personally rely on the clip completely as the light is clipped to the outside on my waist and I don't want the clip letting go. Some of you will be much happier if you lift the clip off the body of the light beyond its memory and thus loosen its clamping force.

 

[Sable]

It's taken me all of a day to adjust to the stiffer clip. It doesn't bug me anymore - and boy, it really does hold on. I rely almost entirely on the clip, so having it stronger can only be good for the way I carry the light - so good on ya!

I am continuing to very much enjoy the Lunasol. Hope to play with it more once the sun goes down again.

 

[yaesumofo]

I have been EDCing the Lunasol at work now for about a week.
The light is just right.
The ring beam is perfect for me to see the mixer faders in the dark and the Cree beam is perfect for when I need to look for the end of a cable or some part of tool.
There are times when I sort of wish the light had more dynamic range ( a lower low and a higher high). I wouldn't mind a more complex UI in order to take full advantage of the abilities of the two different light sources.
AS it is it is like having two lights in one easy to use package.

Fortunately mu lunasol will not end up being a shelf queen. The lunasol is just too practical to bo so unfortunate.
The Lunasol is a user, beater, keeper, being that it is a tool grade flashlight it deserves to be used as such.
I have also found that the runtime is quite sufficient for every day use.
I have yet to run out of light after days of regular use. I feed a fresh RCR123 in the morning.
I like the form factor. I was fearful that the 27mm head was going to turn out to be a liability for me. I did not do well with the xr27c I used to own this was a problem due to the combination of the length of the body combined with the size of the head.
The Lunasol being a bit shorter works better for me. Much better.
I currently carry the Lunasol on a lanyard around my neck. I was a bit concerned that it was going to be too heavy. In Every day use I have not actually found the weight to be any sort of issue at all.
All in all Between the Lunasol and my Surefire E1B as the two lights I EDC I have just about every base covered. and am very happy with them as a combination.
The lunasol has not disappointed my in any way shape or form.
I look forward (as usual) to whatever Don has up his sleeve. I have decided that the lunasol along with the other TI and aluminum Mcgizmo lights are enough for now until Don's next COMPLETE flashlight comes out.
The Lunasol is a very good flashlight.
Yaesumofo