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McClicky vs. Z68

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N/Apower

Enlightened
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Jul 30, 2008
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I had an NIB Z68 that was DOA. I am NOT impressed. Now I read more and more about these things just dying early in their life-span. I wnat to know:

Is the McClicky going to last?
Is it more reliable than the Z61 and Z68?
Is it, when used in the McClicky tail-cap as a unit, and installed on an E-series, water-proof like an SF clicky?

Moreover, if it lasts the first 20 or 30 clicks (I have heard of some dying right out of the box and that is why McGizmo ships 5% more than the order to suppliers/dealers.). Is it going to last for the next 5,000+ (no, im being literal here.)?
 
I've never had a McClicky go bad on me...ever

The surefire clickies...thats another story...probably 3-5 failed over last few years. SF redesigned them and they should be better.

The McClicky should be waterproof when installed correctly.
 
DaFABRICATA said:
I've never had a McClicky go bad on me...ever

The surefire clickies...thats another story...probably 3-5 failed over last few years. SF redesigned them and they should be better.

The McClicky should be waterproof when installed correctly.
Click to expand...

I bought the McCLicky/Tail-cap combo as listed on Lighthound. I want bulletproof reliability. I did not spend $1200 on an ACOG, and $400+ on a scout light to be rendered sightless because of a junk tail-cap.

I have heard the McClicky will provide a permanent solution to the search for a durable clicky. So far I hear the same on here. Thanks! (is the Z68 "new" or "old"? Mine has a metal ring and white plastic tower in the center of it. That is all I can tell just by looking at it. It died like a dog.)
 
Weird...thats the new design:thinking::ohgeez:

Make sure to call SF to get a free replacement.


BTW....I know what you mean about investing a lot to have one weak link.

Thats why I always tell people to spend the extra money and don't buy cheap crap
The last thing ANYONE needs is their light not working when they need it MOST!
 
DaFABRICATA said:
Weird...thats the new design:thinking::ohgeez:

Make sure to call SF to get a free replacement.


BTW....I know what you mean about investing a lot to have one weak link.

Thats why I always tell people to spend the extra money and don't buy cheap crap
The last thing ANYONE needs is their light not working when they need it MOST!
Click to expand...

Wierd, my friend had a Z68 go TU as well. He warned me away from the scouts b/c of that. I bought one and guess what...BAM. It clicked ONCE, now I sprayed CLP in it like crazy and it "only" messes up 1:20th of the time. Trash.

McGizmo has a reputation on this board and other places. I trust that this McClicky is worthy of his name and reputation and that it will serve me well.

PS. The SF rep told me my Z68 going TU was "rare" but offered to send a new one with NO flack, and not wanting the old one back. This sounds VERY suspicious of my occurance was "rare". I would think that if it was truly odd, that SF would want my Z68 back to see why it was full of fail.

What exactly was done to the Z68/Z61 that made them "better" than the other clicky's previous?
 
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Never had a problem with a McClicky, and I have a bunch of them.

The newest SF clicky should have 3 copper things inside instead of a silver looking disk with tabs. Never had a problem with those either, but I don't have as many as I have McClickys.

The older SF clickies had problems, especially jamming. It oculd be taken care of though.

bernie
 
Kiessling said:
Never had a problem with a McClicky, and I have a bunch of them.

The newest SF clicky should have 3 copper things inside instead of a silver looking disk with tabs. Never had a problem with those either, but I don't have as many as I have McClickys.

The older SF clickies had problems, especially jamming. It oculd be taken care of though.

bernie
Click to expand...

Do you have to take it apart to see these? I got it off a 600A (discontinued) so I MAY have gotten an old Z68?

A picture would be so awesome if one exists! Thankyou so much!
 
I've never had a problem with my McClicky and have had to replace one Surefire tail that was an older model from an e2d.

However, from a "feel" perspective, I prefer the surefire better - the McClicky seems a bit harder and deeper to click for my finger where the surefire is a more shallow and an easier click. Does that make sense? :D

I prefer the Z68 but also like the McClicky.
 
Sorry, no pic as my wife has our camera with her. No need to take it apart. You screw it off and look inside, you see the spring on a white plastic pedestal. From where the spring is mounted you see three flat bands of copper running down the pedestal and then horizontally over the (also white) plastic "bottom" towards the outer wall of the tailcap.
I am sorry for the bad description, but this is tough for my language skills :green:


The activation force of the McClicky depends on the rubber boot used (there is an older stiffer one and a newer less stiff one) and the geometry in its location, especially if the switch with boot is recessed, making it harder to press like in some older model power packs.

bernie
 
Kiessling said:
Sorry, no pic as my wife has our camera with her. No need to take it apart. You screw it off and look inside, you see the spring on a white plastic pedestal. From where the spring is mounted you see three flat bands of copper running down the pedestal and then horizontally over the (also white) plastic "bottom" towards the outer wall of the tailcap.
I am sorry for the bad description, but this is tough for my language skills :green:


The activation force of the McClicky depends on the rubber boot used (there is an older stiffer one and a newer less stiff one) and the geometry in its location, especially if the switch with boot is recessed, making it harder to press like in some older model power packs.

bernie
Click to expand...

By "screw it off and look inside" do you mean remove the tail from the flaslight body? Or do you mean remove the switch from the tail-cap housing? All the frustration in the world didn't help me do that one. I just don't have the tools. I see NO copper color anywhere on my clicky, but I just removed it from the flashlight and flipped it over and looked into it. Here is a picture. Is it new or old? Can you tell?
1qpqus.jpg


PS. I wish my German was as put-togather as your English!
 
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I meant exactly what you show in the pic. You have an "intermediate" version, not the newest. The newest doesn't have the shiny metal and the tabs at the bottom but also white plastic and the three copper bands.

Have it exchanged by SF CS is the best option I think.

bernie
 
Kiessling said:
I meant exactly what you show in the pic. You have an "intermediate" version, not the newest. The newest doesn't have the shiny metal and the tabs at the bottom but also white plastic and the three copper bands.

Have it exchanged by SF CS is the best option I think.

bernie
Click to expand...

Excellent. I was hoping that my version was inferior. *Faith restored in the product (new version)*.

Thankyou!
 
Hi NApower. I've had 2 of the type you show that have failed (It's an older model). I have never had any of the new types fail.
Yep, Surefire will send you a new one., just call!

:D
 
This clicky was one big screw-up by SF that took a long time to be ironed out. Sucked big time.
 
Good, so when my NEW clicky arrives:

It will be instantly ID-able as new.
It will not fail.5 clicks or 5,000.(is an honest 5-10K clicks within the normal life-span? Sorry, I have no idea about these things)
I will be happy.
I will have a McGizmo clicky as well, which is icing on the cake.

Right?
 
This is what should happen, yes. Although you know ... the future ... noone really is an expert for it :D
 
Was it just the Z68 or does this apply to the z48 as well? Do they use the same guts. I just checked mine after reading this post and mine is the old one as well.
 
I would not assume the new ones won't fail. My new style Z59 clicky is already starting to feel stiffer than when new, with only 10-15 clicks on it. Although my Leef/McClicky is still going strong after several months and hundreds of clicks.
 
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