I remember reading and asking questions in some threads about polishing the McFlood in this forum. Thanks to all. So, hope this is the right place to post this.
Darkzero polished two McFloods for me, including a custom ground unit by Jets22.
In one word: 'WOW!' Way exceeding expectations.
The difference is absolutely striking. To the naked eye, the polish looks absolutely perfect mirror finish. Looks like polished chrome which really floored me because I had no idea that aluminum could be polished up to be so reflective.
I have not compared a non-polished and polished one in a flashlight side by side but this I can tell for sure after installing a polished unit in a Jets22 flashlight:
a. Much stronger hotspot in the middle for some reason. I believe the polishing took some material out and reshaped the reflector. Still the same wide area coverage.
b. Absolutely no rings at all with a HD luxeon. Smoooooth even lighting with one nice hotspot.
c. Color is much whiter. The unpolished McFlood is not yellow but makes a white beam just a bit 'creamy' color. Polished, the beam is just white - the same color as a good collimator.
I never realized how 'matte' and 'cream colored' the regular McFlood is until I saw both sideby side. No doubt this reflects more light but I have no tool to quantify the differential. Gut level, I'd say a visually noticeable difference corresponding to the visual difference between the reflectors which is significant.
Here is a photo with one caveat - the photo does not come close to showing the difference. I took a bunch but it just doesn't show. One is nice satin metal finish and the other is chrome like. (Note: This is NOT a criticism of the stock McFlood, but a rave of the Darkzero polished unit.)
Sample photo
Obviously, stock on the left and polished (with some dust) on the right.
Hope this is useful info.
Moses
Darkzero polished two McFloods for me, including a custom ground unit by Jets22.
In one word: 'WOW!' Way exceeding expectations.
The difference is absolutely striking. To the naked eye, the polish looks absolutely perfect mirror finish. Looks like polished chrome which really floored me because I had no idea that aluminum could be polished up to be so reflective.
I have not compared a non-polished and polished one in a flashlight side by side but this I can tell for sure after installing a polished unit in a Jets22 flashlight:
a. Much stronger hotspot in the middle for some reason. I believe the polishing took some material out and reshaped the reflector. Still the same wide area coverage.
b. Absolutely no rings at all with a HD luxeon. Smoooooth even lighting with one nice hotspot.
c. Color is much whiter. The unpolished McFlood is not yellow but makes a white beam just a bit 'creamy' color. Polished, the beam is just white - the same color as a good collimator.
I never realized how 'matte' and 'cream colored' the regular McFlood is until I saw both sideby side. No doubt this reflects more light but I have no tool to quantify the differential. Gut level, I'd say a visually noticeable difference corresponding to the visual difference between the reflectors which is significant.
Here is a photo with one caveat - the photo does not come close to showing the difference. I took a bunch but it just doesn't show. One is nice satin metal finish and the other is chrome like. (Note: This is NOT a criticism of the stock McFlood, but a rave of the Darkzero polished unit.)
Sample photo
Obviously, stock on the left and polished (with some dust) on the right.
Hope this is useful info.
Moses
