this_is_nascar
Flashaholic
The McLux ships with the McFlood by default. The McFlood allows for a very wide flood of bright light. You can basically stand in the middle of a room and light up an entire wall with this sucker. As with me, many of you may not be quite used to this effect after using the like of the Arc LSL/LSL and some of the other Luxeon Star based LED lights.
Don't worry, there is a solution. The flexability of the McLux (not found in any other LS type light) allows you to change the optics (reflector) to achieve the "normal" beam that we're all familiar with. I am by no means technical when it comes to this stuff, so I'll speak in easy to understand terms. Quite simply, you can get an NX05 optics (basically a replacement reflector) to swap in-place of the McFlood (the reflector that comes with the McLux). The NX05 will give you the "traditional" beam that we're all familiar with.
It was very interesting comparing the McFlood to the NX05. Using the NX05 allows for a longer throw, with less flood. My next step was to compare the McLux with the NX05 to the ARC LSH-P. I used the same LSH and McLux as described in my McLux vs LSH-P (Beamshot) thread.
This is where it gets very interesting. The best way to describe the comparision between the McLux and the LSH is to think of the effect you get when comparing the SureFire P60/P61 lamp assemblies. What I mean by this is that the McLux does not throw any further than the LSH, however it produces more volume of light, which covers a larger area. You'll notice the same effect in using a P61 over a P60. It doesn't reach any further, but it has twice the area converage. I saw no noticable diference in throwing distance between the two lights, however the McLux displayed a wider beam than that of the LSH, while using the NX05 optics. It probably lit about half the area of the McFlood. This makes the McLux an incredible light for walking, hiking or general utility work. If you want to light up a room or a huge area of space, the default McFlood my be the solution for you.
All that being said, I think I'm going to keep the NX05 in my EDC McLux and the McFlood in the one that I keep on my nightstand. This light is incredible. I probably shouldn't let the cat out of the bag, however you also get an added treat by using the NX05, which is not noticably present with the McFlood. NO, I'm not telling you, so don't PM me /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif.
So, to summerize, the stock McLux with the McFlood is great for close up work and for when you need to light the largest area possible. With the NX05 optics, you have a light with the same throw of the LSH, but with at least 50% wider area of flood-light.
Don't worry, there is a solution. The flexability of the McLux (not found in any other LS type light) allows you to change the optics (reflector) to achieve the "normal" beam that we're all familiar with. I am by no means technical when it comes to this stuff, so I'll speak in easy to understand terms. Quite simply, you can get an NX05 optics (basically a replacement reflector) to swap in-place of the McFlood (the reflector that comes with the McLux). The NX05 will give you the "traditional" beam that we're all familiar with.
It was very interesting comparing the McFlood to the NX05. Using the NX05 allows for a longer throw, with less flood. My next step was to compare the McLux with the NX05 to the ARC LSH-P. I used the same LSH and McLux as described in my McLux vs LSH-P (Beamshot) thread.
This is where it gets very interesting. The best way to describe the comparision between the McLux and the LSH is to think of the effect you get when comparing the SureFire P60/P61 lamp assemblies. What I mean by this is that the McLux does not throw any further than the LSH, however it produces more volume of light, which covers a larger area. You'll notice the same effect in using a P61 over a P60. It doesn't reach any further, but it has twice the area converage. I saw no noticable diference in throwing distance between the two lights, however the McLux displayed a wider beam than that of the LSH, while using the NX05 optics. It probably lit about half the area of the McFlood. This makes the McLux an incredible light for walking, hiking or general utility work. If you want to light up a room or a huge area of space, the default McFlood my be the solution for you.
All that being said, I think I'm going to keep the NX05 in my EDC McLux and the McFlood in the one that I keep on my nightstand. This light is incredible. I probably shouldn't let the cat out of the bag, however you also get an added treat by using the NX05, which is not noticably present with the McFlood. NO, I'm not telling you, so don't PM me /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif.
So, to summerize, the stock McLux with the McFlood is great for close up work and for when you need to light the largest area possible. With the NX05 optics, you have a light with the same throw of the LSH, but with at least 50% wider area of flood-light.