Review: Bi-Focal M*g Reflector by FiveMega

[RichS]

I got my FM bi-focal M*g reflector tonight, and decided to test it out and take some shots. I compared it to my Litho LOP reflector, which is also a stock sized reflector.

It didn't dissapoint! It absolutely cleaned up the beam of my Mag85, and created a much tighter hotspot. I really like the compact nature of this reflector design, and it's nice to be able to go SMO without all the artifacts! The FM deep reflector is very nice, but I just couldn't get used to the added length to the Mag head which kind of looked "stretched". This on the other hand lets you keep that stock look, while it cleans up the beam almost as well as the FM deep reflector IMO, but might provide a little less throw, which is to be expected.

So here we go..


Installed in my Mag85

Next to the Litho LOP #2

Here's a couple of white wall shots to compare beam patterns:

Litho LOP #2 (Left) / FM Bi-Focal (Right) - 1/100 sec exposure

Litho LOP #2 (Left) / FM Bi-Focal (Right) - 1/1000 sec exposure

Beamshot on house at 50 yards (ISO-100/1 second/white balance daylight)

Litho LOP #2

FM Bi-Focal

Here is a comparison beamshot at 140 yards (ISO 200/3sec/daylight white balance)

Control Shot

FM Bi-Focal Reflector

Litho LOP #2

Here are animated Gifs of above images:

I hope someone finds this helpful!

-Rich

 

[jugg2]

Wow, that's really impressive!

 

[Crenshaw]

So, is the hotspot more or less intense compared to the litho?

Crenshaw

 

[Sgt. LED]

Looks less intense but way cleaner.

On this crappy monitor anyway.

 

[ANDREAS FERRARI]

Thank you for these shots.I know several other people besides myself were looking for shots of this reflector in action.:thumbsup:

 

[BSBG]

Great comparison pics.

After buying 3 of the new deep reflectors, I really like them but as you note the extra length looks odd, especially on a 'sleeper' light. I am glad I ordered a couple of these now.

 

[Billy Ram]

That one looks like it was worth the effort. Very clean, round hot spot with out the extra length and close to the same throw as the deep reflector.
Billy

 

[RichS]

So, is the hotspot more or less intense compared to the litho?

Crenshaw

The hotspots seemed very close to my eye, almost too close to call. That's one reason why I took the 1/1000 second exposure. The only problem is the Mag85 beam is so intense you really can't take a fast enough exposure...it about blinded me shining it on the wall..

I think I'll try putting a couple of the comparison shots in animated gif format for a closer comparison.

 

[Aircraft800]

The hotspot looks much cleaner, but from the field shot, seems to have more spill. Is this what you observe? It also looks like the trees are getting more light from the Litho, but that clean beam pattern of the Bi-Focal may be a necessary evil :devil: no more bat-wing!

Great work, thanks for the review!

 

[Dioni]

Nice Beamshots! :thumbsup:

Bi-focal reflector make a pretty round hotspot. It maybe looks less intensive and provide a little less throw, but as you said that was expected once that was not the case.
On the other hand, extinguished the "bat-wings" on the beam. Great!

Thanks Rich for review!

 

[RichS]

Thanks for the nice comments.

I added animated gifs to the OP. I have to say I'm amazed how well the bi-focal reflector works to eliminate that crazy batwing shape of the 1185. The fact that it retains an SMO finish as well as the size of a stock reflector is a testiment to FM's ingenuity. Keep in mind - the Litho reflector has quite a bit more texturing than the FM, but the FM still smooths out the beam 1000% better due to the two parabolas.

Maglite needs to buy this design from FM for lots of $$$$ and patent it...

 

[RyanA]

Man it's a bummer that the WA1164 isn't made any more. I've got a Tri-Bored mag that's dying for this reflector and an incan regulator.

 

[BSBG]

Man it's a bummer that the WA1164 isn't made any more. I've got a Tri-Bored mag that's dying for this reflector and an incan regulator.

litho123 was going to order a bunch of these in August from the final production run. I have some on order, still waiting.

 

[Alan B]

Man it's a bummer that the WA1164 isn't made any more. I've got a Tri-Bored mag that's dying for this reflector and an incan regulator.

With a good incan regulator you won't need many bulbs. They last much longer with soft start and intensity control especially when run at less that full overdrive much of the time.

 

[^^Nova^^]

Anyone tried this with the ROP bulbs yet? I'm hoping the bulbs will go far enough into the reflector to focus nicely. Looks awesome with the WA bulbs.

Cheers,
Nova

 

[LuxLuthor]

Rich, nice job. I'm still trying to decide if I like the pro's and con's of this new reflector.

litho123 was going to order a bunch of these in August from the final production run. I have some on order, still waiting.

Litho has had the final 1164's in stock for a couple months. I got a bunch from him months ago from the last order he placed. Don't know how many he has left, or why you are still waiting on some.

 

[SneakyCyber]

Now I'm really anxious to finish my MAG85. Waiting on Black friday to pick up my Host then I just need my eneloops and charger.

 

[Jarski]

Anyone tried this with the ROP bulbs yet? I'm hoping the bulbs will go far enough into the reflector to focus nicely. Looks awesome with the WA bulbs.

Cheers,
Nova

Indeed this would be nice to be confirmed.

 

[es2qy]

Looks amazing!

 

[Sgt. LED]

I will be confirming the ROP joy by the end of the day.
Stay tuned!