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The LunaSol 20: the new benchmark for EDC lights

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js said:
So, I've been thinking a bit more about the FM04+Ti-PD-S vs. LS20, and the more I think about it, the less thrilled I am about the former option. As brucec mentioned above, one of the main advantages of the LS20 is being able to go from low-flood to high-throw in an instant. For me this is a big deal, and fits very well with my EDC needs. So that's the big plus to the LS20 side of the equation. The plus to the FM04+Ti-PD-S side is the HIGH-flood option. There is also a low-throw option, too, but for me that is a very minor plus. The main thing for most people would be the high-flood option, which is not available in the LS20. Again, for me this wouldn't come close to outweighing the instant access to flood or throw that the LS20 provides.

Just some thoughts from my point of view, my usage patterns.
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I have found that when the low flood is too low for conditions, the high solves the problem without overpowering my field of vision with a too high of a high. Especially nice is the smooth transition between the soft spot and spill/flood of the high when dealing in light polluted environments.
 
I just wanted to bump this thread by thanking js for such a great review on such a wonderful light. I have it with me everyday and it was the first light that really captured my interest and exceeded my expectations. I lusted after one for awhile and had to jump in with both feet when I saw the master wouldn't churn more out after this most recent wave. I'm so glad I did. I use it and my backup every day. There is no light more used or cherished in my collection.
 
jblackwood,

Thanks! The LS20 is indeed a special light!

The Mad Scotsman,

Glad you liked the review. And I'm glad you like your LD10! It's WAAAAY easier on Ye Olde Wallet, as it were. So, if you prefer it, so much the better for you! Beauty/eye/beholder/that sort of thing. Sadly, some of us prefer crazy expensive titanium custom lights. Ah well, what can you do? You like what you like.
 
JS... I do not know that I will ever actually buy a LunaSol, but I now have a deep appreciation for it. Sometimes I wonder if actually buying the dream "watch, car, light" can ever be as sweet as "dreaming" of owning one.

Nevertheless, yours was the most captivating review I have ever read here...and the light has definetely made my "dream" list.

Thanks,

brad
 
The Mad Scotsman said:
I hear you man. Absolutely nothing wrong with paying for 10 flashlights and getting one.
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Ahhhh. I see how you are! Just couldn't resist putting in a little dig there, could you?

Allow me to just point out that not all flashlights are created equal, so it doesn't do you much good to have 10 of them you don't like, does it? The point isn't about how many you have, or can get--not for me anyway. The point is getting the one(s) you really want and love. Here enter personal preference and usage needs as well as considerations of aesthetics and other such subjective considerations, as well as how much money you are willing to pay for a given light.

I appreciate my LunaSol on so many levels and in so many ways, and I experience these things almost every day, as I carry my LunaSol every day. The light was made by my friend, McGizmo, in a small batch of lights--the first such batch in fact. My LunaSol is special. Even if a person wanted one today, right now, at any price, he or she may not be able to get one. All of these things combine so that, FOR ME, my LunaSol 20 was worth every penny. More than worth every penny. I would not sell it for any price, and I feel lucky and honored to own it.

If you don't understand this and if this isn't your take or your cup of tea, that's fine. You're free to buy whatever lights you want at whatever price you feel is appropriate. I leave you to it. Go in peace with my blessing!

I only ask that you please grant me the same concession, free of dubious or back-handed comments.
 
js said:
Ahhhh. I see how you are! Just couldn't resist putting in a little dig there, could you?

Allow me to just point out that not all flashlights are created equal, so it doesn't do you much good to have 10 of them you don't like, does it? The point isn't about how many you have, or can get--not for me anyway. The point is getting the one(s) you really want and love. Here enter personal preference and usage needs as well as considerations of aesthetics and other such subjective considerations, as well as how much money you are willing to pay for a given light.

I appreciate my LunaSol on so many levels and in so many ways, and I experience these things almost every day, as I carry my LunaSol every day. The light was made by my friend, McGizmo, in a small batch of lights--the first such batch in fact. My LunaSol is special. Even if a person wanted one today, right now, at any price, he or she may not be able to get one. All of these things combine so that, FOR ME, my LunaSol 20 was worth every penny. More than worth every penny. I would not sell it for any price, and I feel lucky and honored to own it.

If you don't understand this and if this isn't your take or your cup of tea, that's fine. You're free to buy whatever lights you want at whatever price you feel is appropriate. I leave you to it. Go in peace with my blessing!

I only ask that you please grant me the same concession, free of dubious or back-handed comments.
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Right on!!!

The way you feel about your LunaSol is EXACTLY how I feel about my McGizmo Haiku!!!! I carry it every day, and it even stays in my PJ pockets when I sleep.
 
TKC said:
Right on!!!

The way you feel about your LunaSol is EXACTLY how I feel about my McGizmo Haiku!!!! I carry it every day, and it even stays in my PJ pockets when I sleep.
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Indeed! This is exactly what I'm talking about! It's one of those intangibles you can't really put a price on. For me, this sort of ownership experience is priceless.

Now, sometimes, hoping to have such an experience, you pay a lot of money and are dissatisfied and disappointed. You were expecting a love affair and you don't even get a crush. A total let down, relatively speaking. So, you move on. You sell your light or knife or gadget that you paid so much money for and chaulk it up to experience.

But sometimes . . . if you're lucky . . . you hit the jackpot! And you experience something so special that you forget all about the money you paid out, and past let-downs, and you just bask in the joy of owning what is, for you, a near-perfect flashlight, or knife, or etc.

For many, a McGizmo titanium light is indeed that jackpot experience. Which is why Don's lights are so sought after and coveted. There's just something about them. I don't have the spare coin to collect Don's lights, and at the moment I own only the LunaSol 20, but I can say for sure that if I ever--God forbid--lost my LunaSol, I would buy another from B/S/T in a second at pretty much any price. At this point, I just couldn't be without an LS20, despite the admittedly high price of ownership.

In other words: worth every penny.
 
I have a LS20 and I also have a Al PD-S and even though their are newer emitters out there I still love my PD-S. Don's lights are still my favourite aesthetically as well as in terms of form and function.
 
js said:
Indeed! This is exactly what I'm talking about! It's one of those intangibles you can't really put a price on. For me, this sort of ownership experience is priceless.

Now, sometimes, hoping to have such an experience, you pay a lot of money and are dissatisfied and disappointed. You were expecting a love affair and you don't even get a crush. A total let down, relatively speaking. So, you move on. You sell your light or knife or gadget that you paid so much money for and chaulk it up to experience.

But sometimes . . . if you're lucky . . . you hit the jackpot! And you experience something so special that you forget all about the money you paid out, and past let-downs, and you just bask in the joy of owning what is, for you, a near-perfect flashlight, or knife, or etc.

For many, a McGizmo titanium light is indeed that jackpot experience. Which is why Don's lights are so sought after and coveted. There's just something about them. I don't have the spare coin to collect Don's lights, and at the moment I own only the LunaSol 20, but I can say for sure that if I ever--God forbid--lost my LunaSol, I would buy another from B/S/T in a second at pretty much any price. At this point, I just couldn't be without an LS20, despite the admittedly high price of ownership.

In other words: worth every penny.
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I am with you!!! God forbid should my beloved Haiku disappear, I would sell other lights and or knives to replace it!!

YES, worth EVERY penny.
 
js

I 'blame you' and 'credit you', but that's a good thing! I mentioned in another thread the following comments:

Then, after reading this long review from js, I had to find out what all the fuss was about. No LS20s available from 'the man', so I did further research and ended up instead buying a Haiku straight from Don. All the minutia about lumens and throw and all that other stuff kinda went out the window - this light just blew me away with its design, simplicity, quality and usefulness. I gushed. Next was a CREEmator - my friend bondr006 helped me connect with Scott, who quickly fulfilled my request for a conversion of one of my E1Bs...had to have a McClicky pack to host it 🙂o), then I bought Karl's 2x with the Mirageman head. Merry Christmas to me!! Sold off some of the 'other' lights I had to ease my guilt, hanging on to 5 Surefires and a ti Quark, JB M1X and a few other odds and ends.
Frankly, I could be satisfied for everything I need a light for with the Haiku, Creemator/McClicky, and MirageMan/McClicky, but I couldn't get that LS20 review out of my head. I don't own a McGizmo PD light, and that LS20 just looks so cool! So, put the WTB out and Senna94 came through.

And now 12 other lights just sit idle. 2 of the Surefire's have great drop ins - a Malkoff M60F in a C2, and a Nailbender SST-50 in a 6P. Great lights - just don't use 'em...
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I can't wait to get my LS20 - hopefully it'll show up early next week. Let's just say that if I am close to as satisfied with it as I am the Haiku, I'll be a happy camper.

Funny thing - and you mentioned this in your review - there has yet to be any "post purchase dissonance" after buying my Haiku or either of the McClicky paks. I expect that it will be the same with the LS20. As I wrote in my review of the Haiku, it's like my 23 year old Rolex - it's not flashy, but it does the job in a very useful and satisfying way, and interestingly is worth much more today than when I bought it. And it screams "quality and craftsmanship"...

Just my $.02....

:thumbsup:
 
I know this thread is old, but geez you did a great job of putting into words a lot of the reasons why I carry a light and care so much about how it works and how it was made. Excellent job.
 
What is the useful range of the low beam? Is it bright enough for walking around outside at night?

I envision using the low beam for dog walking and such and the high beam for spotting things at a distance.
 
tsl said:
What is the useful range of the low beam? Is it bright enough for walking around outside at night?

I envision using the low beam for dog walking and such and the high beam for spotting things at a distance.
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I would say the low beam is good for finding things in the near field (2-3
feet) and when you need to be discrete. The high beam would be more
appropriate for dog walking I'd think. Unless you live in an exceptionally
dark area..
 
Doesn't matter much when there's not going to be any more of them. :sigh:

I miss the PD lights and wish I had discovered the flashlight hobby early enough to get in on the original waves. The premiums the used PDs command is sick.
 
tsl said:
What is the useful range of the low beam? Is it bright enough for walking around outside at night?

I envision using the low beam for dog walking and such and the high beam for spotting things at a distance.
Click to expand...

I find it's bright enough for walking around at night, but I don't mind not seeing far afield most of the time. And when I (or when one) wants to see farther, you can just jump to the high beam for some throw. But, like I say, I suspect most people would feel the need to have the high beam on constant. It depends on your preferences.
 
js said:
I find it's bright enough for walking around at night, but I don't mind not seeing far afield most of the time. And when I (or when one) wants to see farther, you can just jump to the high beam for some throw. But, like I say, I suspect most people would feel the need to have the high beam on constant. It depends on your preferences.
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Jim, I have a 4 flats A2 with white LEDs. How does the low on the LS20 compare to the low on the A2?
 
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