I am a McLux addict. And it is getting worse.
This thread does not serve any specific purpose except to honour the Skunk Lights Gang and Wayne (dat2zip) as well as to show this marvel they have created to our new fellow flashaholics.
Skunk Lights homepage: http://www.skunklights.com
Basically the McLux is a modular multi-purpose state-of-the-art high-end device that puts out light in addition to its other features including a beauty beyond imagination.
The Beginnings
It all started with the offering of the first professionally produced CPF custom light, the McLux TK unit. TK stands for "turnkey", meaning ready to use for dummies like me who do not know a penny about soldering and other strange skills needed to make little electronic devices. It is this light:
Features:
- custom made all-aluminium components with massive head for heat-sinking
- BB400 constant current driver
- Q3-binned 1W Luxeon Star
- custom McFlood reflector, user-replaceable with optix
- glass lens
- watertight
- Kroll switch with momentary and constant on
- stands on tail
- multi-purpose tail guard with holes for lanyards, can even be screwed on stands!
- bezel-down ti-clip, numbered and engraved
- EN-plated
- completely interchangeable with SF E-series and Arc components
In addition to the TK-run, the single parts are offered for sale in the Sandwich Shoppe for those real men who know how to tinker. There you can also buy more different parts that have been introduced over time:
More Parts
Please yourself with 2x123 and even 3x123 tails to build power-hungry devices:
You want ultimate photon-management? Buy McGizmo's McLux-PR head constructed around the Pelican M6 reflector, the best alternative for good and concentrated beams with good sidespill, especially with 1W and Lux-III's. Available in HAIII black as well as bare aluminium:
This head can be built using McGizmo's E-Can also available at the Sandwich Shoppe for easier construction.
The Electronics
The McLux TK's as well as all my personal McLuxes are powered by the various regulating driver boards provided by dat2zip in his Sandwich Shoppe.
With those super-efficient tiny devices, they are fully regulated and fly higher than most other top-notch flashlights ...
Of course you can put every other regulator in the McLux or DD it.
The Evolution
Since the McLux is an ever evolving concept, there are more things to come. Unfortunately I am not a member of the Gang, so the only thing to show is a trimmed-down version of the McLux-PR head for low-power applications:
The final form factor I do not know.
Additionally a new tail design is in the works … I am already hungry! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
The Finish
The standard Finish for the McLuxes was EN-plating, but there where also some black HA parts made and distributed, like the Black Widow McLux with a red HD:
Newer parts can also be purchased in raw aluminium to do with it whatever you possibly like. If no finish is applied, they do get scratched quite quickly though. If you count yourself among the 99% of CPF who are anal guys, be careful. I like the patina of my used bare PR-Head … /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
A new possibility is TiN-Plating (done by Jets22) in a cool golden colour and great durability. I was able to get one such unit from Don, I call it the Golden Dragon McLux, and it is the most favourite light of mine of all the time:
Golden Dragon McLux with Standard Head using a DB750 R2H with a bead-blasted McFlood reflector for the ultimate flood beam
... and with a McLux-PR head with BB750 X3T for the ultimate punch.
The McLux as the ultimate art-light (light and clip by McGizmo, Tin-plating by Jets22), recently auctioned in Modders B/S/T:
Modularity
As mentioned above, the McLux parts will fit the SF E-Series and Arc parts as well as Dpeck's UBH, so an infinite number of choices is open to you:
From top left clockwise:
- McLux strandard head (BB400 1W) on 3x123 tail with 2xAA and DSpeck spacer tube
- KL3 on E2C-adaptor (McGizmo style) mated with a 2x123 tail
- McLux-PR with BB750 X3T bare aluminium on E2e body
- KL1 on 1x123 McLux tail
- TiN McLux head with DB750 R2H with bead-blasted McFlood on brass DSpeck 123-battery-extender on black E1 body
- Black McLux-PR DB700 R2H on 3x123 Brass UBH with E-series LOTC
- Arc head (blue anodize with RB 1W) on black 1x123 McLux tail using a DSpeck battery spacer for use with Arc parts
(taken from a photo contest a while ago, author unknown)
It can even be screwed on standard camera stands!
… or used with a cell-phone clip for more carrying options.
Standard Head can be equipped with McFlood, NX05 or NX01 or left empty …
… and there are many more options of course !!!!!
So far, this is the most variable light series I have ever seen around here. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif
The Stone Age
This is the McLux prototype made by McGizmo:
read more about it here
What it does
Besides all the above-mentioned qualities, all the McLuxes I have seen so far also make light. They do this in very different manners according to the abundance of choices of photon-management and power possible. Here are the comparison shots of the most common applications:
McLux-TK (BB400 with 1W Q3 and McFlood) – Arc LS1rev2
McLux-PR on 2x123 or 3x123 with DB750 R2H – Arc LS1rev2
This combo is the throw king in this class while still producing a very good sidespill and an exceptional beam quality. My preferred "multi-task" all-around setup.
Good white stock SF L4 – Golden Dragon McLux-PR BB750 X3T on 2x123 tail
The hotspot of the PR head is tighter and throws further than the L4, my digicam cannot capture this.
McLux-TK (same as above) – Golden Dragon Standard Head DB750 R2H McFlood (beadblasted)
note the perfect flood beam of the Golden Dragon with only a slight hint of a hotspot. I know, most of you prefer throw, but believe me, this incarnation of the mother of all flood beams is perfect for close range tasks and really excels at close-up work because there ain't no hotspot to blind you at all but just a lot of light everywhere.
McLux-PR DB750 R2H on 2x123 or 3x123 – SF L4
McLux hotspot is way brighter and throws a lot further than the L4, overall light output is less, of course, but the sidespill of the McLux is overly sufficient, so that the McLux offers more variability than the L4.
Sorry, no pics with Lux-III's, I do not have one of those … yet. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Summary
The McLux with all its variations is a high-end state-of-the-art technical marvel produced by members of CPF with unrivalled modularity and multi-purpose uses in light output as well as mounting/carrying options. And it is breathtakingly beautiful.
A big CHEERS to the Skunk Lights Gang !
A very special thanx to Don, you know why !
bernhard
disclaimer: some of the photos were taken by McGizmo and are linked to his site, thanx again, Don!
This thread does not serve any specific purpose except to honour the Skunk Lights Gang and Wayne (dat2zip) as well as to show this marvel they have created to our new fellow flashaholics.
Skunk Lights homepage: http://www.skunklights.com
Basically the McLux is a modular multi-purpose state-of-the-art high-end device that puts out light in addition to its other features including a beauty beyond imagination.
The Beginnings
It all started with the offering of the first professionally produced CPF custom light, the McLux TK unit. TK stands for "turnkey", meaning ready to use for dummies like me who do not know a penny about soldering and other strange skills needed to make little electronic devices. It is this light:
Features:
- custom made all-aluminium components with massive head for heat-sinking
- BB400 constant current driver
- Q3-binned 1W Luxeon Star
- custom McFlood reflector, user-replaceable with optix
- glass lens
- watertight
- Kroll switch with momentary and constant on
- stands on tail
- multi-purpose tail guard with holes for lanyards, can even be screwed on stands!
- bezel-down ti-clip, numbered and engraved
- EN-plated
- completely interchangeable with SF E-series and Arc components
In addition to the TK-run, the single parts are offered for sale in the Sandwich Shoppe for those real men who know how to tinker. There you can also buy more different parts that have been introduced over time:
More Parts
Please yourself with 2x123 and even 3x123 tails to build power-hungry devices:
You want ultimate photon-management? Buy McGizmo's McLux-PR head constructed around the Pelican M6 reflector, the best alternative for good and concentrated beams with good sidespill, especially with 1W and Lux-III's. Available in HAIII black as well as bare aluminium:
This head can be built using McGizmo's E-Can also available at the Sandwich Shoppe for easier construction.
The Electronics
The McLux TK's as well as all my personal McLuxes are powered by the various regulating driver boards provided by dat2zip in his Sandwich Shoppe.
With those super-efficient tiny devices, they are fully regulated and fly higher than most other top-notch flashlights ...
Of course you can put every other regulator in the McLux or DD it.
The Evolution
Since the McLux is an ever evolving concept, there are more things to come. Unfortunately I am not a member of the Gang, so the only thing to show is a trimmed-down version of the McLux-PR head for low-power applications:
The final form factor I do not know.
Additionally a new tail design is in the works … I am already hungry! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
The Finish
The standard Finish for the McLuxes was EN-plating, but there where also some black HA parts made and distributed, like the Black Widow McLux with a red HD:
Newer parts can also be purchased in raw aluminium to do with it whatever you possibly like. If no finish is applied, they do get scratched quite quickly though. If you count yourself among the 99% of CPF who are anal guys, be careful. I like the patina of my used bare PR-Head … /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
A new possibility is TiN-Plating (done by Jets22) in a cool golden colour and great durability. I was able to get one such unit from Don, I call it the Golden Dragon McLux, and it is the most favourite light of mine of all the time:
Golden Dragon McLux with Standard Head using a DB750 R2H with a bead-blasted McFlood reflector for the ultimate flood beam
... and with a McLux-PR head with BB750 X3T for the ultimate punch.
The McLux as the ultimate art-light (light and clip by McGizmo, Tin-plating by Jets22), recently auctioned in Modders B/S/T:
Modularity
As mentioned above, the McLux parts will fit the SF E-Series and Arc parts as well as Dpeck's UBH, so an infinite number of choices is open to you:
From top left clockwise:
- McLux strandard head (BB400 1W) on 3x123 tail with 2xAA and DSpeck spacer tube
- KL3 on E2C-adaptor (McGizmo style) mated with a 2x123 tail
- McLux-PR with BB750 X3T bare aluminium on E2e body
- KL1 on 1x123 McLux tail
- TiN McLux head with DB750 R2H with bead-blasted McFlood on brass DSpeck 123-battery-extender on black E1 body
- Black McLux-PR DB700 R2H on 3x123 Brass UBH with E-series LOTC
- Arc head (blue anodize with RB 1W) on black 1x123 McLux tail using a DSpeck battery spacer for use with Arc parts
(taken from a photo contest a while ago, author unknown)
It can even be screwed on standard camera stands!
… or used with a cell-phone clip for more carrying options.
Standard Head can be equipped with McFlood, NX05 or NX01 or left empty …
… and there are many more options of course !!!!!
So far, this is the most variable light series I have ever seen around here. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif
The Stone Age
This is the McLux prototype made by McGizmo:
read more about it here
What it does
Besides all the above-mentioned qualities, all the McLuxes I have seen so far also make light. They do this in very different manners according to the abundance of choices of photon-management and power possible. Here are the comparison shots of the most common applications:
McLux-TK (BB400 with 1W Q3 and McFlood) – Arc LS1rev2
McLux-PR on 2x123 or 3x123 with DB750 R2H – Arc LS1rev2
This combo is the throw king in this class while still producing a very good sidespill and an exceptional beam quality. My preferred "multi-task" all-around setup.
Good white stock SF L4 – Golden Dragon McLux-PR BB750 X3T on 2x123 tail
The hotspot of the PR head is tighter and throws further than the L4, my digicam cannot capture this.
McLux-TK (same as above) – Golden Dragon Standard Head DB750 R2H McFlood (beadblasted)
note the perfect flood beam of the Golden Dragon with only a slight hint of a hotspot. I know, most of you prefer throw, but believe me, this incarnation of the mother of all flood beams is perfect for close range tasks and really excels at close-up work because there ain't no hotspot to blind you at all but just a lot of light everywhere.
McLux-PR DB750 R2H on 2x123 or 3x123 – SF L4
McLux hotspot is way brighter and throws a lot further than the L4, overall light output is less, of course, but the sidespill of the McLux is overly sufficient, so that the McLux offers more variability than the L4.
Sorry, no pics with Lux-III's, I do not have one of those … yet. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Summary
The McLux with all its variations is a high-end state-of-the-art technical marvel produced by members of CPF with unrivalled modularity and multi-purpose uses in light output as well as mounting/carrying options. And it is breathtakingly beautiful.
A big CHEERS to the Skunk Lights Gang !
A very special thanx to Don, you know why !
bernhard
disclaimer: some of the photos were taken by McGizmo and are linked to his site, thanx again, Don!