Ti-PDs caught playing dress-up

[fyrstormer]

So I ordered an RPM bezel about a week ago, and it arrived today, and wouldn't you know it, the PD-S and XR19 just couldn't wait to take turns trying it on. :naughty:

PD-S before:

PD-S after:

XR19 before:

XR19 after:

I think it definitely looks good on the PD-S, but on the XR19 I'm not as sure. Not having the gap behind the outer edge of the bezel is definitely nice, but overall the XR19 seems like a somewhat less-refined light on account of the reflector fit, and I think it might actually work better with the stock bezel. Opinions?

 

[luxlunatic]

Sweet bezel!
It looks great on both but I think the S wins.

 

[scout24]

I like the slightly tapered look of the RPM, is it noticeably different going into and out of your pocket?

 

[easilyled]

fyrstormer, I would be interested to know if the RPM bezel-ring affects the beam pattern any differently to the standard McG ones?

The reason I ask is that the RPM ones seem slightly longer and more tapered-inwards.

For that reason, I always thought that they might "cramp" the beam divergence of the light more. (you might see that there is less outer margin or more shadow in the outer margin)

You can also see the difference if you unscrew the bezel-rings and shine the lights at the ceiling without them.

 

[fyrstormer]

Funny you should mention it, the PD-S' spill does have a slightly hexagonal shape to it now, but the center of the beam is completely unaffected. The XR19 does not show any effect at all, most likely because its reflector is narrower to start with.

I don't notice a significant difference in clipping/unclipping feel, but I did notice a significant difference in feel when twisting the lights on and off -- the tapered outer edge on the RPM bezel means the crenellations don't dig into my fingers at all now. They never did it much to start with, and it certainly wasn't enough to be painful, but I nonetheless noticed there were no pressure-points on my fingertips at all with the RPM bezel.

Anyway, what I'm really wondering is whether I should order a second bezel for the XR19. :devil: Can't make up my mind on that one.

 

[easilyled]

Funny you should mention it, the PD-S' spill does have a slightly hexagonal shape to it now, but the center of the beam is completely unaffected.

Thanks for confirming that. I had a feeling that that would happen with that style of bezel. It might reduce the light output slightly but not by much, I suspect.

Sometimes its a case of style over substance when substance is not significantly altered.

With the XR19, the angle of divergence is much narrower with the Cree-XRE than with the SSC-P4 in any case, even before you factor in the McR19XR reflector which is also longer and narrower for this specific reason. So as you say the beam is probably not affected much in this light.

You might decide, for this reason, to use the RPM bezel on the XR19 instead of the PD-S, but obviously its your call.

 

[fyrstormer]

The RPM bezel only affects the dimmest, outermost part of the beam. I compared the width of the beam with and without the RPM bezel, and it wasn't a significant enough difference for me to care. I actually think the beam looks nicer now, because there's a better-defined cutoff around the edge of the beam.

 

[easilyled]

The RPM bezel only affects the dimmest, outermost part of the beam. I compared the width of the beam with and without the RPM bezel, and it wasn't a significant enough difference for me to care. I actually think the beam looks nicer now, because there's a better-defined cutoff around the edge of the beam.

Yes, its a very personal call, of course.

I've noticed in some of my custom lights from TB and mirage_man, for example, that the higher the bezel-ring, the more the beam is "throttled".

It doesn't really bother me much because it doesn't seem to affect the light output much.

However I do personally prefer a circular to a hexagonal beamshape. Call me a traditionalist.

 

[fyrstormer]

Yes, its a very personal call, of course.

I've noticed in some of my custom lights from TB and mirage_man, for example, that the higher the bezel-ring, the more the beam is "throttled".

It doesn't really bother me much because it doesn't seem to affect the light output much.

However I do personally prefer a circular to a hexagonal beamshape. Call me a traditionalist.

I just mean there are six chords cut into the edges of the circle, not that the beam looks like a perfect hexagon. It's only noticeable when hunting white walls.

Anyway, yeah, I think I'll get another one for the XR19.