keithhr
If you bothered to read the extensive 'scope of project' blurb on the Luxeon Pilot home page, you'd have realised that we clearly and unequivocally state that the evaluations ( not really reviews and definitley NOT tests ) are not reflections or evaluations of technical virtuousity. In that regard, you are 100% correct in your statement about the technical 'superiority' of the V-I-P's circuitry and innovative rheostat. Unfortunately, this is not relevant to our pilot. The ratings we placed on products are based on the quality of attention to details relating to Usability and Human Factors as well as to aesthetics and where relevant, packaging, branding,instructional materials and after-market support. If you carefully re-read the evaluations of the TnC HyperLux V and the VIP, you will see that 'technological' virtuousity appart- the final assessments are based on a perfect implimentation of each light. However, as I state in both these evaluations- because the lights are production custom versus mass-produced consumer products, they are not comparable to each other or to lights outside thier respective 'classes'. That means that until a VIP comparable comes along within a year the as-is VIP rating of 4.75 Stars is absolute and until a TnC HyperLux V comparable comes along within a year, it's 5 Star rating is absolute as well.To compare the technical virtuousity of these two products to each other would be futile - when they have such different designs,form-factors, sizes,ergonomics,end-uses, warranties and....price-points!
I hate to end our defense on this dour note- but our esteemed colleagues on the CPF might want to better familiarize themselves with the type of work that we do , its intent and how this Pilot figures into the equation of designing high quality user experiences. The pilot was not intended to be a reflection on personalities or personal preferences or technological achievements, but rather a narrow proof-of-concept trial on how the design of a common place tool can affect functionality and ease of use. From my personal perspective (I've stated this ad-nauseum before) , the V-I-P is a work of Art that is also a high performance tool. The HyperLux V is a work of Art that is also a high performance tool. One is BIG and the other is LITTLE. Both now sit proudly in the company of several Aluminum tools that I cherish and display in what I'm calling the Little Museum of Aluminum Tools. I'll do a picture later this month to illustrate what I mean. Oh! I forgot to mention that the VIP that I own is not a Black Production Version. My personal V-I-P is a 4.95 Star - Raw Aluminum Wonder ! If the instructions had been clearer and the Warranty better...it would be a 5 Star for sure! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/clap.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink2.gif
