Not sure what's prompting me to post a thread, but what the heck - it's the Cafe and you all are bound to have much to add. And this isn't about "look at my cool stuff!" It's about 'old' stuff that works and makes you happy.
Yesterday I received a McLux III PD in Aluminum. Paid just shy of $300 on the WTS. Now, for you lumen lovers (which all of us are to some degree), brace yourself. This thing tops out at around 60. And it has but TWO levels - low and high. I had been on the hunt for one after scout24 posted his thoughts in this thread. Made me wish I'd hung on to at least one of the six or more I've owned through the years. But thankfully, Scout pointed me to a sales thread where lightknot was selling one, and it was "come to papa."
Why? In this day and time when "how many lumens does that thing put out?" is the most asked question, would one 'settle' for an "old, dim light" and pay just shy of $300. Call me crazy, I guess. But it just works, and it hearkens back to simpler things. No blinky modes - no eye searing pain - no programming.
Don't get me wrong - I have some treasures in my collection that are more modern and are uber bright - some that come from USA producers/modders and some from overseas. And I enjoy all of them. But there's something special about old, bullet proof stuff that works.
Like that PD - with its Luxeon III emitter and the nearly indestructible and easy to understand piston drive (PD).
Classic
Has a few nicks on the tail - who cares? Bought this one to keep - and remember a classic.
Here's the Luxeon emitter (or at least I think so - if I'm wrong I'm sure someone will correct me!)
I left all the shiny titanium at home today - plus the 4 of the 5 HDS. And the HDS and the Malkoff aren't old, but Henry and Gene have been around a long time because their stuff works.
L-R - Fenix E01 (cockroach of the flashlight world) modded with a Yuji 3000k emitter; PD; HDS Rotary; Surefire Gen6 L1 (tough and trustworthy and less than 100 lumen), and a Malkoff MD2 HOT(rod) version. Dang, they aren't all old, as I said, and the title is "Old stuff that works", but something about all of them involves either long life of the item and / or longevity of the manufacturer.
But this isn't all about lights. My wife and I both have cars - they'll remain unidentified - but my 'old stuff that works' is a 2004 Toyota Tundra Limited TRD Sport. I've owned this truck for 4 years. It was my brother's and I bought it from my sister-in-law after said brother passed after losing a battle to cancer. I really wanted to keep the truck in the family - and this old truck never fails me. By the way - it has only 110k miles on it so it's just getting broken in... LOL
I suppose the trophy for the oldest thing that "just works" goes to my 1998 Honda GL1500 Aspencade, i.e., "Goldwing". Only 66000 miles and it purrs like a kitten. I was 40 when it was built...and here I am 62 and it brings a smile to my face whenever my wife and I go for a ride. I'm the 3rd owner, according to the records. I had all the fluids, filters, belts, and hoses changed as well as the plugs. Pretty much overhauled it. It was running fine before the service, but the tech showed me the air filter and said that it looked like the original.:huh:
EDIT - wait - one more thing! Purchased new in 1986, a Rolex Stainless Oyster Perpetual Datejust. Had it completely refurbed back in 2013 or so, and rarely wear it....keep it in a winder. But it works and still makes me happy.
So what's your old stuff - or stuff from a long time manufacturer or provider - that still works and makes you happy? Sure, it's fun to enjoy shiny new stuff, but as the birthdays accumulate you begin to appreciate the 'older' stuff. Whatcha got?
Yesterday I received a McLux III PD in Aluminum. Paid just shy of $300 on the WTS. Now, for you lumen lovers (which all of us are to some degree), brace yourself. This thing tops out at around 60. And it has but TWO levels - low and high. I had been on the hunt for one after scout24 posted his thoughts in this thread. Made me wish I'd hung on to at least one of the six or more I've owned through the years. But thankfully, Scout pointed me to a sales thread where lightknot was selling one, and it was "come to papa."
Why? In this day and time when "how many lumens does that thing put out?" is the most asked question, would one 'settle' for an "old, dim light" and pay just shy of $300. Call me crazy, I guess. But it just works, and it hearkens back to simpler things. No blinky modes - no eye searing pain - no programming.
Don't get me wrong - I have some treasures in my collection that are more modern and are uber bright - some that come from USA producers/modders and some from overseas. And I enjoy all of them. But there's something special about old, bullet proof stuff that works.
Like that PD - with its Luxeon III emitter and the nearly indestructible and easy to understand piston drive (PD).
Classic
Has a few nicks on the tail - who cares? Bought this one to keep - and remember a classic.
Here's the Luxeon emitter (or at least I think so - if I'm wrong I'm sure someone will correct me!)
I left all the shiny titanium at home today - plus the 4 of the 5 HDS. And the HDS and the Malkoff aren't old, but Henry and Gene have been around a long time because their stuff works.
L-R - Fenix E01 (cockroach of the flashlight world) modded with a Yuji 3000k emitter; PD; HDS Rotary; Surefire Gen6 L1 (tough and trustworthy and less than 100 lumen), and a Malkoff MD2 HOT(rod) version. Dang, they aren't all old, as I said, and the title is "Old stuff that works", but something about all of them involves either long life of the item and / or longevity of the manufacturer.
But this isn't all about lights. My wife and I both have cars - they'll remain unidentified - but my 'old stuff that works' is a 2004 Toyota Tundra Limited TRD Sport. I've owned this truck for 4 years. It was my brother's and I bought it from my sister-in-law after said brother passed after losing a battle to cancer. I really wanted to keep the truck in the family - and this old truck never fails me. By the way - it has only 110k miles on it so it's just getting broken in... LOL
I suppose the trophy for the oldest thing that "just works" goes to my 1998 Honda GL1500 Aspencade, i.e., "Goldwing". Only 66000 miles and it purrs like a kitten. I was 40 when it was built...and here I am 62 and it brings a smile to my face whenever my wife and I go for a ride. I'm the 3rd owner, according to the records. I had all the fluids, filters, belts, and hoses changed as well as the plugs. Pretty much overhauled it. It was running fine before the service, but the tech showed me the air filter and said that it looked like the original.:huh:
EDIT - wait - one more thing! Purchased new in 1986, a Rolex Stainless Oyster Perpetual Datejust. Had it completely refurbed back in 2013 or so, and rarely wear it....keep it in a winder. But it works and still makes me happy.
So what's your old stuff - or stuff from a long time manufacturer or provider - that still works and makes you happy? Sure, it's fun to enjoy shiny new stuff, but as the birthdays accumulate you begin to appreciate the 'older' stuff. Whatcha got?
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