Ok, here's a mini-review and a major cheers for Mr. Bulk.
So I broke down and bought one of these last VIPs to leave Mr Bulk's factory (to tide me over until the LH is released). This is my first jump up into the realm of custom lights -- if you don't count my brief ownership of a FF1 which did not impress me.
Based on the VIPs reputation alone I also bought the BH and Twisty from another CPF member and expect them to arrive any day. Now having had the chance to fondle and play with my VIP I am thrilled that I jumped on the BH/twisty deal.
The VIP is a masterful work of art! The fit of all the parts is perfect. The componets just feel like they 'glide' togather. It has a 100% feel of quality and durability.
The various light levels are a blast to use. Yes there's some fun/novelty factor in them (I found myself switching back and forth between levels just for fun) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif But when it came to actually using the light at night the 3 levels have powerful utilitarian usefulness.
On high it can reach out and touch the dark corners... on medium it can dang near go as far as on high... but it has awesome extended runtime. On low it is great for any close up work, and is easily bright enough to walk around by with dark adapted eyes.
At first I thought the jump between low to med was too much, and that med and high was too similar... but after a night of using it and pondering the various pros and cons of use/usability vs runtime vs throw I realized that the different levels are set just perfect! Over time I think I'll use the low and med settings more and more and the high only when really needed.
And the beam, omg did I mention the beam! It has an impressive corona (sp) that is sharply deliniated from the side spill -- and which is perfectly centered. The side spill is very usable. And the color.. pure white baby! (ok, maybe just a little hint of blue but only on low). It's cool to compare the VIP on low to a ARC AAA side by side, because the beam shape of the VIP is so clearly defined, and while not much 'brighter' the reflector of the VIP still trys to 'throw' that small amount of light while the AAA is all flood. I'm now a convert to reflectors! On medium it puts to shame all my 1 watt LEDs that use optics (KL1 & LSH) and it seems as though the reflector is a lot of the reason why it does that.
To my eye the VIP seems about as bright (on high) as a E2e with a MN02, only with better beam characteristics -- this is totally subjective, I have no idea the actuall lumen comparison. I find that damn impressive for a single cell led light. On medium it is a bit brighter than my ARC LSH, again with a much better beam -- and likewise on low it's about as bright as my ARC AAA, but it actually has a bit of a beam to it where the AAA is all flood. Yes, the VIP is three, thREE, THREE lights in one /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Can you tell I'm loving this light? I am extreamly happy I bought it, and that I jumped on some accesories when I had the chance.
And lastly, I need to give a kudos to Charlie. My VIP arrived with a minor cosmetic issue which he addressed immedieatly and cheerfully. He maintained great communication while we discussed it and was simply a pleasure to deal with.
The quality and versatility of the VIP has made me even more eager for my LH. If there are any fence sitters out there who have been debating the LH consider it carefully... if the VIP is any indication then the LH is going to be a smashing success! And if you missed a VIP and have even a twinge of regret you might want to consider picking one up while people are still crazy enough to sell them in order to fund a LH.
Datasaurus rex ~ :::joining Raggie in the Mr. Bulk fan club:::