You're right that its a McGizmo, and one of the more coveted Titanium models. I believe that light retails for about $699. On the CPF secondary market it could easily go for more than that. There are also a couple other business that sell parts and accessories for custom flashlights who survive almost solely from the patronage of CPF members. See The Sandwich Shoppe: http://theledguy.chainreactionweb.com/index.php [Warning: Truly terrible design]
The more I think about it people will dump tons of money into their very niche hobbies. And the internet has only recently given people with niche interests a place to gather and hawk their projects and products. Look at how successful Kickstarter has been, doing something similar. I don't have any idea how much money Kickstarter itself is making, but they have certainly enabled people to make a decent profit on their projects that may otherwise never see the light of day.
I agree there is certainly money to be made in these extremely narrow niche markets, but is it really a sustainable living? I ran a couple projects selling flashlights or flashlight pieces on CPF, and I always broke even or made money, but I certainly couldn't have made a living doing it.
I've never seen McGizmo's financials, but I assume he makes a good chuck of change. However, I think he is the exception. He has set himself apart from everyone else and can charge whatever he wants. Maybe thats an answer to the original question in its own way too. But I really think people like McGizmo and PhotonFanatic make flashlights because they love flashlights, so its ok if they aren't making a ton of money doing it, but if they do, even better. I guess you can just lump this argument in with the do what you love crowd. but heh
I think you're absolutely right. I've been a CPF member for a few years and I look at people like McGizmo and their flashlights as artists and their art. They work hard at producing something they enjoy creating and once in a while someone with lots of money purchases one. It's an enjoyable way to make a living, but you probably won't get rich doing it.
IOW, just the kind of thing I would love doing :-)
The more I think about it people will dump tons of money into their very niche hobbies. And the internet has only recently given people with niche interests a place to gather and hawk their projects and products. Look at how successful Kickstarter has been, doing something similar. I don't have any idea how much money Kickstarter itself is making, but they have certainly enabled people to make a decent profit on their projects that may otherwise never see the light of day.
I agree there is certainly money to be made in these extremely narrow niche markets, but is it really a sustainable living? I ran a couple projects selling flashlights or flashlight pieces on CPF, and I always broke even or made money, but I certainly couldn't have made a living doing it.
I've never seen McGizmo's financials, but I assume he makes a good chuck of change. However, I think he is the exception. He has set himself apart from everyone else and can charge whatever he wants. Maybe thats an answer to the original question in its own way too. But I really think people like McGizmo and PhotonFanatic make flashlights because they love flashlights, so its ok if they aren't making a ton of money doing it, but if they do, even better. I guess you can just lump this argument in with the do what you love crowd. but heh