Medeco M3 and M3 BiLevel Factory Cutaways and Breakdown

[mitch.capper]

Over the holidays I got a new macro lense for the camera. After an initial shoot and attempted writeup of just the BiLevel and I decided on the advice of friends to do a writeup of both the M3 and M3 BiLevel at the same time. I had a factory cutaway of each (actually have an extra BiLevel Cutaway) and so I got started.
I go over the complete functionality of both of them, along with complete breakdown of both factory cutaways. If you have ever wondered about the BiLevel wonder no more!

For your viewing pleasure (and to show off my new lense!)

The Medeco M3 and M3B breakdown and complete workings (http://mitchcapper.com/cutaways/factory ... 3-bilevel/)
And of course a teaser picture (my favorite):


Thanks to jk_the_cjer and everyone else!

[dougfarre]

Whats a marco lens?

[Minion]

A macro lens is a lens that allows for a very up-close focus on the subject; making small things larger.

[Eyes_Only]

Planning on selling your extra BiLevel cutaway?

[Legion303]

*fap*

-steve

[cryptonic]

very informative! as far as that lense goes, nice stuff! great pics. all in all i give it 2 thumbs up!

[mitch.capper]

Thanks all for the nice comments, I am happy you enjoyed the writeup/pictures.

The Macro certainly lets me take better close ups and allows me to get a lot closer while keeping it in focus;)

Hopefully my next project will actually use my mill:)

[Trip Doctor]

Very nice.
A question, if I'm allowed to ask it here. Does the slider always go in the same amount, or are there a few different settings for it?

[mitch.capper]

I don't believe talk about the slider itself is advanced (compared to normal m3/biaxial picking talk) as the slider is not really meant as a security feature by medeco (the sidebar doesn't even has false notches in it for the slider).
The slider does not go in the same amount, infact if you look at the two next to each other i think one of mine goes in a different amount than the other cutaway (or i just have bad eyes). From a picking point of view it doesn't matter a whole lot because it really isn't a security feature/pick resistant so knowing it ahead of time isnt a huge advantage).


The slider and the slider cut on the keys are both done at the factory and are dealer / area specific. This was one of the primary things (aside from patent extension) that Medeco gained by the slider was dealer/regional key control restrictions. This would mean that a rouge dealer couldn't (easily) duplicate an m3 key (unless he was the one who originally issued the keys).

I was just discussing the key control/slider advantages with JK earlier today (which is what some of this post is certainly coming from:P).

[JK_the_CJer]

If its allowed here, I'd like to comment about the sliders/slider-codes (the odd feature of the BiLevel/m3). The sliders are not all the same. The position of the step on the m3 and m3b (i assume) key is not all the same. There is a step on the slider itself that interfaces with the step on the key. As a matter of fact, there can even be two steps per slider and two steps per key (stacked). There is all sorts of master-keying trickery that can be done there that I'm not entirely familiar with. Anyway the point is that the positions of the step(s) on the slider and the step(s) on the key are the only things variable here. Everything else (rest of key, sidebar, rest of slider, etc,,) is static. Unfortunately, I cannot confirm or deny any conclusions you guys can draw from this information here.

[JK_the_CJer]

I almost forgot; good job man!

There are some excellent pictures in there and a good explanation of whats going on. Its a great write-up

[greyman]

Well done mitch. Nice write-up and some really nice photos with good lighting. Love that macro lens!