Re: Anyone tried this AAA LED Flashlight?
Like most, I abhor clones, cheap copies and anything that exists because of the illegal or immoral acquisition of somebody else's IPR. Having said that, there is a certain way of responding to such events, and I'm not sure this is evident from what I have seen in this thread. If the "Rocket Torch" is a cheap and nasty clone then let it stand or fall on it's own abilities.
From what I have seen in pictures and read from those who own it above, it doesn't sound that bad and certainly looks nothing like an ARC AAA. It's method of activation is also completely different. Peter - when you say they copied an earlier version of your AAA PCB, how can you be sure? Surely, DC-DC technology is not unique to ARC? I have a freelight that uses this technology and I know there are many other lights out there - either in existence or planned - that are so equipped. Are they clones also?
In any case, and regardless of whether or not Peter is right, I think the removal of a review by dirobesh and his comments "if the moderators wish to remove it I'll be fine with that" sound a bit like enforcement to me. Those of us who have been around here a bit have seen similar comments made about LRI in respect to Craig's review of some of their products and I don't think that exchange did them any good.
I would like to add that I am a customer of ARCs and respect their products and their customer service. I also think that they tend to have a disproportionate amount of QC issues (My own AAA LE has a badly - and visibly - offset LED and a poor machined finish in places) and perhaps a bit of competition might do them some good.
Just my 2 cents worth ...