A cautionary tale - inexpensive can also mean cheap

[vasp1]

Feel free to slap me - metaphorically of course. I took a punt on a Small Sun ZY-C89 from DX. I mean for £8 what could possibly go wrong?

Well it did arrive with a cracked lens but that may have been because the package looked like it had been used as a basketball. I've requested a replacement.

Then of course there was no evidence of lube on the tailcap threads which made it difficult to unscrew. The same story with the head. The threads at the top of the body looked as if someone had taken a tiny hammer to them to flatten them and make it difficult to put the head back on. As for the little bumps on the rubber cover of the clickie, lets just say I've seen bigger goosebumps on a small goose. The finish is little uneven in places and the spring clip doesn't look like it will go twelve rounds. However, I am an eternal optimist so I put in a fresh AA and clicked it on. Actually , it is a nice bright light if you ignore the crack in the beam.

You can rightly ask "what did you expect for £8?".

If the replacement ever arrives I'm definitely going to keep it as a salutory reminder that there are better things to do with £8.

 

[Flying Turtle]

Welcome to CPF, vasp1. Thanks for the warning. But, it's all just such great fun researching, then anticipating the arrival of that perfect cheapo light we didn't need anyway.

Geoff

 

[shark_za]

But, it's all just such great fun researching, then anticipating the arrival of that perfect cheapo light we didn't need anyway.

Something about a nail, a hammer and a head.

 

[aim54x]

Welcome to CPF, vasp1. Thanks for the warning. But, it's all just such great fun researching, then anticipating the arrival of that perfect cheapo light we didn't need anyway.

I totally agree...the search then the wait is the fun bit!

hope your replacement arrives and shows you how well spent those hard earned pounds were.

 

[vasp1]

I totally agree...the search then the wait is the fun bit!

hope your replacement arrives and shows you how well spent those hard earned pounds were.

I got a reply from DX. They suggest I get a "local repair" and they'll credit me $6.

I'll buy a replacement lens (from DX, where else?) and when the thing is as it should be I'm going to stare into the LED for an hour chanting "don't be fooled again".

 

[vali]

Did it work at least?

 

[vasp1]

Did it work at least?

Yes. The torch performs the primary function of providing a beam of white light so I've no complaints in that respect!

 

[Hrvoje]

I like my C89. Ordered 3 pieces from another site for $9.82/pc shipped, one for me, one as a gift and one for sale to cover expenses for the first two
With the same current draw, this Q3 light is more powerful than Romisen RC-G2 P4. Another advantage is the possibility to use 14500 cell.

Hrvoje

 

[vasp1]

I like my C89. Ordered 3 pieces from another site for $9.82/pc shipped, one for me, one as a gift and one for sale to cover expenses for the first two
With the same current draw, this Q3 light is more powerful than Romisen RC-G2 P4. Another advantage is the possibility to use 14500 cell.

Hrvoje

Maybe I've just been unlucky. If the first thing you see is a broken lens then there's inevitably some negative bias towards the rest of the pieces. All things considered it does give a nice bright beam even with a AA. I will try it with a 14500 (need to order one) when I get the replacement lens.

 

[LeifUK]

The problem is that budget lights remove the expensive component, which is quality. Dodgy soldering, poor QC. It might be good. It might be bad.

 

[vasp1]

The problem is that budget lights remove the expensive component, which is quality. Dodgy soldering, poor QC. It might be good. It might be bad.

I wonder if Chinese lights will go the way of the Japanese car industry? Back in the 70's / 80's Japanese cars had a poor reputation because they tended to rust and breakdown regularly. Today's Japanese cars are now top of the class (let's just ignore Toyota for now ).

 

[LeifUK]

I wonder if Chinese lights will go the way of the Japanese car industry? Back in the 70's / 80's Japanese cars had a poor reputation because they tended to rust and breakdown regularly. Today's Japanese cars are now top of the class (let's just ignore Toyota for now ).

They already have haven't they? Fenix et al are excellent. But they have QC and decent soldering etc. And most consumer goods such as iPods are made in China and the quality is excellent. Japan cannot get away with cheap quality as labour costs are high. So they have to compete on quality. DX can still get away with cheap quality because labour costs are low.

I order a cheap light yesterday. But my excuse is that it only cost £1, so if it is not complete carp, I'm happy.

 

[Nautic]

Maybe I've just been unlucky. If the first thing you see is a broken lens then there's inevitably some negative bias towards the rest of the pieces. All things considered it does give a nice bright beam even with a AA. I will try it with a 14500 (need to order one) when I get the replacement lens.

You are right, you have been unlucky! I have bought numeous lights from two wellknown dealers in HK and I have never (!) received something which have not been working OK when it arrived. Besides items are cheap and one can always buy another one if not satisfied. All my HK-lights are still working as are my american!

Quality is a strange thing. Some are of the opinion that it has to be expensive to be quality. I do not agree.

 

[mcnair55]

There is Chinese made and Chinese made,most car bulbs are made in China in state of the art factories for the likes of Osram/Phillips etc, but other makes are also made there and nothing is thrown away so you pay your money and take your choice.

If you think they throw away mis shaped lens bulbs away no they pack them for xxxxx and sell them for xxxxx to xxxxx.