Straight upfront, these are seconds we're talking about. They have identifiable warts, and that's why they are discounted. If I wanted a perfect 4+, I should pony up the extra $80 and get a first. OK, disclaimer done, now help me decide what to do with my three seconds.
When the "foot in the door" was announced, I thought, I can't wait for the new Firefly or the VIP, this is the opportunity to get a 1x123 Luxeon, just the impulse Peter's promotion was designed to evoke.
But, when I factored in the cost of a twistie and a couple of gadget-lover's hi-lo drop-ins, it costs more than a 4+ second. I've seen the glowing reports on 4+ seconds, and it sounded good, I could live with some slight tint, anodizing problems, some extra current draw. I threw up my hands, ordered three and thought my biggest problem would be which one to EDC, which one for home and who would I give or sell the third one to? Here are the results:
#0147 /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Outside: fit and anodizing lovely (minor banding in middle section), 4+ and serial number overprinted, no biggie tho
LED and reflector: perfect, LED seated just right, reflector stunning, no epoxy blobs or farkle
Beam: pea green and dim
Overall: unacceptable, wouldn't think of EDCing and would never foist it on anyone here
#0164 /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Outside: fit and anodizing lovely (minor banding in middle section, otherwise perfect)
LED and reflector: large air bubble in LED, reflector perfect
Beam: white, dim, but major power/current/switch problem: within a few minutes either 1) it locks into an error (flashing hi-lo) and won't turn off; or 2) it starts at its highest level and immediately drops to third-highest level
Overall: unacceptable, locks into error over 50% of time, definitely broken light
#0999 (cool serial no.) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Outside: fit and anodizing lovely (minor banding in middle section, otherwise perfect)
LED and reflector: large blob of epoxy where LED seats; small blobs/spots of white gunk ON LED; manufacturing error in reflector, it looks incompletely coated or treated, resulting in a wrinkle or line in the reflector (so it's not smooth); tiny bit of lint sitting sealed in the reflector
Beam: nice white beam (slight green tint), makes all 16 levels, brightness and options menus OK
Overall: looking into the reflector is disappointing, but performance seems good. But, if the gunk wasn't there and the reflector was perfect, I am sure there would be a small yet measurable improvement in brightness. Can the gunk on the LED burn?
Dilemma, what to do. The first two are pretty easy, I can't imagine giving or selling anyone something that really doesn't work, I think they have to go back. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
The problem is #0999, seems to work well, but I have no first to compare it to. I can compare it to the LSH-P I just acquired from kaseri: it's brighter at level 4 than the LSH, but the LSH has much better finish inside the reflector; the anodizing and matching on the LSH is better, and this LSH costs less. Do I keep it, or should I save my pennies for a few more months and get a first 4+? Or just wait for the VIP?
What to do? I welcome everyone's thoughts, which I thanks you in advance for! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinser2.gif
Daloosh
When the "foot in the door" was announced, I thought, I can't wait for the new Firefly or the VIP, this is the opportunity to get a 1x123 Luxeon, just the impulse Peter's promotion was designed to evoke.
But, when I factored in the cost of a twistie and a couple of gadget-lover's hi-lo drop-ins, it costs more than a 4+ second. I've seen the glowing reports on 4+ seconds, and it sounded good, I could live with some slight tint, anodizing problems, some extra current draw. I threw up my hands, ordered three and thought my biggest problem would be which one to EDC, which one for home and who would I give or sell the third one to? Here are the results:
#0147 /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Outside: fit and anodizing lovely (minor banding in middle section), 4+ and serial number overprinted, no biggie tho
LED and reflector: perfect, LED seated just right, reflector stunning, no epoxy blobs or farkle
Beam: pea green and dim
Overall: unacceptable, wouldn't think of EDCing and would never foist it on anyone here
#0164 /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Outside: fit and anodizing lovely (minor banding in middle section, otherwise perfect)
LED and reflector: large air bubble in LED, reflector perfect
Beam: white, dim, but major power/current/switch problem: within a few minutes either 1) it locks into an error (flashing hi-lo) and won't turn off; or 2) it starts at its highest level and immediately drops to third-highest level
Overall: unacceptable, locks into error over 50% of time, definitely broken light
#0999 (cool serial no.) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Outside: fit and anodizing lovely (minor banding in middle section, otherwise perfect)
LED and reflector: large blob of epoxy where LED seats; small blobs/spots of white gunk ON LED; manufacturing error in reflector, it looks incompletely coated or treated, resulting in a wrinkle or line in the reflector (so it's not smooth); tiny bit of lint sitting sealed in the reflector
Beam: nice white beam (slight green tint), makes all 16 levels, brightness and options menus OK
Overall: looking into the reflector is disappointing, but performance seems good. But, if the gunk wasn't there and the reflector was perfect, I am sure there would be a small yet measurable improvement in brightness. Can the gunk on the LED burn?
Dilemma, what to do. The first two are pretty easy, I can't imagine giving or selling anyone something that really doesn't work, I think they have to go back. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
The problem is #0999, seems to work well, but I have no first to compare it to. I can compare it to the LSH-P I just acquired from kaseri: it's brighter at level 4 than the LSH, but the LSH has much better finish inside the reflector; the anodizing and matching on the LSH is better, and this LSH costs less. Do I keep it, or should I save my pennies for a few more months and get a first 4+? Or just wait for the VIP?
What to do? I welcome everyone's thoughts, which I thanks you in advance for! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinser2.gif
Daloosh