Raidfire Spear Owners... Is this Normal? - update w/PICS

[Curly]

What a great light! I really like mine, yet I have a couple of concerns that may be nothing.

First, the little metallic looking disk that surrounds the LED is mutilated. It came that way.

It also looks like the bottom of the reflector is crushing the solder on the LED wires. Do you think this is cause for alarm? I just think the reflector may short the circuit out.

Does your head (the part holding the reflector) snug down tight to the body or does it remain movable? (that part with the knurling) If I try and tighten mine, the reflector will pinch those lead wires.

My light beam has a distinct dark center visible on my hand or at even 50 feet away. (I tried, but taking pictures of that spot was impossible)

 

[StefanFS]

Re: Raidfire Spear Owners... Couple a questions

It sounds like something is wrong with your light. Check if the led/driver module is screwed down tight in it's place in the middle part of the body, the scalloped part. If that's ok you might want to consider threadlocking the head and middle part together when you find a good focus point. Or returning it if you don't want to mess with it. Some pics of your problems would help you get good tips on this..

You can see how mine looks like when it's set for good focus:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=184552

Stefan

 

[Curly]

Re: Raidfire Spear Owners... Couple a questions

I'll take a couple pictures later tonight. I should have done that anyway, but it will have to wait until I have a few minutes to do.

Your beam shots are just what I expected, but on mine you can't see the pattern from the head scalloping. I think the outer rim of light is being influenced by the thick clear o-ring under the lens.

Okay, I'll check out the driver thing like you said too.

Since the only place I found to buy it was KD, I got it from them. They are completely unresponsive after a week of trying. I mean nothing at all... I hope the manufacturer can take care of issues.

 

[Curly]

I put the pics in the first post. Thanks for the help.

 

[StefanFS]

Does focus get better if you 'unscrew' the head a bit? About the flattened solder joints, it's the same with some other CREE throwers too since the reflector needs to be way down for focus.

You could replace the foil with some thin plastic (but thicker than the foil), eg. from microwave safe food containers, cut it to shape. I use a hole punch for the emitter hole.

Stefan

 

[Citivolus]

You mention a hole in the beam at distance. That implies your collimation is out from the reflector being in the wrong position.

Regards,
Eric

 

[Curly]

No really a hole, but a dark spot like the center of the led is dirty or something. Kinda odd really. I bought an Ultrafire AA light that had the same problem. I switched the LED with a new one and that was it.

I don't know. Screwing this, adjusting that, making a washer... just seems over the top for a light that costs so much comparatively. I thought this was going to be the ultimate one cell light.

 

[Daniel_sk]

I always felt the Nitecore/Raidfire flashlights were way over-priced. (I owned a Nitecore NDI)...

 

[WadeF]

I have a Raidfire from the first batch that was sent out. I have had trouble getting mine apart. I think I've gotten the bezel off, but the glass doesn't come out. I'll have to try again. Does anyone know if the earlier ones were glued together? It doesn't seem very friendly for upgrades, compared to the Dereelight DBS.

Update: I just tried again, I can get the bezel off my Raidfire, but the glass doesn't come out. I can take the had off the body, but the rear of the head won't budge, even with strap wrenches. I can not get into the head of this thing, so I don't see how they would ever offer user upgrades, unless they would only be available to those with Raidfire's that can actually come apart. It appears mine is glued together.

 

[glockboy]

It's the tight O ring, spay some sillcon lube into the holes on the head and use a flat scew driver to push the reflector out.

I have a Raidfire from the first batch that was sent out. I have had trouble getting mine apart. I think I've gotten the bezel off, but the glass doesn't come out. I'll have to try again. Does anyone know if the earlier ones were glued together? It doesn't seem very friendly for upgrades, compared to the Dereelight DBS.

 

[WadeF]

It's the tight O ring, spay some sillcon lube into the holes on the head and use a flat scew driver to push the reflector out.

Thanks for the tip. I may try that. I was thinking I might have to try and pray the reflector up and out through those holes. Doesn't sound like this light was designed to be taken apart by the end user though.

 

[Curly]

I always felt the Nitecore/Raidfire flashlights were way over-priced. (I owned a Nitecore NDI)...

Yeah, they are, but it's still a very nicely done light. I don't mind the cost as long as there is some added value.

The LED thing troubles me though because it makes me think they have little to no QA. I never really expected this thing to have a 'luck of the draw" emitter.

 

[Glowjob]

I just got mine from DX a few days ago and I have the same dounut hole center! Also instead of a foil separator I got what looks like a cloth/felt separator that ripped when I tighten it too much from trying to make the beam look nicer. The best beam I can get looks like a yin and yang swirl. As for the glass, it comes off but takes some prying as the oring holds mine on really well. For the price I'm not very impressed with this light. My $30 thrower from DX throws just as far and has a nicer hotspot with a tighter beam! Maybe we both got $130 duds.

 

[StefanFS]

It's a focus issue. Back the head off a bit (or tighten the emitter module down) and lose the ring/doughnut hotspot. If you wish to avoid making it a warranty issue with the seller, you should consider thread lock from your favourite supplier to lock it in your preferred focus point.

Stefan

 

[Curly]

For the price I'm not very impressed with this light. My $30 thrower from DX throws just as far and has a nicer hotspot with a tighter beam! Maybe we both got $130 duds.

That's what I mean... I have an Ultrafire C8 (25 bucks I think), which I put Q5 and new regulator($10). The beam on it is perfect and it throws like mad.

As for focus, I have experimented quite a bit. When I unscrew the head enough so the dark spot goes away (sort of) the beam is much fatter and fuzzy at 10 feet or so.

That o ring is sticky and is smaller in diameter then the reflector. Stupid in my opinion since it creates an extra artifact ring in the beam. I'm going to toss it and put a good old fashioned thin black one in thats the right size to get it out of the way of the beam.

Right now I hope Raidfire will make good on it and provide a solution worthy of the flashlight. If not, then I will change the LED myself.

How do they have the balls to make a 20% better light gathering claim when it's not even properly set up out of the box? Does no one have a sense of pride these days?oo:

 

[Curly]

Also, I'd like to get an OP reflector for it. Unfortunately the said 'distributors' don't seem to have things like that. So if anyone figures out a place that actually sells them, please let me know. If DX doesn't list them on their web site it's not likely they have it.

 

[StefanFS]

And the story continues....

 

[Glowjob]

"As for focus, I have experimented quite a bit. When I unscrew the head enough so the dark spot goes away (sort of) the beam is much fatter and fuzzy at 10 feet or so."

Thats exactly what I get too. I tried moving both the pill and reflector but would end up with either a dounut hole or bigger fuzzy hot spot.

 

[Curly]

My pill was snug, so I left it. I figure it's supposed to be that way...

 

[nanotech17]

mine came from the first batch and the aluminium foil is just as new despite the reflector has been in & out.
Never scratch or touch the base of the reflector,let alone the soldering joint.