Some XM2 thoughts

[Al_Havemann]

Got my XM2 2 days ago and thought I’d post a few comments.

First, the light lives up to it’s promise in regards to the beam quality. It’s nearly flawless, tight, great throw, very white and very powerful. It’s a bit brighter than my L4 and also a bit more white. Run time is quite good, but it does drop some in output as the batteries discharge and then goes flat in a matter of minutes when the liths fall off the edge. Mechanically, it’s not bad and I don’t have a problem with the tail switch like some have. I applied some damping grease to the tailcap threads to improve fit and feel, it’s much better now.

By far, for me anyway, the biggest problem is the size of the light. By comparison, my L4, which I consider large for an EDC, is svelte and trim. I can EDC the L4 in either 1 or 2 battery configuration without much of a problem but the XM2 is strictly limited to a briefcase or belt holster. It’s chunky and oversize in my opinion but that doesn’t detract from the power and beam quality. It’s probably too powerful for an EDC anyway, more of an outdoor light where that output and throw can be put to an advantage. Poking around a PC isn’t it’s forte.

It’s interesting that a $15 incandescent I bought on ebay is nearly identical in appearance and identical in construction to the XM2. Threads match and parts are interchangeable where there isn’t a mechanical conflict due to one having a bulb and the other a LED. Both have the look and feel of parts churned out by a CNC machine.

The module and optic are easily removable so the obvious next step will be to look for a high quality, smaller host. It’ll pretty much sit around until that happens.

Since I got mine for the early price of $40.00, it’s worth it just for the module and optic.

If I don’t sound all that pleased with it, your probably reading this wrong. I do like it, but I can’t wear a holster with a suit and the XM2 is way too big for a pocket light. If I can’t slip a light into a side pocket, it doesn’t get carried, so for me it probably won’t work unless I can find a new, much smaller host.

Any one have any ideas?.

Al

 

[Aten_Imago]

Interesting post. It crossed my mind that the emitter module might end up in other host flashlights. That would be a sad reflection on the situation. This is somewhat on-topic. Our Vortex TC-2 looks like a good host > http://www.vortexvision.us/id16.html . At $55.00 shipped plus the $40 you've already spent...that adds up to $95.00. Still a good deal. PM me your e-mail and I'll send you a CU shot of the emitter- soldered in place. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Free]

Why doesn't Vortex just make a 3W version of the TC-2 /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

By the way, what is a dual mode tail switch? Is that a clickie, or a press and twist?

 

[Aten_Imago]

Search Me - I dunno?
Most of these lights are built in that same factory in Taiwan or the Mainland. Heck they could just walk from one 'division' to the next - almost the way Japanese cars used to made. No, to be fair, The lights are sourced from the same component makers ( All Luxeons are made my LUMILEDS) but assembled in different plants. I wrote about this before. We're designing them here but POC's in ROC (AKA Taiwan) or the Mainland are sourcing them as they see fit ($). Has no one noticed how alike several of these lights actually are ? I mean, I've counted a dozen lights that could have been made in the same factory. As an example, everyone of these makers ( Not Longbow) seems to be using the same or very similar source for what I call the 'Streamlight' wrist lanyard. Who invented it? Who makes it? Are they all the same quality? What eventually happens is that when the industry gets even bigger than it is now- the top tier makers will go thier seperate ways and either manufacture thier own dedicated components in house,or outsource to dedicated sub-contractors. That's exactly what happened with Japanese car makers after Oh...1975 The intellectual property issue became too crucuial to risk theft- once the industry exploded after 1973./ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon3.gif

[ QUOTE ]
Free said:
Why doesn't Vortex just make a 3W version of the TC-2 /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

 

[sygyzy]

Comment

There are already two posts, one of which has probably 7 pages of replies on the XM2. Don't you think it would have been more appropriate posting it there, rather than make a new post in the wrong forum at that? (Or less appropriate).

And to comment about your post, it seems silly to me that everyone is so excited about paying MORE for hack jobs to make the XM2 work as it should. Look at everyone rushing out to Walmart to buy $10 Garrity flashlights, only to render it useless by removing the switch. The switch which they put on the XM2 so it can *just* work, like it should have originally. Now people are trying to spend more money getting UCL lenses. Now you are taking it a step further by ripping out the module and putting it in a new host.

What is wrong with this picture here? The XM2 should have worked from the beginning. Everyone says it's a cheap flashlight so these problems are "ok". That's like saying you buy a Civic (quite affordable really) and it's ignition system is entirely broken. It's ok, I only spent $16,000 on such a fuel efficient car. Let me spend another $4,000 (25% of the light) on getting an ignition from another car and jerry rigging it to mine.

Nice.

 

[Aten_Imago]

Re: Comment

Humn. wasn't my idea to cross-dress these lights. I'm a commentator not a MOD'r. From what I can tell- many folks on this forum actually enjoy the challenge of taking less than perfect lights and perfecting them. It's not anything to do with the net cost, only the net satisfaction. It's like a combination of puzzle and scavenger hunt. You're right the topic belongs in the Café /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon23.gif

 

[tkl]

Re: Comment

For the pre-order price of $40 is pushing it. At the current price of $60 it's a rip off. A far better buy is the PM6 for $45.

 

[indenial]

Re: Comment

[ QUOTE ]
sygyzy said:
There are already two posts, one of which has probably 7 pages of replies on the XM2. Don't you think it would have been more appropriate posting it there, rather than make a new post in the wrong forum at that? (Or less appropriate).

And to comment about your post, it seems silly to me that everyone is so excited about paying MORE for hack jobs to make the XM2 work as it should. Look at everyone rushing out to Walmart to buy $10 Garrity flashlights, only to render it useless by removing the switch. The switch which they put on the XM2 so it can *just* work, like it should have originally. Now people are trying to spend more money getting UCL lenses. Now you are taking it a step further by ripping out the module and putting it in a new host.

What is wrong with this picture here? The XM2 should have worked from the beginning. Everyone says it's a cheap flashlight so these problems are "ok". That's like saying you buy a Civic (quite affordable really) and it's ignition system is entirely broken. It's ok, I only spent $16,000 on such a fuel efficient car. Let me spend another $4,000 (25% of the light) on getting an ignition from another car and jerry rigging it to mine.

Nice.

[/ QUOTE ]

Lordy. I was beginning to think I was the only one who thought this. I'm baffled that a manufacturer could expect a consumer to be satisfied with a defective product. Moreover, I'm amazed that so many consumers on CPF are willing to pay hard earned dollars for a defective product. Interesting phenomenon, to say the least.

 

[bindibadgi]

Re: Comment

What actually happened was that Wayne (Elektro Lumens) got stiffed by the manufacturer, who made him a great prototype but then made the dodgy final products.

I think Wayne has been very professional. He has accepted responsibility, and is trying (I understand) to negotiate some replacement switches from the manufacturer. He has also promised to individually check ALL lights in future before shipping.

It's a PITA that this stuff happens, but I think Wayne is handling it very well.

 

[rookie]

Re: Comment

Please bear in mind that everyone has a different ideal flashlight. Like you, I would like to have a clickie on-off switch, but then there are other who want a tactical switch. So no matter what flashlight comes out, some will like it as is and others will try to make it more suitable to their likes. I don't think it's fair to call them defective, but just not having all the options we each individually want.

 

[_mike_]

Re: Comment

indenial,

I respectfully submit the following observations (mine only). Wayne is not at all happy with the XM-2 situation and is not expecting people to simply be satisfied with it. We know this because he has openly stated that he, himself was not happy with it or the fact that some (note: "some", not all) of his customers were unhappy.

Currently, unhappy customers have two choices. 1) To return the light for a refund or exchange. 2) To keep the light and do what they want with it.

That being the case, it is now fully in the hands of the customer to decide how they wish to proceed.

In addition, from what I have read ...... I do not personally believe that Wayne would have purposely misled or tried to ship an inferior product to his customers. Hind sight is, as they say, 20/20 and it appears that Wayne is going to take reasonable steps to try and keep this situation from happening again.

My XM-2 came today (I was in on the first pre-order of $39.00). Overall it was fine. The lens was not cracked or malformed in any way. Not much to say about the body, it was fine and well done. There was however some glue on some of the threads, but did not interfere with it's operation or the removal or re-installing of the various threaded parts. The led was centered, bright and white with no rings or other artifacts. I chose to do the garrity switch swap. All in all, I like the one I got and plan on using it alot.

Just my personal observations and opinions ..... nobody elses.

Mike

 

[The_LED_Museum]

Re: Comment

I'm expecting to receive and evaluate (for my website) one of these flashlights fairly soon, so we'll soon have another view of it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[indenial]

Re: Comment

I read the entire thread regarding problems with the XM-2. It clearly establishes a defect as far as I'm concerned. I draw no conclusions as to how or why it happened. It just did. Regardless, I'm glad to hear that the consumer has the option of a refund.

 

[MY]

Re: Comment

For a light that is so bright and white, it is a shame that the switch is almost unusable, the beam not centered, and the lens is messed up.

 

[Bill.H]

Re: Comment

The manufacturer snuck a different spring in the production version than was in the prototype. Wayne is attempting to get the mfgr to send him the correct springs, he does not know how succesful he'll be. He's already said he'll send out replacements to every purchaser if he can get them.
The switch is not at all unusable, mine just needed a little finishing (scraping and sanding) and now it works perfectly. That is a QC problem that has since been corrected by Elektrolumens.

I understand there will be a LuxIII version of the Pelican M6 in the future, That one will be the competition for the XM2. The current PM6 is not.

All this has been covered several times /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dedhorse.gif in the XM2 thread in the ElektroLumens forum.

 

[The_LED_Museum]

Re: Comment

The XM-2 I received via the B/S/T forum appears to function properly, and it has a virtually perfect, round beam.
So when it shows up on my website (possibly as early as tomorrow), I don't expect to have too many negative things to say about it.