Surefire M3 Issues

[Overlander]

Hello Guys,

Unfortunately my first post is a moaning one, i just want check that i am not being unreasonable. I bought a M3 combat on 9th February(9 days ago) After delivery times i have had the torch 6 days. Anyway i have used the Torch for a total of 20 mins and the MN10 bulb has blown. So I phoned the UK supplier and they basically said tough thats whats happens to bulbs so that be £35 ($50-60) including postage. Am i unreasonable in assuming a bulb should last more than 20 mins and this should be replaced free of charge. Maybe i am out of touch how the Torch community operates but i think this is pretty poor.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Size15's]

Hi :welcome:
Unfortunately it is not unheard of for SureFire lamps to suffer this early and untimely death.
That said, if the bulb doesn't die after the first set of SF123A batteries it is highly likely it'll live a productive life for at least 25 hours of runtime.

I suggest you call SureFire, if you can, and explain what happened.
It has been usual in cases such as this for SureFire to send a replacement Lamp Assembly.
However, being outside the USA makes things more complicated and that usually shows itself with communication difficulties and longer timescales for resolutions.

Please let us know how you get on.

Al

 

[Tempest UK]

I phoned the UK supplier and they basically said tough thats whats happens to bulbs

They are speaking nonsense. The lamp assembly should at least last as long as the batteries :green:

The usual advice regarding contacting SureFire is to call them rather than e-mail. Unfortunately, for those of us living in the Queen's good country, e-mail is the only option, so be prepared for some waiting. I've had replacements arrive at my door within two weeks of sending the e-mail, but I've also waited months, at times.

Regards,
Tempest

 

[Solscud007]

Go get some lumens factory bulbs. cheaper and should always have backups. Doesnt the M3 come with a spare lamp? I forget if the MN20 is HO or LO.

 

[Overlander]

Yes it is still on the first set of batteries, I'm more annoyed at the UK dealers attitude. Remember we really overpay in the UK ($300), partly for the advantage that you deal with a local company who can resolve issues in a quicker time frame. But lose this advantage and i will just order from the states in future.

 

[Overlander]

Yes it comes with the MN11 which i am now using but boy does it eat the batteries.

 

[rcashel11]

My MN10 lamp instaflashed upon turning on my new M3. I contacted SureFire and they sent me a replacement lamp assembly.

 

[Tempest UK]

Yes it is still on the first set of batteries, I'm more annoyed at the UK dealers attitude.

If I were in your situation I would contact them again. A bulb failing that quickly is simply not just "what happens".

Regards,
Tempest

 

[Overlander]

I sent them a mail reminding them that we have a fit for purpose law in the UK and also they have a 30 day money back guarantee. Its not the bulb thats annoying but the dealer attitude, although i would have preferred for it not to happen. Unfortunately they seem to carry a very large range of surefire gear so if i hack them off too much i will need to find a new supplier. Out of interest who do the guys in the UK mainly use?

 

[Strauss]

Call Surefire. They will take care of you. I had the same issue with an MN21, and Surefire promtly sent me a free replacement.

 

[Overlander]

Good news it looks like the supplier has had a change of mind after a sterner e-mail. But as a bonus surefire have offered to replace the bulb, i told them to put their kind offer on hold as i hope the supplier will send a new bulb.

Surefire were very nice, thumbs up to them, the supplier also seems to be nicer. Maybe i just got the wrong person on the phone today. So all is well. Apart from that the M3 is a great torch. Thanks for all your advice guys.

 

[angelofwar]

My M10 did the same thing...as others have stated, if yer going to blow an SF bulb, you'll do it on a fresh set of batteries...might I reccomend "running down" the batteries a bit...SF Primaries usually come at around 3.25...run them down in a beater light for about 5 minutes, and then use them in your bulb. Once your M10 is "broken in", it should last plenty of hours.