aznsx
Flashlight Enthusiast
wacbzz: I'm definitely not trying to pick on you here, I appreciate your view and attitude about these events, don't wish to make a point about SF specifically, and like you also I want to believe the best of SF and if gives me no pleasure to hear of all this. However, perhaps influenced by my long background as a manufacturer PSE (product support eng.) for several companies, and on behalf of the OP, I'd like to clarify the fundamental facts of his experiences as stated in this thread. I just re-read each of his posts to ensure I have it right, and specifically the fundamental facts boil down to this:11B, sorry that you're having that experience, but I would be hesitant to write off all SF products (or place them in a "lower quality" category) because of that one light. You mentioned you were only using the SF 18650. Perhaps the battery itself is wonky; SF does not make those in house. Also, IMO, the "Intellibeam" seems, and has always seemed...suspect...to me. I know there are people that love the idea and it's usage, but for me....meh. Not trusting my life on a light that may go dim on me in any situation because of an "eye" failure, or "misread," or whatever you want to call it.
This is not about "one light". Had it been one new product failure, and been handled correctly by SF Support, I wouldn't even think twice about it, and the OP probably wouldn't have either. Product failures happen, a new bad unit will make it out the door, I make plenty of errors myself, and none of that is a big deal (if handled correctly by the mfgr.). Again, this is not about 'one light'.
This is about two(2) product failures / defective new lights, presumably and believed to be different new lights, and no less than (and possibly more than) one(1) Support failure. So rather than just 'one bad light', it's two product failures (bad lights) and one Support failure - minimum. I see those as three separable and distinct SF failures that occurred, so it's 3X as bad as one failure / bad light.
The OP received one new light that was defective as received. He returned that light to SF. SF then (erroneously) sent him someone else's used light (which also appeared to not be delivered in very good shape after repair, but let's leave that completely aside). He then returned that incorrectly-shipped light, and subsequently received a warranty replacement (which Support had told him would be a new light), and it apparently was a new light; however that replacement light then also failed almost immediately.
I'm not going to say anything subjective or make any judgements about or negative comments regarding Surefire. That's not for me to do, and I don't feel I need to. I may be a pro, but I think everyone can decide for themselves how they feel about SF's performance. I simply wanted to summarize and state the actual facts of what happened for the record so that people may do that as they see fit.
Again, I ain't pickin' on ya man - I get where you were coming from