Hmmmmm ... You're correct that the recent SLS's seemed to catch a lot of flack, but I don't view that as a serious thing.
Why?
Because they were essentially Beta Test units and by definition Beta's need to be examined in detail and each and every shortfall, each deviation from "perfect," needs to be mentioned in order to "improve the breed."
My SLS, for example, is an exceptional light with only one minor problem that bothers me. I did, however, list ALL of it's "problems" when asked.
Thing is, some of the problems - those deviations from "perfect" - are perfectly acceptable in most any real-life use.
For example, the finish is in three shades, and two different glosses, and there is a bit of a "swirl" pattern in the HA III at the bottom of the battery case. Are these defects? Probably. Do I consider them defects? Nope! They simply give my light some personality, and enhance it's "Industrial Modern" look.
The only "defect" in my SLS that bothers me (even though I did mention others in a discussion of SLS defects) is the fact it isn't as water resistant as I would have hoped,
but then the hybrid units weren't supposed to be waterproof.
Bottom line? It's an excellent light.