SF M6 isolation ripped

So I received my DBS today and was about to leave for tonight. Went to grab my M6 and while comparing head to DBS, I noticed something odd. I thought there was something in the reflector. Then I saw the isolation cushioning or curtain looking thing between bezel and reflector has a huge tear :(.

It was not dropped so not sure how it happened. I guess will call SF tomorrow morning and see what happens. Sucks to be without the M6, I guess good thing the DBS is here(totally different beams though).

Can you be more explicit about what you're seeing?

Maybe I am calling it the wrong thing.

Inside the lens, the reflector and the head are connected with a spongy time thing. That has a huge tear in it.

I will post pics once I find my USB cable. Here is a ghetto picture showing where the red line is pointing to.

A better pic would be helpfull.

Did you take your bezel apart? The only thing I can think of that is in the area you describe is an o-ring. That o-ring should not be able to move unless the bezel is disassembled.

Mark

Flash_Gordon said:

Did you take your bezel apart? The only thing I can think of that is in the area you describe is an o-ring. That o-ring should not be able to move unless the bezel is disassembled.

Mark

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There is actually a foam insert that goes between the reflector and and the window. It probably has dry rot and started to fall apart.
Call SF, I'm sure they will fix it for you.

Yes it is foam. Thanks Dafabricata.

I'm on the road so will get pics when I am home.

SF is closed today so will call them tomorrow.

Also never took the light apart. Only have changed batteries and bulbs.

Does the shock isolation foam in the M6 form a complete molded donut, or is it just a single length of foam strip which is bent into a circle where two ends meet? I seem to remember seeing that the foam in the M2 and M3 was just a rolled strip with a seam. I'm not sure if that's what it is, just thought I'd mention it in case that seam is what IcantC was seeing.

A pic of this would be helpful. An image is worth a 1000 words. :popcorn:

It is neoprene foam, which is the same heavy-duty stuff they use in diving wetsuits. It's a puzzle how it could have been torn. Was the light new when you got it, or could a previous owner have damaged it trying to dismantle it?

My M6 did the same thing using Fivemega's heavy spring and bi-pin holder. Tore the neoprene shock isolation material due to so much pressure. Surefire replaced the KT4 head and I switched out FM's heavy spring with a "normal" one.

openbolt1 said:

My M6 did the same thing using Fivemega's heavy spring and bi-pin holder. Tore the neoprene shock isolation material due to so much pressure. Surefire replaced the KT4 head and I switched out FM's heavy spring with a "normal" one.

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I don't own an M6, but this sounds like a reasonable explanation.

openbolt1 said:

My M6 did the same thing using Fivemega's heavy spring and bi-pin holder. Tore the neoprene shock isolation material due to so much pressure. Surefire replaced the KT4 head and I switched out FM's heavy spring with a "normal" one.

Click to expand...

That doesn't sound so good. I guess I better go take a look at my M6 with FM spring...

I just went to check mine, looks good:candle:

Mine is fine as well...

Patriot36 said:

That doesn't sound so good. I guess I better go take a look at my M6 with FM spring...

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Normally, the neoprene material has some extra room to compress in case it is dropped. With a very heavy outer lamp assembly spring the reflector is pressed very hard into the shock isolation material, over compressed.

When that occurs the neoprene material gets folded in such a way that it's squashed very hard between the reflector and the interior of the bezel. I suppose if the shock isolation neoprene material remains in this position for a length of time a tear (or more accurately) a heavy crease turns into a break down of the neoprene material. Combine that with the higher temperatures of (in my case) a WA1185 and a break down can happen. I sent mine in to S/F and they kindly replaced the entire head.

Since I did not want to have this repeat itself, (I have 3 of FM's Bi-Pin'ed KT4's) I went ahead and changed out all of the heavy springs to softer ones like what comes stock on a Lumens Factory HO-M6R lamp assembly so there would be some neoprene material left to absorb shock.

I don't want anyone to form an opinion that FM's Bi-Pin holders are defective, they are not. But in my case I just wanted some insurance that I would not have future trouble.

I believe FM feels that the extra spring pressure helps eliminate any resistance issues that may occur between the lamp assembly and the neck of the light. It's an easy thing to remedy. Also mine may have been an exception.

All of mine now have a little room to flex (absorb shock) with the softer springs. Without the soft springs the reflectors were hard up against the interior of the bezels and it would not have been possible to absorb shocks.

considering its foam, it may be susceptible to heat damage....:ohgeez:

openbolt1 said:

Normally, the neoprene material has some extra room to compress in case it is dropped. With a very heavy outer lamp assembly spring the reflector is pressed very hard into the shock isolation material, over compressed.

When that occurs the neoprene material gets folded in such a way that it's squashed very hard between the reflector and the interior of the bezel. I suppose if the shock isolation neoprene material remains in this position for a length of time a tear (or more accurately) a heavy crease turns into a break down of the neoprene material. Combine that with the higher temperatures of (in my case) a WA1185 and a break down can happen. I sent mine in to S/F and they kindly replaced the entire head.

Since I did not want to have this repeat itself, (I have 3 of FM's Bi-Pin'ed KT4's) I went ahead and changed out all of the heavy springs to softer ones like what comes stock on a Lumens Factory HO-M6R lamp assembly so there would be some neoprene material left to absorb shock.

I don't want anyone to form an opinion that FM's Bi-Pin holders are defective, they are not. But in my case I just wanted some insurance that I would not have future trouble.

I believe FM feels that the extra spring pressure helps eliminate any resistance issues that may occur between the lamp assembly and the neck of the light. It's an easy thing to remedy. Also mine may have been an exception.

All of mine now have a little room to flex (absorb shock) with the softer springs. Without the soft springs the reflectors were hard up against the interior of the bezels and it would not have been possible to absorb shocks.

Click to expand...

Excellent post, very well reasoned. Thank you! I think the idea of replacing the FM springs with LF ones is very sensible, and I'm going to do the same with mine.

If this adds slightly to the resistance, it might actually be beneficial for some members who have been experiencing instaflashes.

Wow a lot of responses.

So to answer a few things, my M6 is brand new and purchased last year. Dropped once from waist height over 6 months ago(no physical or any other damage).

I have not taken it apart or attempted to do so. I am not running FM bi pin. I do have FM 3x17670 holder with the MN61. Can the MN61 spring cause this?

Here are pictures

For the above picture, notice the tear at 3 o clock position.

Also after noticing this, I have not been using it for the time being. Just in case I can cause further damage somehow. Will call SF and let you guys know what happens. Either way I am pretty sure I will be taken care of.