Insufficient thermal paste or ran too hot > LED and MCPCB overheats > Remaining solder paste or flux on the board is evaporated causing the fogging.
A small dark dots on the emitter surface normally means too much current or needs better heat sinking, sometimes it can be cleaned with some alcohol. (When it happens in a HI)
I would take the light apart and check for lack of thermal paste or bad reflowing job. Then run the light on turbo until it gets hot before assembling. I have seen soldering paste remains evaporating many times and fogging up the reflector, specially on the SMO ones.
Could just be flux and you can wipe it of easy?
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I mourn the loss of my favorite flashlight. Glad I have a second one in a warmer tint that I just discovered I like better. Now I have my first emitter swap to do. I feel like a idiot but the hard way is the only way I learn unfortunately.
Reflowing LEDs is not nearly as hard as most folks think. And once you learn that skill a whole new world of flashlights opens up for you. Buy something with bad tint? Replace the emitter with a better tint bin! Want more throw? Drop in an HI emitter or de-dome your factory! New higher-flux-bin emitters are out and you’re jealous of the extra output? Drop one in your favorite light! Everybody’s raving about how great the new 219c (or whatever the emitter-of-the-day is) and you want to try it? A few bucks later and you’re in business!
Really, this feels bad now but its really a great opportunity for you. And there’s lots of folks here to help you learn.
Most of the time, yes. They’ve generally got everything you need except for the occasional brand-new thing, like the 219c R90s that are going in a few group buys right now.
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