BLF - I've got a problem!

When it is brand new and doesn't work - RMA is usually the best option. Problem is, from here I'll spend more than the cost of the light in postage on budget lights so I had to learn.

So if it's going to cost me more than $14.05 or even close to it then it's really doesn't make sense to send it back. I'll find out tomorrow what the return shipping will cost me. If I do decide to ship it back then it will probably take a couple of months before I see it right? Oh well.....

Thanks again Don!

Sometimes DX is very reasonable when it comes to damaged products. I received a $4.28 light that flickered a lot, and I wrote them asking them to send me a new one because both of us would waste time and money on a lengthy and expensive shipping process for something that is worth $4.28. They agreed right away and I tossed out the broken one and I have the free replacement here. Another time I ordered a $10.00 light that was supposed to have three modes. It arrived in perfect working condition, but with one mode. So I told them that it worked perfectly, but it wasn't worth $10.00 without multi-modes. So they agreed to give me a $3.00 credit. So I ordered another one. They sent me the same thing, a beautiful 1-mode light. I sent them a video of the light, that it worked perfectly but was not multi-mode as advertised. I wrote that I would be happy to give it one more try if they make sure that they get it right this time, and that I would pay $2.00 for the replacement. Without complaining or haggling they sent me a PayPal link for $2.00 and my light is now in the "Packaging" stage. So sometimes DX is really very reasonable and helpful with their customers. In other moments they make one want to rip his hair out. But you may want to try sending a video and asking for a free replacement, reminding them that shipping would cost both you and them more money than the cost of the light. Just be friendly and respectful and honest, and use simple sentences, since there is a language barrier. Good luck with that!

P.S. Ah, and another quick tip: If you send a video, you have to package it in a ZIP file, because their upload system only accepts a few file types, none of which are videos.

Thanks sb56637! I just tried doing an RMA but then they require a picture which doesn't make sense because nothing is visible broken but if that is what they require I'll do it. I've never packaged a video in a zip file so my questions are: What software did you use (hopefully free) and is it easy to use? Also, do you have to reduce the file size of the video? If so, I wouldn't know where to begin. Thanks again!

From memory, it has to be less than 2 megabytes in size. I've heard of someone photographing the absence of an order, i.e., their carpet. Their system seems to be rather inflexible but mostly they get it right in the end. They may need reminding though.

Fixing the light is not as bad as it sounds - but you do need a strong tool and a vice (vise) to get the head apart. The glue on the threads is tough stuff. You most likely will also need to find someone who can solder.

I'd wait and see if DX will make it right first. They can be a bit slow but, in my experience, they generally get you sorted out in the end.

Thanks Don! I just took a couple pics and a short video but the video file is pretty big so I thought that I can upload it to Youtube and just email DX the link for them to watch. That should be just as good as sending them the video file right?

Another thing I noticed when my lights came in was that the Akoray K-106 and the TrustFire F20 look exactly the same. I think I'll give one to my friend as a gift when I figure out which one I want to keep. Which one would you guys keep? Smile

If the Akoray is the programmable one keep it.

They're both exactly the same. I can't believe I didn't notice that when I bought them. Oh well....live and learn right?

Can anyone recommend a really good charger for 14500's, CR123's and RCR123's? Also, can you recommend 14500, CR123 and RCR123 rechargeable batteries? Are CR123 and RCR123 batts basically the same? One more thing, will flashlights that take AA also work with 14500's?

Thanks guys!!!

CR123A are 3 volts and RCR's are 3.6V, so a little higher. *Some* lights that use AA's can use 14500's, but not all. There have been reports with some of the AKOray 5-modes of using a 14500 and frying the driver or never being able to use AA's again. But if the light is made for it, many lights are significantly brighter on a 14500.

Best li-ion charger is the Pila charger which is about $45. But you can get a Ultrafire WF-139 pretty cheap at DX, which seems to be what a lot of people have. Not supposed to use it with 10440's though.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1251

For 10440's I use the universal charger which can do just about any battery. Mine only charges to about 4.14V instead of 4.20.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.14885

The best lithium-ion batteries by reputation are AW cells, which you can get here:

http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=200812

These 14500's are supposed to be pretty good, but most protected cells run a little long (should be 50mm, but might be 52mm) and some are even a little wide:

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.26124

but I have these which seem to be more like 500 mAh instead of 900 on the label:

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3435

Don't know about RCR123A cells since I don't have any. For CR123A primaries I have heard the Made in USA ones are better. I got some from Lighthound.

Glad to hear that your lights came in.....and sorry that you also got a bum one. The last time i did an RMA Dx reimbursed me the postage, all they wanted was a clear pic of the receipt.

I have this charger and are very satisfied with it. Can charge a lot of different batteries.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.4151

I can also recommend the 14500 Trustfires Don mensioned.

For any light you have to know if the light will take the lith rechargeables.......on the specs of the light you will see an input voltage from 1.2 - 3.7 volts, if you dont see that then please dont try it...i have burned many lights doing this without thinking. If you dont want to pay the price for AW's then please check out the Solarforce 16340's since there very comparable to AW's. http://www.sbflashlights.com/Batteries-Chargers/Solarforce-16340-p20.html And as you know i also have a couple of these on the way http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.26124 in which Don has a couple of them and they seem to be good as well. And if you need some Cr123's by all means let me know...and i will send you a couple bud, i recommend using them only in an emergency situation like during a long power outage where long burn time is needed. I have Energizers, Rayovacs, Duracells, and Streamlight.

Here's a bit more insight into DOA Tank007 E07's, and some of DX's recent replacement deals.

http://www.dealextreme.com/forums/Forums.dx/Forum.24125~threadid.545269

Thanks guys! I just sent DX the RMA along with pictures that really doesn't show anything to help them but I sent it anyway. I also made a video and uploaded it to youtube and sent them the link so they can see that it really doesn't work. So now I guess the waiting game starts. Frown

So are the Pila IBC, TrustFire or the UltraFire chargers that CAN"T be left alone while charging batteries? Are they safe enough to be left alone while charging? I would hate to come home to a burned down house. Surprised

You should never ever leave a lithium rechargeable unattended....that goes for any charger.

But people do forget. With protected cells, the cell protection ought to kick in....

I have forgotten that I've left cells on charge and have not, yet, managed to burn my house down.

Also it's a good idea to have the charger on something that won't burn. Not that I've ever (except deliberately) made a lithium cell burn up, but the possibility is there.

So how long does it usually take to charge these li-ion cells?

It all depends on the cell depletion......i dont run my batts down so they charge up within 20-30 minutes........Your not the only one that has forgotten about left cells in the charger, i have too and im glad nothing has happened.

On a WF-139 a low to flat 18650 takes several hours (up to 6). You don't actually have to watch them every second - I'm not concerned about answering the phone or going to the toilet. The chargers are behind me from where I'm typing and I'll occasionally check to see that nothing is getting too hot.

I always let cells cool down before I charge them - smaller lights can get very hot and charging can farther heat the cells so I let them cool off before charging. But I do own quite a lot of 18650s.