OK first off, I’d genuinely like to thank Krono, et. al. for allowing me the opportunity to participate. I ordered one set of each as soon as I got the code and the SS/CU/box orderer arrived today. I placed two separate orders because I couldn’t seem to get the codes to work for both sets in a single order. Tracking said both were to arrive Friday, so maybe the aluminum ones will arrive tomorrow.
I filmed the box opening just in case there was an issue and to get footage for a review video at some point. I also filmed my wive’s initial reactions and she was most impressed, especially about the heftiness and the lit tail caps. Even our children started arguing which one each was going to get to keep which light.
Jokes on them, of course. But seriously, there are about 120 lights in the house and everyone has some for there own use, but I’ve never seen our youngest EVER get so excited about any piece of gear, much less a flashlight.
What about damage? Well, honestly, there wasn’t really any to speak of. The sides of the box were not wrapped in foam, which is something that probably should have been done. There is an ever so slight dent in one corner of the box, but you have to actively search to find it.
This set is mine, but I’d be proud to gift the box in the condition it arrived in if that is what I had originally intended. Truthfully, I’d be a little bummed if my bow was more damaged.
The X6 was out of place, and may have been rubbing the X5, but there doesn’t seem to be anything other than very minor scuffing. Truthfully, the scuffing could have just as easily happened during the manufacturing process. The felt underneath both lights is rubbed pretty raw. If I were in charge, I’d ship the box empty in the future and wrap all three items individually.
Here are just some quick snaps. The aforementioned unboxing video, like all such unboxing videos, is ridiculous as a stand alone vid, but if there is any real interest, I’d be happy to put it up.
In every GB, when people complain about the lights because x, y, or z isn’t correct, you typically hear a couple of retorts. The first is that we are dealing with the Chinese and that’s how the roll and x, y, or z is to be expected, The other one you hear is that if the complainer thinks it’s so easy, they should just start there own GB.
Regarding the former, I’ve never quite understood why we should be so forgiving when what gets delivered isn’t what was ordered to one degree or another. And I’m not just talking GBs either, it happens when you order stock lights. Regardless of price, I like to get what was agreed upon and for us here, that means a functioning and undamaged light that is built to spec.
When that’s not what happens, excuses should not be made.
Regarding the latter response, the people who make these GBs happen get something out of it otherwise they wouldn’t do it. It might not be financial or material compensation, but it certainly isn’t altruism either. It could just be the psychological high that comes from seeing a project through to the end.
Whatever the reason, I don’t fault anyone for their motivation. But the GBs have some negatives associated with them; there have always been and will always be QC/CS issues. People will, fairly enough, mention it. To expect that this won’t happen is unrealistic. Therefore, just like, “Do it yourself if you think it is so easy” is perhaps valid, so to, perhaps, is, “Don’t do it if the inevitable fallout upsets you”.
People are not being ungrateful when the voice a complaint. They are rightfully upset that what was promised was not delivered. And, I believe, no one here blames any of the GB hosts. It’s always the used car salesmen types that we dealt with that are the root cause.
There is an element of risk associated with purchasing budget lights that is not there if you are a SureFire fan boy, right? I mean, every purchase we have ever individually or collectively done from over there has always had a little bit of a lottery feel to it.
As for using the code after you gave up your spot, that’s less than fair. We all trust that the honor system is being used by all of us and that sort of move is probably either very close to the line or even a little over it. That said, I don’t think it rises to the level of a capital offense either.
Now, selling for a profit. I’ve never sold a piece of gear as I’m a bit of a gear hoarder, so I may not be the right guy to proffer an opinion. That said, philosophically, I have zero issue with someone selling their personal property. If you got in early and promised to buy a dozen lights, then purchased a dozen lights, then why you do with them is none of anyone’s business. More power to ya if you make enough selling them to put your kid through college.
Anyway, that was all just my two cent’s worth after reading the last twenty or so pages. Not that my opinion matters much.
BTW, my set is # 36.
Later edit- I was called away from my desk before, so I posted without proofreading. But I’ve come back to fix my many goofs. Sorry if anyone read that as initially posted.