Here is a comparison of my light from the same distance before and after I sanded down the black spacer. Ignore any differences in color or brightness. At 9 feet, the hot spot went from 8 inches to 6 inches in diameter. At much longer distances, it looks like the hotspot size stayed the same.
I had to measure based on the sheets of tin on the building. Both hot spots look like they are 3 sheets wide. The coronas look the same as well. Maybe the new one has a slightly better defined hot spot? That might just be the camera settings. Eh, it doesn’t look worse.
Maybe I’ll do some lux measuring later on. I might even space out the black piece to the height it was before I sanded it and compare lux measurements.
—
Texas Ace Lumen Tube and JoshK Sphere calibrated with Maukka lights
Yes, people wanted to get around customs and asked for the light to be shipped in two packages.
Oh I see. Thanks for letting me know. I most definitely missed this.
Was this something that they had to request? In my case I paid for registered shipping without batteries – would this mean I will receive the light with the official packaging?
Yes, people wanted to get around customs and asked for the light to be shipped in two packages.
Yep, they asked for this as a way to get around customs and taxes, against both the Teams and Lumintop wishes. But lumintop was nice enough to accommodate them anyways, not realizing just how much it would bite them down the road.
I am tempted to remove the registered mail option for the next round of lights as it has been nothing but a massive hassle and problem for everyone.
Yes, people wanted to get around customs and asked for the light to be shipped in two packages.
Oh I see. Thanks for letting me know. I most definitely missed this.
Was this something that they had to request? In my case I paid for registered shipping without batteries – would this mean I will receive the light with the official packaging?
Thanks again.
All registered mail shipments have to fit under very specific size and weight requirements, so they must ship in 2 boxes in most cases. As someone pointed out the boxes came in at .97kg and ~1.49kg respectively. You can bet that was not a coincidence.
Are all of the comments concerning poor packaging from people who used registered mail! I got mine DHL a long time ago and it was the most securely packaged light I have ever received. The outer box look very basic and “cheap”, but everything on the inside was very well thought out. No complaints here.
My registered came in a single box to me… depends on the country’s mail system as we can ship up to 50lbs threw Canada Post. I picked it not for the customs issue (although that is an added bonus some times) as I have had horrid experiences with DHL over the years. Around a 50/50 shot they actually leave the package at my front door and not somewhere else (4/7 last year @ my place). I would be totally okay with having a limited shipping option in the future to make it easier on the group buy and manufacture. Shipping issues to my location are my issue and not the manufactures… If I want something enough I will either suck it up or have it shipped somewhere that doesn’t have these problems.
For the future group buys, I suggest you do not care about who and where pays the taxes. Just ship it. We all have more than enough money to pay the customs fees. It is not pleasant for anyone, but seeing how much hassle and problems the registered shipping in two boxes caused, it is definitely not worth it.
For the future group buys, I suggest you do not care about who and where pays the taxes. Just ship it. We all have more than enough money to pay the customs fees. It is not pleasant for anyone, but seeing how much hassle and problems the registered shipping in two boxes caused, it is definitely not worth it.
Yes, people wanted to get around customs and asked for the light to be shipped in two packages.
Oh I see. Thanks for letting me know. I most definitely missed this.
Was this something that they had to request? In my case I paid for registered shipping without batteries – would this mean I will receive the light with the official packaging?
Thanks again.
All registered mail shipments have to fit under very specific size and weight requirements, so they must ship in 2 boxes in most cases. As someone pointed out the boxes came in at .97kg and ~1.49kg respectively. You can bet that was not a coincidence.
Now that I have a relook over the ordering instructions on M4DM4X’s website I remember reading this and quite clearly making the decision to go for registered mail and two boxes, which in hindsight baffles me. My own fault here.
Yes, people wanted to get around customs and asked for the light to be shipped in two packages.
Yep, they asked for this as a way to get around customs and taxes, against both the Teams and Lumintop wishes. But lumintop was nice enough to accommodate them anyways, not realizing just how much it would bite them down the road.
I am tempted to remove the registered mail option for the next round of lights as it has been nothing but a massive hassle and problem for everyone.
Can’t blame ya T/A, you should, you have gone way beyond the call, I don’t know how you did it and still do it, so do it for peace of mind, jeez!
I got an update saying the group buy was closed but never got an PM on how to pay for mine. Is the sale over or are people being added to the list over?
I got an update saying the group buy was closed but never got an PM on how to pay for mine. Is the sale over or are people being added to the list over?
I just received an email as well. The group buy IS closed..but if you got your name on the list BEFORE it closed, you should get a message from them after awhile. I’m still waiting too.
Yes, people wanted to get around customs and asked for the light to be shipped in two packages.
Yep, they asked for this as a way to get around customs and taxes, against both the Teams and Lumintop wishes. But lumintop was nice enough to accommodate them anyways, not realizing just how much it would bite them down the road.
I am tempted to remove the registered mail option for the next round of lights as it has been nothing but a massive hassle and problem for everyone.
I am just going to reaffirm. It is hard to beat DHL in my opinion for overseas shipping. I feel for team giggles, and lumitop. The task you’ve undertaken is monumental. Trying to please everyone, giving people what they want, then having to deal with the backlash from having given it to them.
—
In Him (Jesus Christ) was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. http://asflashlights.com/ Everyday Carry Flashlights, plus Upgrades for Maglite.
OK, that worked. Not going to type everything again, so I’ll just ask if I can switch to DHL. I wasn’t aware of any shipping issues before I ordered, and only chose registered as the cheaper option, since I’m not too fussed about delivery times. As johny723 said, having to pay custom fees isn’t pleasant, but it is what it is. Wu suo wei, as the Chinese say.
Please tell me that it is possible to switch, and at least avoid some of the hassle (for both myself and the team).
Correct, they will be shipping ~100 a week but for the last lights to ship it could take 8 weeks or more.
WOW. Unfortunate people from first batch will wait 8 more weeks (
No, this is not the case at all. There are only ~50 orders left from the first batch, these will be shipped before we send the PM’s for the next batch.
I just mean that the next batch will most likely take about 8+ weeks from start to finish with around ~100 lights shipping per week + inevitable delays that will come up.
I got an update saying the group buy was closed but never got an PM on how to pay for mine. Is the sale over or are people being added to the list over?
Looks like SB did some maintenance to the site a little bit ago and it re-sent a lot of notification emails.
See the OP for the timeline.
The next batch of PM’s will be sent out once the existing orders are finished. This should be in the next few weeks.
OK, that worked. Not going to type everything again, so I’ll just ask if I can switch to DHL. I wasn’t aware of any shipping issues before I ordered, and only chose registered as the cheaper option, since I’m not too fussed about delivery times. As johny723 said, having to pay custom fees isn’t pleasant, but it is what it is. Wu suo wei, as the Chinese say.
Please tell me that it is possible to switch, and at least avoid some of the hassle (for both myself and the team).
I don’t think it is possible to switch this late in the game sadly. Those that have switched shipping methods before ended up having more issues then it solved. This is why it is very important to get the shipping method and address correct the first time in the order.
OK, that worked. Not going to type everything again, so I’ll just ask if I can switch to DHL. I wasn’t aware of any shipping issues before I ordered, and only chose registered as the cheaper option, since I’m not too fussed about delivery times. As johny723 said, having to pay custom fees isn’t pleasant, but it is what it is. Wu suo wei, as the Chinese say.
Please tell me that it is possible to switch, and at least avoid some of the hassle (for both myself and the team).
I don’t think it is possible to switch this late in the game sadly. Those that have switched shipping methods before ended up having more issues then it solved. This is why it is very important to get the shipping method and address correct the first time in the order.
OK, thanks for letting me know, anyway. And for all your other efforts, of course!
Hi, I’m not on often and this thread gets a ton of replies so I haven’t a clue where to look on the status of what’s going on etc… I’m pre order number 1634 I’m I still likely going to be able to purchase the light? If so a rough estimate or will I just get a email when it’s available to purchase. Many thanks.
I got an update saying the group buy was closed but never got an PM on how to pay for mine. Is the sale over or are people being added to the list over?
Hello Hunter29078 You are number [1456 & 1457] on the list, so in the 2 group, wait a few weeks, then you will get a message with the link to buy the GT.
Hi, I’m not on often and this thread gets a ton of replies so I haven’t a clue where to look on the status of what’s going on etc… I’m pre order number 1634 I’m I still likely going to be able to purchase the light? If so a rough estimate or will I just get a email when it’s available to purchase. Many thanks.
See post #18530 right above or post #1 of this thread. The ordering instructions will be sent out late Feb or early March. It is up to Texas_Ace.
—
Texas Ace Lumen Tube and JoshK Sphere calibrated with Maukka lights
All registered mail shipments have to fit under very specific size and weight requirements, so they must ship in 2 boxes in most cases. As someone pointed out the boxes came in at .97kg and ~1.49kg respectively. You can bet that was not a coincidence.
Guilty of that one. I will further point out that while lots of people made very specific and needy requests to facilitate customs fraud – including marking as gifts and declaring very low values – this was not the whole truth when it comes to the alternative shipping option. The demand for mail shipping most likely largely arose from the fact that DHL service is not the same everywhere even if it appears to be excellent in the US on average. They might not even ship every where, IDK. What I know is their business model through foreign contractors is somewhat rogue, to say the least.
People in countries that don’t have very good DHL “service” knew they would get what they expect if they got it by mail. I knew and I received. Not ideal and not perfect, but works, no damage, no extra phone calls to make, no meetings to arrange, no claims to make. Just pick up at the post office, end of deal. The DHL nightmare would have been almost guaranteed to end up costing time and or money. Likelihood of avoiding import VAT is another story, and not that interesting. Having 2 parcels and one invoice could have been a problem with the mail shipping option, but even then a non-issue compared to having to deal with DHL in the first place. Thank you for not making me deal with DHL. Enough stress as it is, really appreciated!
I bet lots of readers of this thread who just skimmed through the thousands of messages somehow got the false impression when “DHL”, “customs” and “extra fees” were mentioned on the same page. The problem for me at least was not potentially having to pay import tax. It was the extortion practiced by DHL when it comes to money. And that’s not even the worst element of DHL “service”. It’s almost worse than doing your annual tax report, which is admittedly relatively easy here.
I think with registered shipping you will get two boxes, don’t think you have to request. DHL ships in one box.
I also think so, I did not ask for 2 boxes.
Exactly. This was known before anyone ordered and was very clearly announced. The alternative shipping was to be in 2 boxes sent separately by mail. There are allegedly some exceptions, but this was the plan. There was nothing more one could request; either DHL shipping in one factory box or mail shipping (by default in two boxes).
Yes, people wanted to get around customs and asked for the light to be shipped in two packages.
http://atvillustrated.com/files/logo.2013.yamaha.racing.blue_.jpg
Here is a comparison of my light from the same distance before and after I sanded down the black spacer. Ignore any differences in color or brightness. At 9 feet, the hot spot went from 8 inches to 6 inches in diameter. At much longer distances, it looks like the hotspot size stayed the same.
I had to measure based on the sheets of tin on the building. Both hot spots look like they are 3 sheets wide. The coronas look the same as well. Maybe the new one has a slightly better defined hot spot? That might just be the camera settings. Eh, it doesn’t look worse.
Maybe I’ll do some lux measuring later on. I might even space out the black piece to the height it was before I sanded it and compare lux measurements.
Texas Ace Lumen Tube and JoshK Sphere calibrated with Maukka lights
Click this to go to signature links. I'm still around, just not reading many new threads.
Oh I see. Thanks for letting me know. I most definitely missed this.
Was this something that they had to request? In my case I paid for registered shipping without batteries – would this mean I will receive the light with the official packaging?
Thanks again.
I think with registered shipping you will get two boxes, don’t think you have to request. DHL ships in one box.
http://atvillustrated.com/files/logo.2013.yamaha.racing.blue_.jpg
Yep, they asked for this as a way to get around customs and taxes, against both the Teams and Lumintop wishes. But lumintop was nice enough to accommodate them anyways, not realizing just how much it would bite them down the road.
I am tempted to remove the registered mail option for the next round of lights as it has been nothing but a massive hassle and problem for everyone.
Texas Avenger Driver Series
My LED Test series - XP-L2 V5 - Nichia 219C 90+ CRI - Latticebright "XM-L" - XHP35 & PWM efficiency - XHP50 - XP-L V5 - XM-L2 U2 - XP-G3 S5 - XP-L HI V2 - Oslon Square & direct comparison to Djozz tests - Nichia 319A - Nichia 219B 9080 CRI - Nichia 219C D320 - Nichia 229AT - XHP70.2 P2 - XHP50.2 J4 - Samsung LH351D
Easy comparison tool for all my LED tests
All registered mail shipments have to fit under very specific size and weight requirements, so they must ship in 2 boxes in most cases. As someone pointed out the boxes came in at .97kg and ~1.49kg respectively. You can bet that was not a coincidence.
Texas Avenger Driver Series
My LED Test series - XP-L2 V5 - Nichia 219C 90+ CRI - Latticebright "XM-L" - XHP35 & PWM efficiency - XHP50 - XP-L V5 - XM-L2 U2 - XP-G3 S5 - XP-L HI V2 - Oslon Square & direct comparison to Djozz tests - Nichia 319A - Nichia 219B 9080 CRI - Nichia 219C D320 - Nichia 229AT - XHP70.2 P2 - XHP50.2 J4 - Samsung LH351D
Easy comparison tool for all my LED tests
Are all of the comments concerning poor packaging from people who used registered mail! I got mine DHL a long time ago and it was the most securely packaged light I have ever received. The outer box look very basic and “cheap”, but everything on the inside was very well thought out. No complaints here.
My registered came in a single box to me… depends on the country’s mail system as we can ship up to 50lbs threw Canada Post. I picked it not for the customs issue (although that is an added bonus some times) as I have had horrid experiences with DHL over the years. Around a 50/50 shot they actually leave the package at my front door and not somewhere else (4/7 last year @ my place). I would be totally okay with having a limited shipping option in the future to make it easier on the group buy and manufacture. Shipping issues to my location are my issue and not the manufactures… If I want something enough I will either suck it up or have it shipped somewhere that doesn’t have these problems.
For the future group buys, I suggest you do not care about who and where pays the taxes. Just ship it. We all have more than enough money to pay the customs fees. It is not pleasant for anyone, but seeing how much hassle and problems the registered shipping in two boxes caused, it is definitely not worth it.
For the future group buys, I suggest you do not care about who and where pays the taxes. Just ship it. We all have more than enough money to pay the customs fees. It is not pleasant for anyone, but seeing how much hassle and problems the registered shipping in two boxes caused, it is definitely not worth it.
Now that I have a relook over the ordering instructions on M4DM4X’s website I remember reading this and quite clearly making the decision to go for registered mail and two boxes, which in hindsight baffles me. My own fault here.
Thanks for assisting with this query.
I think the server is having quite a time handling the size of this thread! I’m getting errors all over the shop at the mo.
WOW. Unfortunate people from first batch will wait 8 more weeks (
WANTED Zebralights. My flashlights
Can’t blame ya T/A, you should, you have gone way beyond the call, I don’t know how you did it and still do it, so do it for peace of mind, jeez!
KB1428 “Live Life WOT”
I got an update saying the group buy was closed but never got an PM on how to pay for mine. Is the sale over or are people being added to the list over?
I just received an email as well. The group buy IS closed..but if you got your name on the list BEFORE it closed, you should get a message from them after awhile. I’m still waiting too.
I am just going to reaffirm. It is hard to beat DHL in my opinion for overseas shipping. I feel for team giggles, and lumitop. The task you’ve undertaken is monumental. Trying to please everyone, giving people what they want, then having to deal with the backlash from having given it to them.
In Him (Jesus Christ) was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
http://asflashlights.com/ Everyday Carry Flashlights, plus Upgrades for Maglite.
I also think so, I did not ask for 2 boxes.
Both boxes where shipped at the same time, only one arrived at thuis moment (head).
I hope the other is not lost
When tracking this second box, there is not much information :
_Your registered letter is on the way to Belgium.
11/02/2018
04:15 Item released from customs MYKCHA 11/02/2018 04:14 Item released from customs MYKCHA _This site has become almost unusable for me, and it’s become progressive worse over the past two or three days:
OK, that worked. Not going to type everything again, so I’ll just ask if I can switch to DHL. I wasn’t aware of any shipping issues before I ordered, and only chose registered as the cheaper option, since I’m not too fussed about delivery times. As johny723 said, having to pay custom fees isn’t pleasant, but it is what it is. Wu suo wei, as the Chinese say.
Please tell me that it is possible to switch, and at least avoid some of the hassle (for both myself and the team).
No, this is not the case at all. There are only ~50 orders left from the first batch, these will be shipped before we send the PM’s for the next batch.
I just mean that the next batch will most likely take about 8+ weeks from start to finish with around ~100 lights shipping per week + inevitable delays that will come up.
Texas Avenger Driver Series
My LED Test series - XP-L2 V5 - Nichia 219C 90+ CRI - Latticebright "XM-L" - XHP35 & PWM efficiency - XHP50 - XP-L V5 - XM-L2 U2 - XP-G3 S5 - XP-L HI V2 - Oslon Square & direct comparison to Djozz tests - Nichia 319A - Nichia 219B 9080 CRI - Nichia 219C D320 - Nichia 229AT - XHP70.2 P2 - XHP50.2 J4 - Samsung LH351D
Easy comparison tool for all my LED tests
Looks like SB did some maintenance to the site a little bit ago and it re-sent a lot of notification emails.
See the OP for the timeline.
The next batch of PM’s will be sent out once the existing orders are finished. This should be in the next few weeks.
Texas Avenger Driver Series
My LED Test series - XP-L2 V5 - Nichia 219C 90+ CRI - Latticebright "XM-L" - XHP35 & PWM efficiency - XHP50 - XP-L V5 - XM-L2 U2 - XP-G3 S5 - XP-L HI V2 - Oslon Square & direct comparison to Djozz tests - Nichia 319A - Nichia 219B 9080 CRI - Nichia 219C D320 - Nichia 229AT - XHP70.2 P2 - XHP50.2 J4 - Samsung LH351D
Easy comparison tool for all my LED tests
I don’t think it is possible to switch this late in the game sadly. Those that have switched shipping methods before ended up having more issues then it solved. This is why it is very important to get the shipping method and address correct the first time in the order.
Texas Avenger Driver Series
My LED Test series - XP-L2 V5 - Nichia 219C 90+ CRI - Latticebright "XM-L" - XHP35 & PWM efficiency - XHP50 - XP-L V5 - XM-L2 U2 - XP-G3 S5 - XP-L HI V2 - Oslon Square & direct comparison to Djozz tests - Nichia 319A - Nichia 219B 9080 CRI - Nichia 219C D320 - Nichia 229AT - XHP70.2 P2 - XHP50.2 J4 - Samsung LH351D
Easy comparison tool for all my LED tests
OK, thanks for letting me know, anyway. And for all your other efforts, of course!
Hi, I’m not on often and this thread gets a ton of replies so I haven’t a clue where to look on the status of what’s going on etc… I’m pre order number 1634 I’m I still likely going to be able to purchase the light? If so a rough estimate or will I just get a email when it’s available to purchase. Many thanks.
Hello Hunter29078 You are number [1456 & 1457] on the list, so in the 2 group, wait a few weeks, then you will get a message with the link to buy the GT.
See post #18530 right above or post #1 of this thread. The ordering instructions will be sent out late Feb or early March. It is up to Texas_Ace.
Texas Ace Lumen Tube and JoshK Sphere calibrated with Maukka lights
Click this to go to signature links. I'm still around, just not reading many new threads.
Sorry for my bad English (gogole transtorla)
Guilty of that one. I will further point out that while lots of people made very specific and needy requests to facilitate customs fraud – including marking as gifts and declaring very low values – this was not the whole truth when it comes to the alternative shipping option. The demand for mail shipping most likely largely arose from the fact that DHL service is not the same everywhere even if it appears to be excellent in the US on average. They might not even ship every where, IDK. What I know is their business model through foreign contractors is somewhat rogue, to say the least.
People in countries that don’t have very good DHL “service” knew they would get what they expect if they got it by mail. I knew and I received. Not ideal and not perfect, but works, no damage, no extra phone calls to make, no meetings to arrange, no claims to make. Just pick up at the post office, end of deal. The DHL nightmare would have been almost guaranteed to end up costing time and or money. Likelihood of avoiding import VAT is another story, and not that interesting. Having 2 parcels and one invoice could have been a problem with the mail shipping option, but even then a non-issue compared to having to deal with DHL in the first place. Thank you for not making me deal with DHL. Enough stress as it is, really appreciated!
I bet lots of readers of this thread who just skimmed through the thousands of messages somehow got the false impression when “DHL”, “customs” and “extra fees” were mentioned on the same page. The problem for me at least was not potentially having to pay import tax. It was the extortion practiced by DHL when it comes to money. And that’s not even the worst element of DHL “service”. It’s almost worse than doing your annual tax report, which is admittedly relatively easy here.
Exactly. This was known before anyone ordered and was very clearly announced. The alternative shipping was to be in 2 boxes sent separately by mail. There are allegedly some exceptions, but this was the plan. There was nothing more one could request; either DHL shipping in one factory box or mail shipping (by default in two boxes).
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