GB Clone Offically "SOLD OUT" 10/21/18 XPL HI 1300LM Focusing AKA Cometa 2016

Got a mail from banggood today. Theybsaid the oedered item was out of stock…bla…bla…
I will ask for refund.

I have already received a return for the Cometa from 26650.
It’s a shame of course, when the seller places the goods, you pay for the goods, and then the seller realizing his losses goes to outright cheating ….

Alright, thank you guys for your input. So far, I noted following issues that one should take a look at before actually using the Cometa:

Short circuit risks:

  • solder joints on LED aluminum board (potential for bad solder jobs)
  • sharp edges on the pill that might damage the insulation of wires
  • insulation disc on the rear side of the pill is crucial as the outer rim of the pill might cause shorts when in contact with the positive pole of the battery
  • driver pocket / driver shelf oversize (approx. 19-19.5mm) while pass thru hole is about 17.8-18mm => 17mm driver can be moved over enough to short out on one of the SMD’s or positive lead
  • MCPCB isn’t screwed or glued => risk of board-rotation and shearing-off of leads when tightening the cover

Operational malfunctions/ flaws:

  • Turbo drops out to moon after exactly 10 seconds => Fix: adding a 5 Ohm resistor between led+ and both C1 and D1 or set off the temp / heat setting

  • Rattling inside the head due to zoom mechanism => Fix: still in clarification / adding high-viscosity lubricant, o-rings or kapton tape might help

If there's anything more to consider or if something needs to be corrected in my above mentioned points, I'll be glad to collect any further input and summarize it here. :-)

I’m sure they want rid of them, who wouldn’t.

But I suspect some automated algorithm is observing this, re-pricing based on recent past orders, and oscillating wildly, with no (sensible) human in the loop.

Interesting times. And pick up your “bargains” whilst you can.

But don’t forget it is still a sh(it) torch, meaning sh (dont talk about it) and (it) meaning a complex UI. Nothing more.

You could do much better, for just a few dollars more.

And what prevents to place two screws and get rid of a headache ? :person_facepalming: :face_with_monocle: :stuck_out_tongue:

Tom Tom, I can understand that you feel frustrated about this flashlight and how things went south in the past between CPF Italia, Banggood, Manker and Jaxman. However, I would greatly appreciate it if we all could focus on the technical aspects of the Cometa, it's great benefits regarding the low price and how any potential flaws can be identified and rectified. In my humble opinion and without any offence, griping over and over again about the past, the price fluctuations on Banggood or why one should not buy this light distracts a bit from finding out how to get the best out of this light.

So, I take this as a solution for the problem, right? If so, I will be glad to include it into my list.

For the Problem of Driver shelf oversize on Pill,with risk of short.
We can try to screw a P60 brass on the cometa pill instead the stock ring,
then put the driver
hope will fit.

So far, I noted following issues that one should take a look at before actually using the Cometa:

Short circuit risks:

  • solder joints on LED aluminum board (potential for bad solder jobs)
  • sharp edges on the pill that might damage the insulation of wires
  • insulation disc on the rear side of the pill is crucial as the outer rim of the pill might cause shorts when in contact with the positive pole of the battery
  • driver pocket / driver shelf oversize (approx. 19-19.5mm) while pass thru hole is about 17.8-18mm => 17mm driver can be moved over enough to short out on one of the SMD’s or positive lead
  • MCPCB isn’t screwed or glued => risk of board-rotation and shearing-off of leads when tightening the cover => Fix: tighten the MCPCB by mounting two screws onto it

Operational malfunctions/ flaws:

  • Turbo drops out to moon after exactly 10 seconds => Fix: adding a 5 Ohm resistor between led+ and both C1 and D1 or set off the temp / heat setting

  • Rattling inside the head due to zoom mechanism => Fix: still in clarification / adding high-viscosity lubricant, o-rings or kapton tape might help

If there's anything more to consider or if something needs to be corrected in my above mentioned points, I'll be glad to collect any further input and summarize it here.

No I don’t think that you do. It is quite visceral, and some behaviour just is not acceptable, even after a few years have gone by.

Watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzLT6_TQmq8 for a more eloquent expression.

The girl from Tiger Bay expresses it more clearly.

Well, what can I say ? its different.

Tom Tom, enough already. You have made your points. Stop calling name on Cometa most people here enjoy having. The groupbuy was a mess, don’t blame the flashlight. I bet you don’t buy from Banggood anymore, but that’s your decision.

Bottom line it appears is to treat the Cometa as if it were a host. :student:

I think on some drivers the turbo step down because the programed temp is to low?

Also i never heard about the LED rotating its common for zoomies to not have the MCPCB screwed down by actual screws. This system is what is used on most zoomies?

Most likely someone have tighten the alu. disc too much and rotated the MCPCB. Outcome of this MCPCB rotation was either scratched alu disc and shorted with MCPCB solder blobs, and/or led wires get cut by sharp edges of the brass pill and shorted too.
It should have been hold down by two screws to avoid this, but manufacturer cut cost on these screws and tapping.

One other way to think about it, is to buy it for spite.

For every Cometa you buy at 15bux, you’re denying a sale to some other sucker at 47bux. :smiling_imp:

I bought 2 this time round and 1 on original group buy , added some thermal grease to MCPCB then kapton tape over solder joints.

After this it works great for what it is, it is a cheap zoomie with good performance. I have yet to see anything throw like this for £12 inc battery ,Tom Tom if you know of anything that can out flood and out throw this for £12 ($15USD) inc battery please let us all know.

Yes it’s not a torch for everyone but for them who will do very basic mods, it’s a great torch at a great price.

:smiley: :+1:

Edit: Shouldn’t have posted that, I apologize

I just got 2 cometa’s today and everything that was wrong with them has been fixed in some way or another. There is a plastic insert on the head side of the battery (well made, milled plastic insert) and what is normally the reflector (don’t know what it is called) has been milled for relief of the solder blobs. Solder work is perfect also. For $15 or $16 these are a bargain if you like zoomies. I’ll try and post pics later.

+1

Awesome deal!