I also got a Cree instead of a Nichia version yesterday. This is my first copper torch, so I’m going to keep it. I will probably just apply a Lee filter to the lens to warm the tint. I already swapped the inadequate stock clip with one from a Streamlight Stylus Pro, so now the torch rides deep in my pocket.
cyclops, thank you for the heads up on this deal!
Ordered Cu Tool aaa w Nichia
received XP-G3 after 21 days
the return address says
CVG Returns
Hebron KY
that was never one of the locations given by tracking
….
inserted a partly depleted Eneloop pro at 1.22 volts
.5 lumens max on start, for all 3 modes
after 10 minutes low is 3.8 lumens, medium 31.6 lumens, and 40 lumens maximum
after 20 minutes low is 3.8 lumens, medium 31.6 lumens, and 70 lumens max
after 30 minutes low is 3.8 lumens, medium 31.6 lumens, and 77 lumens max
I wonder if my eneloop is too discharged
inserted a partly depleted eneloop @ 1.29v
produced 102 lumens max
after 40 minutes 112 lumens max
end test…
===
lumen specs
CREE XP-G3 LED
• Low mode: 5 lumens
• Medium mode: 32 lumens
• High mode: 110 lumens
===
tint observations
typical XP-G3 yellow/green corona around the hotspot
negative R9 CRI makes red things look brown
Cool White, guesstimating 6000k, looks greenish blue compared to my pink sw45k
===
conclusion
it takes 40 minutes to charge up the SuperCap so it can fire maximum mode
at 1.22v there is not enough power to exceed 80 lumens max
at 1.29v there is enough power to achieve 112 lumen max
Received my order today, a Nichia Cu. The package is 2km away from my location now.
Will see if I’m lucky with my Nichia order or receive a CREE.
My replacement Cu AAA Drop flashlight finally arrived. Yes, it is Nichia now! Gorgeous warm tint. I am so happy I went through the return process. For a close task light such as this, I abhor cool white tint. Warm feels so natural. It’s well worth sacrificing some lumens to get it.
Mine is a joke…
Shipped 20th Nov. Contacted Drop CS these 2 days. Told me my parcel lost in transit while many of you guys received yours. Offered me a full refund.
According to PostNL tracking, my parcel was Pre-Advised by Drop to PostNL. It was NEVER SHIP at all.
What a JOKE for coming Christmas…
You had time to get the light, return it and get the other one back ? I didn’t even receive my mixed up light yet 
well guys
remember this was a $10 deal
it did not work out, and you can get a refund
I will try not to act too indignant that drop screwed up the order.
After all, what did I expect, for $10?
(after creating an extra email account)
I agree it is unfortunate that it took 22 days for me to receive my light
I got a Cree LED, when I actually ordered a Nichia
I got a letter saying :
“For the error, we are providing you with a $10 Drop credit. If you would like to return the flashlight to us instead, we can issue a prepaid return label so you can return it to us for a full refund and you keep the $10 credit.”
They are not offering me a replacement option like a couple of the people here have received… oh well…
bottom line
yes, it was a good deal
yes, I now have an extra copper host
no, it did not arrive promptly
no, I did not receive the LED I ordered
anyway, I plan to mod the LED
yesterday I failed to extract the pill, it would not unscrew
I will have to resort to heat, when I feel motivated
Felt a bit reluctant to create another email account and get the NEW customer
Discount on the cute Tool. Felt like I was hoodwinking ’em somehow.
So, if anyone who got a Tool and are unhappy with your $10 purchase, I am willing
To take it off your hands. To buy it.
HMU, soon. Nichia. Or Cree.
Thanks, Stark.
Hmmm. 
My copper one was moderately glued. I’ve found Lumintop varies with the amount of glue they use, two of EDC01 was notoriously difficult to open. I had good results with soaking it in isopropyl alcohol to loosen it up a bit.
I ordered mine fairly early after the alert on the deal. It took a couple weeks to get my light. Then I had to send it back & waited about 5 days (to get to the UPS store). They received it a few days later. So, it wasn’t all that fast in the grand scheme. But, the c/s rep Brett was very attentive and communicative. I was very impressed with the level of support.
Btw, while I was waiting for status of the return receipt, I went on-line and then noticed the Nichia version was now “Ended.” I was worried so I wrote to Brett, who then told me they had kept some for dealing in customer service issues, like the mix-up, so that’s how I got mine. Seems it was one of those “by the skin of my teeth” scenarios. It’s a really terrific light, even at $30.
thanks for the tip
I cant twist mine free by hand, was going to try heat next…
.
I agree!
Glad you got one 
===
and now
for my entertainment
a fictionalized word from our sponsor
===
It has come to the attention of management that a few people have been creating multiple email addresses in order to claim the $20 discount on the Copper Tool.
We can tell because you still use the same shipping address. But rather than lose a customer, were going to pretend we did not notice, and keep saying nice things to you, and offering you extra $10 discounts on other merchandise.
Please keep spending your money at drop.com
sorry about the shipping screw ups on the discounted tools…
what did you expect for $10 anyway
you guys are a bunch of scammy, multi email, deal hustlers
but, we did enjoy taking your money
and screwing with your orders
…
lol
sent you a PM Stark
I have several of the much superior Preon (Foursevens/Prometheus) after market Clips available if you want one to pimp out this massdrop copper (lumintop) light let me know. $10 USD shipped.
I appear to have lost my aluminum Nichia today. Bummer. Appears to have popped out of my back pocket.
I didn’t notice it missing until after about an inch of snow had fallen.
Although I did not received my light as parcel been lost somewhere, somehow… Just my luck.
And this is my first purchase from Drop.com, of cos for this little Cu at an unbeatable price.
Drop.com customer service has been great and fast in reply.
2 thumbs up to Drop.com customer service though I did not received my light…
Cheers…
Thanks, G!
Wonder why some prefer Nichia, becuz it is “warm”? 
Another question, how to keep it pristine, the knurling makes the patina look “dirty”.
@jon_slider, where did you buy your SW45k, nice hue.
I prefer High CRI because it shows colors more realistically. Particularly things with Red in them.
you cannot keep copper from turning dark unless you paint lacquer over it.
you can make copper lose its patina, even inbetween the knurling, by soaking the light in ketchup… but, that produces a dull pink color, not shiny. Basically the vinegar in the ketchup, and the acid from the tomatoes, etches the copper.
when I want to polish my copper, I use a jewelers rouge cloth, or a yellow sunshine cloth. It only gets the high spots though…
the sw45k was a modification that I paid another member, to have done to my light. I have now bought all the tools to do my own LED swaps, but have not yet taken the time to take my cool white Tool apart. The LEDs themselves can be purchased individually , if you are set up to do your own mods.
I own a set of Maratacs with different LED mods, that lego to the Tool body
I find the tailswitch more convenient than a twisty.
Do you accept Drop credits?
What a shiny shine job, Jon!
Will Brasso (and a toothbrush) work as well, on copper?
@argolite, g is not a part of mega MassDrop, now Drop.
no experience
a quick google to get you started… share what you learn