hn shouldnt look like that, that light is not how u expect it when u recieve it… i would dispute that… like a bad sample that shouldnt have left factory to customer…
I have similar marks with anodizating of most of mine Sofirn lights. But they are cheap and you can except what you pay, but FF in another case are not cheap at all so also for me that quality is poor. If I remembered it this is not first time with bad quality from FF.
the machining around the switch bezel would annoy me the most
It is a possibility that this was a “First Article” or sample sent to the seller that wasn’t meant to be sold. If not then I’d say Jack has work to do at the factory. Worst thing to me is that the poor machining/anodizing wasn’t caught by QC after those processes and made it to assembly where the light passed Final Inspection (supposedly) Where’s QC???.
Good luck with Neal Zhang.
Looks like a used light. All my FF lights look great.
Or buy them from someone named Hank.
Yeah, maybe Neal sold a bunk return.
Sorry to say, I agree with klrman’s first comment.
It looks like the switch ring has been pryed off marking the ano. It looks like a metal ring has been thru that gap in the heat sinking (some kind of lanyard experiment?). And it looks like it had been screwed tight and opened a good few times with a battery inside.
This is a case of asking for a new one surely?
I don’t see how this is an issue for the dealer. It’s not like most dealers are opening boxes and fully inspecting everything. Even with type 3 anodizing you can get some scuffed off on various hard square edges through rough handling (multiple bodies in one bin or box) and during assembly. So I understand some people are going to want things perfectly flawless. I can appreciate it when things are but I’m not the type of person that is going to try to sell something or return it just because it’s not perfect on the finish. It should work as advertised. So none of these issues affect the operation in any way shape or form. That’s the bottom line.
I have to admit, I am a person who wants to have a perfectly looking light. Especially if it costs more.
Yes, it is technically 100% fine, it is working and everything, but… Okay, let’s be honest, how many of us actually use a flashlight without a holster, scratch it, and generally don’t care about its condition?
I have 9 Fireflies lights. 4 E07’s, 2 PL47’s, and 3 ROT66’s. All of them were great and work perfectly, couldn’t find any faults other than I wish they used a bigger/stronger O-ring.
I definitely agree, scratching or damaging one of my flashlights, (or cameras, or bicycles, or etc) affects my mood for at least a couple hours and permanently detracts from the item damaged.
I guess function is the “bottom line” if you use your lights exclusively as tools but many of us flashlight enthusiasts and collectors love and enjoy the design, capabilities, and aesthetics of our lights and having them in good condition even appearance wise is important to us. I have several lights I use most often to avoid wear and damage to my favorites. The favorites are taken out for fun and experimentation on a walk etc.
Then there should be a disclaimer, “warning the lights might look worse of the actual product u will recieve vs the photos shown in the webpage” That too me is not ok… even cheap convoy lights dont have this problem for a budget light 20$ish price i could accept such flaws but not when its more then double that…. its just bad quality overall and seems not to have improved since last time this was brought up that they have so so quality testing….
A bunch of ROT66’s arrived scuffed at a dealer recently, and now this…
Update -
Still nothing from Neal, he is at least consistent with 'his' customer service. I have since discovered more issues with other items ordered from him such as the HTP Works glow button for FW3A not fitting in one of two FW3A's I own which was rather irritating.
The better news is a representative of Fireflies has contacted me in order to replace the head, now waiting on a response, can't say I'm filled with confidence though.
I have around 10 ff lights and even the discounted factory 2nds look better. The electrical flaws in them were taken care of eventually. I even received a new replacement without having to exchange the original. If you buy several lights the sting of waiting for returns, replacements and warranty repairs is reduced when the others keep you company until it’s return.
Ahh, so that’s the secret. Just buy so many backups that maybe one will be acceptable.
I think I’ll pass!
I have two FF lights, only really noticed issue on the ROT66. And there, the issue was minor with the threads and the cut just outside the threads in the inside was marred badly (just cosmetic), I just smoothed the latter a bit with sandpaper to remove jags (I always smooth the edges where battery goes in anyway). The thing didn’t want to lock tight enough to turn on the first time, but it seems to have broken in with use.
QC is lacking given the somewhat high price, but it’s not a bust if it’s just cosmetic imo
Update -
Still nothing from Neal approaching 10 weeks since raising the issue with him.
Fireflies are also ghosting me and no longer responding to my emails, Jack June from Fireflies has lied on three occasions where he said a replacement unit will be sent to me and I will be notified of the tracking details. This has not happened and now 8 weeks since Fireflies initially contacted me.
Did you start a dispute or chargeback? I bet Neil has a steady flow of bank refunds with his shit show.
I think expectation exceeded reality in this case.