Quite a lot of manufacturers won’t give a warranty for damage incurred by the user. If you think about it, if Apple says their iPhone model has a 2m waterproof rating and it gets water damage by any measure, the warranty is void. Same for any phone manufacturer. Same for drop damage etc
Letting something like this put you off an entire brand is a bit much. If you want something that’ll take a beating, then get a brand that pots their drivers. Something like the expensive Elzetta brand
Every single brand that’s not potted won’t be durable like you’re wanting. The SP10S driver most likely has had a component shift from the drop and that’s just what happens to solder. The prices you’re wanting to pay, you can’t expect a whole lot more tbh. Most have had an SP10S take a beating and function fine, others not, but that’s like every single product that exists, some have faults etc.
Nop, I was saying that the T2 is more durable and has thicker walls, but I wasn’t comparing walls thickness with the SP10S.
I was also saying that the internal structure of the flashlight (driver shape, shelf, wires bending, etc) has a negative “impact” when the light falls to the ground.
On a T2, a “regular” 17mm driver can be used, un/soldering wires and it stays put and has no other elements affecting it negatively if it suffers impacts on the floor.
Well and for this kind of replacement and fixing you’ll always need to know how to solder and have the tools, but it is way easier to replace a driver or fix something in a T2 than in a SP10 light
I know a little basic knowledge about soldering. I used to fix / remove mechanical keyboard switches. But flashlight pcb is much smaller and it seems i dont have tools like heatgun to remove the glue. And also removing the driver seems hard without damaging the driver in sp10s.
I will try use the hair dryer to heat the glue. I better buy another flashlight than buying a heatgun.
Glad to hear that convoy is much easier to fixed. Gonna pick one with lh315d 4000k. Already order nichia 219c in tool aa. I think zappaman is right, i will wait until sofirn make sp10 with anduril which everyone are waiting for and order sp10s driver along with it.
You could use a hairdrier and solder a bit of wire to the driver and try giving it a tug, this is how a couple members do it. You first need to unsolder the wires off the led though.
It’s clearly stated the flashlight can withstand a 1-meter drop.
And the user just so received this light.
It’s not like he threw it against a wall/floor.
Accidents can happen. What are we to pamper our lights, cotton ball and all?
I’m sorry, but that argument is not legal tender.
If a product states that it is tested against such, then that is binding.
I’m in a province where any product is legally bound to cover any marketing claim including waterproofness. If the product does not withstand a drop/dunk, and is such stated, it is covered by the law. Also, this makes your statement give the manufacturer claim to just about anything and not abide by their own statements.
Come on Funtastic, companies don’t have the right to lie, and weasel out of responsibility when a $10-15 light accidentally drops from a table.
PS, Apple does not claim its products waterproof. And they don’t claim a drop test on their phones or tablets. Quite contrary. Apple clearly states their products are not waterproof nor drop-proof. If you are inclined to have such accidents, then you purchase AppleCare.
It is not user abuse, but the fact Sofirn clearly states it can withstand a 1-meter drop. It did not. And the burden of liability is not on the purchaser but on the manufacturer.
Well, I’m just repeating what I’ve been told by every brand I stock.
If not Apple, then many Samsung phones give a waterproof rating but warranty is void if it gets wet.
For New Zealand, I still have to give cover (consumers guarantee act) but I don’t get any replacement by the supplier.
For some of my models I don’t state an impact or waterproof rating since not all specs are accurate. I don’t have to provide a warranty on a spec I never claimed
As you can see, Apple gives no warranty for liquid damage. If a customer is covered under consumer law then it comes out of the seller’s pocket
Apple sells their own products in each country so they’d still need to cover under consumer law. It’s entirely different for products sold from resellers. Overseas brands don’t have to provide cover and the warranty replacement then becomes the shop/seller’s expense .
The burden of liability is on the person that makes the claim of warranty. If the product is sold thru Apple Store, then it is Apple Inc that has the onus of responsibility. If the statement is a marketing ploy by a seller, it is that person that takes responsibility.
I don’t know of overseas liability, but Sofirn sells in Canada, they are held accountable. Even if one was to purchase directly from their manufacture. They would have to state the product is not covered, specifically, and clearly marked prior to purchase.
The fine print clause or the detailed/legal EULA is notwithstanding here. Courts dismiss any claim by the makers - it cites with the consumer in most cases. It also has a system in place that the consumer doesn’t have much legal burden, just some paperwork and the issue is resolved between Government and Company. As a matter of fact, there is a hotline (actual phone number) when a consumer is at odds with some seller or a customer service rep.
It actually boils down that companies cannot make false claims, nor sell under assumptions.
But this is getting away from the liability that Sofirn has a product, a $15 light, that they care not to cover. It is rather cheap and scrupulous of them.
As a merchant, you have rights and obligations. I understand that. In your understanding of the warranty, it is according to New Zealand law. I have a different view from a more socialist environment. But you didn’t sell the light to Timber, and I can’t vouch for his rights.
But if he purchased it directly off AliExpress or Sofirnlight.com then he’s not covered by any consumer rights in his country.
In New Zealand we have a platform called Trade Me and all overseas sellers are under the CGA, but if I was to purchase directly from say their China website, I have no cover whatsoever.
As I’ve said above, all companies will say the same for impact and liquid damage.
I find impact damage hard to give a warranty for, as many people lie about the height and also many times it’s not just an idle drop, but with some force. I had a customer slip and “drop” his FT03 but as he slipped he threw his light to the ground, claimed it was a straight drop to start with. Mateminco/Astrolux said no warranty cover and I had to pay for new parts. Luckily upon inspection it was just a crooked tail cap preventing a connection.
Sidney is right by consumer perception (marketing)… BUT a lot of manufacturers DO state the “oh, not really” part in the fine print (sadly). It’s wrong, but it’s the “new marketing” in the world we live in today.
Caveat Emptor
I feel if I dropped a Sofirn light after a month or two that they would be more apt to replace it Vs. a year later. Thankfully, I have not had to test that theory… but if I did, and any manufacturer making that claim didn’t do SOMETHING for me— then I’d probably not buy (as much stuff or any) from them going forward. Way it works (and here at BLF is where we share problems we have so others can understand risks involved).
I own a lot of Sofirn lights and I’ve developed a relationship with them buying direct from the Sofirnlight.com site (and I do believe Barry and Lan are sincerely good guys trying to make an honest buck) and so it’s a hard call on the most budget of lights they sell. Hopefully they keep up the good work they have so far… while we also continue to understand how this market evolves.