RIC from CN "Quality Goods"

[lionheart_2281]

@rdrfronty

Not sure if this helps. But I received a black U2 SRK from CNQG about a month ago. First batch and also the one with the apparent slightly different driver I believe. I also had a gold T6 that I got from Lightmalls. The gold one did come in the white box, lanyard included, and it was labeled. My black one from Ric did not. It came bubble wrapped very well in an envelope. No lanyard & no labeling.
However it is an awesome light. Puts out about 200 more lumen otf than my T6 one at startup, though it does drop lumens a little faster and after a bit of run time they end up pretty equal. The black one starts about 2500+otf and drops to about 2200, while the gold one starts at about 2350 and also drops to about the 2200otf after some time. I do need to try better 18650’s though on both lights to see if those extra amps and capacity help.
I’ve also noticed on both kings that you have to watch battery height. My protected ET 2500mah’s only make full contact by about 1 thread. So shorter and non protected lights might not work at all or might make poor contact. This could possible be your issue? For certain make sure the head is nice and snug. And again both kings are setup like this.
I’ve also noticed both kings do have a small battery drain. Not sure how much exactly, but enough that both lights dropped about .25V after a month or so of non use other than just a couple quick 5 second bursts. No big deal though. I’ll just plan on a charge up every month or two depending on use.

Thanks for that information mate.
If this flashlight was made for 18650 batteries, why does it seem the connections are so poor? I don’t understand? The connections with the exact battery should be PERFECT. But I guess this has nothing to do with RIC or CN…

*I was also like to make it publically known, that at this point RIC has been very helpful. He is sending me out a new one immediately with a return bag for the faulty one.
To anyone reading this - email is absolutely the best way to get ahold of RIC.*

[cainn]

Glad this issue is being sorted out for you lionheart_2281.

For your own information, it’s common practice for certain flashlight manufacturers to do production runs of lights with different names and/or logos on them, if you’re prepared to order up a big enough batch. This is exactly what Ric has done with the black Sky Ray Kings. He approached the OEM who designed and manufactured the original (after gauging community interest) and ordered up a special batch. This is also the same OEM who produces the FandyFire UV-S5 branded Kings, and the same OEM who is now marketing a range of BlackShadow branded lights, and the same OEM who is also producing a range of SolarStorm branded lights (including, wait for it, the SolarStorm King).

There are indeed “imitation” Sky Ray Kings around, but the black ones being produced by the OEM who is supplying Ric are definitely from the same place (unless he is being supplied by more than one OEM, which I doubt) as the original. Unfortunately, it just seems like you got a faulty one.

(the bulk of the above information was provided by ShenZhen BlackShadow Technology Co.,Ltd.)

[Suncoaster]

@lionheart_2281

If this flashlight was made for 18650 batteries, why does it seem the connections are so poor? I don’t understand? The connections with the exact battery should be PERFECT. But I guess this has nothing to do with RIC or CN…

*I was also like to make it publically known, that at this point RIC has been very helpful. He is sending me out a new one immediately with a return bag for the faulty one.
To anyone reading this - email is absolutely the best way to get ahold of RIC.*

Hi Lionheart
18650 batteries vary in size quite a bit.
The photos below show an unprotected LG 18650 2600mAh
and a Blazar Panasonic 18650 3100mAh which has a protection circuit making it longer.
Also some wrappers make them fatter.
The LG is recycled from a Dell laptop battery pack.

[DON_KIDIK]

Glad your sorted.As i said in a previous post.i have found Ric as honest as the day is long,but wondeed if ther was somthing wrong in the mix.Change of staff or something.He has his quirks ,but hes worth the wait.I know also on some lights.People have had Rics engraving/laser/ logo printing on them.When i bought my black king the option was a free offer[6mths ish ago].i opted to leave the king all black,no logo.Would be easy for Ric to just copy a logo onto a none genuine one and he hasnt .
Ile send my order off and expect usual service with confidence now.Thanks for the update.Kewl its all turning out good.

DON…

[megabeam]

“I had a DOA Roche F22 from Ric.
I sent it back and got a working one. Shipping was covered by granting discount.”

Makes you wonder what sort of quality control systems they’ve got, do they actually try turning the lights on before they ship??.

[cainn]

I doubt that many places do that. Perhaps those that have very high profit margins and lower turnover might, but time is money, and additional time spent properly testing every light before it’s shipped would increase prices.

It’s the “price” we pay for saving money.

[Slewflash]

@cainn

I doubt that many places do that. Perhaps those that have very high profit margins and lower turnover might, but time is money, and additional time spent properly testing every light before it’s shipped would increase prices.

It’s the “price” we pay for saving money.

And this actually is true for most manufacturers who make goods in bulk. Eg, toy guns wouldn’t have every unit tested. It’s not just online shops who do this, many brick and mortar retailers do this too.

[lionheart_2281]

@cainn

I doubt that many places do that. Perhaps those that have very high profit margins and lower turnover might, but time is money, and additional time spent properly testing every light before it’s shipped would increase prices.

It’s the “price” we pay for saving money.

I completely agree with you….however I got an email reply from another person from CN called Merry, and it went a little something like this:

Dear Ben

Is it be using the first time? Or ?

We have tested it before packing, it is works well.

I have no ideal why it like that.

If you convenience, could you please make a video for me reference.

If do it hard, i can understand. then just send it back.

What do you think?

2012-11-27
Best regards

Merry

[lionheart_2281]

@Suncoaster

@lionheart_2281

If this flashlight was made for 18650 batteries, why does it seem the connections are so poor? I don’t understand? The connections with the exact battery should be PERFECT. But I guess this has nothing to do with RIC or CN…

*I was also like to make it publically known, that at this point RIC has been very helpful. He is sending me out a new one immediately with a return bag for the faulty one.
To anyone reading this - email is absolutely the best way to get ahold of RIC.*

Hi Lionheart
18650 batteries vary in size quite a bit.
The photos below show an unprotected LG 18650 2600mAh
and a Blazar Panasonic 18650 3100mAh which has a protection circuit making it longer.
Also some wrappers make them fatter.
The LG is recycled from of a Dell laptop battery pack.

These are the batteries I put in it, button top:

[Slewflash]

@lionheart_2281

@cainn

I doubt that many places do that. Perhaps those that have very high profit margins and lower turnover might, but time is money, and additional time spent properly testing every light before it’s shipped would increase prices.

It’s the “price” we pay for saving money.

I completely agree with you….however I got an email reply from another person from CN called Merry, and it went a little something like this:

Dear Ben

Is it be using the first time? Or ?

We have tested it before packing, it is works well.

I have no ideal why it like that.

If you convenience, could you please make a video for me reference.

If do it hard, i can understand. then just send it back.

What do you think?

2012-11-27
Best regards

Merry

Looks like they want to find out what’s wrong with the light. I think if you can prove that your light is faulty with a variety of batteries which you can also prove work then you’d be entitled to some kind of compensation. Otherwise your only option is to send it back and get a new one sent to you (which is not an uncommon thing to do).
You can also try to ream them out and tell them how extremely disappointed you are, but I doubt that would get you anywhere in terms of getting a working light.

[Suncoaster]

The Blazar button tops are the longest 18650s I have - out of 6 types.
18686 =very tight fit in SR King.
They are too long for some lights.
I have crushed the top of one screwing up a light.

[lionheart_2281]

@Slewflash

@lionheart_2281

@cainn

I doubt that many places do that. Perhaps those that have very high profit margins and lower turnover might, but time is money, and additional time spent properly testing every light before it’s shipped would increase prices.

It’s the “price” we pay for saving money.

I completely agree with you….however I got an email reply from another person from CN called Merry, and it went a little something like this:

Dear Ben

Is it be using the first time? Or ?

We have tested it before packing, it is works well.

I have no ideal why it like that.

If you convenience, could you please make a video for me reference.

If do it hard, i can understand. then just send it back.

What do you think?

2012-11-27
Best regards

Merry

Looks like they want to find out what’s wrong with the light. I think if you can prove that your light is faulty with a variety of batteries which you can also prove work then you’d be entitled to some kind of compensation. Otherwise your only option is to send it back and get a new one sent to you (which is not an uncommon thing to do).
You can also try to ream them out and tell them how extremely disappointed you are, but I doubt that would get you anywhere in terms of getting a working light.

I am disappointed with my first experience with CN, but it could have happened to anyone, and considering the circumstances they are doing exactly what I’d like (sending a new one immediately with a return bag for the faulty one)

Having worked in retail previously, going off the deep end would probably just be detrimental to my cause.

They are the best 18650 batteries money can buy, and they charged perfectly in my Nitecore, so I’d like to think they aren’t the issue here.

RIC said straight away he thinks it was the driver, so I’m hoping the replacement they send has a better driver (or whatever it needs to actually work!)

[lionheart_2281]

@Suncoaster

The Blazar button tops are the longest 18650s I have - out of 6 types.
18686 =very tight fit in SR King.
They are too long for some lights.
I have crushed the top of one screwing up a light.

So that means its a good chance it’s not a connection issue obviously?

[Slewflash]

@lionheart_2281

@Slewflash

@lionheart_2281

@cainn

I doubt that many places do that. Perhaps those that have very high profit margins and lower turnover might, but time is money, and additional time spent properly testing every light before it’s shipped would increase prices.

It’s the “price” we pay for saving money.

I completely agree with you….however I got an email reply from another person from CN called Merry, and it went a little something like this:

Dear Ben

Is it be using the first time? Or ?

We have tested it before packing, it is works well.

I have no ideal why it like that.

If you convenience, could you please make a video for me reference.

If do it hard, i can understand. then just send it back.

What do you think?

2012-11-27
Best regards

Merry

Looks like they want to find out what’s wrong with the light. I think if you can prove that your light is faulty with a variety of batteries which you can also prove work then you’d be entitled to some kind of compensation. Otherwise your only option is to send it back and get a new one sent to you (which is not an uncommon thing to do).
You can also try to ream them out and tell them how extremely disappointed you are, but I doubt that would get you anywhere in terms of getting a working light.

I am disappointed with my first experience with CN, but it could have happened to anyone, and considering the circumstances they are doing exactly what I’d like (sending a new one immediately with a return bag for the faulty one)

Having worked in retail previously, going off the deep end would probably just be detrimental to my cause.

They are the best 18650 batteries money can buy, and they charged perfectly in my Nitecore, so I’d like to think they aren’t the issue here.

RIC said straight away he thinks it was the driver, so I’m hoping the replacement they send has a better driver (or whatever it needs to actually work!)

I think it’s probably the driver too, since you hold the best batteries money can buy (which actually depends on the circumstance). Do you have another light or multi-meter to verify that your batteries are out of the question? Well actually that’s not relevant anymore since you’re already getting a replacement and if the replacement doesn’t work then you know it’s your batteries.

@lionheart_2281

@Suncoaster

The Blazar button tops are the longest 18650s I have - out of 6 types.
18686 =very tight fit in SR King.
They are too long for some lights.
I have crushed the top of one screwing up a light.

So that means its a good chance it’s not a connection issue obviously?

Yes.

[cainn]

I have no issues whatsoever with the 3100mAh raised button top Blazars in my King, which are essentially the same in terms of their outer physical characteristics.

[lionheart_2281]

@Slewflash

@lionheart_2281

@Slewflash

@lionheart_2281

@cainn

I doubt that many places do that. Perhaps those that have very high profit margins and lower turnover might, but time is money, and additional time spent properly testing every light before it’s shipped would increase prices.

It’s the “price” we pay for saving money.

I completely agree with you….however I got an email reply from another person from CN called Merry, and it went a little something like this:

Dear Ben

Is it be using the first time? Or ?

We have tested it before packing, it is works well.

I have no ideal why it like that.

If you convenience, could you please make a video for me reference.

If do it hard, i can understand. then just send it back.

What do you think?

2012-11-27
Best regards

Merry

Looks like they want to find out what’s wrong with the light. I think if you can prove that your light is faulty with a variety of batteries which you can also prove work then you’d be entitled to some kind of compensation. Otherwise your only option is to send it back and get a new one sent to you (which is not an uncommon thing to do).
You can also try to ream them out and tell them how extremely disappointed you are, but I doubt that would get you anywhere in terms of getting a working light.

I am disappointed with my first experience with CN, but it could have happened to anyone, and considering the circumstances they are doing exactly what I’d like (sending a new one immediately with a return bag for the faulty one)

Having worked in retail previously, going off the deep end would probably just be detrimental to my cause.

They are the best 18650 batteries money can buy, and they charged perfectly in my Nitecore, so I’d like to think they aren’t the issue here.

RIC said straight away he thinks it was the driver, so I’m hoping the replacement they send has a better driver (or whatever it needs to actually work!)

I think it’s probably the driver too, since you hold the best batteries money can buy (which actually depends on the circumstance). Do you have another light or multi-meter to verify that your batteries are out of the question? Well actually that’s not relevant anymore since you’re already getting a replacement and if the replacement doesn’t work then you know it’s your batteries.

@lionheart_2281

@Suncoaster

The Blazar button tops are the longest 18650s I have - out of 6 types.
18686 =very tight fit in SR King.
They are too long for some lights.
I have crushed the top of one screwing up a light.

So that means its a good chance it’s not a connection issue obviously?

Yes.

My cuz is a sparky, I might get him to check it out.
For piece of mind, will be very surprised if they are the problem though…
But I’m far from being an expert!!!

[cainn]

Your batteries aren’t the problem. I say that with confidence because it’s ridiculously unlikely.

[lionheart_2281]

@cainn

Your batteries aren’t the problem. I say that with confidence because it’s ridiculously unlikely.

And neither is the connection as they are long 18650’s….which really only leaves the driver as the culprit?

[scaru]

Why not try connecting it with a wire? That will solve the question...

[cainn]

@lionheart_2281

@cainn

Your batteries aren’t the problem. I say that with confidence because it’s ridiculously unlikely.

And neither is the connection as they are long 18650’s….which really only leaves the driver as the culprit?

Assuming your batteries are, of course, properly charged, I’d say the problem definitely lies with the light. Probably the driver, but not necessarily. Could be some sort of connectivity issue.

You could try giving the top of the battery tube a good clean, maybe even a light sand (don’t touch the threads, just the very top of the tube that makes contact with the bottom of the driver), if you haven’t already. But at this point the whole exercise is academic if a replacement is already on the way.