Finally received mine today.
Was able to track it for the last week or so, once it got through customs apparently.
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Like the light on the whole.
Couple relatively minor complaints echo others…
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Ano color on my titanium doesn’t match between the head and body. Couple shades off. I am really picky about this kind of thing, so kind of disappointing for me. Some people might not be too bothered by it. For the price it’s acceptable I guess.
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Had to do the o-ring swap, but no big deal. I appreciate the heads up from Ric on it. No flickering with mine, thankfully. Totally understand, this being the first run and pre-order and all that.
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Mine works well with my flat top/nub top (not button top, but not totally flat) NCR18650A’s from fasttech. Modes change fine, but the threads feel a little gritty. Arrived bone dry. I am using some nyogel.
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Mode spacing seems well done for typical EDC applications:
Low could be lower… but I am one of those guys that always says that… Its still a good, perfectly useable low for close-up work in low light. By no means anything approaching firefly or moonmode. Probably not the best bedside light.
Medium is very useable. Probably the 75%-of-the-time mode. Bright enough to use in partial sun. Bright enough to shower to. Bright enough for most tasks at night (if not right in your lap). Gets warm with time, but manageable.
High is good n bright. Maybe not as bright as 2.8A 18650 lights, but I totally understand the max high setting how it is. This light is damn tiny!! It doesn’t have material to move the heat. High is for short bursts. Cools pretty quick once turned off, FWIW.
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Tint is good for a 3C. Pretty much neutral white. Mine is not green. Mine is ever the slightest bit cooler compared to my 3C XinTD, and other XML 4Cs. My XinTD is a tiny bit more yellow than the DQG… My 4Cs are even more yellow and warm than that. On the other hand, the nichia 219s are very similar warmth to the DQG, but slightly rosier and maybe slightly tan in comparison. Relatively speaking. These are all subtle differences amoung different neutrals. The 219s and 4Cs definitely have better CRI than the DQG, but that is no surprise.
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Don’t mean to sound overly critical. All in all I am satisfied with the light and the purchase. I understand the circumstances and the risk involved with pre-order and first batches. For the price paid - quality is on par, acceptable FnF, performance is good, tint is acceptable… so OK by me.
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I will probably keep an eye out for later versions and refinements. With a little more tweaking this could really be a winner: Better ano. Better threads. XML2 4C & 7C, XPG2 4C & 7C options. Optic options… etc.