I’m not trying to be obtuse, but I must be missing something. Their website doesn’t say anything about changes from the versions Selfbuilt tested. Yes, it lists constant current as a feature, but that doesn’t mean it really has it in the sense the FA01 does, or that the shipping FA02 is going to perform differently from the one Selfbuilt reviewed.
Selfbuilt has replied and he said he has not gotten a production version of this light, so he can’t say about the differences… In his review he said the one he had was an engineering sample, a pre-production version. He further added that if hears anything from the factory, he will post it in his thread of flashlight reviews.
It’s like this…I negotiated with Bill (bill.qiao@163.com) that if I organize a group buy for this light, how much will be his lowest price to us, flashlight enthusiasts. Someone in the other other forum has mentioned a retail price of $174. His price for this group buy is $125, shipped via HK or Singpost. (no more coupon code necessary)
Anyway, as stated in the OP, anyone interested to join, or just ask clarificatory questions, to this group buy, just email Bill.
In short, I am the organizer of this group buy, Bill is the seller, and orders be transacted directly to him. I’m just customer # 1 in the list. Thanks
I hope Niwalker won’t go the route taken by Fenix and Crelant on FT. Bill said he trying his best to re-negotiate. I believe we should support dealers who give us the best value for our money. I know USA-based dealers are the first to complain, and in fairness to them there is some valid points in them. However, isn’t it the same in the case of Asian-based dealers getting USA-made products to sell in Asia? USA dealers can easily out-price Asian dealers because the situation is reversed…
The world has ‘shrunk’ because of the internet, specifically on-line businesses, and one of the results of this ‘shrinkage’ is dealers fighting each other for a larger share of the sales pie because geographical distances is no longer a big factor in pricing.
The dynamics of business policies before is no longer the same as before.
Niwalker indeed made mention of that MAP thing to Bill.
As to whether it is the same unit as Selfbuilt reviewed, what is certain is that the unit reviewed by SB was an engineering sample as he pointed out in his review, but he cannot say what differences, if there are, with the production units since he has not gotten hold of one, as per his PM to me.
After a google search, the group buy at 125$ comes second or third.
Without having any internal info from Niwalker or other manufacturers, the real problem for them is that the group buy and the low price is easily tracked by non forum members and candidate buyers.
I strongly believe that is the group buy was less known, only for our members, the problems regarding MAP would been solved. Also we could remove the price from the thread’s subject.
They are trying to steer us to into a ‘private message forum’ perhaps! hahaha
The problem is, if there is no publicity, we cannot gather enough people to join this group buy, and without this group buy, we cannot get this light at this price.