Post #67 shows the exposed star with the 3 wires. Also, couldn't get mine apart - got the bezel off though.
Not a good sign for weekend modders when TomE can't get it apart
. There's a lot of things I can't get to open up lately. Actually I've been on a run of sorts of disappointments, at least I feel that way. Maybe it's the arthritis in the hands, strained ligaments in the elbow, back aches, dunno. I sure got a lot of excuses though 
.
Sometimes you just feel like taking a hammer or a saw to it and see what results. Reminds me of that show where they cut things up to see what makes it tick... (ahh: "Sliced" was the show)
well, mine arrived, and I really like the 01. the 02 was doa though, and it definitely has some sort of press fit pill and uses regular 16mm mpcb. im going to see if i can get it pressed out, and see why its doa. it also has a 3rd wire, but it is soldered to the body instead of the led like in the 01, so its definitely some sort of ground plane connection. also there is more then enough room in the sc02 for protected batteries
the Pill in the sc2 is definitely pressed in, I took a bit of wood about the diameter of an 18650 and tapped it out, will post pictures shortly
Turns out it was a bad solder on the led wires, I swapped it out with a glorious 5B tint and am really happy with it will post pictures soon
And its toast again. The switch is actually really fragile and not well attached to the board, there is some strain relief for it into the pill but it doesn’t seem to help very much. also it is very susceptible to shutting off when bumped on the bottom
Finally got my SC01 and 14500 from Fasttech! Delivered in 13 days!
Both at Highest mode.
UR14500P
AA Ni-MH
This flashlight will be perfect if:
- it comes with memory mode
- LOW mode is lower
thanks for the comparisson!
[edit]
….rambledabamble…
Mine is definitely the XM-L2. Is the light you received SolarStorm branded or did they substitute the FandyFire?
It’s SolarStorm branded
(BG sticker says SKU-129255 NW)
(So I’m crying in the wrong topic…)
So what do I do now?
(Cry in the BG topic, I guess…)
Guess you ordered the "Natural White" option? The specs clearly states "XM-L2 T6 3C NW" on the BG product page, so I assume you got options: through BG, and if they don't handle it, then PayPal. You paid for "X" and you got "Y" -- I'd dispute the item received as not what was stated.
For the PWM's -- they look fine to me, but I am clueless with PWM's unless I measured them on a scope. It was stated by others earlier the PWM's were not good, but again, I have no way of telling what's good PWM's and what's bad PWM's -- it all looks the same to me. Only time I even notice PWM's is when I'm working with a drill or a dremel with a light in my headband. The light I use in my headband is 9.4 kHz PWM, but the bit seems to stop spinning on occasion when on medium or low - weird effect but only time I've noticed PWM's.
never mind
I am not bothered by the PWM. It looks the same as my other flashlights…
Does it mean my eyes are getting bad?
I got my sc01 yesterday, the best 14500 light I have so far. Very nice.
The Pwm is not noticeable for me but I confirm it has low frequency.
I used the highest low mode and it is a very nice light.
The size is super small for for a sideswitch light.
I will measure a bit and see if I can tweak the current a bit if I find time.
The pills are press fit. I opened my SC03 by removing bezel/reflector, hammer tapping a 1/2" copper pipe from the battery tube end. Post #24 here: https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/26146. The driver got pushed in slightly -- make sure you using something that makes contact with the edge of the pill.
Thanks I hadn’t seen this thread…
Wanted to try a 16340 light, couldn’t pass up the SC03 at this price.
I got the SC02 last week.
Very nice size and seems solid and well made.
Output is ok, thought it’d be brighter. I have a super budget XM-L U2 18650 light from DX that is brighter.
Beam is rather ringy too on the outer edge.
PWM on position 1 is truly horrific. - for those that claim not to be able to see it, simply wave your finger (or hand) in front of the torch and you’ll see the lovely strobe affect it produces.
The PWM is awful at all outputs on this variable mode. Not saying it’s worse than some other budget offerings, just a shame it’s so bad on a completely new unit.
Lastly while I like the light, the UI has to be one of the worst designed UI’s I’ve come across.
No instance access to High (and the instructions list the mode options reversed!!! ).
But to use the light you HAVE to use both modes regardless. So even if you have position 1 set to it’s lowest you can’t turn the light off without using Turbo. Friggin stupid design, that might as well just turn on in Turbo each time, then let you select a lower output should you want to.
I got my SC02 today, but I think I got a dud. Put in a battery and push the button. It barely lights up. It’s like moonlight mode. Then I press it again and it ramps up brighter to max, but still it’s so dim you could stare right into it. It’s like it’s working, but only about 5% of what it’s capable of. And that’s if it even turns on. Most of the time after screwing on the cap (negative-side) it doesn’t power up. I clean off all the contact points, but no go.
Not sure what’s wrong with it. I just made a ticket with FT.
The light otherwise looks really nice. I like it’s size. I really wanted to try out the dimming feature of this light as I have a Niteye JA10 that has variable brightness, but I was looking for something that has higher output than the JA10.
I made the missus cough up her SC02 long enough to try a protected Panasonic 3400 in it. It’s a tight fit but it does fit and the light works fine.
I just received my NW SC02 from BG. It’s an XM-L and not an XM-L2. What a waste of time. This calls for a PP dispute I think.