my local one had them too, just like you said, up ini the clearance aisle by checkout.
i couldnt resist. I picked one up.
i dont have any meters or anything, and really i didnt expect much from a single AA nimh… like you? i am WONDERING what a aa-sized lithy will do… make it decent or kill it, LMAO (have to get one to find out)
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it seems fairly well made, although i really am no expert. I mean, its not like it has casting marks all over it or anything.
my BIGGEST COMPLAINT ?? its nowhere NEAR able to focus the die, like i want a zoomie to do when pulled out.
i accidentally found a workaround? i took the little lens out, and screwed the bezel BACK IN WITHOUT the lens… then the lens (plastic) “clicked” down in the crennelations of the bezel and STAYED THERE.
THEN it focuses like it should, andi find it moderately useful… i am just figuring the plastic lens will FALL OUT and wont stay in like i have it clicked in on the outside of the bezel.
if the dang thing would just FOCUS UP with the lens where it should be? i would EDC it and be happy…
it has a “pee yellow” nichia in it, if you turn it on, and hold the lens with your fingers to “focus it” to see the die when whitewall hunting…
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i level this complaint at a LOT of inexpensive zoomies i run across… and i even hate my 2 “coast” flashlights which arent cheap and are well made because they wont focus.
i STILL cant get either of my coast flashlights apart…
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for me, it just defeats the purpose of what i use a little zoomie for, to have it fail to come to die focus…