Greetings. I recently picked up one of the MF02s with the XHP35 HI in NW. I love the ergos of the light in terms of size and weight and the beam is acceptable. The problem (if it is one) is that when I turn it on in high, light smoke starts rising from the emitter up to the lens almost immediately. It stops after about 30 seconds, but comes back the next time I turn it on.
I remember Arsee mentioning to do a burn in by removing the bezel and lens. Hopefully he will see this thread and help you out as I forgot the details he mentioned.
It could be either Flux or (fresh)Thermal paste or worse the LED got crap on it and the silicone starts to burn up, I have had all 3 happen to me. Usually Flux burns off quickly depending on amount, Thermal paste sometimes more time is needed, cycling to burn off the suspension chemical. The LED will be obvious…
It may be soldering flux, my GT had insane amounts of flux under the centering ring, good thing I cleaned it before running it on turbo for long periods of time, it could have fogged up the reflector surface.
Thank you all for the insights. RMA will be my last resort if only due to the hassles involved. I will give cleaning it a try but the bezel is resisting all attempts to remove it.