FandyFire Raging - a Pic-Heavy Overview (under construction)

LED Flashlights – General Info 18650 Flashlights
1

FandyFire Raging 5 x XM-L

Reviewer's Overall Rating: ★★★1/2

Summary:

Battery: 4 x 18650
Switch: Reverse Clicky
Modes: H-M-L Disco
LED Type: 5 x XM-L
Lens: Plain Glass
Tailstands: Yes
Price Paid: Won in Contest
From: DealExtreme
Date Ordered: Nov 2012

Pros:

  • Decent build quality
  • Brighter than some other variants of this light

Cons:

  • Low PWM frequency
This light was won in a DealExtreme giveaway in November 2012, and it appeared from the ether late March 2013 at the Casa De X. Nobody was more surprised than I to see an EMS package on my doorstep, since I hadn't ordered anything in quite some time !
What was inside this skull-festooned box?
The light itself was well-cushioned, and should survive all but the harshest of postal treatments:
The contents are fairly standard; light, lanyard, spare o-ring, and (Chinese) instruction page.



I was surprised by the overall quality of the machining, as well as the crisp lasered lettering:





The five cool-white XM-Ls are placed behind some fairly small reflectors in a non-typical arrangement. The reason for this will become apparent later:


The tailcap and handle are held on by a series of Allen-head screws, and this setup allows for tailstanding if required:


Inside the body, we find a nicely milled area for four 18650 cells. I was able to use both button-top and near flattop cells in this light:


Here is the contact plate in the head, a likely weak point. The wear shown is from only a few cell changes, and I plan on applying a thin film of Deoxit Gold here to reduce future wear:

Let's have a look inside:


Hey ! Those LEDs are quite close to the edge of the light...there must be a reason for this:

Lifting the MPCB up, we can see why. The contact area for heat transfer is constrained to the relatively thin retention lip beneath the board:

Those three spots of thermal grease aren't enough to do the job, IMO.



The driver/contact plate is held in by a bit of clear adhesive, the residue of which can be seen at the 2:00 position, and inside the lip of the head:

Up next, we'll see how well it does its job of making light !


2

This is no thrower, to be sure. Here's a look at the beam shape:

The PWM on medium and low settings is pretty horrible, and is this light's main letdown. Here's what the old iPhone sees:

Reserved for further beamshots, measurements, etc.

3

Thanks Chicago x There seems to be a few of these lights on the market now. The delivery time seemed pretty good. Have you any plans for this light?

4

I see some copper in this light's future, and possibly 5 P60 reflectors. A relic38 driver treatment may be in the works, as well...

5

This host certainly has potential in your hands, Chi X. I bet you can give this beast the tuneup it deserves 8)
Also, the box art reminds me of the “X-treme!” art one would see decorating enthusiast video cards: