It looks like it. I am just wary of their manufacturing processes. But I might still say yes to it. It is lacking a moonlight mode though, but I normally carry my SC52w with me as well, so I guess I can use the other light for moonlight purposes.
I would get the XM-L2 for a bit wider beam, unless you want it to have throw. The previous version with XP-G2 had a bit too tight beam in my opinion.
They did fit in my “brass beauty”, but it was so tight fit that the battery had to be rotated to just right position to allow it to freely fall in.
The new 18650 (XM-L2) description reads;
“Current Setting: 10030>5% > Strobe>SOS
Modes: Lo>Mid>Hi; With mode memory”
Ric; does it have Strobe & SOS? The description above is not clear.
I guess that it have ordinary 4*7135 AK-101 driver, as first-gen flashlights had. This driver is configured for H-M-L-SOS-Strobe modes in default and can be set for H-M-L too, with a solder blob on pins 3 and 4 of the MCU.
Thanks - was not aware of that.
XP-G R5 7C 3000K WW available now.
Thanks
RIC
There seems to be different flashlights in the pictures. For example the AA -model in the pictures with smurf and the lighter has fully knurled head. In the pictures that has wood background the head is half smooth.
Is it possible to choose which one you get, or is one of them some pre-production model?
I would prefer the fully knurled head 
“Fully knurled” is 18650 model, “smooth” is AA 
Oh, I forgot to specify that I was looking at the pictures of the AA -model at the CNQG -site. There are more pictures there, and in some of pictures there is fully knurled head in the AA model.
Also at the 18650 model’s product page there seems to be the old “brass beauty” in some of the pictures, and some have this newer style 18650 light. The new style looks better on the 18650 model in my opinion.
I really like the design and size of these lights but can’t get over the gold look.
Ric, any chance you will have a titanium version of these lights?
I received the AA version today in the mail. It’s a great little light. It does have PWM on both low and medium modes, but I cannot see it with the naked eye. It is a clicker. Tiny little thing, and goes as a key-chain light, for me, really well. Tint on it is fine for the NW version I got. Lastly, the knurling on the head is not the same as shown as per the “Brainy Smurf” picture on their website - it’s not all knurled.
First impressions, I like it. Time will only tell how well it stacks up.
edit (05/08/14): I have played with it a bit more and my one, it seems, the mode memory sort of works. It remembers when it has been on high and medium, but on low, it goes back to high. It cannot remember low mode. No matter if I have left the light on for a few minutes, then turn it off for a few minutes as well, the light, after being on low mode, turns on in high mode.
edit 2 (06/08/14): After 24 hours of use, I am not sure what kind of memory, if at all, the driver has. For a while, the mode memory works as per my first edit, but at times, the memory does not stick at all and starts at high all the time. Slightly confused… :~
edit 3 (09/08/14): I am pretty sure it does not have mode memory. If you were to wait around less than 30 seconds from turn off, it would go to the next mode at turn on. Wait longer than 30 seconds, it will start up high. Can anyone else, with the AA model confirm this?
These are very nice in appearance! I’d like to know what the titanium nitride coated brass looks as it wears. Is this the first TiN coated brass product we’ve seen?
I’ve been EDCing the TiN coated 18650 version for about 2 weeks.
It’s starting to colour a bit, not much, just going a bit grey where it’s handled.
Nothing like an old brass tap looks yet…
By contrast the DQG fairy on my keyring still looks good, but it’s polished by key abrasion.
Order a neutral 18650 a week ago just broke down and ordered a AA neutral. 8)
I have unprotected Sony cells the same as Ric has pictured.
Mine arrived today,
The driver is Low-Mid-High-Strobe-SOS and seems to have offtime memory.
I can’t figure out how to get rid of the blinkies, no blink on low mode after 5sec…
I got both the XM-L2 and the XP-G2 18650 versions from CNQG and both have 5 modes including strobe and sos along with mode memory. As soon as I received mine I wiped down the outside thoroughly with lacquer thinner then buffed them on my buffing wheel machine with very fine compound. During the buffing there was no sign of any coating left on the lights to prevent surface oxidation occurring and the lights are gradually coloring up. Clear lacquer or a similar coating will normally streak , soften and absorb polishing compound if still on a brass surface when polishing it and nothing showed up.
Personally I like the brass as a different looking light finish. One poster asked about Ti but IMO Titanium is thermally a very poor conductor compared to Brass or even stainless steel. Output or run time at high output needs to be limited to prevent thermal self destruction.
Love the feelling and look too, feels very pleasent.
Mine actually had part-fingerprints on it that were oxidized, pollished it with a towel.
Looking forward to see some patina on it
Rotate the stars so as they are at the bottom, solder 3rd star from left to ground.
Should give you L-M-H.
I bought both the AA and the 18650 flashlights, the AA is 3 mode as ordered, unfortunatelly the 18650 light is 5 mode. I hate strobe and SOS, for me it has ruined what should have been a nice light 
I can see no way of accessing the driver, does the head unscrew? If it does it isn’t obvious, there is no apparent join.