LT are sending me a replacement headlamp 
I will continue to buy from them.
For purely out of curiosity which posts in this thread are you referring ?
I didn't see any harsh language or rude "behavior" against anyone ?
Or did i just missed it..
Anyway back to the subject. I think that agenthex has a strong point here. I think that ultimately these discussions about dealers makes the real difference. I think that no one one should settle with a 4$ coupon for damaged or faulty items. Cheap items or not, there should be always a chance for refund or replacement. That's why ebay has a "upper hand" here because buyer protection.
Hi juhi81,
It looks like some of the ones who let their tongues get away with themselves have deleted their own posts. Thanks for doing that! As for the language issue, I would prefer that everyone please try to avoid traditional english swear words and references to offensive themes. I think we all have a pretty good idea of what those things are. :) Thanks!
Anyone noticed that oders from LT take ages till the get their reg ticket at HK post?
I have 3 (one being the replacement) that has not left yet HK post the oldest order is from 18 september... I would understand they had a few problems getting the goods but...
On the other hand DX is doing it fast. In the time LT processed 1 of my order i already got a package from DX... yeah strange... it took 8 days from placed order. Would be thrilled if it starts being the usual. :P
I just got a c78 aa zoom light from LT. They're shipping the original nice ones instead of the random crap "2nd batch" bs from DX, similar to the C3 SS. It's VERY bright, w/ 2A draw; significantly bright than other 2A aa lights. As bright as lithium lights (similar to my SA-28 with 0.8A draw on a 18650). Probably a real Q4/Q5 instead of the often claimed Q5's that are more like P4/Q2's. Comes with a holster, too, for only $10. Highly recommended. I'd rank it up there with the romisen g2 or even above.
I've not noticed any difference between any of the vendors in the time between the order and its appearance on the tracking website.
The tracking number appears to be generated at order time with KD - like I ordered an RQ thrower and got the tracking number as soon as I'd done the Paypal thing. It normally takes 3-4 days for a tracked order of mine to appear on the HK Post system from the time I am issued with the tracking number. This applies to all the retailers. In my experience with DX, untracked orders (Which are usually a single item) get here faster - but this may just be because there is only one thing for DX to source, or they might just actually have the item in stock....
My three Manafont orders (untracked) have not yet arrived despite being shipped on 8th, 15th and 25th October.
My last 2 orders from DX left HK a day apart. The first shipped one arrived 4 days after the one that left HK a day later.
So your UltraFire U20 is still stuck at HKP............. I wanna buy that flashlight
All the orders I've ever made from Manafont are stuck at HKP.
Sob!
I have everything at HKP atm... doh!
The only thing coming is 3x cat in a bag toy from dx. don't ask. :D
The C78 (DX versión) is used in FL with 14500 and is awesome.(Not modified,driver holds)
In another forum we frequent have sold hundreds, recommending its use with 14500. None has failed even and still to work with AA.
The driver on the newer c78 type clones seem ok, but I don't now about the emitters. The product forum at dx basically say the new dx ones aren't as bright. The c78 I got has about the best emitter I've seen out of cheap chinese lights. It simply doesn't need a lithium to provide similar performance, which is quite amazing.
Do you really think, there is so much difference in emitters? I would suspect they changed the drivers .... I have a broken (but bright...flickering) C78 here and I also got one of the dimmer C78 as a replacement from DX. The design of the C78 isn't great because the emitter base plate only has contact on the outer rim with the aluminum pill, like 1mm. So thermally it is a less than optimal light, especially if it pulls 2A on NiMH or above. The Romisen RC-29 from KD, were (I had about 3-4 of them and gave them away as presents) of considerably higher build quality, thermally a better design and they were of similar or higher brightness than the c78 from DX. But I'm totally with you on that C78+RC-29 crossover idea ... it would be the perfect flood to throw on NiMH.
I would suspect they changed the drivers
The various versions may look similar, but they're physically different. It's clearly not made by the same people as there are no interchangeable parts. I have two different copies (very similar physically to the two presented here, but both in AA and not with ssc, http://www.xmanproject.com/reviews/c78_extended/c78_extended.php, his driver in the nicer c78 is only delivers 300ma to the led which mine clearly outperforms). According to a post on dx, the c78 sold there now looks the crappy one on that page (basically described the short click bottom, recessed lanyard ring and no holes in the head), and he says he's got at least 1 or 2 other different ones.
The emitter can be about 50% off in official cree literature (lowest p4 to highest q5), but I wouldn't be surprised if some of these guys are using <P4 factory rejects. Either that or they have attrociously bad drivers (<50% efficiency).
The pill/pcb ring interface should be sufficient for a <3W emitter as it's mated well. On the original c78, there's a strong washer pushing the pcb against the pill, but I know on some lights it's a joke (like a small sun c84 were it's just sitting there!).
Just checked mine ... different drivers... both were from DX...will do some pictures later
Does anyone have C78 clone with "FLASH" and a thunder-mark (not "TOrch Light") printed on the side? I couldnot find any review of them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhCIFRRuNcI
Mine from DX (shipped in August) has XR-E, holes on the head, 4 dotted-line nuring on the tailcap.
It pulls 2.0A from an eneloop, and sadly, started flickering.
Should I buy a new one from LT and throw it away?
Clean it up maybe helps.
Hi causeless
Good to have you here.
Flickering is usually some sort of contact issue.
Often just tightening all threaded items (Hand strength is plenty) will help. Then check the switch retaining ring in the tailcap and that the pill (if accessible) is not loose.
Simple inspection and tightening up will fix a lot of problems.
My first C78 hadn't a random flickering, but a pulsing flicker with a certain frequency... so I would suspect the driver is damaged.
I ordered 2 of these drivers to verify my suspicion.
Thanks Don, Budgeteer.
I'm having similar problem with this C78 and a C3-SS last few weeks.
I think i had tried overhaul (except inreversible, unsoldering) and cleaned by oilcleaner, then lubed with soft silicone-grease.
These solutions (as if) solved the problem for a while, but they started flickering/changing modes again.
it seems the driver/pcb's internal or the loose spring has contact issues.
The cheap chinese lights can sometimes do this. It often helps to line the inside with some electrical tape to avoid battery rattle, but overall it could be a bunch of different little causes, so very annoying.