Review: DQG AA (Non-Technical)

LED Flashlights – General Info 1 x AA / 1 x 14500 Flashlights
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DQG AA

Please find herewith a short non-technical review of the DQG AA using a 4 point summary format.

  • On review here is a R2 4C NW version.
  • Official product details can be found here
  • This is my very first review.

On the exterior:

  1. The DQG AA is a very well built Stainless Steel key chain flashlight.
  2. Finishing is somewhat under-par with miniscule scuffs and dings on several areas. (No big issue here unless you go macro)
  3. The magnet has no problem holding the DQG AA in place on a fridge door with battery installed.
  4. The light feels feather weight without the battery.
  5. The installed magnet easily falls off (weak glue), so be sure to re-glue.
  6. The light stand as tall as the Fenix E01 but wider - 17.5mm(H)~16.5(T) vs 14.2mm.
  7. A few specks of lint under the TIR optic lens.
  8. Knurling is on the generous side, great grip.
  9. Small hook at the tail end leave 2 lines of dents during installation. (Could be due to softer grade of SS used)

On the interior:

  1. The doughnut shaped foam on the light looks kinda durable.
  2. Finishing/machining on the inner battery tube aren't the best but in no way will affect the operations of the light.
  3. Thread work looks good & feels buttery smooth after cleaning & lubeing.
  4. O-ring was wrongly installed on the outer ridge and after a dozen of open & close action, it looked to be almost completely sheared, this light is an o-ring eater alright. (I wonder which groove is for the o-ring as all the light I've read are fitted the same)

Using the light:

  1. The tint was warmer than expected, on my specimen to my naked eye it looked to be a tint of yellow with a hint of greenish, could be a bonus to some, depends.
  2. There are bonding-wire artifact in the shape of (W/M) on the outer edge of the hotspot. (Bad for white wall but irrelevant when used out-door)
  3. Usable spills are somewhat limited but this is to be expected with a TIR/XP-E setup.
  4. Not enough friction while twisting/head feels loose and might come loose in off position/or accidental activation though there's adequate threading, this is with the o-ring fitted at the correct groove. Personally I like the twist action while the o-ring was wrongly fitted as it sits higher. (Perhaps a stronger & thicker o-ring might do the trick) Update: All the three o-rings supplied are now unusable, one frayed badly and the other 2 just snapped off. In the meantime I've also found a solution to improve the twist action by using a thicker grade silicone grease, works and feels great.
  5. No battery wobble thanks to the doughnut compressible/anti battery polarity reverse protection foam.

White wall beam shot:

Overall impression:

  1. The DQG AA is a fine light, really small & solidly built despite some shortfall.
  2. Finishing should be better.
  3. Extra doughnut foam should be provided so as a dozen of beefier o-rings.
  4. Beam is quite a let down. (I do not know where went wrong, emitter quality, tint lottery or the TIR itself?)
  5. Well worth the asking price as this is a custom and limited run light, could be perfect if improvements are made with the points I've listed above.

That's all for now, thanks for reading.

2

thanks for the write-up!!

3

Nice job on your first review. Refreshingly brief and to the point. Great summary overall. :)

4

Thanks!

Any chance of beamshots, maybe with a common cool white next to it?

5

Thank you for your kind words gentleman!

Will surely update with photos but the week before Christmas has been a little hectic.

tbenedict@ Yes I'm planning to do a side by side with a XP-E CW in high mode & a XP-G NW in both modes.

Edit: Review updated.