That’s a good idea. However I paid for a brand new flashlight that I expect to work when it lands on my doorstep, I don’t want to have to modify it (no matter how little) to get it to work. I should be able to throw 4x 18650’s in it and it should work.
I got a parts order in with Ric and one previous parts order that went ok. Looks like maybe the U2 version is the difference, still the lanyard, box, and maybe o-rings? The logo thing I could understand - there's a lot of mystery with brand names in China, SKY RAY is in that price-point realm, and it could be part of a custom run that lacked the name imprinting. The battery contacts may be a culprit, as ncqken pointed out - worth a try if you got something to test with, specially if you are using shorter unprotected batteries.
Using Panasonic Blazer 3400mAh button top’s.
I don’t care if it doesn’t have a logo, so long as it works and is genuine (and comes with all accessories; lanyard, O rings etc)
Not sure if this helps. But I received a black U2 SRK from CNQG about a month ago. First batch and also the one with the apparent slightly different driver I believe. I also had a gold T6 that I got from Lightmalls. The gold one did come in the white box, lanyard included, and it was labeled. My black one from Ric did not. It came bubble wrapped very well in an envelope. No lanyard & no labeling.
However it is an awesome light. Puts out about 200 more lumen otf than my T6 one at startup, though it does drop lumens a little faster and after a bit of run time they end up pretty equal. The black one starts about 2500+otf and drops to about 2200, while the gold one starts at about 2350 and also drops to about the 2200otf after some time. I do need to try better 18650’s though on both lights to see if those extra amps and capacity help.
I’ve also noticed on both kings that you have to watch battery height. My protected ET 2500mah’s only make full contact by about 1 thread. So shorter and non protected lights might not work at all or might make poor contact. This could possible be your issue? For certain make sure the head is nice and snug. And again both kings are setup like this.
I’ve also noticed both kings do have a small battery drain. Not sure how much exactly, but enough that both lights dropped about .25V after a month or so of non use other than just a couple quick 5 second bursts. No big deal though. I’ll just plan on a charge up every month or two depending on use.
Thanks for that information mate.
If this flashlight was made for 18650 batteries, why does it seem the connections are so poor? I don’t understand? The connections with the exact battery should be PERFECT. But I guess this has nothing to do with RIC or CN…
*I was also like to make it publically known, that at this point RIC has been very helpful. He is sending me out a new one immediately with a return bag for the faulty one.
To anyone reading this - email is absolutely the best way to get ahold of RIC.*
Glad this issue is being sorted out for you lionheart_2281.
For your own information, it’s common practice for certain flashlight manufacturers to do production runs of lights with different names and/or logos on them, if you’re prepared to order up a big enough batch. This is exactly what Ric has done with the black Sky Ray Kings. He approached the OEM who designed and manufactured the original (after gauging community interest) and ordered up a special batch. This is also the same OEM who produces the FandyFire UV-S5 branded Kings, and the same OEM who is now marketing a range of BlackShadow branded lights, and the same OEM who is also producing a range of SolarStorm branded lights (including, wait for it, the SolarStorm King).
There are indeed “imitation” Sky Ray Kings around, but the black ones being produced by the OEM who is supplying Ric are definitely from the same place (unless he is being supplied by more than one OEM, which I doubt) as the original. Unfortunately, it just seems like you got a faulty one.
(the bulk of the above information was provided by ShenZhen BlackShadow Technology Co.,Ltd.)
Hi Lionheart
18650 batteries vary in size quite a bit.
The photos below show an unprotected LG 18650 2600mAh
and a Blazar Panasonic 18650 3100mAh which has a protection circuit making it longer.
Also some wrappers make them fatter.
The LG is recycled from a Dell laptop battery pack.
Glad your sorted.As i said in a previous post.i have found Ric as honest as the day is long,but wondeed if ther was somthing wrong in the mix.Change of staff or something.He has his quirks ,but hes worth the wait.I know also on some lights.People have had Rics engraving/laser/ logo printing on them.When i bought my black king the option was a free offer[6mths ish ago].i opted to leave the king all black,no logo.Would be easy for Ric to just copy a logo onto a none genuine one and he hasnt .
Ile send my order off and expect usual service with confidence now.Thanks for the update.Kewl its all turning out good.
I doubt that many places do that. Perhaps those that have very high profit margins and lower turnover might, but time is money, and additional time spent properly testing every light before it’s shipped would increase prices.
And this actually is true for most manufacturers who make goods in bulk. Eg, toy guns wouldn’t have every unit tested. It’s not just online shops who do this, many brick and mortar retailers do this too.
Looks like they want to find out what’s wrong with the light. I think if you can prove that your light is faulty with a variety of batteries which you can also prove work then you’d be entitled to some kind of compensation. Otherwise your only option is to send it back and get a new one sent to you (which is not an uncommon thing to do).
You can also try to ream them out and tell them how extremely disappointed you are, but I doubt that would get you anywhere in terms of getting a working light.
The Blazar button tops are the longest 18650s I have - out of 6 types.
18686 =very tight fit in SR King.
They are too long for some lights.
I have crushed the top of one screwing up a light.
I am disappointed with my first experience with CN, but it could have happened to anyone, and considering the circumstances they are doing exactly what I’d like (sending a new one immediately with a return bag for the faulty one)
Having worked in retail previously, going off the deep end would probably just be detrimental to my cause.
They are the best 18650 batteries money can buy, and they charged perfectly in my Nitecore, so I’d like to think they aren’t the issue here.
RIC said straight away he thinks it was the driver, so I’m hoping the replacement they send has a better driver (or whatever it needs to actually work!)
I think it’s probably the driver too, since you hold the best batteries money can buy (which actually depends on the circumstance). Do you have another light or multi-meter to verify that your batteries are out of the question? Well actually that’s not relevant anymore since you’re already getting a replacement and if the replacement doesn’t work then you know it’s your batteries.
I have no issues whatsoever with the 3100mAh raised button top Blazars in my King, which are essentially the same in terms of their outer physical characteristics.
My cuz is a sparky, I might get him to check it out.
For piece of mind, will be very surprised if they are the problem though…
But I’m far from being an expert!!!
