It arrived around 3 pm today, and while I quickly took it out and played with it, I was immediately put off by the reasons you would predict. So here goes...
PROS:
Throws super-well
All that was promised was sent with the package (two 2400 mah batteries and charging cord). That package is humorously presented below.
The batteries appear to be good. They survived a 22-minute dog walk and the battery indicator still says green.
CONS:
Next-mode memory. Once the light is on, you have to click through 3 modes to get it off again. But this one can be clicked through somewhat fast without it going into a perpetual crazy strobe.
Ringy-ass beam
Most would say too expensive for a MOD host
"Meh" brightness
"Meh" build quality, even by budget torch standards
The XM-L T6s they are using appear to be of some newer type. The die appears smaller than my old T6's from back in the day. Just looks different. This is the second Small Sun light in two months using these smaller T6s. Weird.
Beam pattern is definitely messier than I remember my T16 and T08s being. Also a bit of greenish up close, but nothing terrible in that department. I didn't check on the bezel but it appears to be of good quality. It is parallel with the batteries.
I will put up a pic of the new T6 when I can. I think it is just the effect with the dome having been laid on differently in newer batches...which I guess means they aren't trying to use up the old T6 XM-L bin, but are still making them. Same performance from the LED.
Got mine today. I agree with you Joe - meh quality. The old T08's were definitely a step up, but did have a history of inconsistencies, similar to the HD2010's. Really miss the SS tail the T08 has. Lots of marks/blemishes but many came off with iso. alcohol. The bezel appears to be aluminum, but I can't be certain - might be some sort of cheap SS, but doubt it. Not a great light to mod though, but I'm sure I can do something to beef it up. Here's some things of note so far:
plastic reflector, not aluminum that is specified. Well I could have expected this possibility because there were versions of the T08 around with plastic reflectors.
weird tail dual spring setup. Looks like I can get it apart so can bypass the springs, but not sure if I can fully reduce resistance there
loose pill - didn't do a full tear down, so not sure if this can be corrected. I could add alum or copper tape in the threads though to improve heat and electrical conduction. Also the T08 had the same problem.
