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Posted: 9/26/2010 9:39:01 PM EDT
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I have an SF M962 with a TNVC/OpticsHQ TX4 CREE replacement head. It's work like a charm for half a year, viciously bright. I noticed one night (about a month ago) that it was dimmer than before. I figured the voltage was decreasing on the batteries due to usage. I took the batteries out of the light and stored it, to prevent ghost drain.
I popped some fresh SF123As into the light tonight and noticed that the LED is extremely, extremely dim, almost no light. You can certainly see the LEDs glow if you look directly at the lamp, and you can see some light coming off the reflector, but if I point it at something, barely anything comes back. Like I said, I've only had the head since February. Its seen light usage (has not even been used yet mounted to a weapon). As far as I can tell, the mechanical configuration is exactly the same as it was when it was working fine. I don't have a voltmeter at home, but the batteries run other LED lamps fine (SF Scout). I've used nothing but Surefire batts. As for storage, if it's not just sitting on my desk, it's in a Pelican case, room temperature. Did I get a lemon, or am I doing something extremely stupid? It's quite disappointing for a $100 item. EDIT: Upon further inspection, at times when I flip the switch, it will shine bright for the tiniest instant after, and then revert to this extremely dim glow. |
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I'm using 3. Can't use just 2 in the 9V body. I've tested all possible pairs of 2 in the Scout and all of them run. These are fresh batteries.
I will get some new batteries and try again. I'll also dig out the incandescent bulb and see if that still works. I'm just wondering if this is a problem that someone's experience before with this unit. |
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Well, replaced the TX4 head with the stock Surefire one and an MN11 incandescent bulb. Sure enough, lights up just fine. I guess we can rule out the body, endcap and batteries.
Yeah I emailed Victor at TNVC and he says he'll replace without cost if need be. I just need to post it to him. Still, a little disappointed. What if it flakes out in a more critical situation? |
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As stated. Electronic devices can go defective. I have enough SF bag of defective lamps over the years. Heck, take a look at other active threads here describing many SF lamps that go bad....Does that mean there bad lights? Of course not. I told you in an email, would be happy to replace it at no cost to you to get you out another if there was an issue. We have hundreds and hundreds of lights out there and of course electronics can fail.
If someone from another light company told you they had 100% reliability and have not one returned lamp over the years, they would be lying.  What more can we do here for you that we have not already done? 
You can also take a peek at these 2 on-going threads, we have many user feed backs.
http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=124&t=394099&page=12 http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=124&t=484142 As stated, please do get the light back to us so we can have a look-see. Thank you. Vic |
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Quoted:
Yeah I emailed Victor at TNVC and he says he'll replace without cost if need be. I just need to post it to him. Still, a little disappointed. What if it flakes out in a more critical situation? Lights fail. Period. That's why you need more than one of them. Looks like TNVC took care of you. There wasn't really a need to post about this, but in the end it demonstrates two things; have a backup light, and buy from a reputable source. |
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Quoted:
Well, replaced the TX4 head with the stock Surefire one and an MN11 incandescent bulb. Sure enough, lights up just fine. I guess we can rule out the body, endcap and batteries. Yeah I emailed Victor at TNVC and he says he'll replace without cost if need be. I just need to post it to him. Still, a little disappointed. What if it flakes out in a more critical situation? I don't usually step into threads like this, but I gotta say something here. A lamp was purchased from us. It was defective. Instead of calling us to send it in for replacement, you posted the problem on a public forum first. When Victor saw the thread, he emailed you a couple times to take care of the problem. Even though you were taken care of and everything was made right, you "just need to post it to him." Why? What does public complaining about a company's product, instead of having the issue fixed, do? I'll tell you that your busted light is an exception, not the rule. I've been running TX-4's and Q-5's hard for some time now. No issues. I was recently at the Infantry Warfighter Conference at Ft. Benning where I had a rubber gun mocked up with an Aimpoint Micro T1 and a Surefire M951 with our TX-4 Lamp and M2C adapter. I up-ended that rubber duck at least 3 dozen times and dropped it onto the concrete to demonstrate the durability of the Aimpoint optic. The light took a beating too. Over the course of two days of intentional abuse, neither light or optic failed once. They were just a bit dinged up. Sure, we have had lights fail and sent in to us for replacement. They are man-made, hence- imperfect. But, we always take care of our customers. We have TX-4's on the guns of warfighters and LEO's across the country and in little shit-hole countries across the globe. They are working very well. I've got a box of cracked PMAGS at home. Doesn't mean I'm going to stop using PMAGs for duty use and publicly call out Magpul. Just sayin' dude... |
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Apologies for posting then, did not realize you guys would take it so hard?
I posted here because I was looking for a quick solution if there was one. Or for someone to notice I was doing something stupid. Otherwise, yes, you responded with a solution. My second post here was to inform whoever was reading that a solution had been reached. It's not intended to be critical of your or your organization, so please don't misinterpret. If anything, you guys have been more than helpful. Again, thank you for responding quickly, and apologies for causing misunderstanding. |
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