I have a friend who has the removable base (MD-06) version of the microdot and at the higher levels (torch mode), you can definitely see a bright crisp dot with an outer "red ring". I have the black friday special (MD-SP) and this also the case. I ordered the fixed base (MD-FBGIII) and at the highest setting, the brightness is only about a 6 compared to the removable base models in sunlight (MD-06 and MD-SP). I returned the one I received for a replacement of the same kind and it is the same brightness as the previous one. I've used different batteries for both fixed micro dots to see if it was the battery. My question is, are these fixed model versions inherently lower in terms brightness compared to the removable base models? I know the current generation fixed models have NV settings 1-3. I suppose it is usable at highest setting, however it does tend to get washed out when the sun is at the brightest. Has anybody else come across this too?