I had a single “Bastid style” single XML go the other night, the LED now flickers very weakly if you power it, I had it on High when it went but I was moving and it had only been on for about 10 – 15 seconds, I don’t think it was a thermal issue.
I opened the front of the housing and took out the reflector for a look see, and there was the tell tail whiff of “something a bit burnt” I’ve not investigated any further yet, the battery seems to be fine and has powered another light since, I’m wondering if it was an over-current protection failure, a short or simply a loose/broken connection, maybe even some moisture ingress…
My own ‘X2’ is ok thus far, but it’s not done many miles yet, I’m keeping it to “Low” and “Mid” settings, I’d be interested to see the inside if you do pull it apart, see just how it carries the heat into that extruded housing, anyone else taken one to bits yet? (and taken some pictures)…
I agree I think it’s as there so cheap you expect to get problems and expect to have to sort those problems yourself. Where I suppose it’s maybe not the case
single and double XML lights are cheap enough that you start to think of them as disposable items, probably not all that sustainable / environmentally friendly, the cost of repairing vs the cost of replacing means you shrug, order another one and console yourself with the fact that you’ll at least have a spare battery and charger now… If you can get a six months out of a ~£20 light then you are probably not going to go mad chasing down a refund, but to only get a couple of weeks use, you’ll be wanting a refund, and not be buying far eastern lights again I expect.