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SolarStorm/FandyFire X2

395950 Views 1284 Replies 165 Participants Last post by ledoman, Nov 29, 2019

leaftye

Discussion Starter · Mar 20, 2013

Black-and-white Monochrome photography Technology Monochrome Cable

$46.54 Fasttech

OR

$65 Fancyflashlights

I like what it says about the modes, that is, the order of the modes and the hidden strobe. Unfortunately it doesn't give the strength of each mode or say if both LEDs are used all the time like I hope they are.

High performance electronic switch for turn on/off and change the mode in Lo > Mid > Hi, press over 1 second to access Strobe Mode

2000 chinese lumens. With a current draw of 2.3A, it should put out nearly 1000 emitter lumens.

A 1A charger is better than what most cheap lights come with.

If the throw is decent, the low profile should make this a decent helmet lamp.

It comes with the typical 4x18650 battery pack of unknown quality.

I'll keep an eye on this. I've been using a heavy flashlight on my helmet, and although the throw is phenomenal, it strains my neck too much on long rides.

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Reactions: 1

581 - 600 of 1285 Posts

toto408

· #581 · Nov 29, 2013

Hey lads,
I'm a happy user of on of these (Wholesale Product Snapshot Product name is 1 Set 2013 SolarStorm X2 Bike Light Waterproof 2 CREE U2 LED 2000LM Bicycle Light + Intelligent Power Indicate + Free Shipping) on my helmet, and one of that (New Black SolarStorm X2 With 2xCree XM-L2 LED 4-Mode Bike headlight,Bicycle Light Set(4*18650 Battery pack Included) - 2LED Bike Light - Led Bike Light - Bicycle Light & Headlamp Worldwide Free Shipping!!!) on the bar.
I don't really like the rubber used to attach the lamp to the bar, so I'm looking for a better mount... Anybody tried that one? Hope Universal Handlebar Mount | Chain Reaction Cycles Could'nt find anything on that thread...

Cheers!

kwarwick

· #582 · Nov 29, 2013

2

toto408 said:
I don't really like the rubber used to attach the lamp to the bar, so I'm looking for a better mount... Anybody tried that one? Hope Universal Handlebar Mount | Chain Reaction Cycles Could'nt find anything on that thread...

Cheers!

Yeap, I use the hope handlebar mount on a bunch of different lights I've built and I would highly recommend it.

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toto408

· #583 · Nov 29, 2013

kwarwick said:
Yeap, I use the hope handlebar mount on a bunch of different lights I've built and I would highly recommend it.

View attachment 850770 View attachment 850771

Thanks

Is it the same screw dimension, compared to the solarstorm x2?

kwarwick

· #584 · Nov 29, 2013

2

Hope uses a bigger bolt thread, but you can reuse the screw that comes with the X2 and it fits into hole in the bracket no problem.

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thasingletrackmastah

· #585 · Nov 29, 2013

3

Just got my Fandyfire X2 from DX this week.
I waited for it quite some time (2 months).
It arrived in a big enveloppe "Per Avion", by airmail.
This week iI used it a few times for commuting, so far so good, I'm impressed.
Because of the findings in this thread I opened it this evening.
The screws on the front are drilled out / damaged, so I opened it at the back.
Soldering looks ok.
There are traces of thermal paste visible. At least someone did make some effort to keep things cool.
Not shure if this is the back of the star or the pill we're looking at...
I have to take out the leds from the front, have to find me a pair of pliers to unscrew the front srews.

Here are some pictures.

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kwarwick

· #586 · Nov 29, 2013

Hard to tell for sure from the photos, but looking at the 2nd one it seems like the back of an LED MCPCBs showing.

MK96

· #587 · Nov 29, 2013

^^ +1

it seems we are looking at the MCPCB, at least I think you have the original driver.

mrbubbles

· #588 · Nov 29, 2013

Based on the second photo, I don't think the leds are heatsinked.

Skyraider59

· #589 · Nov 30, 2013

toto408 said:
Hey lads,
I'm a happy user of on of these (Wholesale Product Snapshot Product name is 1 Set 2013 SolarStorm X2 Bike Light Waterproof 2 CREE U2 LED 2000LM Bicycle Light + Intelligent Power Indicate + Free Shipping) on my helmet, and one of that (New Black SolarStorm X2 With 2xCree XM-L2 LED 4-Mode Bike headlight,Bicycle Light Set(4*18650 Battery pack Included) - 2LED Bike Light - Led Bike Light - Bicycle Light & Headlamp Worldwide Free Shipping!!!) on the bar.
I don't really like the rubber used to attach the lamp to the bar, so I'm looking for a better mount... Anybody tried that one? Hope Universal Handlebar Mount | Chain Reaction Cycles Could'nt find anything on that thread...

Cheers!

hI TOTO408, from your links, they come from Alixpress, how long did the shipping take to ? UK
What kind of run time do you get out of them?
Thanks

Skyraider59

· #590 · Nov 30, 2013

<<Just got my Fandyfire X2 from DX this week.
I waited for it quite some time (2 months).
It arrived in a big enveloppe "Per Avion", by airmail.>> Two months this must be a record!, I think they need to change their envelope to read (Slow Boat from China!!!) Last stuff I orded was over 2 years ago took over a 5weeks to arrive, the result is I have not orded anything from them since! And I hope I won't have to. Most of my stuff I get from china do take around 2 weeks.

Cat-man-do

· #591 · Nov 30, 2013

Well I just finished taking my X2 clone ( Manafont version ) apart at the front just so I could see how the emitters were mounted. For the record mine has no "Solarstorm" logo or other markings.

First I'll note is that my clone has the loose emitter boards like some of the others. There is no pill and no metal base plate for the board to rest on. For that matter there is only a small indented lip that holds the MCPCB in place. It is so small that I'm amazed there is any thermal transfer at all. No thermal paste was used to keep the board in place. Looks like I'll have to buy some thermal paste to get the boards to hold tighter to the indent lip. What a crappy set-up. The original Solarstorm X2's were built much better. At least this explains why mine seems to drop in output so quickly when used on high. Heck the lip is so small I have a hard time seeing it. That being the case I may be wrong but I don't think thermal paste is going to make a big difference.

scar

· #592 · Nov 30, 2013

Cat-man-do said:
I agree. When I buy I lamp for $25 I will use it till it fails. IF..something fails on the lamp I can then disassemble and try my hand at modding OR just buy another.

Food for thought...These lamps are so inexpensive you can afford to buy an extra for back up.

Cat-man-do said:
Even Zaang, ( who has posted only in this thread ) initially said that he had friends who owned one and that they had no problems. About Archie's friend; Any of us know him or know how much he knows about electronics and modding these kind's of lamps. Hey, whatever....Stuff happens. As I see it it's still "Business as usual". A Chinese lamp is still a "CHINESE" lamp.

No one is claiming that the SSX2's are "above average" in design or reliability. Of the thousands that are sold there are going to be people getting them that will have problems. That said these are the most inexpensive lamps available. Since these continue to be popular I wouldn't let the misfortune of a few keep me from buying one if I were in the market for a cheap lamp and only had about $40 to spend. Even if you did get a dud ( the first time ) if you roll the dice again and buy a second I think it highly unlikely you would get another bad one...just saying. You can buy a better more reliable brand name light but that will mean more money up front. You can buy two of the cheap Chinese lamps and still not spend the money you did for a single brand name lamp. Choices, choices...indeed.

So I am curious, are you following your own advise and have a couple more on order (for back-up)?

****

toto408

· #593 · Nov 30, 2013

kwarwick said:
Hope uses a bigger bolt thread, but you can reuse the screw that comes with the X2 and it fits into hole in the bracket no problem.

View attachment 850782 View attachment 850783

Looks great

I'll order that

toto408

· #594 · Nov 30, 2013

Skyraider59 said:
hI TOTO408, from your links, they come from Alixpress, how long did the shipping take to ? UK
What kind of run time do you get out of them?
Thanks

I just received 2/4 lamps from Aliexpress, lithium batteries are not allowed anymore from China... I get refund for the 2 lost lamps, but it takes 2 months or more... I received the 2 first lamps in about 2-3 weeks I think. I recommand more Lightmalls, there's a shipping option to ship batteries

And I have about 1h15 running at high, don't know in other modes

MK96

· #595 · Nov 30, 2013

Cat-man-do said:
Well I just finished taking my X2 clone ( Manafont version ) apart at the front just so I could see how the emitters were mounted. For the record mine has no "Solarstorm" logo or other markings.

Yours is the XM-L U2 version or the one with XM-L2? I am curious if this happens to XM-L or XM-L2 clones ...

Skyraider59

· #596 · Nov 30, 2013

toto408 said:
And I have about 1h15 running at high, don't know in other modes

Bang one, got also 75mn out of the solarstorm "ok" battery!

Cat-man-do

· #597 · Dec 1, 2013 (Edited)

scar said:
So I am curious, are you following your own advise and have a couple more on order (for back-up)?

I don't need back up at the moment as I have other lamps. Would I buy one again? Yes, but one of the original ( better made ) SStorms. Still, I knew mine was a no-name clone going in. I accept the lesser quality for that reason. Doesn't mean I don't wish it was better made. At least it works. How long it will last if used regularly?...any one's guess.

The nice thing about the forum is the quality feedback. Because some people are willing to poke around inside the lamps we are able to get more information, whither it be good or bad. Armed with this knowledge we can chose to buy a better product and send a message to the manufacturers of the cheap clones that if their product(s) suck it will cost THEM money ( through lost sales ).

**edit: Seven years ago I rode with halogen lamps. With those lamps with NiMH batteries... I never knew when the batteries would crap out ( usually after two years ) or a bulb would burn out. Those set-ups cost me at least twice as much as the newer Chinese clones. In retrospect, if you don't have a lot of money the clone lamps are still worth the money ( ~$40 ) as long as the lamp works and the battery gives you two hour run time.

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Cat-man-do

· #598 · Dec 1, 2013 (Edited)

MK96 said:
Yours is the XM-L U2 version or the one with XM-L2? I am curious if this happens to XM-L or XM-L2 clones ...

...XM-L ( U2 )...haven't seen the SSX2 with XM-L2 yet unless I'm missing something. So far I think the loose emitter board issue is only for certain SSX2 clones.

**edit...Solarstorm X2 does come in a XM-L2 T-6 version ( fasttech)

MK96

· #599 · Dec 1, 2013

Archie's friend has XM-L2 version but not from Manafont and some riders in this thread have also XM-L2 version without the pills. SO it happens to both XM-L and XM-L2 SSX2 clones.

varider

· #600 · Dec 1, 2013

Sorry you got the not-so-great version Cat.

Those hope mounts look awesome. The shipping to the US is almost as much as the item with the total around $20. Not a good deal.

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