Photon III problem....

Cosmic Superchunk

Cosmic Superchunk

Joined
Jan 28, 2001
Messages
3,709
I got a Photon III Microlight (green bulb) as a gift yesterday and it worked fine when I activated it. I then proceeded to attach it to my key ring and placed my keys in my pocket. This morning I decided to play with the light levels a bit, but it seems to be locked into an "on/off" mode. When I press the front part of the button, it lights up as it should, and it shuts off as I release the button, but when I press the rear half of the button to try the different stobe levels, it just turns on the brighest setting. As I release the button it simply stays on until I press the button again. I tried holding on th the button for 4 seconds as indicated in the instructions, but it will not work. Anyone have similar problems with theirs?
 
I've heard that individuals have had many problems with the Photon IIIs, which is why I would recommend the Photon II. I've had mine for a good while and have never had any problems other than the batteries just running low. However, since getting an Arc AAA, my Photons just serve as backup EDC lights now. ;)

You may find the remedy for your Photon III at this link HERE .

Good Luck.
 
From the off position press the back of the button and hold it as it comes on for 4 seconds, or keep holding it to go through the modes . It doesn't work if the light is already on.

I know that when I first got mine I was trying to change modes after it was already on, doesn't work, very frustrating.

I generally just leave mine in the auto shut off mode so in the case of it accidentally getting turned on it won't run my battery down.

Hope that helps.:)
 
Oh yeah, and of the 7 modes only one is an auto shut off mode, as you're cycling through them it goes: Bright, Medium, Dim, Fast Strobe, Medium Strobe, Slow Strobe, then it does another medium strobe which is the auto shut off mode.
 
I thought I read some where that you have to open up the III, and remove something off the back switch to make it work. A piece of plastic I think. Does anyone know what I'm talking about?? :)


Blades
 
Blades, sometimes there will be a piece of plastic between the battery contacts and the light contacts to keep the battery from accidently being used before purchase. It doesn't sound like this is the case since the light has worked.

Some of the guys at work (not me of course) will take the battery off of a buddy's two way radio and put a piece of tape on the contacts. It's kind of like an IQ test to see how long it'll take to figure out.:D
 
I'm thinkin of getting this light in covert purple. Does anyone have reviews of this color? Is it as useful as the white? Thanks.


-DC2
 
The prices at BotachTactical are low. What's the catch? Do you have to be a Govt. official to buy them at these prices?


-DC2
 
Originally posted by Diamond Cut II
The prices at BotachTactical are low. What's the catch? Do you have to be a Govt. official to buy them at these prices?


-DC2
Click to expand...

Well, I'll let you know if/when my order shows up! I got a couple of things coming. They did charge me, they did not ask for any other ID (I bought no weapons). There was a space on the checkout form for a gov ID discount, above and beyond the prices I paid. I think they are just a cheap high volume dealer??
 
Originally posted by Blisshead
Well, I'll let you know if/when my order shows up! I got a couple of things coming. They did charge me, they did not ask for any other ID (I bought no weapons). There was a space on the checkout form for a gov ID discount, above and beyond the prices I paid. I think they are just a cheap high volume dealer??
Click to expand...


That would be great, Thanks.


-DC2
 
Originally posted by Diamond Cut II
The prices at BotachTactical are low. What's the catch? Do you have to be a Govt. official to buy them at these prices?


-DC2
Click to expand...
You might want to do a search on GBU. They don't have the best reputation for private purchases.
 
I've noticed the purple doesn't come with a covert casing over it to prevent UV rays from coming in contact with the eyes. Since I have never seen any models(purple) with a covert casing, I don't know if they do come with it attached.


-DC2
 
Originally posted by KBR
I've heard that individuals have had many problems with the Photon IIIs, which is why I would recommend the Photon II. I've had mine for a good while and have never had any problems other than the batteries just running low. However, since getting an Arc AAA, my Photons just serve as backup EDC lights now. ;)

You may find the remedy for your Photon III at this link HERE .

Good Luck.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advise. I removed the batteries and let it sit overnight. The next morning, I re-inserted the batteries, and all seemed to work fine, but when I checked it two hours later, it did the same thing. It stays locked in one mode and it won't let you switch modes. This one is going back. I guess I should stick with a Photon II. :(
 
I have three, all bought cheap. All are the old chip (no SOS mode). All three are POS and are going back.
 
The Photon3's are duds, and the few I've had just don't work, or stopped working a short time after I bought them.

Go w/ a Photon2, or one of the many LED lights that are popping-up...

--dan
 
I have 3 Photon 3s and a Photon 2. All work flawlessly except for one of the Photon 3s. That one light has the same kind of intermittent/rotating failure described above. Yes, it is a bit of a hassle to send it in for warranty replacement, but I am confident they will replace it with excellent customer service. The other P3s I have are terrific lights with features not available anywhere else and I get a lot of good use out of them. I think they are a bargain even if you get a bad one and have to send it back for replacement. By the way, if you bought it directly from LRI, they will send you an advance replacement before you even send yours in.

If you buy a Photon 3, understand that the quality control is not perfect (but LRI will make it right). If that's not acceptable to you, then buy a Photon II or maybe a Princeton Tech Pulsar 2.
 
Originally posted by Diamond Cut II
I've noticed the purple doesn't come with a covert casing over it to prevent UV rays from coming in contact with the eyes. Since I have never seen any models(purple) with a covert casing, I don't know if they do come with it attached.


-DC2
Click to expand...

The purple doesn't put out enough UV light to damage your eyes unless you force that to happen, it can be bought with a shield though. The UV Photon on the other hand puts out alot of UV and has a shield.
 
Hey DC II, my order shipped. I have a UPS tracking number. Botach called me because one of my items was out of stock and asked me what Iwanted them to do about it. So, in my experience everything has worked perfectly with them. Customer service gets a huge thumbs up for the prompt phone call.
 
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