"The power of a million candles..."

Splottboy

was a Rod Gilbert sketch. But, it's true when looking at lights. Lumens, Watts???
All we want to know is, how good are "these" lights?!
It seems like you have to have a degree in physics to suss out the Truth, hey Scully?

So...I'll plough onward, probably ruining my eyesight looking into lenses and reading tiny print.

The Deal Extreme stuff looks good, but you surely have to factor in Import, VAT, Postage/Packing, and then..If it doesn't work, how to get it returned.

Now, if I can only find my Granny's torch with "The power of a million candles!"

Dazzza

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12656719

couldashouldawoulda

Yep - its pretty confusing. The DX lights dont get reviewed in the mags (prob as there's no uk importer / warranty) so that doesnt help.

BUT the DX stuff is pretty good. Postage is free. I've never heard of anyone having to pay duty or VAT. Usually it all works but if it doesnt the good news is that the stuff that doesnt is low tech and easily fixable imo (switches / connections...). The down side at the mo is that it seems to be so popular (esp the bike light) there can be up to a months delay.

BTW was your granny a light modder / DIYer? Thats a pretty impressive torch!

pastryboy

I got a faulty charger from DX - after some fannying around they sent a replacement.

Not VAT/duty - I think using the express post system avoids it somehow.

supersonic

Terminology is all accurately and relevantly described in mine and Dazzzas post in the What Lights thread.

Deal Extreme stuff includes p+p, and yet to hear of anyone getting hit with extra charges.

I want an Orange

I bought 2 lights, 4 batteries, a charger and two bar mounts from Dx and never got charged any import duty or vat.

The light was so good I bought another one as a helmet torch again no vat or duty.

It took about 2 weeks to get from the day of ordering.

lock1981

the dx magic shine is in mbuk this month gets best value light but is rebranded and comes with a years warrenty and a uk charger. but costs 150 called a lumi c there is at least one company importing them

where as magic shine from dx is 48

cat_with_no_tail

I think that this import duty story is a bit of a myth actually, seems that everyone has heard the story but no-one actualy knows of anyone that's actually experienced it.

As has been mentioned before. Unless you are buying pallet loads of them, it's not likely to be an issue.

Main points at the moment seem to be delivery times being anything from 5 to 30days and quality being a bit up-and-down.

I've had mine a few months now and it's been great. Obviously, they're not all the same though.

the article don

From HMRC

UK Customs has special arrangements that allow some overseas traders to charge, collect and pay over to us the import VAT for goods purchased on the internet that would normally be chargeable at the time the goods are imported. These arrangements operate under Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) signed with certain overseas customs and postal authorities. The countries who have an MoU with HMRC are: Channel Islands, Hong Kong, Singapore, and New Zealand. Overseas traders wanting to use this procedure must be authorised to do so by their authorities.

Paul 8v

That Rhod Gilbert sketch was great