The other kicker was that the threaded portion tended to easily detach from the plastic base if you tighten them even moderately. Does that happen to yours?
Gary,
I've been using the black based octagon style for 4 seasons now. Had my first one start acting up this year...its flashing, but seems very weak. Despite Floridas torrential rains, no moisture issues and never had a problem with the bases. I have screwed them in so tight that the bottom of the C9 vampire socket blew out though.
Like everyone else, I'm very cost conscious and have ordered cheaper xenon and LED white based strobes from just about every major supplier known to the forums. They turn out to be just "blinkers" or "flashers" vs. actual strobes with a capacitor that rapidly discharges like the ones I use. So they promptly get returned or sold on ebay.
Mike E.
