I had a regular flea for over a year. It worked great until I washed and dried it in my pants pocket.. I replaced it with a 2.0 and it also works great. Even better than the first. I love this light. It's the perfect size for the bars on both my bikes, the velcro straps means it fits on both (my roadie's got an oversize bar), and the brightness is good for city riding IMO.

I would say you just got a dud, but you mentioned you're having the same problem with the front and back lights? I feel like you must be doing something wrong..although, I don't know what it could be, but anyway, i'd get the 2.0 if you've got that option. It's better than the first one.

Also, you could try cleaning the contacts before you take it back. My old one had charging issues sometimes if the contacts were dirty.

I haven't had to recharge mine yet but just for kicks I'm trying it right now. Plugged the USB dongle in and set the flea on the contacts. There is a red light that blinks every 3 seconds so I assume that's what you're looking for.

edit: Just realized you bought the old flea. Mine doesn't have the battery charger.

Yup, same problem with both. I'd understand if one was a dud, but both of the ones I picked are duds? I'll probably return them to the shop and get the 2.0's somewhere.

Also, I saw about cleaning the contacts in another thread and that didn't work either.

Went to my LBS this afternoon to return my lights.

It turns out my lights were both defected or duds. I exchanged my Flea headlight for another they had at the shop, which worked fine. They didn't have another Flea rear light, so I returned that and got a Blackburn Mars rear light.

Wow, this thread.

As much as you don't want to hear it, your problem had absolutely nothing to do with SS/FG and Carleton was right on all counts. If I were to get a bad meal at a restaurant, would I simply take it up with the waiter or post about it here, then go back to the place and complain? Does it depend on whether or not I rode my fixed gear bike to said restaurant?

You took the defective light back to the store and exchanged it for one that works - which is what you should have done in the first place. Good job.