I can totally understand your frustration, we all have our favorites, and we want companies who respect their customers. It sucks that they didn't at least send your Axia back to you.

That being said, I have the older version of the ELX, the Element, and I love it. I use it all the time and have never had any issues.

I'm just saying, maybe give it a try. It doesn't excuse what Xikar did, but you might find you like the new lighter.