Manufacturer:- Not Known
Retailer:- Waion on CPF see this thread
Purchase Price :- $79.95(Upgraded Version) + $7.95 Post £51.89 Delivered http://www.xe.com/ucc/
Size:- 143mm (5.635 Inches)long, Body Diameter 25.05mm (0.986Inch),Head 33.28mm (1.310Inch) Diameter
Weight (With Batteries):- 5 1/8oz. 146g
Battery Type / Qty :- 2off CR123 Primary or 1off 18650 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion
Battery Life :- Not Known yet
LED Type :- 3W Luxeon Bin TX0J (Upgraded)
Rated Output:- Unknown but probably around 50-80 Lumens
Estimated LED Lifespan:- Over 100,000 Hours
Colour:- White
Reflector Type :- Aluminium Drop in 27mm Diameter unknown origin or Upgraded IMS 27mm Reflector
Lens Material :- Glass
Electronics:- Controlled power output 16 different levels. Possibly regulated/semi regulated control.
Body Material :- Aluminium
Colour :- Anodised Black
Features:- Lockout Tailcap, Water Resistant, Multi Voltage/battery types.
Accessories :- Nylon Belt Pouch, Lanyard, IMS 27mm Reflector, Extra O-Ring for IMS mounting.

I found this light after reading through the CPF Dealers Corner section. It got my interest straight away as it was a Multi brightness light for reasonable money. It also had something else that I have not seen on any other lights yet and that is two button control of the brightness setting!

This light was offered in more than one configuration and the light I purchased has the upgraded IMS 27mm reflector installed. I have this fitted in some other lights and know that it performs well. The upgraded version was also fitted with a TX0J bin LED. So nice and white and good output.

The main body is machined from aluminium and is anodised with a black finish. The quality is excellent with no machining marks or obvious defects on the outside. There were a couple of small marks on the inside of the head bezel on mine, one can be seen as a tiny raised bump on the outside of the head, but only if you look closely. I wonder if this is where the anodising jig is attached to them?

The tail of the light unscrews to allow the batteries to be installed. This joint is sealed with an O-ring. As supplied the light did not have any silicone grease or lubrication to the O-rings and I applied some of my own. Everything is now silky smooth.

The battery tube is a lot bigger in diameter than the CR123 cells. This is for a good reason. The light is designed to take 3.6V 18650 Lithium-Ion cells which are 18mm diameter and 65mm long. The PILA 168A cells should also fit. I don't yet have a charger for the 18650 cells so test on those will come later.

The batteries are inserted with the +ve end towards the LED and the -ve toward the tailcap.

The Tailcap also doubles as the master on-off switch for the torch. It must be screwed all the way in to turn on the light and when backed off slightly can be pressed for momentary operation.

As the tail is flat it can be stood on end in candle mode operation. Great idea. A small hole is drilled in the tailcap to allow the fitting of the supplied wrist lanyard. I would have liked something a little more substantial, but when you consider the price it a pretty good deal.

Unscrewing the head allows you to get at the LED and the reflector. The light would normally come with its own reflector and aluminium retaining ring. On this version this has been replace with the IMS 27mm version. An extra O-ring is needed to fill up the space of the shorter reflector. But this works well and nothing moves or rattles.

The LED is a Lumileds Luxeon III star and it is fitted to the top of the aluminium heat sink with what looks to be thermal epoxy. I have not removed the LED as it performs really well, but I am sure with a little care it could be upgraded.

Colour is good on the supplied LED.

This will be due to the TX0J Bin code.

T=67.2-87.4 Lumens
X= 6700K Colour Temperature Tint White
0= 6700K Colour Temperature Tint White
J= 3.27-3.51Vf (Forward Voltage)

You need to be careful with the IMS reflector as it only fits in one way round. The glass lens can also fall out when the head is removed so be cautious.

The beam from the IMS reflector throws a very long way and is good for walking at night. A decent side spill also helps with peripheral vision, to stop you falling over things.

The measured maximum output is impressive at 3490 Lux @ 1m putting only second to my McGizmo Aleph in my performance table. That's brighter than a Gladius! But the Gladius does put out a brighter overspill of light.

Let us move on to the most interesting aspect of this light. The brightness controls. When you first turn on the light (By turning the tailcap all the way in) you may find that no light comes out of the front. Not to worry, just press and hold the top (Nearest the head) button and the light will ramp up in brightness.

Want less light output? Just press and hold the lower of the buttons and the light will decrease in brightness. Just release at the required level.

This is the best method I have seen so far for adjusting the power level on a multi brightness level light. Good job.

You can inch the brightness up or down by clicking the buttons rapidly.

This light is marketed as a 16 Level light. During my investigations I have actually found out that this is not strictly correct. The light is actually a 32 level device. The trouble is that the voltage produced by the lower 16 levels is so low that the LED is unable to illuminate. The not 16 levels go form just barely illuminating the LED (You can look directly at it) to eye searing bright at the highest levels. The graphs show a very linear relationship between power level and voltage. The circuit could perhaps be an adapted digital potentiometer circuit?

Please see my attached Picture and Excel sheet that show the Voltage recorded by each level setting. This was measured across the LED terminals with my Fluke 179 DMM.

I have not yet had chance to do any runtime readings. But hope to have a go in the next few weeks. I would imaging that the runtimes on the lower setting extend the operating time to many hours.

I am not exactly sure of the method used for controlling the power to the LED. But it does not appear to be PWM as the voltage seen at the LED is lowered enough for the LED to not illuminate. Also the Voltage appears to be capped at around 3.616 Volts when using two CR123 cells that produce over 6 Volts into the converter. So some sort of regulation appears to be happening. Perhaps one of my more learned friends over at CPF can help with more information?

I think the manufacturer is after feedback on improvements that could be made.

My list would be as follows :-

1.) Eliminate the 16 redundant lower levels for the light as the do not do anything useful and can give the false impression that the torch is switched off when it is not.

2.) More positive change from one level to the next. Sometime the button press seems to give two jumps in brightness. Perhaps the time before ramping could be extended a little.

3.) Ability to turn the light on and off from the two buttons. Perhaps by pressing both together.

4.) Lubrication of O-rings for better operation and water proofing.

5.) Stronger supplied wrist lanyard.

These points may seem a little picky. Don't worry this torch as supplied is an excellent product and provides features not seen on many torches until you pay silly prices.

I also have to mention that the supplied Nylon belt pouch is also excellent and very well made.