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The AmiLite Neo T5 is the next generation of the Neo
T3, also produced by AmiLite. Like it's predecessor,
the T5 is a tiny pocket light that thinks it is a much
larger flashlight. It runs on a single 123A lithium
cell, is one of the brightest-for-its-size lights that
I have tested, and has two levels of output. Inside
you will find one of the recent SSC P4 LEDs, which are
about twice as efficient as the Luxeon III of the T3.
As a testament to its quality, Neo T5 has a glass lens,
HA-III anodize, a lanyard connection point built into
the tail, appears to be very well made, and provides
good output regulation. It uses a click switch for activation,
and the switch provides a low and a high level. There
are two different tailcap switches, one with a low output
of about 15 lumens, the other with a low output of about
30 lumens. The package includes spare O-rings and a
nylon wrist lanyard.
Body: The body tube has a HA-III anodize finish
for durability (much stronger than the common Type-II
finish) and has flat facets around the body tube for
grip. I did notice that in many places there was a sharp
shelf machined into the body I could see a shiny reflection
at its base. I do not know if this is because the anodize
did not take well in these tight areas or if something
else is at play here. At the base of the tail you will
find a lanyard attachment hole and slots machined into
the end.
Bezel/Head: The head has the same HA-III anodize
as the body tube and has several rings machined into
its surface. These increase its surface area and allow
more efficient heat dissipation. There is also a ring
of ridges machined into the surface near the base of
the head for improving grip. At the very front, the
bezel ring is scalloped so that you can see if the light
is on or off when you set it down on its head. The glass
lens is recessed in the bezel for protection. Behind
the lens is a metal reflector, an SSC P4 LED and a boost
circuit for maintaining output.
 
Output: Output is big. Huge. Stupendous. The
Neo T5 outclasses all of my 2x123A incandescent flashlights
in overall output, yet is a fraction of their size.
The beam is somewhat broad, so you won't be spotlighting
a raccoon in a tree 100 yards away, but it works great
for close to medium distances and has greater distance-lighting-capability
than the Surefire A2 according to my numbers.
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Level
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High
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2400 (48.99)
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8250 (82.50)
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Normal Low Switch
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240 (15.49)
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750 (7.50)
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Double Low Switch (option)
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440 (20.98)
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1480 (14.80)
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All throw readings are in Lux
at one meter. The numbers in parenthesis are for comparison
in the Comparison
Charts. The white light produced by the LED is a high color
temperature and produces good color rendition. Since
LEDs produce much more light in the blue end of the
spectrum, and significantly less light in the red/yellow
end, things illuminated with an LED can appear "flat"
and lacking depth or texture to our eyes. This is because
of the way our eyes work and the limited spectrum output
of LEDs. Distant target identification is, to my eyes,
always better with an incandescent bulb. LEDs really
appear to do well in a close to medium range, which
is what this light is designed for.
Beam at one meter at target center
Runtime Plot: Like the Neo T3, You'll get about
50 minutes of really good output from the T5 before
it starts to decline and at around 1 hour you'll hit
50% of starting output. I generally consider 1 hour
to be about the minimum amount of "constant use
runtime before 50% starting output" that is acceptable.
The Neo T5 just makes it there. Considering the amount
of light produced and the size of the cell used for
power, this light does a fantastic job.
Runtime
completed with included batteries. More information
on runtime plots is available HERE.
Switch: The T5 uses a reverse click switch.
Click once for low, once more for high, and once again
for off. The end of the tailcap is a rubber textured
cap which protects the switch mechanism.
Two different tailcaps are available. The "normal"
has the low switch setting adjusted to about 15 lumens
of output, while the "double" switch has the
low setting adjusted to about 30 lumens (which is about
the overall output of a minimag with new batteries).
Your choice - pick either one when you order the light.
I prefer the 15 lumen low, but your needs may vary from
mine.
The Neo T3 body assembly will fit on the
T5 head making the overall light smaller, but it only
provides one level of output.
Seals / Water Resistance: The light has O-ring
seals at all the possible points of water entry. I did
notice that the O-ring on the body tube is black while
the O-ring on the bezel is clear. Spare O-rings are
included in the accessory packet. The O-rings on the
body are lubricated.
If it gets wet inside, just disassemble as much a possible
without tools and let it dry before using again.
Ergonomics: It's small, super lightweight and
as a very comfortable to grip. The T5 is a bit longer
than the original T3 and I find it to be just about
the perfect length to hold in the hand. Unfortunately
this means that it may be a little large to carry in
the pocket, depending on your frame and your pocket.
You may want to look around for a nice little belt sheath.
Be sure to use the wrist lanyard if you are in a situation
where dropping it would result in its loss or serious
damage.
Size compared to a common 2AA aluminum light
Batteries: A single 123A cell powers the light.
I would recommend Titanium
brand cells for $1.00 each (here's
a review) or BatteryStation
or Surefire
brand cells for less than $2 each. I would not recommend
purchasing these cells at retail stores since they cost
$10 a pair or more in most retail stores!
To change out the batteries: unscrew the head (not
the tail), drop out the old cell, place in new cell
observing proper polarity. Reattach the head and you're
ready to go.
Accessories: Inside the package you will find
a nylon wrist lanyard and spare O-rings for the seals.
What I Liked: Water resistant,
Tough/impact resistant, Semi-Regulated, Really Bright,
Two output levels, Easy battery change, Lightweight
What I Didn't Like: What's not
to like?
Picky Little Things: Battery life
almost, but not quite, too short, but the lower output
mode makes up for it. Would like to know why it appears
that the anodize is missing at the bottom of the machined
ridges.
Conclusions: A tiny little pocket
light with big output, the Neo T5 is the second offering
of AmiLite and they have done a very fine job once again.
I really like the size, the output, and the overall
feel of the light. We have a winner!
UPDATE:
Alex G. passed this on via e-mail. Thanks
Alex!
I
recently got the Amilite Neo T5, and I agree with
your review. However, I would like to tell you something
I found out that may make a difference to some people.
I
noticed the LED appeared to have moved off-centre.
I opened the head, and realized the reflector is a
little bit small for the head of the light, and it
was the reflector that had moved, not the LED! I was
able to get the reflector in a position where the
LED was centred, but when I tried to screw the top
of the head back on, the window of the flashlight
ended up turning the reflector, and it would not stay
in the right position. In the end I was able to get
it right, but the top of the head had to be unscrewed
a little bit, only a couple degrees. This shouldn't
affect water resistance, but it looks like you might
need to adjust the position of the reflector if you
get an Amilite Neo T5. Not that this should stop anyone
from getting one, it works just fine, and this problem
never did interfere with function.
I
just thought you might want to post this, so people
don't think it is a problem with the light.
CAUTION !:
There have been reports by some owners of the T5 that
their emitter (LED) has turned brownish and the output
is very purple after several weeks of use. This may
be the result of those owners using rechargeable 123A
cells (RCR123A) which are 3.6V. Normal 123A cells are
about 3.0V. Rechargeable 123A 3.6V cells come in both
Protected and Unprotected varieties, so being called
one or the other is not an indicator of the voltage.
The Amilite website makes no mention of the compatibility
of the rechargeable RCR123A cells with the T5. My recommendation
is to always err on the side of caution, and aviod
using rechargeable 123A cells in your Amilite
until we find out if their use is approved by the manufacturer.
This should not be considered a defect of the light,
but instead should be considered a possible incompatibility
issue between the higher voltage/current from the RCR123A
and the emitter in this particular application. I'll
continue to follow this issue and add additional information
as more is discovered.
UPDATE: April 2007, from Amilite:
Amilite has contacted us about the reflectors and the
3.7V 123A rechargeable cells. Amilite does NOT recommend
the use of 3.6V (3.7V) rechargeable 123A cells in the
Amilite due to emitter degredation resulting from heat
buildup. 3.0V rechargeable 123A cells should be OK to
use.
Reflectors may be slightly off center. This is a trade-off
that results from using the better quality, premade
"McR20s" reflectors which are not perfectly
fitted to the light body and emitter. Amilite does not
want to glue the reflector in place (this would be the
easiest solution) as this would prevent future potential
upgrades of the light. The reflectors are hand-centered
at the factory and may be slightly off. However, (per
Amilite) this should not affect beam quality to any
significant degree.
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Korea