Please note that this review is a "prerelease" review which was requested by the wholesaler who will be supplying this light. The form factor and operation of this light may change before it becomes available from this supplier as a result of this, and other, critiques about its operation.

The Vari-Brite is a Luxeon LED flashlight powered by one rechargeable 3.6V lithium ion 123A cell or, in an emergency, by a primary 123A lithium cell. Two rechargeable cells and a "Nano" charger are included with the light. It has two switches which cycle it through multiple brightness modes. One switch increases, one decreases brightness. The levels of output go from just barely lit to very bright. On the tailcap is a On-Off switch which allows the light to be turned off and back on again at the previously selected brightness.

The body is made of anodized aluminum. I'm not sure if it is type II or type III, but it has a matte finish. There is checkering in a band around the head and body, and a double band on the tailcap for grip. The checkering on the head and body is not aggressive at all and really only provides a slight improvement in grip. The tailcap checkering is a little more aggressive. The tailcap is flat with a recessed switch, which facilitates standing the light on end. Inside and out, the machining and construction look good.

Head/Bezel: This unit appears to have a glass lens and a silvered smooth reflector. A continuity check of the back of the reflector reveals that it is metal. The reflector is held in place by a retaining ring inside of the head. The Luxeon LED is attached to an aluminum baseplate by a white thermal conductive paste. Below that baseplate is the circuitry and switching mechanism which are hidden from view and inaccessible.

Output description: Output is in the form of a very nice wide spot with a slight corona and wide spillbeam. Color temperature of the LED in this unit is very close to sunlight with a slight tint which is unnoticeable unless you compare it directly with sunlight. Color rendition is very good.

The two switches on the unit permit a great deal of variability in the output of the light. By clicking up and down you can access different output settings. You can also just hold the switch and it will ramp up or down depending on which one you press.

I was unable to count the number of levels available on his unit, but depending on the power source some of the levels may not be available. When using the included 3.6V rechargeable 123A output is very good and a large number of light levels are available. When running the light on a regular 123A cell, a very limited number of levels are available and output is fairly dim.

Note that the switches require a VERY rapid click to go up just one level. Many times it will jump 2 levels in output.

Holding both switches at the same time doesn't serve any purpose.

Beam at one meter at target center

Runtime Plot: This runtime was conducted with the light on its maximum setting while using the included 3.6V rechargeable Lithium Ion 123A protected cell. Very good output for a bit over an hour before dropping out of regulation and diminishing to a low level of output. Reducing the brightness of the light will, of course, result in longer runtimes.

Runtime completed with 123A Li-Ion Rechargeable cell. More information on runtime plots is available HERE.

Runtime Plot: This runtime was conducted with the light on its maximum setting with a normal 123A cell, which could be used in an emergency if your rechargeable cells are flat. Note the rapid drop to about 25% output followed by a long plateau. I stopped the test after 22 hours. Obviously the best performance (and probably the most cost-saving performance) is achieved by using the included 123A Lithium Ion 3.6V protected cells, but if you need a little light for a very long time, a standard 123A will do the trick.

Runtime completed with "Titanium" brand batteries. More information on runtime plots is available HERE.

Switch: There are actually 3 switches in this light. The light adjustment switches are rubber covered domes that are sitting on a flat plateau and protected by the shoulder of the head and the body tube. The probability of accidental activation is reduced as a result. Click or hold the switch near the head for increasing output, click or hold the one nearest the tailcap to decrease output.

Now on the tailcap of the light is another, larger, rubber covered switch. It acts as the master switch. Click this switch to turn the light on and off. The light comes back on AT THE SAME LEVEL. I don't know how this works, but I could even remove the batteries, replace them, and when it was turned on the light has remembered the level it was at. Perhaps there is a capacitor in there that keeps the "memory" going for a little while and eventually it will lose the setting - I'm not sure. The switch is completely recessed can stand on its tail end. Despite being recessed with a ridge all the way around, the switch is very easy to operate.

Seals: O ring seals protect the bezel, head, and tailcap. The O-rings were well lubricated. The rubber switch covers seem to seal pretty well around the inside of the holes in the body. I'd give it a "splashable" at the minimum, probably "dunkable". If it gets wet inside, just disassemble as much a possible without tools and let it dry before using again.

Ergonomics: It's slightly shorter, but a little larger in diameter, than a normal mini-light. The checkering, as mentioned before, is fairly slick - about the same as a standard mini-light.

Size compared to a common 2AA aluminum light

One 123A cell powers the light and it includes a set of 123A Lithium Ion 3.6V protected cells and charger for maximum performance. If you are going to use normal 123A cells as an emergency backup, 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!

Accessories: A nice light duty nylon velcro-closure belt sheath is included.

What I Liked: Water resistant, Tough/impact resistant, Regulated/good battery life with included rechargeables, Bright, Easy battery change, Lightweight, Stands up, Dedicated on-off and variable output switches

What I Didn't Like: Nothing

Other Things I Noticed: Nothing

Conclusions: A very nice variable output Luxeon LED light. Definitely use the included rechargeable cells in this light. Performance with normal 123A cells is quite different relative to the rechargeable 3.6V Lithium-ion protected cells.

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