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The Nuwai TM-301X-5 is available from
EliteLED.com.
The Nuwai TM-301X-5 is a very small, two 123A powered,
Luxeon-V LED flashlight made of anodized aluminum with
a textured aluminum reflector and a polycarbonate lens.
The case is available in black and titanium case color
with a white LED. It has only one mode of operation:
Screaming Bright. It will provide good output for almost
2 hours, with briefly diminishing light after that.
A pocket clip is attached to the side of the light and
a clickie switch is on the tailcap. The textured reflector
produces a smooth spot with a wide spill beam.
The body of the light is made of machined aluminum
with what appears to be a Type II anodized finish. Type
II anodize is the same as that found on commonly available
department store aluminum lights. As a result, it will
be subject to nicks and marring from contact with abrasive
surfaces. The head of the light has checkering to help
with grip and around the center of the body are little
nubs which serve the same purpose. On either side of
the light is a flat panel, one of which has the label
laser etched into the aluminum.
There is a metal clip attached just below the head
which has a lanyard attachment point molded in. The
open end of the clip does touch the body and provides
a firm grip. The clip is held on with two Torx screws
which are exceptionally fine. If you can locate the
proper Torx bit, the clip can be removed and bent to
taste, or removed completely.
The top of the bezel is crenelated so if the unit is
placed face down on a flat surface while on, light leaks
out around the edges to remind you that you left it
on. A recessed plastic lens protects a very shiny textured
reflector which captures the light from the very intense
and nearly indestructible Luxeon-V LED. The Luxeon-V
is capable of producing more light than the Luxeon-I
or Luxeon-III LEDs. The unit tested emitted very nice
white light which resulted in excellent color rendition
in the area illuminated.
Output is in the form of very wide but
clean white beam. Very smooth with no artifacts at all.
Great for brightly illuminating a subject at close to
medium ranges. Due to the width of the beam, this is
a serious "room lighter" but not a "spot
lighter" and should not be expected to illuminate
objects well at a distance. One big surprise - no "doughnut
hole" in the beam, which is common among Luxeon
V lights.
Beam at one meter.
The runtime plot shows that you get very good output
for about 1 hr 50 minutes, followed by diminishing output.
When it starts to dim significantly, it's time for a
prompt battery change. You'll have 15-20 minutes after
the dimming is noticeable before the light drops to
almost nothing.
Runtime
completed with included "Panasonic" batteries.
More information on runtime plots is available HERE.
Someone asked how this light performed with Pila
rechargeable cells. It takes a single 168S cell
and output starts at about 60% of the output of 123A
cells. Here's the runtime:
Runtime
completed with"Pila" batteries. More information
on runtime plots is available HERE.
The tailcap contains the switch and has slight indentations
to help with grip for unscrewing the tailcap for battery
changes. The switch is covered by a smooth rubber cap
in the center of the tailcap. The switch is almost recessed
- it protrudes very slightly and the switch will not
activate if the light is pressed down on its tailcap.
The switch makes a nice firm "click" when
operated. It does not have a momentary option, but can
be blinked by pressing in on the switch gently after
the light is turned on. Clicking the switch once turns
the light on, a second time for off.
For water resistance, the head is sealed onto the body
and an O-ring seals the tailcap from the entry of water.
Ergonomics: Nothing bad to be said about this light
at all. Fits well in the hand, comfortable, and the
textured areas provide a good grip.
Size compared to a common 2AA aluminum light
For batteries, this light takes two 123A lithium cells.
I would recommend BatteryStation brand cells from BatteryStation.com
for less than $2 each. (No, we are not affiliated with or paid
by BatteryStation.com...) In comparison tests completed
by a third party, they were found to perform as well
as or better than the top brand name cells. I would
not recommend purchasing these cells at retail stores
(even WalMart!) since they cost $10 a pair or more in
most retail stores!
Included is a nylon belt sheath with a velcro closure.
What I Liked: Water resistant, Impact resistant,
Semi-Regulated, Bright for its size, Easy battery change,
Small and lightweight.
What I Didn't Like: Nothing
Conclusions: A FANTASTIC Luxeon
V flashlight. Great output, very good runtime, and nice
size. A serious competitor for the much more expensive
"big boys" out there, if you don't mind giving
up a few of the high end features such as a pyrex lens
or HA-III anodize. Highly recommended if you need an
extremely bright light in a small package with good
runtime for close to medium range work.
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