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The Nuwai X-1 is one of the few lights you will find which is actually
branded with the Nuwai name. Most Nuwai lights are re-branded
with the name of the retailer/wholesaler, or are listed under Nuwai's
retail label "Favourlight".
The X-1 appears to be Nuwai's lower-cost response to the Fenix L1 series as it has many
similar design characteristics. It uses a 1 watt Luxeon LED for illumination,
is powered with simple, easy to find AA alkaline or rechargeable cell
and has a similar form factor to the Fenix lights. It is gray in color and appears to have
a protective Type II anodize coating. It uses a clear plastic lens in
the head and has a clickie switch in the tail.
Body: The body of the Nuwai X-1 is machined
aluminum with the slightly less durable type II anodize
finish. The color of the sample received is gray and it is
unknown if other colors are available. The outside of
the body has ringed and grooved areas machined into the surface
to help with grip and you will also find fluted troughs
around the central area of the body for texture and
grip. The tailcap has a grooved
area for grip, as well as a recessed switch for standing
on end and a lanyard attachment point. A wrist lanyard
can be attached with the small included split ring. The rim of the
tail is scalloped to allow it to stand on end with the
split-ring attached to the hole in the side.
Bezel/Head: The head of the X-1 includes a clear
plastic lens, a polished reflector, a Luxeon 1
watt LED, and a DC-DC boost circuit.
The lens is slightly recessed which serves as some protection
from impact and abrasion. The LED is centered
in the deep reflector.
Output: Output is very good. The beam is very
smooth with a brighter center and a wide soft spillbeam. Relative
to the Fenix L1, this light has a wider center spot despite the
deeper reflector.
The white light produced by the LED is a high color
temperature and produces good color rendition. A slightly yellowish
tint was detectable in the beam
when compared against a near sunlight-white source. This provides
for an excellent beam color in my opinion. This tint is not severe,
and in practical use, most people will not notice it. Instead
they will just notice what a nice, pleasant beam the light produces.
Of course, the tint of your particular light may be different.
Beam at one meter at target center
Runtime Plot: Runtime with an alkaline AA cell
is shown below. The literature
with the light states you should expect around 2 hours of output.
Runtime
completed with Rayovac brand batteries. More information
on runtime plots is available HERE.
More
information on runtime plots is available HERE.
Switch: The switch is a rubber covered clickie
and is fully recessed in the tailcap which allows the
X-1 to stand on end so you can bounce the light off
of the ceiling to illuminate a room.
Despite the fact that the switch is recessed, it is
very easy to use. Click on, click off. You can lock-out
the switch by unscrewing the tailcap 1/2 turn. This
will prevent accidental activation when packing the
light in your backpack or luggage.
Seals / Water Resistance: The light is protected
from the environment by an o-ring at both ends of the
body tube, a rubber switch cover and a sealed bezel.
Nuwai advertises the light as "waterproof"
with no specific depth rating. I would call it "dunkable"
but not "diveable".
If it gets wet inside, just disassemble as much a possible
without tools and let dry before using again.
Ergonomics: Nothing special to report here,
except that it is small and easy to carry.
Size compared to a common 2AA aluminum light
Batteries: For batteries, this light is approved
by the manufacturer for use with AA alkaline and AA
rechargeable NiMH cells. All others are at your own
risk.
To change out the batteries: unscrew the tailcap, drop
out the old cells, place in new cells observing proper
polarity. Reattach the tailcap and you're ready to go.
Accessories: A tiny split ring and clip-on lanyard
are included.
What I Liked: Waterproof, Tough/impact
resistant, Good battery life, Bright, Easy battery change,
Lightweight, Stands up
What I Didn't Like: Nothing in
particular.
Picky Little Things: The split ring that
holds the lanyard on is pretty flimsy. I took it off immediately.
Conclusions: Overall, I'd have to say that the Nuwai
X-1 is a very nice little light... It's not a Fenix (which is seems
to be trying to emulate), but at about half the price, it's not bad at all.
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