Short Description:

The XenErgy "3 in 1" flashlight combines an incandescent high pressure xenon light bulb with 6 white LEDs, allowing selectable levels of brightness and battery conservation. The light is sold by Lifestyle Fascination and is apparently made by Nuwai. The light can be rotated in series from 3 LEDs on, to 6 LEDs on, to the xenon incandescent bulb by multiple clicks of the switch. The incandescent bulb is also focusable allowing a more broad light for close-up work and a narrow beam for distance lighting.

The body of the light is silver anodized aluminum. The bezel is rotated to focus the xenon bulb and has a band of knurling for grip. The bezel requires adequate torque to turn such that it should not lose its focus accidentally. Just below the bezel is the rubber switch in a depression in the aluminum to prevent accidental activation. Below the switch are 4 O-rings set in grooves which serve as gripping areas for the hand. The rest of the body, including the tailcap are knurled for grip. The head tailcap and lens are all sealed with O-rings for water resistance.

The bulb is a bi-pin high pressure xenon (4.8V 0.9A) and is user replaceable with the included tool. The bulb changing tool is nothing more than an wire with an L shaped end to catch the underside of the bulb, and a loop on the opposite end for your finger. The 6 LEDs are surrounding the xenon bulb and poke through holes in the reflector. The bulbs are all protected behind a clear plastic lens. The reflector is plastic and is textured to diffuse the beam slightly, giving a smooth appearance without rings and holes in the beam of light.

The switch is a simple click switch which changes the modes of the light on the upstroke. Pressing down breaks the circuit. This results in the light shutting completely off in-between the modes of operation.

For batteries the unit uses 2 x 123a lithium camera batteries (included).

Accessories included are a bulb changing tool, a nylon belt sheath, and a lanyard.

Tec40, XenErgy, Legend LX, Scorpion, E2

Reviewer's Impressions:

I am reminded of a scene in the movie "Robocop" where one of the characters is handed a HUGE futuristic military rifle, points it at a car and blows the car flipping though the air with the first shot. Above the din of raining debris he shouts an emphatic "I LIKE IT!". This accurately reflects my sentiments toward the XenErgy light. It's a low level LED light, a high level LED light and a xenon spotlight all in one! No need to carry around multiple lights for different lighting levels. This is definitely in the class of the Streamlight Scorpion or the Surefire 6P for brightness, but with the added utility of LEDs. Essentially, it's a brighter version of the same utility found in the Streamlight Trident headlamp.

Fit and finish are very good. No rough cuts or sharp edges could be found. The entire light fits together tightly with no blemishes in the finish. The body of the light is an odd shape, tapering from the bezel end to 1/2 way down the entire length. This makes it a little awkward at first, but the O-rings on the lower half of the taper help with the gripping tremendously. In fact, my middle finger rests directly on them when my thumb is on the switch, giving a very positive feel.

Quality and construction seem very good. I would hazard to say that the light is actually over-engineered. The walls of the light are very thick and it is surprisingly heavy for an aluminum light. It should withstand any normal abuse, and probably quite a bit of abnormal abuse as well. The tailcap uses a recessed post for the lanyard attachment, and the lanyard attaches with a very thin but strong piece of material. This allows the light to stand on its end even with the lanyard attached.

Output is very good. LED settings produce ample light and the xenon setting is very bright. Its brightness is in between that of a Scorpion and an E2. Both LED and incandescent produce smooth output. When the focus of the xenon bulb is loosened up a bit you do see noticeable rings and holes, but with the LED option, the only reason to use the focus is to tighten up the beam after a bulb change.

Since the light uses lithium 123a batteries, it has a shelf life of 10 years and very good cold resistance.

Water resistance is good. The light is dunkable. Shake it off and keep on going.

Improvements: The only drawback I see to this light (other than the lack of regulation, which is really unnecessary in a lithium battery powered light) is the size. If the bezel end were a little bit smaller in diameter it would be the perfect "every-day-carry" light. As is, it either needs to be in the belt sheath or in a large cargo pocket. It's a little bulky, but tolerable, for a jacket pocket. In the backpack, bikepack, or car it would be absolutely perfect. Oh, and the belt sheath is a bit large for the light, but it works fine.

This light is a real winner in my book. Worth the $40.

UPDATE: I sent the tailcap to a fellow Candlepowerforums.com member who does metalworking and comissioned him to drill and tap the tailcap for a Kroll tailcap switch. Since the side switch is a mechanical selection switch, the tailcap can be used to turn the light on and off while the side switch can be used to select a brightness level and leave it there. Set in on 3 LEDS and use the tailcap to swtich on and off. Same for setting it on 6 LEDs or xenon. This improved the usefulness 100% in my opinion. Now I can leave it on the xenon setting when walking out to the car at night and if I need it quickly I can just click the tailcap for instant intense illumination instead of cycling through the LED settings. Plus the side switch "off" setting acts as a lockout for packing the light. Both switches would have to be accidentally cycled for the light to come on while packed. You can view the work done in the top half of the page HERE. The work is so well done it looks like it came from the factory this way. Don also purchased one of these lights and added a Luxeon Star as a replacement for the main xenon bulb, detailed on the bottom half of his page. I did not have this work done to my Xenergy, as I like the xenon bulb. Many thanks to Don M. for doing the tailcap work!

+ + + Pluses: Watertight, Tough/impact resistant, Adjustable output, Bright, Easy battery change, Stands up

- - - Minuses: A little heavy for its size, A little large for pants-pocket carry.

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