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The Xtar 3W LED flashlight is a very nice package.
Included in the kit is two 18650 lithium-ion cells,
the charger (which also can recharge your 123A rechargeable
cells), the flashlight, and a nice nylon sheath.
Body: The body of the X3 is anodized aluminum.
It appears to be Type II, but I can't be positive. There
is a wide band of knurling around the center with two
smaller bands toward either end. There are notches around
the tailcap and head for grip. The head is not removable
on the sample tested.
Bezel/Head: Plastic lens, silvered smooth reflector,
3 Watt LED. Nothing unusual to report.
Output: The white light produced by the LED
is perfectly white in the sample received. The camera
picks this up as a slightly bluish tint for some reason,
but the tint you see in the pictures below is not there
at all.
 
Beam at one meter at target center and at target edge
to show spillbeam.
Runtime Plot: Runtime is very good, coming in
at 2 hr 10 min before 50% output is reached. Output
is pretty steady until about the 2 hour mark when it
finally drops off.
Runtime
completed with rechargeable18650 battery. More information
on runtime plots is available HERE.
Switch: The switch is a rubber covered reverse-clickie.
The rubber cover seems a bit flimsy to me. The material
seems rather thin. The switch provides solid tactile
and auditory feedback.
Seals / Water Resistance: Unsure. There is an
O-ring in the tailcap and the rubber switch boot seems
to be sealed against the body. I'd call it "splashable"
just to be safe.
If it gets wet inside, just disassemble as much a possible
without tools and let it dry before using again.
Ergonomics: Smaller in length than a 2AA aluminum
flashlight, but a bit wider. I find the size to be very
comfortable to use and operate.
Size compared to a common 2AA aluminum light
Batteries: One 18650 rechargeable cell powers
the light. This is equivalent to a Pila 600P cell (168A).
Drop one or both cells in the charger when they need
to be topped off. Do NOT use this light with 123A primary
lithium cells.
To change out the batteries: unscrew the tailcap, drop
out the old cell, place in new cell observing proper
polarity. Reattach the tailcap and you're ready to go.
Accessories: A nylon sheath and wrist lanyard
are included.
What I Liked: Water resistant,
Impact resistant, Good battery life, Bright, Easy battery
change, Rechargeable
What I Didn't Like: Nothing significant.
Picky Little Things: Some slight
blemishes in the anodize.
Conclusions: Despite the brevity
of this review, I should let you know that this is a
very nice little flashlight kit. Output is bright, regulated,
and very white. The light is a good size for handling
and using, and the fact that it is rechargeable reduces
the burden on your wallet. The lithium-ion cells are
protected from over- and under-discharge, so should
be rather safe to use.
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