LEDXTREME LX-5

LEDXTREME LX-5, retail $35.95 (www.ledmarketing.com/Ledxtreme.htm)
Manufactured by LEDXTREME (www.ledxtreme.com)
Last updated 03-13-07




The LEDXTREME LX-5 is a sturdy flashlight that creates its light from five white Nichia LEDs; it feeds from a pair of CR123A lithium cells (that you need to buy yourself). These cells are used in cameras and other high-powered flashlights, so they shouldn't be too hard to find.

The LEDXTREME LX-5 (hereinafter just called the LX-5) is resistored, meaning the LEDs won't just pop unexpectedly.

The LX-5 also comes with LED colors of UV, blue, green, amber, and red; in addition to the white LED model I'm evaluating for you today.


SIZE



To use the LX-5, first be sure it's loaded up with batteries (see below).

For continuous light, twist the bezel (head) clockwise (as if tightening it). To turn the LX-5 back off, unscrew the bezel a bit (as if loosening it). There, that was easy, wasn't it? ;-)

There is no lanyard hole anywhere on the LX-5, so you'll want to keep it in a pocket or in a holster.



To change the batteries in your LEDXTREME LX-5, just unscrew & remove the bezel (head), and throw it away...O WAIT!!! YOU'LL NEED THAT!!! Set the bezel aside instead. Turn the flashlight so the open end faces down, and allow the two dead batteries to slide out. Dispose of or recycle them as you see fit.

Insert two new CR123A cells in the barrel, flat (-) end first. The second (topmost) cell will protrude well above the rim of the barrel; this is normal and should be ignored.

Once the two batteries are in, screw the bezel back on, and unscrew it slightly when your LX-5 springs to life. Aren't you glad you didn't throw that bezel out now? ;-)

I don't have a current consumption measurement because the flashlight is constructed in such a way that I cannot obtain one. I will run it through my computerised battery destroying satanic robot death machine, so at least I'll have a battery discharge analysis chart up here in the future. Assuming of course, the equipment I use does not fail in the middle of the test like it did with the last flashlight.

(Edit, 04-03-04): I've had the LX-5 flashlight on the battery discharge analysis machine for less than 20 minutes, and the flashlight head has warmed to 110°F (43.3°C).

Half an hour into the test, the head is at 116°F (46.6°C) and the body is at 111°F (43.8°C). So the flashlight is quite warm, perhaps even uncomfortably so to some users, but you won't burn yourself on it. Almost an hour in, the head measures 120°F (48.8°C) and the body measures 116°F (46.6°C).


I screwed up the first battery test last night, so I got new batteries and started another one. As you can see, it hits the half-intensity point about 3 1/2 hours in; by about 6 hours it is easily outshone by an Arc AAA, a flashlight using a single LED and an AAA cell.
After this test (12 hours), it's still useful, but not nearly as bright as it was at the beginning of the test.




This picture shows the LX-5's business end, showing the five LEDs.

The LX-5 is has a knurled (texturised) barrel and head that provides good retention (the ability to hold onto the flashlight when your hands are cold, oily, or wet), but isn't so aggressive (sharp) that the flashlight would cut up your pockets when carried that way. I don't think that'll happen.

After slamming the flashlight against a steel rod 10 times (5 for the head, and 5 for the barrel), no damage was found, and the flashlight continued to work properly. It should easily withstand being sat on, being stepped on, and probably even being run over.

The LX-5 is weather-resistant, but it is NOT waterproof or submersible. When the flashlight was disassembled and the head was suctioned on, air readily came in through the openings for the LEDs. So please don't drop this flashlight in creeks, rivers, ponds, lakes, oceansides, snowbanks, mud puddles, puddles of rat pee, or other places where water or water-like liquids might be found. If you know or suspect it might have fallen in water, take it apart, remove the batteries, and set the pieces in a warm, dry place for a day or so just to be certain. If it fell in seawater or if something peed on the LED end, douche the parts in fresh water before setting them out to dry.
If you wish, reassemble the LX-5 without batteries, aim the LEDs down, and shake it like a medical thermometer to help expel any unwanted water from the head before setting the parts out to dry.



Beam photo at ~12".
Measures 80,000mcd on a Meterman LM631 light meter.
This is not an unusually high value for a 5-LED flashlight, but it's still very BRIGHT.


Spectrographic plot
Spectrometer plot of the LED in this flashlight.
Ocean Optics USB2000 Spectrometer on loan from WWW.TWO-CUBED.COM.


ProMetric analysis
Beam cross-sectional analysis.
Image made using the ProMetric System by Radiant Imaging.



TEST NOTES:
Test sample of the LX-5 was provided to me by Raymond T. of Candlepower Forums and was received on 04-02-04. As of this date, testing is still in its initial stages.


UPDATE: 00-00-00



PROS:
Tough aluminum casing is knurled for grip
Good brightness for a 5-banger


CONS:
Uses batteries that could be expensive or hard to find in an emergency
Not waterproof, so steer clear of sinks, tubs, and toilets.


    MANUFACTURER: LedXtreme out of Canada
    PRODUCT TYPE: Tactical/handheld flashlight
    LAMP TYPE: 5mm LED
    No. OF LAMPS: 5
    BEAM TYPE: Narrow flood with soft fall-off toward edges
    SWITCH TYPE: Twist bezel on/off
    BEZEL: LEDs recessed into individual cells in all-metal bezel
    BATTERY: 2x CR123A
    CURRENT CONSUMPTION: Unknown/unable to measure
    WATER RESISTANT: Splash resistant at very minimum
    SUBMERSIBLE: No
    ACCESSORIES: None
    WARRANTY: Limited lifetime

    PRODUCT RATING:

    Star Rating





LEDXTREME PREDATOR * www.ledmarketing.com






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