Eagletac GX25L2 (2x18650) & SX25L2 (2x26650) XM-L2 U2 Review: RUNTIMES, BEAMSHOTS+

selfbuilt

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Re: Eagletac GX25L2 (2x18650) & SX25L2 (2x26650) XM-L2 U2 Review: RUNTIMES, BEAMSHO

Thanks for another great review that helped me to determine if this light was right for me. I will chime back in once I have it to update on my experiences.
Thanks, look forward to hearing your thoughts. The SX25L2 strikes me as the "sweet spot" in this particular family for LEO duty carry, given its size.
 

Mr. Tone

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Re: Eagletac GX25L2 (2x18650) & SX25L2 (2x26650) XM-L2 U2 Review: RUNTIMES, BEAMSHO

Thanks, look forward to hearing your thoughts. The SX25L2 strikes me as the "sweet spot" in this particular family for LEO duty carry, given its size.

Yeah, the Catapult felt great to me on size but really needs a side-switch. This appears to be very similar to the Catapult in all dimensions and even a little smaller on the head diameter. I think the 26650 battery choice was a great idea by Eagletac. The amount of light coming from the SX25L2 and the flat runtime are very impressive. Plus, the LED indicator of battery status will allow me to be confident going to work and if the battery is low I can just plug it in or take it down a level or two.
 

Mr. Tone

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Re: Eagletac GX25L2 (2x18650) & SX25L2 (2x26650) XM-L2 U2 Review: RUNTIMES, BEAMSHO

I just got the light in the mail a few minutes ago. It is on the charger right now. I have not tried to turn it on yet, however, the size, weight, and overall dimensions are a little smaller than I expected. This feels really great in the hand. I got the light from Illuminationgear and got a package deal with the AC and DC chargers and holster included. This is a very nice setup, indeed.

I really like how you can charge the light without removing the batteries and how the cap that covers the charging port is threaded and has an o-ring to prevent water ingress. Plus, it is very well thought out how the little circle next to the charging port holds the little cap snugly since there is an o-ring. This really appears to be a superior LEO light and designed for us from the ground up. Not that it won't be fantastic for others, of course, but the features and ergonomics are very much suited to our line of work. :clap: Thanks, Eagletac!

Anyway, I just wanted to give some quick first impressions. Once it is charged and I get to use it at night I will give some impressions and comparisons to other lights I have. Thanks again, selfbuilt!
 

selfbuilt

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Re: Eagletac GX25L2 (2x18650) & SX25L2 (2x26650) XM-L2 U2 Review: RUNTIMES, BEAMSHO

I just got the light in the mail a few minutes ago. It is on the charger right now.
Glad your first impressions are positive. BTW, I presume you've remove the plastic isolation disc in the tailcap (shipped that way to prevent accidental activation)? You won't be to charge it otherwise (i.e., only the dim blue LED will come on - indicating no connection or a full charge - but not the bright blue charging LED).
 

Mr. Tone

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Re: Eagletac GX25L2 (2x18650) & SX25L2 (2x26650) XM-L2 U2 Review: RUNTIMES, BEAMSHO

Glad your first impressions are positive. BTW, I presume you've remove the plastic isolation disc in the tailcap (shipped that way to prevent accidental activation)? You won't be to charge it otherwise (i.e., only the dim blue LED will come on - indicating no connection or a full charge - but not the bright blue charging LED).

Yes, the first thing I did was open the tail-cap to see the battery pack and the little disc fell right out. That was a nice idea on their part.

Here are my first observations after dark and I have compared it to my Eagletac G25C2 MK II neutral white and my Thrunite Catapult V3 in neutral white. The SX25L2 seems to have a little bit more output in the spill light than the Catapult. The beam width is a little wider than the Catapult and the hotspot is also slightly larger. In practice, the hotspot of the SX25L2 seems to throw about the same as the Catapult. This is impressive considering the head is almost a half inch smaller.

Comparing it to the G25C2 MK II went as expected. They are practically the same in a ceiling bounce and the hotspot of the SX is a little smaller and brighter than the G25C2. The biggest difference in the beams is in the spill width which is smaller and brighter than the G25C2. I expected that because of the slightly larger diameter reflector and it is deeper, too.

This UI is fantastic. I really like the feel of the electronic switch. Another great thing about the electronic switch is how I can go to turbo from any output instantly as well as strobe if I want to. The switch was very well thought out to say the least. The feel and ergonomics of the light are great in my hand. There is a lot to praise about the design of this light as a LEO.

I have been using it quite a bit this afternoon and the light still comes on blue(in turbo) which means it is still at least at 60%. The LED battery indicator is also something I really like. Now I will have the easy ability to see when I need to charge it and if I am in the squad I can just plug it in with the DC adapter. There is a lot of capacity with these 26650 batteries which gives me confidence!
 

OzCorndog

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Re: Eagletac GX25L2 (2x18650) & SX25L2 (2x26650) XM-L2 U2 Review: RUNTIMES, BEAMSHO

Just to give you a rundown, We have been testing four of these for an extended period at my station. The pouches are next to useless, with the stitching on the retaining straps connecting to pouch itself consisting of only light duty double stitch. After a week of changing between duty belts and in car carry most had separated from the pouch. The lights themselves are excellent but the durability has been poor. One light has had the charging port fail through the regular unplugging and plugging back in that occurs at the start and end of shift. Three out of the four torches have also had the rubber power button tear away from the body. This has probably come about due to the lights not being carried in the dedicated pouch. When the button does tear away, it is not a simple repair and requires the completed dis-assembly of the light and led module. When the lights were available for use, they were the first torch everyone grabbed in preference to our existing magchargers.
 

selfbuilt

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Re: Eagletac GX25L2 (2x18650) & SX25L2 (2x26650) XM-L2 U2 Review: RUNTIMES, BEAMSHO

Just to give you a rundown, We have been testing four of these for an extended period at my station.
Thanks for sharing your experience. I was wondering how well the protruding buttons would do over time ... it's a relatively small part, but I can see that it would be a pain to change.
 

Mr. Tone

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Re: Eagletac GX25L2 (2x18650) & SX25L2 (2x26650) XM-L2 U2 Review: RUNTIMES, BEAMSHO

Just to give you a rundown, We have been testing four of these for an extended period at my station. The pouches are next to useless, with the stitching on the retaining straps connecting to pouch itself consisting of only light duty double stitch. After a week of changing between duty belts and in car carry most had separated from the pouch. The lights themselves are excellent but the durability has been poor. One light has had the charging port fail through the regular unplugging and plugging back in that occurs at the start and end of shift. Three out of the four torches have also had the rubber power button tear away from the body. This has probably come about due to the lights not being carried in the dedicated pouch. When the button does tear away, it is not a simple repair and requires the completed dis-assembly of the light and led module. When the lights were available for use, they were the first torch everyone grabbed in preference to our existing magchargers.

Are you using the GX25L2 or SX25L2 lights? What about the charging port is not working correctly? Did Eagletac send you new button switches that you installed yourself or did your return them for repair?

Sorry for all the questions but I am using the SX25L2 for patrol/duty as well. I have been very happy with it and have not yet had any problems. However, it is my personal light and nobody else uses it so it gets taken care of properly, too. I keep mine in one of the tall front pouches on my patrol bag in the passenger seat. When I get out of the squad for a traffic stop I reach for it and if I need to free my hand I put it in a C cell belt keeper style holder. I also have the T200C2 on my belt. :)
 

Chenery88

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Re: Eagletac GX25L2 (2x18650) & SX25L2 (2x26650) XM-L2 U2 Review: RUNTIMES, BEAMSHO

So having read this excellent review I pulled the trigger on the SX25L2 XM-L2....shipped all the way from the US....only to turn it on and it seems defective. I would appreciate your thoughts...
With head tightened I get a very low mode - barely enough to reach the ceiling in daytime. The I loosen the head and the power increases but only to what looks to be around 100 lumens then as you continue to loosen the head it goes back to the first dim level then next it just goes off as you continue to unscrew the head section (which I appreciate is an effective lockout).
So I get: 6 lumen, 100 lumen, 6 lumen then off. I cannot activate the tactical settings at all, or get the hidden strobe/SOS functions. I can however activate the double click n hold strobe which shows the led can go very bright.
Anyway I have cleaned the contact areas, I have checked the battery voltage and made sure it was charged (8.15 volts on multimeter and also the Led indicator shows solid blue on the flashlight itself)) but no joy.
Anyone else have similar? Anyone help with what might be wrong and suggest a quick fix as I want to avoid around $60 return postage. I bought from a reputable well known CPF dealer who I have e-mailed and also contacted on their web form but as yet no response (but admittedly it has only been a few of their opening hours)
SOS please......which I would send up with my Eagletac if I could get it to work... :thinking:
 

selfbuilt

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Re: Eagletac GX25L2 (2x18650) & SX25L2 (2x26650) XM-L2 U2 Review: RUNTIMES, BEAMSHO

So I get: 6 lumen, 100 lumen, 6 lumen then off. I cannot activate the tactical settings at all, or get the hidden strobe/SOS functions. I can however activate the double click n hold strobe which shows the led can go very bright.
Anyway I have cleaned the contact areas, I have checked the battery voltage and made sure it was charged (8.15 volts on multimeter and also the Led indicator shows solid blue on the flashlight itself)) but no joy.
That does sound rather bizarre. I suppose it's possible there's an issue with stuck pins, but there's nothing more you can do from your end that I can see - it does rather sound like you are going to have to go the RMA route. Sorry I can't offer better news - if anyone else has any ideas, feel free to suggest them.
 

Chenery88

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Re: Eagletac GX25L2 (2x18650) & SX25L2 (2x26650) XM-L2 U2 Review: RUNTIMES, BEAMSHO

That does sound rather bizarre. I suppose it's possible there's an issue with stuck pins, but there's nothing more you can do from your end that I can see - it does rather sound like you are going to have to go the RMA route. Sorry I can't offer better news - if anyone else has any ideas, feel free to suggest them.

Cheers mate...I did bounce the pins when cleaning it to make sure they were springing back up which they seemed to...

I have now put this in the LED part of the forum as I realised only a few would pick it up on your review... Hoping someone will have come across this....
 

Chenery88

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Replacement arrived thanks to GoingGear...and in brief use appears fine...so never did work out the issue but new one is lovely in size, output and throw... ;)
 
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