Yes, the XP-G version seems to be driven harder on max than the XM-L (hence the much lower runtime). Don't know why. Note that it is hard to get accurate output comparison numbers, given the very different beam profiles (i.e., the lightbox and ceiling bounce measures may not be entirely consistent).
I've had Partner A1 XP-G for four months so I can say a few words.
First of all, I agree with everything Selfbuild said, In fact I bought this light, two actually, after reading this review. I was looking for a simple no-nonsense powerful single AA light and would certainly have gotten SureFire or HDS Systems if they made one. That lead me to Armytek.
I. Negatives.
1. One of the lights came with the lens not laid flat on the O-ring, as a result of it there was a small gap and I got some water in the head. The light was still working fine though. I easily fixed that, and it became fully waterproof. I made an effort to get water in it but failed. But I didn't do 10 meters test for a few days.
2. Beam artifacts are there, black dots in the hot spot and black rings in the spill. Not an issue for me outside.
3. The beam is just fine for the outdoors but a little too wide for urban walkabouts. Viking's 10/40 is much better. But it is still okay.
4. As Selfbuild said, the light is obviously overdriven, especially on high and especially with lithium primaries. With L91 it gets so hot after about 10/15 minutes that it is almost impossible to hold it without gloves. So long term reliability is uknown.
II. Positives.
1. The light is overdriven and can extract every bit of high power out of battery, if that's what you want it to do. In winter you can also use it to warm your hands! I tried it and it worked great.
2. Very comfortable to carry with great feel. Use with gloves is not a problem.
3. Powerful with alkaline and lithium primary batteries and very powerful with LI-Ion. Does not get too hot with Li-Ion. That's the kind of battery I use it with. Both black AW 14500 and red AW IMR work well. IMR gives better runtimes on both settings, about 40 min. of bright light on high plus another 10 minutes of increasingly dim light and about 2 hours of bright light plus another 20 minutes on low.
Runtimes with L91 is about double that. Alkaline battery is by far the best if you need longest runtime on low. With interruptions I got over 20 hours of light.
4. Excellent throw on alkaline and lithium primaries and great with Li-Ion. I would say it is at least 150 meters on high and 115/120 on low. The beam profile reminds me a helicopter light. With Li-Ion battery you can safely drive with it in your hand at 100 kph in good weather.
5. Reliability has been good so far. I use it every day outside for about five minutes. After probably 3000 or so clicks already the switch feels like new.
6. Mode switching is very fast and effortless.
Overall, I like this light a lot. I use it as my main EDC light and carry it either in jeans pocket or in overcoat or parka pocket. I also usually have SureFire original back-up in my bag as a..back-up, and Fenix LD01 on my key ring.
