For the Inova X-5 fans...

[DonL]

The fellas at Triple Aught Design have been gracious enough to post up a few photos of the upcoming X-5 Tactical.

I'm so there!

 

[Saaby]

So uhh.....what makes a light "Tacticle" vs non tacticle, that keeps popping up and I kinda figured it out on my own but further explination from somone else would be...great!

 

[DonL]

The meaning of "tactical" was discussed in this thread here:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=002025

In this case "tactical" (their words, not mine

) would most likely mean the instant-on tailcap button, which is probably easier and faster to operate, especially with one hand. I don't think the percentage of increased output would put the light from a "general purpose" category to a "tactical" one. That's just my guess.

 

[StuU]

In the five light picture...what the heck is that third one? The one between the CMG and the second X5?????

 

[McGizmo]

Twin 123 battery holder? Am I right? Is there a prise?

OK $14.95 but I won't go higher

Keep TX out of here.

 

[Darell]

Yup, it is a waterproof container. I *think* it fits two 123 cells. Triple Aught showed it off here before. Sexy little thing, but a bit pricy.

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Thanks for the side by side photos! Now the little ss front plate makes a lot more sense. It is an additional reflector that they added to capture the sideways refracted energy from the LEDs. That was one of my irks about the X5: wasted energy. It probably has a lot to do with the claimed increase in output.


gerG

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Upon further rhumination...
How did they talk themselves out of putting a sixth LED right smack in the middle?


gerG

 

[McGizmo]

Yeah, since they increased the OD of the thing there's room. Maybe the driver circuit couldn't handle the extra LED and they'd have to change the name.....

gerG, You ready to dive this guy? I could make an arm chair wise A comment about the stainless head having a nice sacrificial annode in salt water but..

I would just like to know when the dang things are going to be shipped!!!!!!

 

[Saaby]

I've been doing a lot of catch up reading and looking at the dates on most these posts people send me to, I think I joined the forum about a week too late!

Sorry, I will not take this topic off subject again (Or will I...hmmmmm)

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

What else did they put in it to account for the additional girth? Additional brightness: I could go for that! Stainless ring on the head: it could make it more durable in the event a "stray" jaw , temple, or a couple of ribs decide to impact it.
But why does it look so 'bloated?'
KT

 

[McGizmo]

I am guessing that the combination of tail switch and lanyard hole caused the increased diameter. Look how much crossectional material is taken by the lanyard hole. If the switch button has a centered pin to pass through the tail cap they probably needed to increase the overall OD so the switch pin or post could be of a significant diameter. They probably got so much grief on the previous lanyard hole that the new light went jumbo to accommodate a larger hole in combo with the switch. Maybe a groove for a lanyard ring instead?

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I think this product has 'morphed' unnecessarily; akin to the old Surefire 6P to the current M2.

If the "bloatiness" is just to accomodate a a larger lanyard hole, it sure seems superflous.

The layard hole sure accomodates the nylon cord nicely in the photograph.

 

[McGizmo]

Serious wall thickness now in this light. Probably pretty hard to damage the battery compartment. Might be a real good light for rough service and driving over occasionally

 

[yclo]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by darell:
Yup, it is a waterproof container. I *think* it fits two 123 cells. Triple Aught showed it off here before. Sexy little thing, but a bit pricy.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Nope, wrong again Darell. Seems like you can only answer questions related to Arc products.

Anyway, please refer to this thread and look for my post. The 123 won't even go in, however an Arc AAA does fit.

YC

 

[DonL]

I think one of the advantages of the extra wall thickness is the ability to drill, tap, and add the clip that some think they should have added in the first place...

 

[lemlux]

Somebody posted hearing from Inova that the 15% increase in brighness came from improved heat sinking, not from moving from Nichia 5600's to 6400's. Heat sink improvement would appear to be the main motivation for the increased girth.

 

[McGizmo]

Don L,
- OR - They could mill a longitudinal dovetail slot to accept a removable pocket clip

With a dovetail, you could make other mounting modules as well for attaching the light to flexible stalks, weapons, bike handlebars, work helmets and other gear. IMHO that would be a very useful feature. Unlike SurFire's new pocket clip that isn't easily removed, I'd like to see a set screw into a dimple. It would bump the price but WTH. If I made a flashlight, modular flexibility would be a real design issue. Doesn't that light look like it is asking for some type of rail mount system?

 

[brightnorm]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by lemlux:
Somebody posted hearing from Inova that the 15% increase in brighness came from improved heat sinking, not from moving from Nichia 5600's to 6400's. Heat sink improvement would appear to be the main motivation for the increased girth.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I agree with Lemlux. I doubt that Inova would be marketing a longer, wider, heavier, more cumbersome product unless it implemented a significant improvement in addition to the tailswitch. Since Surefire's claimed 8% Pyrex brightness advantage is considered important to many in our group, then a 15% increase is too big to be ignored. Since the thrust of both the incandescent and LED markets is toward ever increasing brightness (often at the expense of runtime), then the Inova which provides significantly more brightness with no runtime penalty has an almost unique selling point.

I'm sure some of the other reasons mentioned here were factors, but I believe this one is key.

Brightnorm

 

[Mr Ted Bear]

Brightnorm

It was I who talked with Innova (Robert) and discussed the 15% increae in output.

Most was from improved heatsinking with the reaminder electronics.