JML
Enlightened
I got one tonight. I predict this is one light that no one will be able to resist. I read in another post that Sharper Image had them, I was at the mall for dinner, went to check 'em out, fell in love with it, and bought it -- even at their list price of $69.
This is the mystery light we've seen in other posts from Europe, and it is NOT shown on Inova's website, nor was it shown in any of the SHOT reports. The light is an X0 on steroids, with the classic enlarged head flaslight shape -- the profile is the same as the surprisingly shaped T3 we've just seen, but with the smoothly faceted body shape of the X0 and X5, and it comes with the classic Inova lockout tail switch. This light is probably identical to the T3 inside, but the T3 has the heavily checkered body and the clickie cap (which protrudes more).
Their packaging says: 82 lumens, 250' range, TIII anodizing, and regulated. Mineral glass "optical window" with double-sided AR coating and Teflon seal, over their TIROS optic. Regulated, 2 x cr123 (Duracell). Lanyard hole, fits 5 mm paracord (just like the other Inova lights).
It does NOT say this is a 3W Luxeon, which is interesting!
It does have the ringed beam pattern, but it's not really noticeable outdoors. And wow, it is WHITE!! The spot is twice the size of my Pelican M6LED, with very effective side spill, and it makes the very white M6 spot look small, dim, and dull. This light is definitely a spot, but it has more than enough side spill to please anyone (those rings are OK, IMHO). This is not a light pencil like the X1, and the central illuminated area is amazingly strong and very consistent in color, brightness, and shape.
I don't see why anyone would buy the X0 after seeing this one. The shape is much more pleasing than the big cylinder of the X0, even though the X03 is only a tiny bit longer and the same width until you get to the bezel (the optic is larger, and the extra metal must also help with heat dissipation). The anodizing is the same as the other Inova lights, and even though it is matte black, I can't believe it really is milspec Type II (but Type II is usually glossy). The display sample had the anodizing worn off the lanyard hole from a split ring, but that's going to happen with any Type III HA light with metal-to-metal contact.
You'll want one (at least) in each color (Ti is listed on the package, but not in the stores yet). I already want at last one in the Titanium color
The pouch is the usual Inova affair, but because of this light's shape it's lens-up. Fits the light better than the one in the X0 I tried. But I want one of those Maxpedition tube pouches made specifically for these new Inova lights as soon as they're available. I wonder if the Maxpedition pouch will be shipped with the T3, which would be nice.
My guess is that the T3 will be attractive if you want the clickie and the very heavily checkered body (but I would rather have the smooth sides of the X03, esp. if the anodizing is going to wear on the sharp edges of the T3). The clickie would be nice, but the shape of the X03 is extremely attractive and it is a definite classic -- like the X5. In fact, the two make a superb matched pair -- a small flood for indoors, and this amazing spot for outside.
My prediction -- this is one light no flashaholic will want to be without. I don't have a digital camera, so no pics or beamshots (sorry!).
This is the mystery light we've seen in other posts from Europe, and it is NOT shown on Inova's website, nor was it shown in any of the SHOT reports. The light is an X0 on steroids, with the classic enlarged head flaslight shape -- the profile is the same as the surprisingly shaped T3 we've just seen, but with the smoothly faceted body shape of the X0 and X5, and it comes with the classic Inova lockout tail switch. This light is probably identical to the T3 inside, but the T3 has the heavily checkered body and the clickie cap (which protrudes more).
Their packaging says: 82 lumens, 250' range, TIII anodizing, and regulated. Mineral glass "optical window" with double-sided AR coating and Teflon seal, over their TIROS optic. Regulated, 2 x cr123 (Duracell). Lanyard hole, fits 5 mm paracord (just like the other Inova lights).
It does NOT say this is a 3W Luxeon, which is interesting!
It does have the ringed beam pattern, but it's not really noticeable outdoors. And wow, it is WHITE!! The spot is twice the size of my Pelican M6LED, with very effective side spill, and it makes the very white M6 spot look small, dim, and dull. This light is definitely a spot, but it has more than enough side spill to please anyone (those rings are OK, IMHO). This is not a light pencil like the X1, and the central illuminated area is amazingly strong and very consistent in color, brightness, and shape.
I don't see why anyone would buy the X0 after seeing this one. The shape is much more pleasing than the big cylinder of the X0, even though the X03 is only a tiny bit longer and the same width until you get to the bezel (the optic is larger, and the extra metal must also help with heat dissipation). The anodizing is the same as the other Inova lights, and even though it is matte black, I can't believe it really is milspec Type II (but Type II is usually glossy). The display sample had the anodizing worn off the lanyard hole from a split ring, but that's going to happen with any Type III HA light with metal-to-metal contact.
You'll want one (at least) in each color (Ti is listed on the package, but not in the stores yet). I already want at last one in the Titanium color
The pouch is the usual Inova affair, but because of this light's shape it's lens-up. Fits the light better than the one in the X0 I tried. But I want one of those Maxpedition tube pouches made specifically for these new Inova lights as soon as they're available. I wonder if the Maxpedition pouch will be shipped with the T3, which would be nice.
My guess is that the T3 will be attractive if you want the clickie and the very heavily checkered body (but I would rather have the smooth sides of the X03, esp. if the anodizing is going to wear on the sharp edges of the T3). The clickie would be nice, but the shape of the X03 is extremely attractive and it is a definite classic -- like the X5. In fact, the two make a superb matched pair -- a small flood for indoors, and this amazing spot for outside.
My prediction -- this is one light no flashaholic will want to be without. I don't have a digital camera, so no pics or beamshots (sorry!).
