I've now got my replacement P7 with free P3. The switch on the replacement P7 appears to work fine, but the P3 switch is not as good as on the first one. Perhaps it will free up in use as the P7's seemed to do.
The P7 is satisfactorily bright on Full, easily beating my Maglite 2AA 3W LED and my "1W" Tesco 2AA flashlight (which I think might be 3 watt in reality because it is the same brightness as the Maglite).
You have to try to perceive the brightness increase on Boost (supposed to go up from 170 to 200 lumen). It's actually difficult to notice the difference in any practical situation, in fact I wonder if this feature is working correctly.
On 15% mode, it is still quite bright, beating my 2W Inova X1, at least on perceived brightness.
The focussing is quite good, and you can do it one-handed, but it does not focus down to a tight beam with no spill. There is some spill, but many people of course prefer that.
The holster provided is a bit tight for the P7, perhaps it will slacken off in use. There is no provision for storing spare cells etc. One lanyard was provided in the pack.
The "free" P3 just about beats the Inova X1 for brightness, even though the LED is rated at only 0.33W versus the Inova's 2W. Perhaps this will not last long as the cell is used because it is not regulated like the Inova.
It does not focus to a tight long-range beam, there is considerable spill which limits its range. Interestingly, when defocussed, you get a projector-style tight circle of light with no spill. It looks like you are projecting an image of the moon on the wall (although the illumination is very even across the circle.
The P3 is small enough to go in your jeans pocket or put on a key-ring if you are not bothered about scratching it. A ring is provided which will fit it to your belt hoops handily. No lanyard for the P3 was in the P7 + free P3 pack I bought.
The P7 is satisfactorily bright on Full, easily beating my Maglite 2AA 3W LED and my "1W" Tesco 2AA flashlight (which I think might be 3 watt in reality because it is the same brightness as the Maglite).
You have to try to perceive the brightness increase on Boost (supposed to go up from 170 to 200 lumen). It's actually difficult to notice the difference in any practical situation, in fact I wonder if this feature is working correctly.
On 15% mode, it is still quite bright, beating my 2W Inova X1, at least on perceived brightness.
The focussing is quite good, and you can do it one-handed, but it does not focus down to a tight beam with no spill. There is some spill, but many people of course prefer that.
The holster provided is a bit tight for the P7, perhaps it will slacken off in use. There is no provision for storing spare cells etc. One lanyard was provided in the pack.
The "free" P3 just about beats the Inova X1 for brightness, even though the LED is rated at only 0.33W versus the Inova's 2W. Perhaps this will not last long as the cell is used because it is not regulated like the Inova.
It does not focus to a tight long-range beam, there is considerable spill which limits its range. Interestingly, when defocussed, you get a projector-style tight circle of light with no spill. It looks like you are projecting an image of the moon on the wall (although the illumination is very even across the circle.
The P3 is small enough to go in your jeans pocket or put on a key-ring if you are not bothered about scratching it. A ring is provided which will fit it to your belt hoops handily. No lanyard for the P3 was in the P7 + free P3 pack I bought.
