This is my first light review and attempt at posting pictures. Not a lot of data here, but I felt it is worth posting my impressions of this new light:
INTRODUCTION
I purchased my LiteFlux LF2X from LED Cool from the sales thread over in the Dealer forum. He agreed to check out the lights for both proper operation and tint for CPF members. Light arrived via registered mail from Malaysia in very good shape, but with a large hole in the envelope, maybe from a Customs inspection.
Light is kitted with multiple tailcap options and LED Cool included a lithium AAA primary. It comes packaged in a nice wooden box with foam inserts to hold the lights and accessories. In addition, a large supply of silicone grease is included as this is a twisty.
Here's a picture of the package:
DETAILS
Q5 Led
AAA battery with low battery protection
Multiple programmable output modes, including strobe and SOS
Multiple carry/mounting options (clip, lanyard, tripod)
HA III Anodizing
Textured and deep reflector with glass lens
Diffuser
IMPRESSIONS
This light is very versatile. First, the light turns off when it is tightened. There is no possibility of having the head make contact when in your pocket and turn on accidentally. Two output modes are easily available by loosening to 2 different positions. By default, the first one is set to 15% output and the second 50%. The levels for these 2 settings can be programmed by using both of these twist positions in multiple and rapid succession which LiteFlux refers to as a switch x N, where N is the number of times the light is twisted between these 2 positions. The instructions included are very clear (although very fine print) and with a little bit of practice, it becomes easy to access the other modes and to program this light, which offers infinite power level adjusment. I set my light to ~5% on position one (P1) and about 60% on P2. User adjustable mode is set by SWX2, meaning light is twisted between P1 and P2 twice. It is not easy to stumble upon the strobe and SOS modes like it is on some other lights. It needs to be a deliberate action.
Fit and finish of the light is excellent. The anodizing is smooth and gives the light an almost jewel-like appearance. The color of the head on my light differs slightly from the base, but it is pretty close. Inside, the same fit and finish can be seen. The threads are deep and anodized including the inside of the tube. This is not a battery crusher type light as a spring is included in the base. This is good news for rechargeable users as there is less risk of damaging a re-useable battery.
Here's a picture of the light, threads and tube:
OUTPUT
Overall, output is very good. I've been using Rayo Hybrids and comparing output to an original LOD-CE. On max output, the LF2X visibly exceeds the LOD-CE on high by a noticeable margin (I have no means to measure output). Of course, I'm sure a LOD Q4 would be a better match. The light does get quite warm and quickly on high. The beam is a bit ringy, but the textured reflector does a good job of smoothening things out at a distance. The hotspot is very pronounced and this light throws pretty good compared to my LOD-CE.
Adjustment range is 0.2% to 100%. The lowest setting is enough light to walk around in the dark at home or even on a trail without impacting night vision.
Tint on my light is a perfect white. It makes some of my other lights look very green by comparison.
Here are a few beam shots, comparing output to my original LOD-CE.
Both on High (LF2X on left):
Both on their lowest setting (hard to see the LF2X on it's lowest next to the LOD's lowest):
I have not conducted any run-time comparisons, but at equivalent levels with my LOD-CE, I bet they would be similar given the other reviews I've read. This may not be the case with the LOD Q4, as from what I've read here, the Fenix has a very efficient circuit.
One notable advantage of the LF2X is the high 7800Hz PWM rate. In operation it looks like a constant current light whereas the Fenix can show flicker in some situations due to it's lower 100Hz rate.
SUMMARY
At 60.00 USD, this is a great light and I feel a very good deal considering build quality and performance. The amount of flexibility of this light is incredible, given it's size. The UI is easy to learn and adapt to. It can be a reading light in one instant and a security light the next when a noise is heard out in the yard (although depending upon where you live, you might want something much bigger and heavier). This is my first LED light since an original CMG that I have been able to use as a reading light as they've all gotten so bright over the years. On a scale of 1 to 10, I rate this light a 10 and this is after owning and using many LED lights over the years (CMG, Arc LS, Peak, Aelph I, FFII, a number of Fenix's - which I also consider to be good lights).
Thanks for reading.
-Gorkon
INTRODUCTION
I purchased my LiteFlux LF2X from LED Cool from the sales thread over in the Dealer forum. He agreed to check out the lights for both proper operation and tint for CPF members. Light arrived via registered mail from Malaysia in very good shape, but with a large hole in the envelope, maybe from a Customs inspection.
Light is kitted with multiple tailcap options and LED Cool included a lithium AAA primary. It comes packaged in a nice wooden box with foam inserts to hold the lights and accessories. In addition, a large supply of silicone grease is included as this is a twisty.
Here's a picture of the package:
DETAILS
Q5 Led
AAA battery with low battery protection
Multiple programmable output modes, including strobe and SOS
Multiple carry/mounting options (clip, lanyard, tripod)
HA III Anodizing
Textured and deep reflector with glass lens
Diffuser
IMPRESSIONS
This light is very versatile. First, the light turns off when it is tightened. There is no possibility of having the head make contact when in your pocket and turn on accidentally. Two output modes are easily available by loosening to 2 different positions. By default, the first one is set to 15% output and the second 50%. The levels for these 2 settings can be programmed by using both of these twist positions in multiple and rapid succession which LiteFlux refers to as a switch x N, where N is the number of times the light is twisted between these 2 positions. The instructions included are very clear (although very fine print) and with a little bit of practice, it becomes easy to access the other modes and to program this light, which offers infinite power level adjusment. I set my light to ~5% on position one (P1) and about 60% on P2. User adjustable mode is set by SWX2, meaning light is twisted between P1 and P2 twice. It is not easy to stumble upon the strobe and SOS modes like it is on some other lights. It needs to be a deliberate action.
Fit and finish of the light is excellent. The anodizing is smooth and gives the light an almost jewel-like appearance. The color of the head on my light differs slightly from the base, but it is pretty close. Inside, the same fit and finish can be seen. The threads are deep and anodized including the inside of the tube. This is not a battery crusher type light as a spring is included in the base. This is good news for rechargeable users as there is less risk of damaging a re-useable battery.
Here's a picture of the light, threads and tube:
OUTPUT
Overall, output is very good. I've been using Rayo Hybrids and comparing output to an original LOD-CE. On max output, the LF2X visibly exceeds the LOD-CE on high by a noticeable margin (I have no means to measure output). Of course, I'm sure a LOD Q4 would be a better match. The light does get quite warm and quickly on high. The beam is a bit ringy, but the textured reflector does a good job of smoothening things out at a distance. The hotspot is very pronounced and this light throws pretty good compared to my LOD-CE.
Adjustment range is 0.2% to 100%. The lowest setting is enough light to walk around in the dark at home or even on a trail without impacting night vision.
Tint on my light is a perfect white. It makes some of my other lights look very green by comparison.
Here are a few beam shots, comparing output to my original LOD-CE.
Both on High (LF2X on left):
Both on their lowest setting (hard to see the LF2X on it's lowest next to the LOD's lowest):
I have not conducted any run-time comparisons, but at equivalent levels with my LOD-CE, I bet they would be similar given the other reviews I've read. This may not be the case with the LOD Q4, as from what I've read here, the Fenix has a very efficient circuit.
One notable advantage of the LF2X is the high 7800Hz PWM rate. In operation it looks like a constant current light whereas the Fenix can show flicker in some situations due to it's lower 100Hz rate.
SUMMARY
At 60.00 USD, this is a great light and I feel a very good deal considering build quality and performance. The amount of flexibility of this light is incredible, given it's size. The UI is easy to learn and adapt to. It can be a reading light in one instant and a security light the next when a noise is heard out in the yard (although depending upon where you live, you might want something much bigger and heavier). This is my first LED light since an original CMG that I have been able to use as a reading light as they've all gotten so bright over the years. On a scale of 1 to 10, I rate this light a 10 and this is after owning and using many LED lights over the years (CMG, Arc LS, Peak, Aelph I, FFII, a number of Fenix's - which I also consider to be good lights).
Thanks for reading.
-Gorkon
