Budman231
Enlightened
Awesome review ! Thank you.
LiteFlux LF3XT Review: RUNTIMES, BEAMSHOTS, COMPARISONS, and more!
- Thread starter selfbuilt
- Start date
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RGB_LED
Enlightened
selfbuilt, thank you once again for an excellent review. I have been edc'ing a NC EX10 (as well as an NC D10) and this light looks like a potential alternative. I like the fact that there is a method to ramp up / down but still retain a memorized user-defined level. This was one of my beefs with the NC lights; you can set a user-defined level but once you ramped up or down, you lose the setting.
I also like the low voltage over-discharge protection system and potential to run 2xAA, although I was hoping for the ability to run 1xAA.
One question for owners of this light; I noticed there is a four-prong 'star' on the base but I can't see if there is a hole in any of the prongs. Is there a hole in one of those prongs for a lanyard?
As for the issue with the sample light and suggestion that there is potential for biases: first; I commend selfbuilt for his disclosure that there was an issue with the sample. Second; about the defects in the samples and others… some other very well-known manufacturers have also experienced defects, issues and failures so I'm not surprised that LiteFlux has a few. If there were a disproportionate number, then I would be concerned. But, it sounds like they have solid CS and some of these issues seem isolated. Considering the quality of this light and the good things I've heard about the LF5XT (although I'm not a fan due to its size), I think this is a solid candidate for a main edc light.
For me, I tend to search out selfbuilt's reviews whenever I find out about a new light that interests me... and I appreciate selfbuilt's reviews since they do tend to be even, he states facts, then observations, provides comparisons to other lights and often provides context as well. I find there is more than enough information from his reviews for me decide for myself whether the light suits my needs. :twothumbs
I also like the low voltage over-discharge protection system and potential to run 2xAA, although I was hoping for the ability to run 1xAA.
One question for owners of this light; I noticed there is a four-prong 'star' on the base but I can't see if there is a hole in any of the prongs. Is there a hole in one of those prongs for a lanyard?
As for the issue with the sample light and suggestion that there is potential for biases: first; I commend selfbuilt for his disclosure that there was an issue with the sample. Second; about the defects in the samples and others… some other very well-known manufacturers have also experienced defects, issues and failures so I'm not surprised that LiteFlux has a few. If there were a disproportionate number, then I would be concerned. But, it sounds like they have solid CS and some of these issues seem isolated. Considering the quality of this light and the good things I've heard about the LF5XT (although I'm not a fan due to its size), I think this is a solid candidate for a main edc light.
For me, I tend to search out selfbuilt's reviews whenever I find out about a new light that interests me... and I appreciate selfbuilt's reviews since they do tend to be even, he states facts, then observations, provides comparisons to other lights and often provides context as well. I find there is more than enough information from his reviews for me decide for myself whether the light suits my needs. :twothumbs
kitelights
Flashlight Enthusiast
Thanks for another excellent review. Not to take anything away from Eric, I'd also like to tip my hat to BabyDoc; his comments prior to this review made me take the plunge and get this light. I waited and got the warm tint and I'm not the least bit disappointed.
I've not had time to play with the 2nd UI yet, but if the light didn't have it, I'd still be happy with just the simple one.
I am having one problem that I haven't seen mentioned yet. I've had my light come on 3-4 times in my jeans pocket (the small 'change' pocket).
Has anyone else experienced this and are there any suggestions for preventing it? Could I have a sensitive switch? Would the tightening or removing some lube mentioned here affect this?
I've not had time to play with the 2nd UI yet, but if the light didn't have it, I'd still be happy with just the simple one.
I am having one problem that I haven't seen mentioned yet. I've had my light come on 3-4 times in my jeans pocket (the small 'change' pocket).
Has anyone else experienced this and are there any suggestions for preventing it? Could I have a sensitive switch? Would the tightening or removing some lube mentioned here affect this?
Flying Turtle
Flashaholic
I suppose a stiffer spring under the switch would help prevent accidental turn-on, but you could also just unscrew the tube about a 1/8 turn for lock out. I've not had this problem yet, but with the low pressure needed it's easy to imagine.
Geoff
Geoff
Lite_me
Flashlight Enthusiast
Yes, there is a hole through the end of one of the crosses. It comes with a lanyard intended for use there.
RGB_LED
Enlightened
Thanks Lite_me, I appreciate your response to my question. :thumbsup:
Now, I only wish they had included a detachable clip... perhaps a LiteFlux rep is reading this thread...
Now, I only wish they had included a detachable clip... perhaps a LiteFlux rep is reading this thread...
DHart
Flashlight Enthusiast
I've just started to get some time working with this light... it's pretty remarkable alright. And a not insignificant feature... the battery tester! Fantastic... seems to do a really precise measurement, presumably under load... it's now my official battery tester for CR123s and RCR123s. Oh....... and the beam is buttery smooth.
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I'm not sure it measures under load. I got a 3.9V reading from the light and my MM showed 3.88V.
Flying Turtle
Flashaholic
I think it is measuring under load, since you'll get different readings depending on which brightness level the light is set on when you do the test.
Geoff
Geoff
h2oflyer
Enlightened
The battery voltage readout under load is the best extra feature on this light. You will notice different voltage at 0.2% and 100%.
Walter
Walter
I went and tried it again on max. This time I used a CR123 and an AW RCR123. The light showed 2.5V and MM showed 2.83V with the primary. With the AW the light showed 3.9V and MM 3.86V.
So, I would say the light measures under load. The AW is new and apparently not affected by the voltage draw.
So, I would say the light measures under load. The AW is new and apparently not affected by the voltage draw.
UPDATE: The 2 replacement samples from LED Cool arrived, and I've re-done several runtime tests. Below are the results, with sample #1 referring to the original LF3XT that I bought, and #2 and #3 are the replacements LED Cool sent.
I don't know about you, but I cannot believe how little output/runtime variability I'm seeing here! 😱oo: Recall those are traces from 3 different lights.
Of course, I've used the same RCR cell for all Li-ion tests, and Surefire batteries from the same lot for the primary runs, to try to minimize my variables. But honestly, I typically get at least that much variability when I re-run the same light in my lightbox repeatedly. 😗
I must say, I'm very impressed that 3 samples of the LF3XT could produce such extremely good output and runtime concordance on 4 different battery/output configs.
One area where the 3 lights differ is in how well focussed the reflector is. Here's the revised summary chart:
That is a little more understandable, since the reflector/pill focus would be manually set at the factory. The human element tends to add some variability. 😉
Thanks again to LED Cool for the replacements. 🙂
P.S.: These results have been added the main review text in posts #1 and #2.
I don't know about you, but I cannot believe how little output/runtime variability I'm seeing here! 😱oo: Recall those are traces from 3 different lights.
Of course, I've used the same RCR cell for all Li-ion tests, and Surefire batteries from the same lot for the primary runs, to try to minimize my variables. But honestly, I typically get at least that much variability when I re-run the same light in my lightbox repeatedly. 😗
I must say, I'm very impressed that 3 samples of the LF3XT could produce such extremely good output and runtime concordance on 4 different battery/output configs.
One area where the 3 lights differ is in how well focussed the reflector is. Here's the revised summary chart:
That is a little more understandable, since the reflector/pill focus would be manually set at the factory. The human element tends to add some variability. 😉
Thanks again to LED Cool for the replacements. 🙂
P.S.: These results have been added the main review text in posts #1 and #2.
Flying Turtle
Flashaholic
Thanks for doing this extra testing, selfbuilt. Your dedication to accuracy is most commendable. We really appreciate your work.
Makes me feel even happier to be a LF3XT owner.
Geoff
Makes me feel even happier to be a LF3XT owner.
Geoff
matrixshaman
Flashlight Enthusiast
selfbuilt, thanks again for adding these additional samples in your review and letting us know in the other thread I started on the LF3XT. I haven't seen it mentioned here and hopefully I didn't miss it. I believe you said the newer samples had slightly better focus in the reflectors. Do the new ones you have still also have the excellent beam pattern with very little or no 'Cree rings' ?
Subjectively, I haven't noticed a big difference when playing around with them one at a time. But since I've just finished the runtime tests, I'll try to line them up for a direct beamshot comparison to verify.
That will have to wait until tomorrow though. 😉
h2oflyer
Enlightened
selfbuilt - Thanks for the extra, extra reviews. great to see that focus (throw) seems to be the the only real variable. Hopefully LiteFlux has recognized and are trying to improve on this area.
Walter
Walter
bondr006
Flashlight Enthusiast
Thanks for the great review, and the new additions selfbuilt. I am still anxiously awaiting to see the results of the 1xCR123A Min - Primary (Surefire) runtime test. Any eta on that?
I am with Geoff(Flying Turtle)....Very happy to be a LF3XT owner. I carry this light with me every day.
I am with Geoff(Flying Turtle)....Very happy to be a LF3XT owner. I carry this light with me every day.
DHart
Flashlight Enthusiast
Thought I'd add a couple of beamshots of relevance... comparing my LF3XT to other 1-cell pocketable lights on max output.
LF3XT - RCR123
Romisen RC-N3 Q5 1*RCR123
E1B - CR123
L1 - RCR123
L1 - CR123
LF3XT - RCR123
Romisen RC-N3 Q5 1*RCR123
E1B - CR123
L1 - RCR123
L1 - CR123
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OK, here are some detailed comparisons:
As you can see, there is no great difference in the beam patterns. However, my lux meter shows that the replacement samples have ~10% and ~20% more throw than the original.
Here is how the front ends look:
Again, there is no great difference here. Upon examining the lights individually, it looks to me like the light with the greatest throw has the emitter slightly less recessed into the reflector than the others. Again, the difference is slight, and well within the variability I would expect for a manually-adjusted feature during assembly. The consistency is actually fairly good.
As you can see, there is no great difference in the beam patterns. However, my lux meter shows that the replacement samples have ~10% and ~20% more throw than the original.
Here is how the front ends look:
Again, there is no great difference here. Upon examining the lights individually, it looks to me like the light with the greatest throw has the emitter slightly less recessed into the reflector than the others. Again, the difference is slight, and well within the variability I would expect for a manually-adjusted feature during assembly. The consistency is actually fairly good.
Hmmm, I hadn't planned to do that, since the Min output mode on primary is about the same as the Novatac 120P on level 2 (i.e. one step up from its Min mode). I would expect it to last quite a very long time at this level ...
