Getting a LW3000 or an X5 should do you no wrong. I own a LW4000 and an X5. With visual obsevation, the LW4000 seems to be the same brightness as the X5. The big difference is not the center brightness, but the side spill of light. The LW4000 has a huge bright side light, which the X5 does not. This gives the impression that the X5 is brighter, as it does not have the side spill to compare. The bright center of the LW4000 is played down by the bright side spill. I did get a chance to use a LW3000, as I gave away several for X-mas. The LW3000 has only slightly less light than the LW4000, but in a much smaller package.
In my opinion, I would pick the following based on this:
X5 = if you need to carry the light in your pocket, will be used around the yard or house, don't need more than 5-10 hours of bright light before needing battery changes, will to carry spare 123s, looks are everything (that Sharper Image look).
LW3000 = if you can handle the slightly larger size, will be used for outdoor activities (hiking, camping, fishing), need to light up the entire area in front of you (while still retaining a bright center beam), need more than 50 hours of bright light before needing battery changes, need to limit batteries to readly available C cells, can take a beating without looking like it did (for a light that is made in China, this is a tuff one).
The best things I like about these lights, they are bright and they don't flicker at all. My LW4000 has passed the 90 hours of run time, and I have changed only 1 of 3 D cells. It fell from a 6 and 4 foot ladder onto the concrete floor (while being lighted). No damage could be found and it still works perfectly. I expect the LW3000 to be the same. This is why I had no shame in giving these out for X-mas. If you are going to turn others on to LED lights, give them something good.