Nuwai 3AAA 1 W. reflector light ALX-313A

[chuckolson]

Wasn't able to find this ALX-313A in a CPF search, so I'll try my newby hand at describing what I just bought at Big 5 Sporting Goods, on sale for $39.99.

This flashlight conforms to the excellence in fit and finish that's been reported on previous Nuwai products. It looks like it's nickel plated or stainless but of course, it's just a very nice solidly-built aluminum flashlight. The bezel and tailcap show o-rings when unscrewed, so it may serve well in a storm. It uses a 1 watt Luxeon Star Batwing (low dome) LED, unregulated drive with a 3-AAA cartridge, and a very effective reflector that gives the light a longer throw than the usual refractive optics. The light has a convenient-to-thumb rubber-covered pushbutton click switch.

Due to the use of the reflector there is one 50 cp bright ring, evenly lit, around the 520 cp central hot-spot, about three times its diameter, and beyond that, a 5 cp spill that is again even, and sharp edged, all measured at 12 inches. Color on my sample is white with no detectable blue or green. I measured the LED current, less than a minute into the drain period, at 308 mA, and the three concentric regions of illumination add up to a 16.7 lumen source. Size and weight are 5 1/2" long, 1 1/2" head diameter, 6.1 oz, and comes with a generous wrist lanyard and Velcro-closing belt pouch. Not a dazzler, but worth the money, I feel.

 

[GJW]

Just tried one myself.

Sold under the name "Xtreme light", the material, finish, and feel are identical to the XenErgy 3-in-1. It even has the same recessed post lanyard attachment in the tail.

The reflector is very deep and produces a light with more throw than even the LSHF-P. Color is also whiter (grayer).

The length is slightly shorter than a AA miniMag and the body diameter is a little larger than a C battery.

The reflector and lens are both plastic and the included lanyard and holster are again similar to the Xenergy's.

The LED is still mounted to the star and looks to be held in place with a threaded aluminum slug. I'm guessing that swapping the LED would be pretty easy.

All in all I'd say it's pretty impressive for a light under $40 that runs on cheap AAA batteries.

 

[Deanster]

I've also got one of these, and I've been eyeing it for my first mod. If you unscrew the 'threaded aluminum slug', the star is soldered to wires protruding through an aluminum disk, which is loose, normally held in place by the slug. It looks like swapping LED's should only be a matter of un- and re-soldering the wires.

My question - what would a maximum LED be in this application? I know little of the bat-wing configuration. The existing LED is already very white, and fairly bright. Is there something that would make sense, given the limited juice in the three AAA's? I've been thinking of a Luxeon III with a Fraen optic, but I'm not sure how this would work out in terms of runtime.

Thoughts on good mods for this light?

 

[StoneDog]

Beamshots? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

And just for kicks, will a single "C" battery fit in there instead of what I assume is a 3xAAA holder?

Jon

 

[GJW]

Nope.
Diameter of a "C" is too big.

 

[chuckolson]

[ QUOTE ]
StoneDog said:
Beamshots? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

And just for kicks, will a single "C" battery fit in there instead of what I assume is a 3xAAA holder?

Jon

[/ QUOTE ]

No, but it looks like it could be modified to run two sleeved 123 cells by boring out the tail-piece to accept a small projection of the rearmost cell and shortening the spring. That might drive a 3 or 5 watt LS without a regulator, or perhaps someone can lay out a current regulator on a replacement Star board. The bezel looks to be about right for the 30mm collimator optic from Electro-Lumens, if that's still available (don't see it on their site).

 

[StoneDog]

Hmmm... There seems to be a few versions of this 3xAAA LS light floating around on ebay. If two 123's could really be made to fit, this might make for an interesting mod...

Jon