PrincetonTec Impact - Am I missing something?

Candle Power Forums

Help Support Candle Power:

C

cadjak

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Dec 25, 2003
Messages
28
I lurk on this site from time to time because I seem to have a "thing" for lights. I had a PrincetonTec Impact LED light and liked it a lot. I just lost it and was in the process of replacing it, so I thought I'd check here to see if there was anything that might be better. I think PrincetonTec has discontinued the Impact but I can still find them on closeout in a number of places. The focussed LED on mine was very good and the battery life also was good. Why don't I hear more about them on this site? Any other focussed LED lights that might be better?
TIA,
-cadjak
 
I have the PrincetonTec Impact XL. I think it's still being made. Not a bad light in my opinion, as long as you're not expecting Surefire quality. The light is well focused through the dome lens and it's reasonably bright. Another plus is that it uses 4 AAA's which are easily obtainable and it's submersible too!
 
The Impact that I had was a 4AA LED model. They make the XL, and the Impact 2, but was having a hard time finding the Impact that I had. Strange that I lost it, because I bought the neon yellow color just because I was worried about misplacing it. :smile /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
I think the 4aa Impact wasn't too popular because a 4AA light with a single 5mm LED was too bulky for most people.

If you want a spot-focused 5mm LED light you might try the Inova X1. It's a very well made light, just not so popular because most people don't want such a narrow beam.
 
Yep. It has apparently been discontinued by Princeton Tec. I like the light, too, and have two of them. The comparison with the X1 beam is appropriate, but the Impact has MUCH longer battery life, so it depends on how you want to use it. The central hotspots of the beams are very similar between the X1 and the Impact, but the Impact has some (not much, but some) sidespill. My two models have different reflectors. One of them (the black one) has a black shiny plastic reflector. The sidespill is noticeably reduced relative to the other one, which has a silvered reflector.

Actually, I think the brightness is quite good on the light. It's almost too bright for my eyes when I first get up in the morning (before daylight).

I also have an Impact II. The beam style is similar and the package is considerably sleeker, but I find the light on mine to be too blue for my taste. I always find myself reaching for either the Impact or the X1, instead.

Mark
 
The Impact is a fine light, but there are many lights offering more brightness in a smaller package, which is why that light didn't get much discussion here recently. But if that is the light that suits your needs, then it is the best light for you.

If I were looking for a light with a single 5mm LED, I would want to consider the Dorcy AAA. It is not focused like the Impact, which I prefer but maybe you don't, and it is only $6 at Walmart. And it is tiny by comparison. Also there are other single-cell lights that are good. Underwater Kinteics also makes a 2 x AAA light that has a focused 5mm LED.

But if you really want an Impact, you should get one now before they are all gone. Or or maybe even upgrade to the Impact 2. You might be blown away by how much more light comes out. Good luck.
 
My Impact II is slightly bluer than my original Impact (when the beams were compared side-by-side on the ceiling from ~5 feet), but it's not a tremendous difference.
Noticeable, yes.
Tremendous, no.

As for the Impact and the X1, the beam spots at ~5' are virtually identical.
What little spill light the Impact emits is not present in the beam of the X1, though I realise that's been said already.
 
In true CPF style I've decided to buy a couple more of the PrincetonTec Impacts which I found on close-out at REI for $18.00. I think I'll also try one of the clone AA Xnova lights. I want to try and minimize the different batteries I have to buy. My hand held radios, Digital camera and most small lights are all AA. The Xnova may duplicate my CMG Ultra (which in my opinion is a fantastic light) but I'm a sucker for a bargain. Anyone know if the Xnova clones are as solid as the Ultra?
-cadjak
 
[ QUOTE ]
Anyone know if the Xnova clones are as solid as the Ultra?

[/ QUOTE ]

I have one of haveblue's xnova clones. It is a great looking light, but no where near as sturdy as the CMG ultra. You can dent the xnova by dropping it on the floor. You can probably run over the ultra g with your car without doing much damage.
 
Cadjak, the PT Impact was the first led flashlight I bought less than 2 years ago. I thought it was cool at first, but most of the led lights I have got since then are far more useful.

I took the bezel off of my PT Sportflare, (the one with the diffusing cone), and put it onto the Impact. Now the Impact is a long running area light that can be used for a tent light, or as a substitute lightstick.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top