I recently purchased a
Peak SR800A. It has an XM-L emitter and a nice output adjustment knob up near the head, where it's easy to work when holding the light in a relaxed underhand grip. Overall, this is a great flashlight. One very cool thing about it is the absolutely incredible range of brightness. On high, it's pushing the emitter at 3.4 amps (close to 1000 emitter lumens, if I recall from looking at the XM-L spec sheet), and on low it's waaaaay lower than anything else I have (including photon freedom & HDS) except maybe my 38DD on the lowest I can possibly adjust it to. It has a large deep reflector, and throws like a champ.
There was a minor issue with the adjustment knob turning roughly which I was able to fix on my own with some sandpaper. I can't hold that against Peak, since I didn't give them a chance to deal with it.
I highly recommend this flashlight if you're looking for a very bright thrower, and can foot the bill (~$300) and handle the size (~10.5"L, ~2.75"W at the head).
They are also selling the FR800A and will be selling the NP600A soon, both of which also are variable XM-L powered lights.
Were starting to see a variety of lights using Crees XM-L emitter, all the way from the MiNiX 123 up to the v2 Catapult. And growing in popularity are lights having some form of variable brightness control (Ra Rotary, RRT MCS rings, etc.). What I havent seen is a light incorporating both of these technologies. Anybody know of one, even if its not actually released for sale yet?
-- DLF