narmattaru
Enlightened
I got this flashlight as review example directly from manufacturer. Here is product page.
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Main Features
● Handy size, superb functionality, industry leading patented features
● Latest CREE XP-L HI V3 LED, max 700Lm output, beam reaches 210 meters
● One-handed tactical control: one-touch Strobe / High / Low
● Innovative dual tail switch, easy interface design
● 3 brightness levels, 2 flash modes, 2 programmable settings for multi-purpose use
- Tactical setting ( factory default ): one-touch Strobe / High, versatile in all tasks
- Outdoor setting: one-touch High / Low; SOS, specially designed for the wilderness
● ITS temperature control, real time monitors and auto adjusts output levels to keep crucial component safe
● Waterproof in accordance with IPX-8 ( underwater 2 meters )
● Constant current circuit driver, no flashes and PWM blinking
● Integrated design for efficient heat dissipation
● Dual spring design resists shock and drop damages
● Reverse polarity protection eliminates damage from incorrect battery install
● CNC machined aero-space aluminum alloy body with mil-spec HAIII hard anodizing
● Hardened mineral glass lens with AR coating, scratch resistance
To start with – this spring I had a chance to review XT11S and was so much impressed with its quality and UI. For me this model is best tactical light now (though I must admit that I haven`t tried a lot of other models.). That`s why I enthusiastically took offer to review smaller version of this light. It took me more time to run all the tests and make photos than I expected, but finally here you are.
Flashlight`s package is almost the same as it was with Mi7, typically Klarus-style XT1C comes along with 16340 battery, o-ring, and lanyard (and usual papers of course).
What can I say about XT1C look. Accurate and good-looking. Pics says for themselves.
As it is a tactical light, XT1C is being run by pair of tail-button and mode switch. And this pair does a lot in matter of convenience of usage.
Pineapple knurling may provide good grip, but for such a size, flashlight simply hides in wrist – and that`s it, no chance to loose it + clip adds a lot to firm grip. Clip is reversible.
Cooling ribs are moved from head to middle, what I find strange for there are a lot of free space on it to place more (more!) cooling ribs.
And as manufacturer states 700 lumens, flashlight of such size obviously must get as much heat dissipation as possible.
Machinery and lubrication are ok.
Flashlight has springs at both sides.
XT1C has SMO reflector, about 2cm deep which is qite a lot for light`s total size. CREE XP-L HI V3 in the middle is perfectly centered.
And about size – XT1C is longer than any other 16340 lights that I have. That makes it almost AA flashlight. My point of view is that`s a reasonable ergonomic decision. Regular 16340 light with tail button may be ok for EDC use, but tactical light suppose that user can rapidly reach tail button which is unlikely to happen with small flashlight and reverse grip.
New Opus that i`ve ordered is on it`s way to me, so I can only use usb-tester. In my case charging klarus battery shows 825, that is far away from precise measurements, but this numbers are good.
UI.
It may be tricky judging by this pic. But in reality it is really, really simple and not overloaded with "clicks" and "holds". It takes not a lot of time to figure out everything and get used to what you`ve figured out.
I even managed to switch between tactical and outdoor modes with one hand. )
I can repeat my opinion about XT11S for UI of XT1C – reasonable, convenient and simple , though it may (and believe that it does) seem opposite when you look at this scheme)
XT1C in work
Luxmeter measurements 40\2550\4550.
That is something strange with heat dissipation. I suppose you folk all agree that with such a size, 700 lums must quickly push temperature of flashlight beyond the point when you can hold XT1C barehand.
But what I faced is peak temperature of 50 celcius after about 10minutes, then it fell to 45.
I believe that there is a thermal regulated stepdown. But here are 2 options
I couldn`t measure amperage due to form-factor of lights (and my crooked hands -) )
Pencil test hasn`t revealed any sign of PWM shimmering
Stepdown from maximum. I haven`t seen 50 stated minutes, as it could anyone predict.
Obviously brightness quickly fell down, just take a look. 38 minutes and then minimal mode in which it has been working for 3 more hours (even in this mode, there was "sub-stepdown" somewhere in the middle of this period)
Yes, almost 40 min is not that bad, but 40 minutes is not 50 minutes promised, and of cource that is not 40 minutes in turbo. But this happen almost with all stated turbo runtime of any flashlight, so there is no use to point finger to Klarus.
Mid mode stepdown and 3 hours stated.
2.5h in reality, then falling to something dim for next 3 hours, then one more falling for the same time.
OVERALL IMPRESSION
I think that it better choice for activities connected with police\security rather than for outdoor\tourism (in this case i`d better choose 18650 full size light)
Speaking about build quality, brightness and UI – everything is OK (though i`d like to see intermediate mode close to 300lumens + I think that 2-3 seconds for starting strobe from ON in tactical mode is too long)
What about price – regular price for new 16340 flashlight from good manufacturer.
As EDC that it is not best choice for it`s SMO and just 3 brightness. But if anyone looks for extremely compact thrower with instant turbo and strobe, made for reverse grip – I don`t see any other variant but this one.
there is a tradition in russian review website to post photo of author`s cat in conclusion of review. here is mine.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Main Features
● Handy size, superb functionality, industry leading patented features
● Latest CREE XP-L HI V3 LED, max 700Lm output, beam reaches 210 meters
● One-handed tactical control: one-touch Strobe / High / Low
● Innovative dual tail switch, easy interface design
● 3 brightness levels, 2 flash modes, 2 programmable settings for multi-purpose use
- Tactical setting ( factory default ): one-touch Strobe / High, versatile in all tasks
- Outdoor setting: one-touch High / Low; SOS, specially designed for the wilderness
● ITS temperature control, real time monitors and auto adjusts output levels to keep crucial component safe
● Waterproof in accordance with IPX-8 ( underwater 2 meters )
● Constant current circuit driver, no flashes and PWM blinking
● Integrated design for efficient heat dissipation
● Dual spring design resists shock and drop damages
● Reverse polarity protection eliminates damage from incorrect battery install
● CNC machined aero-space aluminum alloy body with mil-spec HAIII hard anodizing
● Hardened mineral glass lens with AR coating, scratch resistance
To start with – this spring I had a chance to review XT11S and was so much impressed with its quality and UI. For me this model is best tactical light now (though I must admit that I haven`t tried a lot of other models.). That`s why I enthusiastically took offer to review smaller version of this light. It took me more time to run all the tests and make photos than I expected, but finally here you are.
Flashlight`s package is almost the same as it was with Mi7, typically Klarus-style XT1C comes along with 16340 battery, o-ring, and lanyard (and usual papers of course).
What can I say about XT1C look. Accurate and good-looking. Pics says for themselves.
As it is a tactical light, XT1C is being run by pair of tail-button and mode switch. And this pair does a lot in matter of convenience of usage.
Pineapple knurling may provide good grip, but for such a size, flashlight simply hides in wrist – and that`s it, no chance to loose it + clip adds a lot to firm grip. Clip is reversible.
Cooling ribs are moved from head to middle, what I find strange for there are a lot of free space on it to place more (more!) cooling ribs.
And as manufacturer states 700 lumens, flashlight of such size obviously must get as much heat dissipation as possible.
Machinery and lubrication are ok.
Flashlight has springs at both sides.
XT1C has SMO reflector, about 2cm deep which is qite a lot for light`s total size. CREE XP-L HI V3 in the middle is perfectly centered.
And about size – XT1C is longer than any other 16340 lights that I have. That makes it almost AA flashlight. My point of view is that`s a reasonable ergonomic decision. Regular 16340 light with tail button may be ok for EDC use, but tactical light suppose that user can rapidly reach tail button which is unlikely to happen with small flashlight and reverse grip.
New Opus that i`ve ordered is on it`s way to me, so I can only use usb-tester. In my case charging klarus battery shows 825, that is far away from precise measurements, but this numbers are good.
UI.
It may be tricky judging by this pic. But in reality it is really, really simple and not overloaded with "clicks" and "holds". It takes not a lot of time to figure out everything and get used to what you`ve figured out.
I even managed to switch between tactical and outdoor modes with one hand. )
I can repeat my opinion about XT11S for UI of XT1C – reasonable, convenient and simple , though it may (and believe that it does) seem opposite when you look at this scheme)
XT1C in work
Luxmeter measurements 40\2550\4550.
That is something strange with heat dissipation. I suppose you folk all agree that with such a size, 700 lums must quickly push temperature of flashlight beyond the point when you can hold XT1C barehand.
But what I faced is peak temperature of 50 celcius after about 10minutes, then it fell to 45.
I believe that there is a thermal regulated stepdown. But here are 2 options
- Real 700 lumens and bad heat dissipation (I personally believe in this, visually brightness seems to be close to 700), then quick stepdown.
- Good thermal regulation which doesn`t allow brightness to get really high.
I couldn`t measure amperage due to form-factor of lights (and my crooked hands -) )
Pencil test hasn`t revealed any sign of PWM shimmering
Stepdown from maximum. I haven`t seen 50 stated minutes, as it could anyone predict.
Obviously brightness quickly fell down, just take a look. 38 minutes and then minimal mode in which it has been working for 3 more hours (even in this mode, there was "sub-stepdown" somewhere in the middle of this period)
Yes, almost 40 min is not that bad, but 40 minutes is not 50 minutes promised, and of cource that is not 40 minutes in turbo. But this happen almost with all stated turbo runtime of any flashlight, so there is no use to point finger to Klarus.
Mid mode stepdown and 3 hours stated.
2.5h in reality, then falling to something dim for next 3 hours, then one more falling for the same time.
OVERALL IMPRESSION
I think that it better choice for activities connected with police\security rather than for outdoor\tourism (in this case i`d better choose 18650 full size light)
Speaking about build quality, brightness and UI – everything is OK (though i`d like to see intermediate mode close to 300lumens + I think that 2-3 seconds for starting strobe from ON in tactical mode is too long)
What about price – regular price for new 16340 flashlight from good manufacturer.
As EDC that it is not best choice for it`s SMO and just 3 brightness. But if anyone looks for extremely compact thrower with instant turbo and strobe, made for reverse grip – I don`t see any other variant but this one.
there is a tradition in russian review website to post photo of author`s cat in conclusion of review. here is mine.