I have a tonne of Surefires and an Arc, but there is something truly wonderful about holding an X5 in your hand even though it isn't the brightest or longest lasting. It's just so beautifully made. AND ergonomically it just feels right - AND IT DOESN'T HAVE A CLIP ON THE SIDE OF THE BEZEL LIKE THE ARC 4+....sorry, calmed down now - well really...
I have 3 black X5s, one in each vehicle glovebox. I think they are the perfect light for that type of application - 2xlithium 123s and good starting brightness and long run-time to dim - one that I tested ran 82.5 hours until the light was only useful for reading your watch. Prior to that it could still navigate you down the hall or look for things by the roadside at night etc...the first 12 hours or so were really quite bright indeed. Awesome lights I love them. I don't duty carry one because it's too bright for my low level needs and too weak a throw for my high level needs (hence my SF L1+Tigerlight FBOP with SF M6 as 'backup').
Interested to see just how good the new ones are...the T3 interests me the most.
The rechargeable Inova (T4?) I doubt I will use because I don't like rechargeables that you have to take the batteries out of to recharge - all takes too long. Plus, if it's not in daily use, you'll never know whether it's charged enough when you want it...
Enjoy the Inovas, even though I prefered the smoother black finish (and I chose black for my white LEDs so that I don't mistake it with my silver X5 - UV "fluidhunter" and end up blinding someone!), I'm sure that the new non-slip grip will work well.
I noticed that Inova hasn't launched a T5 as part of this series and so I wonder whether one is in the wings - maybe like an X5 but with 5x1W 3x123 and high/low clickable settings (4 white LED and one low output red?)?.....now, that would be cool...and all the technology is already there on the 24/7.... Mmmmmm....probably could even launch it before the SF U2 made production ...
Oh and while they're at it how about a 3-5x5W head, M6 size with 3x3 123s in a triangular formation like 3 lengthened X5s tied together to give a good long run-time. Could we get 0.5-200ish lumens?.... OK, I'll stop.... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dedhorse.gif