My LX was my first "high tech" light. I bought it about two years ago when it first came out, and saw that for about $20, I could get a Xenon bulb with CR123 Lithium batteries. I recognized this as the basic plan for success (aside from their other QC and engineering excellence) of SureFire products, but at a fraction of the price, and gave it a try.
I was not disappointed.
My wife has seen the little silver flashlight kicking about, as it's my usual nightstand light, and I also use it around the house during daylight hours whenever I need throw into a tight space when working around the house.
Just a few weeks ago, around 3 am, after our twins had just gone back to sleep after a bad bout of teething, my wife wanted to read to wind down for a bit, but keep the lights off, lest the little ones see the glow down the hall and wake back up. Her book light was dead, so she asked for my flashlight.
I said, "It only runs for an hour or two, and takes special batteries that cost a couple of bucks each. (Why mention $1.25 123's online when negotiating for "hubby money"? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif ) If you run them down, I don't want to hear any complaining when I buy some the next time we're at the store."
My wife accused me of being snippy, and just told me to give the LX over. She hunkered down with her romance novel, and muttered to herself while twisting the head like it was a
M@g, and trying to turn it on. I helpfully pointed out the tailcap clickie, and rolled over in our pitch black bedroom to cover my eyes…
BLINK! "HOLY $#@* that's bright!" She'd never seen it before in the dark.
"I told you, it uses special batteries." /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif