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XT-100

Manufacturer: eGear Model: XT-100 Body Material: Anodized aircraft grade aluminium Body Color(s): Black Length: 5.2" Body Dia: 1" Bezel Dia: 1.2" Weight1: 3.6 oz. Battery Qty: 2 Type: CR2032 Runtime2: 10 hours LED:Luxeon K2 LED Colors avail: White Lumens Max: 100 Lumens Min: 100 Brightness Levels: 1 Switch Type: Twist on/off Location: Tailcap In Production?: May 2007 MSRP: $65 1 with batteries    2 @ max setting / @ min setting

EGear’s XT-100 Tactical Torch is a 100 lumen anodized aircraft aluminum bodied flashlight. The XT-100 is a simple to operate light with only one brightness setting, like many tactical lights it uses a momentary push button switch that can be twisted for constant on use.

XT-130

Manufacturer: eGear Model: XT-130 Body Material: Polymer Body Color(s): Black Length: 5.1" Body Dia: 1" Bezel Dia: 1.2" Weight1: 4 oz. Battery Qty: 2 Type: CR2032 Runtime2: 10 hours LED:Luxeon K2 LED Colors avail: White Lumens Max: 130 Lumens Min: 130 Brightness Levels: 1 Switch Type: Twist on/off Location: Tailcap In Production?: May 2007 MSRP: $45 1 with batteries    2 @ max setting / @ min setting

EGear’s XT-130 Tactical Torch is identical in operation to the XT-100, but that and the logo on the side is where the similarities end. The polymer bodied light produces a reported 130 lumens of light. Both the XT-100 and XT-130 are sealed for water resistance and each have a rated runtime of 10 hours. The only reason I can see to purchase the XT-100 over the XT-130 would be the aluminum body, having not test the polymer case of the XT-130 I cannot vouch for its durability but polymer bodied lights from a number of manufactures have proven to be up to all but the most extreme conditions.

Headstream K2 Headlamp

Manufacturer: eGear Model: Headstream K2 Headlamp Body Material: Polymer Body Color(s): Black Length: Body Dia: Bezel Dia: Weight1: 216gm Battery Qty: 3 Type: AA Runtime2: 16 hrs (max) - 70 hrs (min) LED:Luxeon K2 LED Colors avail: White Lumens Max: 85 Lumens Min: 21 Brightness Levels: 3 Switch Type: push button Location: headlamp In Production?: Feb 2007 MSRP: $50 1 with batteries    2 @ max setting / @ min setting

Continuing on with the Luxeon K2 bulb, eGear introduced an interesting headlamp, the Head Stream Luxeon K2 Headlamp. This headlamp offers the user or 3 solid output settings, from 21 Lumens (70 hours runtime) at low power to an incredible 85 Lumens (16 hours runtime) at high power, and a safety flash mode (35 hours runtime).

Independent of the primary K2 LED, the Head Stream has a red LED bar across the battery case with a constant on or flashing setting. This added feature allows the user to be visible from behind even if the primary LED isn’t running. I can see this feature very useful for trail runners, hikers (especially in groups) and as well as emergency workers.

EGear also offers a 1 Watt Luxeon LED version of the Head Stream Headlamp, physically identical but with reduced output and runtime (52 Lumens for 15 hours on high, and 50 hour run time on low). The 1 Watt version is available now, with the K2 version available in the near future.

S-2

Manufacturer: eGear Model: S-2 Body Material: Anodized aircraft grade aluminium Body Color(s): Black Length: 5.5" Body Dia: 0.75" Bezel Dia: 1.1" Weight1: 4.6oz Battery Qty: 2 Type: AA Runtime2: 90 min LED: 3-Watt LED Colors avail: White Lumens Max: 80 Lumens Min: 80 Brightness Levels: 1 Switch Type: Momentary push/constant twist Location: Tailcap In Production?: Avalible MSRP: $45 1 with batteries    2 @ max setting / @ min setting

Although not using the Luxeon K2 bulb, eGear’s S-2 Tactical Torch is worth mentioning. It isn’t often you see a light rated at 80 lumens running off of two “AA” batteries. Using a 3 Watt Luxeon bulb, the S-2 is reported to have a runtime of 90 minutes with a regulator to maintain a constant brightness throughout the battery life. Like the other tactical lights eGear offers, the S-2 has a constant twist on switch with a momentary push button.

illumitacks

Manufacturer: Elusive Wildlife Technologies Model: illumitacks Body Material: Brass Body Color(s): Silver/Gold Height: 0.31" Body Dia:0.31" Bezel Dia: Weight1: 2 gm Battery Qty: 2 Type: CR927 Runtime2: 48 hrs LED: 1 Watt LED Colors avail: White, Green, Red, Orange, and Blue Lumens Max: Lumens Min: Brightness Levels:1 Switch Type: Twist Location: Body In Production?: Available now MSRP: 5 for $15 1 with batteries    2 @ max setting / @ min setting

Elusive Wildlife Technologies had one of those “Why didn’t I think of that!” products at SHOT this year. Their product line is based upon various applications of tiny LED lights they call illumitacks. These tiny LEDs are similar to the small lights you can find at a novelty store sold as body lights for “ravers,” but these are significantly brighter than any of the novelty lights that I have seen. These tiny lights are slightly smaller in diameter then an “AAA” and about ½” tall! Two CR927 lithium (originally designed for hearing aids) power the tiny light for up to 48 hours. A small but very powerful magnet is inside the watertight case so the light can be attached to anything magnetic. A second loose magnet is included so that the light can be attached to any thin non-magnetic article (like a shirt or leaf). Elusive Wildlife Technologies offers their illumitacks in a variety of colors in both steady and flashing versions.

Elusive Wildlife Technologies has adapted these small lights to be used as safety lights, trail markers and even emergency trailer and boat navigation lights. I have to admit that while intrigued, I was originally more than skeptical when I saw these on their website but after seeing them in person I am impressed. The green solid version, which is the brightest of their offerings’, is bright enough to read a map, set up a hasty camp or any other simple task where close-in lighting is needed.

It is not the most advanced LED light, but is a nice inexpensive lighting option for marking a trail or emergency lighting. Elusive Wildlife Technologies offers a number of packages for various applications, and at $15 for a set of five, losing one isn’t a heartbreaking experience. I already have multiple applications in mind for these, many of which involve replacing chemical light sticks with them in applications like marking team members and students on night training exercises.

Just make sure to keep them away from your compass—strong magnets and compasses don’t mix very well.

Krill Lighting Products have expanded their offerings with three new electroluminescent lightsticks. Krill’s lightsticks are a unique product, using an electroluminescent panel wrapped inside a clear polycarbonate tube to produce a product that is similar to a chemical lightsticks on only appearance and application. While chemical lightsticks are limited to set run time of anywhere from 5 minutes to 12 hours, Krill’s lightsticks will run for hours on end, up to 120 hours on a single set of batteries for some models. This extended run-time coupled with the ability to turn the Krill Lightsticks on/off increase the usability of their product line well beyond the disposable chemical lights.

Torch

Manufacturer: Krill Lighting Products Model: Torch Body Material: Plastic Body Color(s): Light Color Height: 14" Body Dia: 0.75" Base Dia: 2.5" Weight1: 8.5 oz. Battery Qty: 6 Type: AA Runtime2: 10 hours LED:Electroluminescent panel LED Colors avail: green, blue, white, orange, red, and IR Lumenx Max:N/A Lumens Min: N/A Brightness Levels: 1 Switch Type: Twist Location: top cap In Production?: Avalible now MSRP: $60 1 with batteries    2 @ max setting / @ min setting

The Krill Torch is a 14” tall version of the original AA Krill Light that produces over twice the light of the AA Krill Extreme Light. A Krill Torch in green, hanging from the peak easily illuminated a six-person tent with enough light to play poker by. The Krill Torch is large and better suited for emergency preparedness in the home or vehicle versus a personal survival kit.

Mini

Manufacturer: Krill Lighting Products Model: Mini Body Material: Plastic Body Color(s): Light Color Height: 4.75" Body Dia: 0.5" Base Dia: 0.75" Weight1: 1.25 oz. Battery Qty: 2 Type: AAA Runtime2: 25 hours LED:Electroluminescent panel/TD> LED Colors avail: green, blue, white, and red Lumenx Max:N/A Lumens Min: N/A Brightness Levels: 1 Switch Type: Twist Location: Base cap In Production?: Avalible now MSRP: $25 1 with batteries    2 @ max setting / @ min setting

On the other end of the spectrum, the AAA Krill Mini is the perfect sized for a personal survival kit. The AAA Krill Mini is as bright as the AA Krill Extreme Light but has about half the run-time. A pocket sized AAA Krill Mini in orange provided enough light to read a map and write an EMS encounter form.

Strobe

Manufacturer: Krill Lighting Products Model: Strobe Body Material: Plastic Body Color(s): Light Color Height: 5.125" Body Dia:0.75" Base Dia: 1.16" Weight1: 2.75 oz. Battery Qty: 2 Type: AA Runtime2: 120 hours LED:Electroluminescent panel/TD> LED Colors avail: green, blue, white, orange, yellow, red and IR Lumenx Max:N/A Lumens Min: N/A Brightness Levels: 1 Switch Type: Twist Location: Base cap In Production?: Avalible now MSRP: $25 1 with batteries    2 @ max setting / @ min setting

The AA Krill Strobe is a flashing version of their AA Krill light. Available in both the Original and Extreme output versions, the Krill Strobe Light nearly doubles the run-time of their steady light versions. Less versatile then the other Krill Lights, this light is a good option when marking/signaling light is needed with extended run-time.

Krill also offers a replacement tail cap that allows the Krill to be swung as a signal light. While I have never had this problem when swinging my AA Krill Extreme, it has been reported that Krill lights will shut off as they are swung. This new optional tail cap fixes this problem.

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Contributing Editor: Alan Romania
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Publisher and Editor: Doug Ritter
Email: Doug Ritter
URL: http://www.equipped.org/shot_show_2007_LED_flashlights-2.htm
First Published: February 10, 2007
 

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