Shopping in my local (Edinburgh) LIDL yesterday I found several still on the shelves. For the price of a cup of coffee it looks a bargain. Fills a useful void in my EDC kit, between a good bright versatile Astrolux S43S which is just a bit too bulky and heavy for carrying everywhere always, and tiny keychain torches that are probably only better than striking a match. The completely even featureless flood is very nice, and the long end of the throw focuses an image of the LED so well that you can see the imperfections in its surface coating -- in other words it puts a lot of light a long way.
These don’t seem to be available in the US.
This is what it looks like in the packing.
The UI is H-M-L in that order?
No Memory, So from power on you get, High100%, Medium50%, Low25%, SOS, STROBE.
John.
Thank you!
Haven’t spotted them in the Netherlands (yet). Or on the Lidl-website.
But if they are: there is a Lidl store just around the corner 
Djozz, could you please tell us what cues can you take from such picture?
The diameter (or more precisesily said: surface area) of the lens allows a direct calculation of throw capability, how curved it is (or more precise: what is the estimated focal length) gives a clue about light loss; many small zoomies have a very shallow lens (so long focal length) that in zoom configuration will produce very little light (but concentrated in a very small spot which is perceived by non-flashoholics as very awesome), while some have very nice lenses (like the classic sk68(-clones) that is optically very good) that capture more light in spot-modus.
BTW, shallow lenses produce a very wide flood that is especially appreciated by many, while I like how far it throws.
I know this is a very budget light, but is it just me that finds this angle completely unacceptable, my eyes are drawn to it like magnets?
That bend is caused by the camera lens when you take a really close photo, It`s called "Geometric Distortion", It`s not on the flash-light, I checked mine.
John.
Thanks. 
I expected that experienced person like yourself could estimate F# but diameter didn’t come to my mind.
BTW it is by far the cheapest OK-quality AAA zoomie that I’ve seen….I must visit lidl often in the coming weeks…
I’ve measured the lens with my Digital calipers. It’s 16mm Diameter and 6.4mm thick at the apogee of the lens.
I grabbed one of these last week too out of curiosity, just couldn’t resist the tiny zoomie! I don’t think it’s an XT-E, at a glance it looks like a fake to me and it doesn’t have the cross of an XT-E on the die but does have the mottled effect of a flip-chip when zoomed in, only coarser than i remember. Have to admit though, i can’t see where it specifies XT-E on the packaging.
It also has obvious low freq PWM for mid and low, and a glued-in switch, none of which is a surprise at the price 
I like the body though and the lens seems alright when going from flood to spot (looking forward to Djozz’s assessment) so will look at changing the LED at some point.
I also picked up a 2xAA zoomie in Lidl a couple of months back, anyone else grab one of those? Didn’t think to point out it’s availability on here, shame on me!
I dunno if it’s a fake XTE or not, but it it says XTE in the manual on the LIDL website
(you can search for manuals there, IAN 306054 in this case). Specs as listed there:
Technical data
• Bulb (not replaceable): 1 x 5 watts CREE LED XTE
• LED light intensity: in 100% mode approx. 80-100 lumens*
• LED life: approx. 50,000 h
• Battery life: in 100% mode approx. 40-45 minutes*
• Lighting range: in 100% mode approx. 80-100 m*
• Dust- and splash-proof in accordance with IP44
*In accordance with ANSI testing specifications
That’ll be why i missed it
It’s not a bad LED though, i’ll post a pic in the fake Cree thread when i get a chance, for confirmation.
I picked up a couple of these to give away. One friend called after a few days to say it was “fantastic” (some people are easily pleased), and wanted “at least” two more. That’s the sad thing about Lidl - when they are gone, they are generally gone for quite some time.
I didn’t really like the one I played with (for 5 minutes), but then again I have a dozen or so single AAA lights, and I’m not a fan of zoomies. For £3 though …….
Ever since this thread started I’m looking locally to see if they are available….nope, they are not.
I even checked some site that catalogues lidl stuff - it doesn’t list them so they probably didn’t arrive some time before I started looking.
I wonder if they’ll eventually show up….I lost most of the hope already.
Maybe when they’ll do another camping campaign. In a few month or or next year. Maybe. Usually, Lidl sells no more the items that do not sell well.
I reflowed a ~5700k XP-G2 S4 into mine; no more purple beam
Not the kind of light I’ll use often, but it’s great for handing out to people.
