Review: Xtar WK 26

Nice work foy. I'm always jealous of people's pictures. My Kodak just doesn't do the job. For those that need aa compatibility, the WK25B really is a nice upgrade over the original WK25. Much brighter on high and brighter than anything else I have on Nimh. I actually think you would appreciate it over the WK25, Foy. Only downside is that it doesn't have the DIY driver of the WK26 and of course you can't use it on 14500 should you ever feel the need.

About the clicky switch feel - The aluminum plug they inserted in the boot as a spacer in my sample of the WK25B really makes the clicky work a whole lot easier. It just makes it a tad to easy to click and doesn't feel as solid given its a hard piece of metal sitting unattached to anything in th boot. I'm really tempted to experiment with different materials to see if I can get something that will feel perfect. It's not the clicky switches fault really. If you take the switch out, you can tell it clicks just fine. It's just how it fits in the boot that creates the problem.The boot and the switch are just not suited for each other. I guess I could also try to find some spare boots and try to see if I can get one that fits and is better mated to the switch.

I have no doubt the Wk 25B is better than the Wk 25 and actually, the Wk 25 wasn't a horrible light, it was just a "meh" light. Xtar should probably quit sending me AA style lights because when spending my own money, I don't buy these kinds of lights. My taste is migrating from P60 to . . . something different and usually bigger.

Anyway, I'll try the washer thing on the switch.

Foy

Thanks for your always amusing comments and great pictures .

And

Happy New Year !

Happy New Year to you, Jack . . . the original inspiration for Foybezels.™

It was your beautiful sand L2 that got me going . . . . ahhh, some of us have greatness thrust upon us while others . . . .

narcissistFoy

Thanks to BLF and its contributors and reviewers, XTAR gets some nice exposure.

great work foy,

great work xtra!

Awesome review......glad to see a TF will fit in there with no problems.

I’m a “disco duck idiot” and I like it.

Great review and great pictures.

Thanks for you time and effort on this light.

I just might have to pick one up :-)

Thanks for the review, Foy ;) Looks like an interesting light and even better for that price :P Wish they had it with XP-G.

Great review, first time Ive seen it, must have missed it before.

Id love to get one if it could take AA...:(

Then get the WK 25B . It's the sister to the 26 and AA only

Edit - Thanks, they do make an AA model...Foy great review I dont want to ruin your thread with AA talk, haha.

This looks like it could be the new black of 14500 flashlights (to me anyway)

20USD sounds like a bargain with the mode selection and hight quality ano.

Hmm. This SO gets in the way of my other flashlight plans for this year. ShameonyouFoy! LOL ;-)

Already have 14500's... Hmmm . Must resist! (for now)

Thank you Foy, it looks like a winner and great value for the price. If it also had a clip it would already be in my shopping basket.

Great review Foy, I have number 8 going by the s/n, they deserve to sell many more tho, my one issue with the light is that a tap on the tail causes it to change mode ( I only have low and high), I'm not sure if it's the battery losing contact or the switch, any suggestions?

Jeansy -

I don't think it's the switch. Like Sir John mentioned, a spacer of some kind (depending on thickness) might increase the distance from the boot to the button. I haven't taken the switch apart but I've improved switch function on some of my other lights by progressively cutting down the little . . . . nubbin (?) inside the boot.

YMMVFoy

Thanks Foy, I'll see what I can do when I get a chance, I'll update if I fix it incase anyone else has a similar issue

update:

The WK26 is still awesome. I will admit; it spends a fair amount of time on the shelf because Foy is not generally fond of small flashlights. Nevertheless; this is a killer torch. It is my designated "mouthlight." Actually "liplight" is more accurate; I put it between my lips when I need light while working on other lights.

I have it "programmed" for single mode/high and until now, forgot that it has other modes.

Anyway, I love this light. I have raffled off two other small Xtars but I will not be giving this little gem away.

Foy

I always have the previous version WK25 with me. Great light output for the size and an AA battery lasts ages.

I have the WK26 for more than six months now and it is still one of my two favorite 14500 lights, along with Balder SE-1. I do like the Xtar more, probably because of the longer throw. It’s actually the best 14500 thrower, as far as I know.