Review: APEX GT01 Gas Tin CREE XP-G R5 1xCR123A/16340 Natural HA EDC Flashlight

It tempted me a lot, but I have now three different Lithium batteries and I did not want to get an extra one.

Very good review, and very good loonking flashlight and finishes.

I believe underdriven is under what the manufacturer states as the maximum recomended, I find your answer a bit tricky Chicago X.

The torch is rated at 600ma on high. User _the_ measured 570ma. That's 95% of the stated draw, well within the margin of error.

That current draw will provide roughly one hour of use at the highest setting, without self-destructing or setting something on fire.

To state that is is under-powered is one of pure opinion, rather than fact.

I fail to see how the facts are tricky...

It is underdriven according to the LED manufacturer, not the flashlight one, we were talking about different things I see.

The LED manufacturer rates the XP-G at 350ma for 100% output.

600ma is ~150% of the rated luminous flux.

Technically, you could correctly say that this torch is OVERdriven. :)

The manufacturer states the max current is 1.5A anything under that is under-driven in my opinion.

Chicago X, I think you're misinterpreting the charts in the data sheet. They're not saying that the XP-G produces 100% of its output at 350 mA. They're saying that "if we arbitrarily select the 350 mA current level as being 100%, then...". It's like a baseline. It's similar to if we arbitrarily select "normal driving speed" to be 50 km/h, and take measurements at that speed, then we have a baseline for comparing with measurements taken at other speeds.

In fact, you can see from the flux vs. current chart that the xp-g can easily produce WAY more output than the 350 mA level, just like a car can go way faster than 50 km/h.

And even the 1.5 A "maximum" specified by Cree is not really a maximum, because the LED will not fail at 1.50001 A if it did not fail at 1.5 A. For example, Cree specifies the maximum current for their XM-L as being 3 A, but BLF member Match did a great test, running the current up to 4 A and beyond (with a huge heat sink). The LED will probably deteriorate faster at currents above "maximum", but even at 1.49 A or lower, if you don't heatsink the LED well it will deteriorate faster. If you were to try using an xp-g or xm-l with no heat sink at all, it would fail at a current much lower than its rated maximum.

I understand the charts, but thanks for the detailed reply !!!

My point was that 'under-' or 'over-driven' can be a bit subjective. :)

That is why I said it was a bit tricky ;)

You are 100% correct - it's a tricky business balancing runtime with output.

Since it's a fairly linear relationship between the two, it is the torch designer's choice where to land on the matrix.

For the size of the cell, an approximate 1C current draw seems to be a good practical starting point for an EDC. (<----- 100% opinion.)

Bumping the current up 2.5 times to 1500ma will yield less than twice the lumen output while dropping runtime to 20 min or less.

Since the perception of brightness is not linear, the trade would seem like a poor one.

It is more like the taste of each one in that case, having modes, I would like a turbo,high or whatever we call it at 1A at least, and the choice of the manufacturer is something some will like, other will dislike and others will not bother.

Being fair, when we got high modes like that, with batteries like this one, we (or at least me) might tend to abuse of that mode reducing runtime, but even having said this, I would prefer it, I might be lumenholic hehe.

That is a really neat looking light. Thanks for the review. I have to say that I agree that they could probably bump the output to 1 Amp though on high. Its nice having an extended low though.

Great review! I would certainly buy one if I didn't already have an iTP A1 EOS.

Actually it’s much brighter than the numbers would lead you to think and it lights up a dark room easily which is it’s true purpose anyway. Torches this size aren’t meant to be throwers or light a whole back yard and little pocket rockets (I own a few) are basically sub-compact cars with a big block motor stuffed in them. Fun to show off in and smoke the tires but horrible for day to day use and regular commuting.

You do realize that you can still order one, don’t you? Just PM Ric_CN and I’m sure he’ll hook you up.

I got mine today. I noticed the package was opened by customs. Maybe they didn't believe it was a flashlight. I stuck in a new cr123a. Dim light. Ok it is 3 mode. Twisiting no change. Pulled out battery, yes fully charged. Tried again, bright light.Must be one mode, kept twisting, low mode, 5 more twists, medium, 6 more high, two more low,4 more medium, 6 more high, 7 more low, 3 more medium. I think I have a problem with mine.

Update: It has memory you idiot

Had similar kind of problem with CR123A, seems to be a bit short for this light. Works much better with 16340.

Maybe lengthening the spring would help?

On further inspection I was not changing modes fast enough and a few times the battery pushed too far down and the light won't work. I am using a 4 7s cr123a and it is a tight fit. I hope my tf flames fit (whenever they show up) I like that it has memory.

I use these (TF protected flames), and they fit well.

Mine has died in use. Never seen an IMR so it's hardly as if it's been abused.

Not impressed.

Currently $18 w/FREE shipping at FancyFlashlights.com (CNQG retail site)

http://www.fancyflashlights.com/goods.php?id=7