Review copy was sent in by XTAR to me here in the Philippines, whom I thank for the confidence afforded to me. No other payment was received for this review.
Preface:
The zoomie market has quite very separate insights when it comes to this light category. This is my very review for a zoomie nonetheless. The WK007 is Xtar's entry to this category,XTAR WK007 emits 500lm, which overwhelms most EDC flashlights.
With it's adjustable focus, it can be used in activities such as exploring, cycling, photography, etc., let's see how it performs.
Packaging:
It comes in a white retail plastic moulded package, with some descrption and manufacturer specifications written in both the front and back.
Inclusions:
1 x Xtar WK007
1 x lanyard
1 x o-ring
1 x manual
Quick Features:
-4 lighting modes
-500lm max luminance
-max beam throw 175m
-impact resistance 1.5m
-ipx 5 waterproof rating
-compatible with nimh,alkaline or 14500 cell
-mode memory
-cree XPG-3
Manufacturer Specifications:
ANSI High Mid Low Moonlight Flash Strong flash
Luminance 500lm 200lm 30lm 2lm 500lm 500lm
Runtime 47mins 1.58 hrs 13.6hrs 33days N/A N/A
Beam Throw 175m
Max Intensity 7500CD
Impact Resistant 1.5m
Waterproof IPX5
Size Ø 28.5mm(head) x Ø 19.5(body) x Ø 22mm(tail) x100mm(length)
Net weight 50g (Battery excluded)
Notes:
1. Above-mentioned parameters (tested by using XTAR 14500 800mAh) are approximate and may differ depending on battery and environment.
2. Working Voltage: 1.0-4.35V
3. Compatible battery: 1*AA NI-MH/1*AA ALKA/1*14500 Li-ion battery
Operation:
1. Choose mode:
A. From OFF: Lighting mode. Flashlight starts with HIGH when you first turn on the unit. To change mode, double press switch button. Lighting mode cycle is (HIGH-MID-LOW-MOONLIGHT).
B. From OFF: Flashing mode. Tap switch button (no clicking sound) and quickly press the switch button (with clicking sound) within 0.2s, it enters flashing mode. To choose strong flashing mode, shut off flashlight first, then repeat the steps of entering flashing mode.
2. Adjust beam. Push the head forward or back to choose the focus you need.
Form Factor:
The XTAR WK007 is a typical size for a single AA/14500 zoom light. It fits well in a big handed person as it has some bulk into it compared to non-zoom AA lights.
Heat is handled well using AA batteries, however with 14500 on high mode the light can get very warm, but not excessively hot. The heat is transferred well throughout the body (and thus into the users hands), so the thermal design of this light is very good.
Head:
The head has a scalloped knurling design on the attack bezel.
The zoom (12.5mm movement) works in a linear manner, and doesn’t need to be twisted. However, as the LED is on the body, the head can still be turned.
The stiffness of the zoom mechanism was just right. There are deep set cooling fins on the part below the zoom mechanism which are required in HIGH mode with 14500 where this light gets manageably hot.
It utilizes a Cree XP-G3 LED with an aspheric lens made of plastic. This LED is renowned for resulting a yellow corona to the beam, due to having phosphor at the sides of the chip.
It has a flat contact plate for the positive side of the cell.
Barrel: It has a small diamond pattern knurling design, and the barrel is attached to the head. It has the brand clearly printed on the side and the model on the other. The size of the barrel is noticeably smaller than that of the head, the clip is very sturdy and has great tension.
Tail:
It has a simillar scalloped knurling design as with the head.
It has a dotted rubber boot as the main switch which is sturdy and has an audible sound when clicking.
A lanyard hole is present on one side of the tailcap.
As per most lights, the tail cap is screwed off counter clockwise for battery insertion, with the positive end near the head. The threads are not anodized, and thus the tail switch will work even if the tail is not fully screwed on – thus there is no mechanical lockout.
It can perfectly do a tail stand.
Picture of the light when disassembled
Beam shots:
HIGH Zoomed out
HIGH Zoomed in
MED Zoomed out
MED Zoomed in
LOW Zoomed out
LOW Zoomed in
MOONLIGHT Zoomed out
MOONLIGHT Zoomed in
Conclusion:
To sum up, I believe that the most important part of any review is if given the chance to purchase the same light for my own EDC, would I still purchase it?
For this light, it is a definite YES. Specially if you are looking for a minimalist EDC zoomie with complete functions.
Scrutinizing the light over throughout the review, I am hard pressed to find any flaws at this price point. If I were to nit-pick, it would be that they need to update this light given it's 2 years old now, maybe they can upgrade the LED and then change the aspheric lens to a TIR lens instead.
As with all gears, two is one and one is none.
Light on brothers!
Video review of this light:
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