I'm not sure there is enough space in a mini sized flashlight for the classic LEP module. There should be enough space for the one that is used in the Astrolux WP1 and WP2. That's only about 1 cm diameter and about 2 cm long.
About LEP flashlights being outlawed, that might be a valid concern, but not yet. The more we treat them with care, the longer it probably takes before these kinds of laws need to be put in place.... if they have to be put in place.
Well the 20350 version is 181mm long. With only one 20350 that could be shortened to 146mm and even more if a side switch is used. It would only last 25 mins on one 20350 but It’d be a pretty fun compact light and you could always switch to a 21700 if needed.
I might get one with the $79 off code but first I have to find out if there’s any import tax. How much further can you see with this compared to the Nealsgadgets LEP? Is the difference noticeable enough to justify the extra price? Let’s say you turn it on from cold at 40% battery, will it still come on at the full 450 lumens? Also 20350 seem to be impossible to find in the UK. I managed to find a couple sellers that have the vapcell 18350 but all others are out of stock.
For both you need a scope to really see anything beyond a few hundred meters ;)
Yes, the 26650 and L2K are different beasts. The 26650 unbranded LEP is a fine flashilght for the money, but the L2K beats each and every flashlight out of the water, especially after the first 5 minutes
Thanks for the quick reply. So is the small brightness drop we see on turbo due to the laser heating up? If you let it cool down and turn it on again will it come on at full brightness? I want the 20350 version but will only use it for less than a minute at a time. I just want to be sure that it’ll come on at max brightness even with those weaker cells.
If you look at the graphs, you can see that the drop is very minimal (that's why this is such an interesting light). You won't be able to notice the difference. This is not a high power SBT90.2 flashlight that drops to AA flashlight territory ;) in 2 minutes
Awesome and thorough review Maybe someone who has purchased from Maxtoch can inform me: does the “full kit” option include the batteries and filters? Looks like “full kit” is the only option for both lengths of the Xsword L2K. The long version has a small photo of the flashlight with batteries, charger, and holster in the options thumbnail but does not explicitly list what comes with the full kit. The short version has no options thumbnail. Both show batteries under the “Available Accessories: Sold separately” section
Edit: Can confirm the short version full kit includes all the accessories shown in ChibiM’s review except for the lanyard.
I asked them and they said it comes with 20350 cells. Now the real question is what do I do? Do I buy this or the X80GT which is much more useful or do I wait till something better comes along.
Both have their own purpose. The X80GT gets beaten by other high power flashlights, the L2K doesn't get beaten unless you pay $2500 more for the W50 or even more for a MicroFire
About outlawing LEP lights, I do not really see why that would happen. A LEP light has not remotely the intensity of a 10 dollar laser pointer, it is just a very throwy flashlight, useful and maybe annoying but not dangerous at any distance (the kcd, intensity calculated back to 1 meter, is 10+ times the sun, but when actually measured at 1 meter it is much lower because the beam is not collimated yet). And the laser inside is shielded wel from getting out just like similar lasers in engraving machines.
It’s my first lep flashlight so I didn’t really know what to expect, but it’s a ton of fun to play with at night. It’s completely useless at close range, but for several hundred yards away it’s amazing. There is no spill at all so the throw is much more useful than a light that drowns out your vision with spill. As far as usable distance it’s probably twice as far as my GT90 because the spill on the GT90 makes your eyes adjust so you can’t see as far.
I really wish they had included a clear glass lens to protect the aspheric, I’m sure you would lose a little throw but I would prefer to have it protected. I dread the thought of cleaning it. I printed a cover for it out of TPU so I’ll just keep it covered whenever I’m not using it. I have not been able to find a lens that is the right size, most of the lenses that diameter are 3 mm thick. I’m not sure if it would fit a 3mm lens or not but there isn’t much room and there would be a gap in the bezel.
I bought the short version, it’s slightly shorter than the astrolux ft03, with a slightly smaller head. The 20350 batteries are a little hard to find but I’m going to print an adapter to use 18350 batteries because I have some of those sitting around that I haven’t been using.
Build quality is good. Interface seems a little odd. The light didn’t come with a manual and it seems like it doesn’t always come on in the highest brightness. It may have mode memory, I can’t quite say for sure. A short manual would have been nice.
it shipped DHL and arrived about 2 weeks after I ordered it.
I like it and don’t regret buying it.
By the way, I didn’t see any laser markings anywhere on the light or package. I don’t see any reason it wouldn’t make it through Canadian customs… for those who would want to take that chance.
I don’t have one yet but I’m thinking unless you have a serious use for this light the short version makes the most sense. How much runtime do you really need with a ‘toy’ like this, esp when regulation is so good. Half drained cells with likely give the same turn on output.