Xeno Tiger E03: V2 R5 or V3 XM-L?

I want to buy a Xeno Tiger E03 flashlight but I would like to have more information about R5 v2 and XM-L v3 differences.

I am going to run them on 1xAA batteries only so Li-Ion use benefit is not a plus for me.

In my flashlight collection I have two Solarforce L2P flashlights, one with with R5 drop-in and the other with XM-L drop-in and I have to say I like R5 better. Beam is more concentrated.

If someone has both versions, please give me some advice.

Don't know about the Xeno but I have the Shiningbeam S-mini in both the XM-L and XP-G R5. I like the XP-G better as I think the XP-G works better in lights with small reflectors than the XM-L does.

I had both the R5 and the XM-L on the V3 body Xeno E03. I preferred the XP-G R5 because it seems significantly brighter due to the more concentrated hot spot. The XM-L was so floody that it seemed dim unless I had a 14500 li-ion in it. I sold the XM-L one because of the pure flood and would not really recommend it unless that's all you are looking for.

Note that sellers on ebay that list and show the V2 body on ebay WILL ACTUALLY SHIP the V3 body which has less aggressive knurling. I contacted HKequipment and they confirmed the V2s are all gone.

Since you plan to use AA battery, I recommend the XP-G model. I have the XM-L version, not impressive when using AA.

Best advice yet.

Just a heads up... I bought the cool white V3 XP-G R5 CW (was advertised as V2) from HK equipment via Ebay " make an offer"... I was disappointed by the output on NiMH Eneloops in general. It's a nice light, but think twice if max output is your main goal. Many of my budget lights are substantially brighter.

Vectrex.. you might have a bad one... might!

please watch these videos on youtube... they had some switch problems.

might be your case as well. (I hope it is, because Im still hungry for the Xeno e03, but cant decide between the r5 and xml.. the r5 I can get from someone for 25.50 and cheapest NW xml is over 30)

I already switched the switch with the spare one that was included in the packaging... but I think that many also reported only mediocre output on NiMHs on high. Selfbuilts review shows that it's absolutely rocking on 14500s (the XM-L version even more) and only mid-range in efficiency and output on NiMHs. It feels like a 14500 light that can also run NiMHs. Multi-range drivers almost always have that drawback. Dedicated 1.2-1.5V lights like my Hugsby P31/32 or MTE C3, Romisen RC-29 (1-mode old version) seem to be so much brighter. The XM-L version is even reported as "dim" in some reviews. I already know that some will say that the lights I mentioned are mostly XR-E, which has an even tighter beam than the XP-G and hence a brighter hotspot, but spill is also brighter on those lights. More important than anything on a 1AA light is the driver and its efficiency. (sometimes below 50% on 1 Eneloop) I feel that people concentrate too much on the emitter type. An underdriven XM-L is nothing to write home about. Let's just say that I was a little disappointed that my 30$ Xeno didn't reach the brightness of my 14$ Hugsby and after buying around 20 different types of 1AA lights I am honestly considering selling the more expensive ones and to order a (not so budget) Zebralight SC51/H51 and be done with that. (at least on Eneloops). Don't get me wrong the Xeno is a fantastic light, no strobes, well spaced 3 modes on NiMH, superb machining, tailstands, current regulated and hence no PWM flickering... I just wish that they would bring me a dedicated 1.5 V driver that's driven close to what the ZL can do. I have a Klarus P1A on the way... maybe that's more what I'm looking for.

Vectrex,

thanks for explaining...
The thing I liked about the Xeno is that it can take both AA and 14500..
My main concern would be AA, and the 14500 as a show off kind of thing.. or just in case I want something really pocketable, but still very bright...

sometimes i cannot understand or explain why the e03 is so popular with everyone (cpfmp). in my edc rotation (quark, e03, romisen rc-29a, klarus p1a) it's the least popular with me. except for the very very very el cheapo switch (the whole item incl. clicky, spring, plastic washer, rubber boot cap), the torch is well-built, okay. but other than that it's boring. form factor, mode spacing, no momentary on, no proprietary clip, ..

the best thing i like about mine is its color. i got the red one!! :sushi:

The XML (mine) has no throw. it's fantastic to light up a whole room (as shown by your quoted youtube video). If you need throw, the XP-G (which tint?? get the NW!) might serve you better.

+1 what Vectrex and kreisler said.

I had really high hopes for the Xeno E03 when I first ordered it and I did so because of all the positive posts over at CPF. The light has been a disappointment to me from day one. Problems with both switches didn't help things. No clip is another thing. I did find a clip that works great on the light but you would think Xeno would offer one for this light.

The thing that disappointed me most was the poor performance on an AA NiMh battery. Yes it's crazy bright on a 14500 but you pay for that brightness. Battery life is very low when using a 14500 on high mode and the light gets very hot anyway. Also with the 14500, the modes are very poorly spaced and low is almost useless because it's no where close to a real low mode.

Of all my lights, it's one of my least favorites and I keep it around just in case I need to give a light away someday. I know some folks love them but I am not one of those folks.

Thank you all of you for your replies.

I was really tempted to buy R5 version; but, considering Vectrex, kreisler and Chidwack replies I guess I am no going to buy any of them.

Thank you again.

Interno. If you want a light that's much better than the Xeno and not much larger, buy a Shiningbeam S-mini XP-G. It's about $35 from Shiningbeam and uses one 18650 or two cr123 batteries. Superior in every way over the Xeno plus it comes with a clip and a holster. Battery life is great and it doesn't get near as hot.

One of the things I hate the mose about the Xeno that I didn't mention is that the Xeno doesn't have a memory. You have to scroll through the modes every time you turn the light on and it starts out on a stupid medium mode then goes to low and then high. Doesn't make sense to me.

You guys are making me feel bad about loving my Xeno, oh well.... I think I'm going to set on fire. If that doesn't work, I'm going to blow it up with an M-80.. :)

Funny, I totally agree. The xeno is a great little light with a thoughtful design, about 1,000,000% better than the Balder SE-1 in my opinion.

I do agree the lack of memory, clip, and a finicky switch is a definite con, but overall it's a great compromise when you consider the options.

I have learned that the tail switch suffers from two problems, the first being a contact issue that can be resolved by a wd-40 bath, and the second being that the silicon switch button presses slightly against the switch while you're not depressing it, causing the switch to flicker. Very slight trimming of the central portion of the button fixes this. I'd really prefer a forward clicky on the light though. My Balder SE-1 actually had the opposite problem where too much of the central portion was removed from the factory, causing the button to be too squishy.

Don't get us wrong. Lots of people love their Xeno lights. We are glad for everyone who has a good experience with any light they buy regardless of what they cost. For me it's just that mine is a lemon and I have found other lights that cost about the same that make more sense and work better for what I want in a light that size.

gotta like mine now. has two green rings. hehe.

glow in the dark, cha!

:Sp

I like my LD20 clip better ;-)

which one?

this one? ;-)