Review of XANES 1305 - An excellent auto/emergency budget light -possible 21700 fitment

pennzy · 2018-04-13T00:50:04.000Z

Good review . Looks like a perfect car light.

beam0 · 2018-04-13T02:29:13.000Z

Parametrek:

This appears to be a clone of the Nebo Cryket. The major difference is the Cryket is 4xAAA. They also make a “Big Cryket” version that uses 3xAA.

Yes it is, sort of…but more of an upgrade than a clone…

When I bought the XANES I also checked out both the Nebo Crykets.

But they do not use Li-Ion cells and apparently the red COB light does not have a flashing mode, both big cons for me on those. The red flashing mode on the XANES makes it viable as a roadside emergency light, to use as an electronic “road flare”.

And of course the Nebo’s were 2 to 3 times the cost, I figured I may end up trying to mod mine so better a low cost in case I screw it up

.
I did wonder if the Big Cryket would fit and run on an 18650, since it uses 3x AAA.

beam0 · 2018-04-13T02:34:04.000Z

pennzy:

Good review.

Thanks!

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pennzy:

Looks like a perfect car light.

Yes, it may have a few shortcomings, but it’s great for the price, especially when it goes on sale.

Nooner · 2018-04-13T02:34:57.000Z

I like your snap ring pliers.

beam0 · 2018-04-13T03:01:38.000Z

Nooner:

I like your snap ring pliers.

They are great, it’s part of a set of 4 bought maybe 25 years ago. Can’t remember where I got them but IIRC they were a generic brand, way better than the generic ones of today.

chooma · 2018-04-13T05:29:24.000Z

BeamO does this light have dimming like the Nebo?

beam0 · 2018-04-13T14:32:14.000Z

chooma:

BeamO does this light have dimming like the Nebo?

No it does not.

Thanks, I didn’t even realize the Nebo had stepless dimming.
Here’s a video on the Big Cryket: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeoLGkMpg9w

IMO for the XANES dimming would be nice, but isn’t really needed, the COB ring light serves as the “med” mode.
Plus I will typically have another light, for me the XANES is a “back up” light that resides always in the car.

I would gladly give up dimming for the red flashling mode. If the Nebo Big Cryket had a flashing mode for the red light it would be a good competitor for the XANES as an auto/emergency light, otherwise I still like the XANES better for the car, regardless of the dimming feature. As I’ve stated previously the red flashing mode on the XANES makes it viable as a roadside emergency light, to use as an electronic “road flare” if needed.

Agro · 2018-04-13T18:58:48.000Z

Personally I’d rather use NiMH cells for a car light.
First, because they don’t suffer when fully charged.
Second, because they don’t suffer in heat.
Third, because they are cheaper. Here each 48g cell costs as much as the light. Have one inside, another spare…that becomes expensive.

But I’ll be watching for deals on this light, maybe I’ll get one too.

everydaysurvivalgear · 2018-04-13T19:10:24.000Z

Thanks for the review mate.

Is it a real XML? What is the actual lumen numbers?

g_sintornillos · 2018-04-13T20:35:49.000Z

everydaysurvivalgear:

Is it a real XML?

I don’t think so.

drood · 2018-04-13T21:38:27.000Z

Xanes never uses original Cree LEDs. I think he does not even use Lattice Bright.

beam0 · 2018-04-13T21:47:22.000Z

Agro:

Personally I’d rather use NiMH cells for a car light.
First, because they don’t suffer when fully charged.

What does this mean “suffer” when fully charged?

All of my flashlights use Li-ion’s and I use the heck out of them daily for years and years, I’ve not had any suffering that I’m aware of.

.

Agro:

Personally I’d rather use NiMH cells for a car light.

For anyone who want to use them this light will run on 3x AAA NiMH.

.

Agro:

Second, because they don’t suffer in heat.

I guess that depends on where you live. Here in the Northeast USA I leave Li-ion’s in my car all summer and have never had an issue with heat, at least not that I’ve noticed.

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Agro:

Third, because they are cheaper. Here each 48g cell costs as much as the light. Have one inside, another spare…that becomes expensive.

Of course this light does not require to use 48G’s, that was only an idea for a higher capacity option. It works fine on a regular lower cost 18650, for instance 2600mAh Samsung 26JM ICR18650 ($3.27 ea.)

Cheaper or not depends on the person and what cells they have already. For me NiMH would be more expensive because I’d need to go purchase them vs the many Li-ions that I already have. (I do have some AAA Eneloops but I’m using them for something else)

The batteries I’m using in my XANES cost me nothing, they’re 2000mAh Samsung 22F laptop pulls (12pcs.) salvaged from a recycle bin. :partying_face:

I’m not saying Li-ion is better or worse, I’m no expert on batteries, just relating my personal experience YMMV. NiMH may be an excellent choice for this as an auto light, especially if you already have them, I don’t think it requires much current, but I haven’t tried it on AAA’s to see if it’s output is lower.

I am curious how run time would compare with NiMH vs Li-ion’s, my AAA Eneloops are 750mAh each, so 3x would be 2250mAh, would that provide the same run time as a 2250mAh Li-ion?

.

Agro:

But I’ll be watching for deals on this light, maybe I’ll get one too.

There’s a lot of listings for it on Aliexpress, but the lowest right now is $9.96
There’s even a THORFIRE branded one, in the THORFIRE “Official” Store.

(10) listings on Aliexpress:
https://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?catId=0&initiative_id=SB_20180413130407&SearchText=1305+COB+flashlight

beam0 · 2018-04-13T21:47:38.000Z

g_sintornillos:

everydaysurvivalgear:

Is it a real XML?

I don’t think so.

How do you tell it?

I tried looking at it with a magnifier using the photos in the fake cree thread, but I couldn’t make out if the bond wire pads were square or round:

Fake-Cree LED Awareness Thread: - The Fake-Cree LED Awareness Thread - The new "low" in Budget lights.

everydaysurvivalgear · 2018-04-13T21:57:45.000Z

I can’t be sure from the pics but I find the dome on fake cree XMLs is usually hard while it’s fairly squishy on the real XML. I am not saying go and poke random leds but that is how I can tell. If I can’t tell from looking at it. If you have a real t6 around you might able to tell by looking at them side by side.
How’s the tint the lattice bright usually have a crud tint? But this may have changed.

drood · 2018-04-13T22:09:37.000Z

beam0:

g_sintornillos:

everydaysurvivalgear:

Is it a real XML?

I don’t think so.

How do you tell it?

I tried looking at it with a magnifier using the photos in the fake cree thread, but I couldn’t make out if the bond wire pads were square or round:

Fake-Cree LED Awareness Thread: - The Fake-Cree LED Awareness Thread - The new "low" in Budget lights.

This is by no means the original Cree.

beam0 · 2018-04-13T22:21:19.000Z

drood:

beam0:

g_sintornillos:

everydaysurvivalgear:

Is it a real XML?

I don’t think so.

How do you tell it?

I tried looking at it with a magnifier using the photos in the fake cree thread, but I couldn’t make out if the bond wire pads were square or round:

Fake-Cree LED Awareness Thread: - The Fake-Cree LED Awareness Thread - The new "low" in Budget lights.

This is by no means the original Cree.

I’m not saying it’s Cree, I’m asking how do you tell it if is or isn’t?

I tried looking at it with a magnifier using the photos in the fake cree thread, but I couldn’t make out if the bond wire pads were square or round:

Fake-Cree LED Awareness Thread: - The Fake-Cree LED Awareness Thread - The new "low" in Budget lights.
[/quote]
This is by no means the original Cree.

beam0 · 2018-04-13T22:31:15.000Z

drood:

Xanes never uses original Cree LEDs. I think he does not even use Lattice Bright

At least they aren’t advertising as Cree, the word Cree is not anywhere in the description. But they are calling it “XM-L T6”

beam0 · 2018-04-13T22:48:00.000Z

everydaysurvivalgear:

Thanks for the review mate.

My pleasure!

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everydaysurvivalgear:

What is the actual lumen numbers?

I don’t have a lux meter currently, I’ll reply again after I do some more comparing with some other lights to get a closer estimate.

It definitely could use a “boost” I’d like to know how that could be done, I’ll try to post a better photo of the driver in case someone might be able to advise on that.

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everydaysurvivalgear:

I can’t be sure from the pics but I find the dome on fake cree XMLs is usually hard while it’s fairly squishy on the real XML. I am not saying go and poke random leds but that is how I can tell. If I can’t tell from looking at it. If you have a real t6 around you might able to tell by looking at them side by side…

The problem is I can’t see it that well, I’ll try to get the bezel/lens off and try to get a closer look, I’m sure it’s not real Cree but I wanted to know how to tell, others are saying they can tell by looking at my photos I’m just wondering what they’re seeing.

.

everydaysurvivalgear:

How’s the tint the lattice bright usually have a crud tint? But this may have changed.

Overall it’s s a pretty good white tint, not that angry blue, it’s a cool white but I’ve seen a lot worse. To pick it apart, beaming on a white wall at about a 4 Ft. distance I see a slightly yellow-ish hot spot, surrounded by a slightly purple-ish corona, and slightly bluish in the spill. I’ll try to add some white wall shots later and a comparison for tint.

Hopefully I can get the bezel off, then I’ll see if an emitter swap will be possible, it would be fun project to upgrade the main LED for a nicer tint. The white COB is already leaning towards neutral, it’s noticeably warmer than the main LED…

g_sintornillos · 2018-04-14T00:14:18.000Z

beam0:

g_sintornillos:

everydaysurvivalgear:

Is it a real XML?

I don’t think so.

How do you tell it?

Because of the size of the die, too small to be a CREE
In the CREE the corners of the die almost touch the circumference of the dome base

The 1st picture of the thread The Fake-Cree LED Awareness Thread

The LatticeBright have greatly improved in terms of tint and resistance to strong currents LatticeBright "XM-L" Output test by Texas_Ace, interesting results

beam0 · 2018-04-14T00:28:06.000Z

g_sintornillos:

Because of the size of the die, too small to be a CREE
In the CREE the corners of the die almost touch the circumference of the dome base

Okay, I see now, yes that’s easy to tell the difference! Thanks!