[REVIEW] Wuben X5 3 in 1 EDC Flashlight
Disclaimer: This light has been provided to me by Wuben.
The WUBEN X5 3-in-1 1300 Lumens Compact EDC Flashlight
A lot of great ideas, executed well. Also a few great ideas executed not so well.
Wuben’s description:
*X5 LASER 3R version is only for customers in the US and Canada right now.
3-in-1 Pocket Flashlight: White light, UV Flashlight, and green laser in one slim flat-body EDC flashlight. One tool for daily carry, work, travel, and outdoor use.
1300 Lumens & 118m Throw: Up to 1300 lumens with a 118m beam, bright enough for night walks, dog walking, camping, and emergencies.
365nm UV Flashlight: The 2W 365nm UV light helps detect stains, leaks, pet urine, and counterfeit currency with clearer inspection performance.
Green Laser Pointer: Daylight-visible green laser for pointing, signaling, inspections, and outdoor navigation. Also available in a Class 1 option for safer everyday use, including supervised cat laser pointer play.
Dual Power Design: Use the 1200mAh rechargeable battery for daily use, or switch to AAA backup when charging is not available.
Slim Flat-Body Carry: Only 21mm thick and about 128g with battery. The flat anti-roll body and bidirectional clip make it easy to carry in your pocket, bag, or gear.
Fast, Intuitive Controls: Rotary mode dial, dual buttons, and an independent tail laser switch let you access white light, UV, laser, and moonlight mode quickly.
Built for Everyday Use: CNC-machined 6061 aluminum body, cooling slots, and 1-meter impact resistance for reliable daily carry.
1-Lumen Moonlight Mode: Soft low light for reading, camping, nighttime use, or preserving night vision, with up to 200 hours of runtime. (Please excuse the dusty bits in the pics. I carried this light quite a bit and it gathered some pocket lint in the process)
First impressions:
This is a nice light! It feels good in your hand. It isn’t heavy. It’s very well constructed with 6061 aluminum. It has a USB-C charging port built into the side of the light. The dial makes it easy to select which mode you want. And it’s dual fuel. All great options! All in a light that isn’t very expensive. And packs a nice punch compared to others in its class that cost much more. (I’m looking at you Olight Arkfeld)
Long term impressions:
After using it for a while, I still agree with my statements above. This light is packed with features in a small host. The clip can also be switched sides. It fit in my hand better on the other side than how it came from the factory. For me, having it on the other side allowed me to access both tail buttons, while not having the clip dig into my palm. I am right handed. So, this may be something for others, as well. I like that it can be switched around. And, a tool is even included in the box to remove the screws.
Also, the anodizing on the host is very nice. It is a matte finish and feels very smooth, while maintaining grip so it doesn’t slide around. It’s also very durable. It would take a hard hit, or deep scratch to get through it.
The dual fuel battery is a very nice feature. A proprietary lithium ion battery is included. And the light has a built-in USB-C charging port However, if you’re running out of battery, you can easily swap in 4xAAA batteries’s via a lockable, flip open panel on the rear tail. I installed 4xAAA Eneloops and all three features still functioned. Though, the LED’s were slightly dimmer than with the lithium ion battery.
The laser and 365nm UV light is nice to have readily available. The laser is very bright, even during daylight. And it can be activated via it’s own button on the tail. It can work with either the white, or UV light, or independently of either light. It will not turn on when the dial selector is in the locked mode. (Please wear eye protection when using both the UV light and the laser as both can cause eye damage.)
I’d really like to see Wuben using an LED with higher CRI for shorter distance/EDC lights. While the SST-36F is very bright, it has a very positive DUV (nearly 0.0100, per Opple 4), which means there’s a lot of green tint. And, it’s only 70 CRI. This isn’t a deal breaker for me, personally. But, it may be for others.
I do have one thing that doesn’t work well for me: the dial selector is not in a good place. If I’m holding the light where my thumb has access to the buttons on the tail. It’s nearly impossible for me to change modes without either moving the light around in my hand so I can reach the dial, and then moving the light back. Or, by making it a two handed operation, which is not very convenient.
Overall:
This is a very nice light. It’s definitely worth the low price, for it’s class. I’d like to see the dial moved to a better, more convenient location (maybe even a little farther down the side?). And a higher CRI LED. But, neither of these are deal breakers. The three light sources are great features. It’s comfortable in my hand. It’s durable with 6061 aluminum and excellent anodizing. And, overall, it’s a good light to add to your collection. Or, to use as your EDC.