Preface
The original review can be found on TLR's website: Click Here
After phasing out the X7 model, Eagle Eye introduced their new X7R with several changes made.
So is the new X7R worth the premium over the discontinued X7 model?
Note: This review is based on the XP-L V6 3A (5000~5500K) version.
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Packaging & First Impressions
This is what the light will come with as shown below.
- Packaging is a simple & thin cardboard box.
- The threads and o-rings were mildly lubricated. Threads were rather smooth and clean (no gritty feeling).
- The side electronic switch requires a firm and deliberate press to activate and helps in preventing any unwanted activation of the light.
- Anodizing of the light is uniform without any missing specs.
- The provided lanyard is able to support the full weight of the light and should hold up to the test of time.
- No holster is provided.
- No battery sleeve for 18650 battery is provided.
- No manual is provided so do check out the UI section below.
- Battery compartment holds a Klarus 26650 5000mAh battery (button top) with sufficient room for a slightly thicker battery width. Larger capacity 26650 batteries should be able to fit without issue as well.
Front:
Sides:
Box Contents:
Quick Overview (Manufacturer Specifications)
- Body Material: Aluminium
- LED: XP-L V6 3A (5000~5500K) / XP-L V6 1A (6500~7000K)
- Battery Format: 1 x 26650 / 18650 ONLY
- Output & Runtime:
- "Moon" (17 lumens / 70h)
- Low (60 lumens / 25h)
- Mid (300 lumens / 5h 30min)
- High (600 lumens / 3h)
- Turbo (1000 lumens / 1h 36min)
- Max Beam Distance: 280m
- Waterproofness: IPX-8 Standard
- Impact Resistance: 1.5m
- Dimension: 130mm (length) x 32mm (body diameter) / 42mm (head diameter)
- Weight: 148g (excluding batteries)
- Battery reverse polarity protection
- Accessories Included:
- 2*Spare O-rings
- 1*Lanyard
- MSRP: ~$49
UI (User Interface)
UI for this light is suitable for a Bug-Out Bag (BOB) light as it is quite straightforward to use.
Switching ON and OFF is done by the side electronic switch on the light, so no momentary activation is possible.
From OFF:
- 1 Click - Light will switch ON to last brightness level used (last mode memory).
- 2 Click - Direct access to TURBO; 1 Click again for to go back to last brightness level.
- HOLD (~3 sec) - Direct access to "MOON"; HOLD (~3 sec) to switch OFF. [Note: it appears that all new X7R will be shipping with the ~1 sec to OFF instead.]
- Battery Capacity Indicator - Side Switch will glow one of the following colors after activation of light
- Blue (50% ~ 100% battery capacity)
- Red (<50% battery capacity)
- Flashing Red (less than when battery is <3.7V)
From ON:
- 1 Click - Mode change per every click (light cycles through LOW, MID & HIGH).
- 2 Click - Direct access to TURBO; 1 Click again for to go back to last brightness level.
- HOLD (~3 sec) - Light will switch OFF. [Note: it appears that all new X7R will be shipping with the ~1 sec to OFF instead.]
Note: "MOON" can only be accessed from OFF and once it is activated, no other modes can be activated (only option is to switch the light OFF).
Form Factor
For flashlights that are intended to use for a BOB or dog walking/hiking usages and for possibly an extended period of time, form factor is extremely important.
This light feels well balanced in a medium sized hand (not head/tail-heavy). Switching between overhand and underhand holding method is easy with its form factor. The knurling on the light enables the light to be sufficiently "grippy", even with wet hands/gloves.
Even with the lanyard attached, it can tail-stand perfectly without the slightest wobble.
Charging Process
The light does not come with a 26650 battery or Micro-USB cable.
Using an Olight branded Micro-USB cable, the Klarus 26650 5000mAh battery was charging at ~1.20A.
The light is capable of operating on all modes even when charging (at the expense of a slower charging rate). However, it is recommended to use only "MOON" and "LOW" to ensure that the battery does get charged.
The RED indicator depicts charging in progress and BLUE indicator depicts charging has completed.
Beam Style/Beamshots
For this light, the spill, corona and hotspot is somewhat predictable due to the fairly deep Smooth Reflector. Hence, the beam is more "throw"-orientated for recognizing items in the mid-range distance.
The above beam profile is a rough interpretation of what is seen when white wall hunting. The beam has a distinct hotspot with some slight corona and a fairly wide usable (perfectly round) spill. It also help that the XP-L led is perfectly centred in this sample. There are some slight rings in the beam when whitewall hunting but not visible in real world usage.
All of the beamshots taken below are done so with the following camera settings ("MOON": 0.8, F3.5, ISO100, Daylight WB, , LOW: 1/3, F3.5, ISO100, Daylight WB, MID, HIGH & TURBO: 1/4, F3.5, ISO100, Daylight WB).
Some pictures have been adjusted slightly to depict as close as to what is seen in real life. The distance of the light from the door is 4.6m.
Control shot:
"MOON" (17 lumens):
LOW (60 lumens):
MID (300 lumens):
HIGH (600 lumens):
TURBO (1000 lumens):
Mode (Output) Spacing
Mode spacing appears to be progressively brighter to the eye and the modes are well spaced enough to be able to know which mode one is currently in. With that in mind, TLR tend to view mode spacing as battery life indicators (amount of runtime left) rather than the specific output (lumens).
It would be nice if Eagle Eye would incorporate a lower MOONLIGHT mode to one that is actually at moonlight level (sub-lumen or 1 lumen) for those bedtime runs or during which having 17 lumens is still way too bright for the night-adjusted eyes.
However, since this light is primarily targeted for those looking for a "throwy" light, it is understandable why Eagle Eye may have thought otherwise.
Tint & CRI
The tint is said to be 5000~5500K but the CRI (Color Rendering Index) for the LED used in the light is unknown. A guesstimate would be that it is in the 75CRI ballpark.
However, due to the emitter used, there are tint shifts throughout the beam profile. The hotspot is creamy white whilst the corona possess a slight yellow-green tint; and the spill having a slight purple tint. This is however, not as noticeable in real life.
Waterproofness
The light was subjected to warm water submersion, followed by cold water submersion and left under room temperature running water tap whilst running on Turbo.
No signs of water intrusion in the head, switch or body was seen.
Lockout Capability
No electronic lockout but mechanical lockout is possible when needed, like during transportation in a bag.
A quarter turn (anti-clockwise) of the head OR tail portion of the light will enable mechanical lockout.
Comparison to Previous Generation
Click HERE to see Comparison Table.
Summary
To sum up, we believe that the most important part of any review is if given the chance to purchase the same light for our own EDC or to gift to our loved ones out from one's pocket (wallet), would we still do it?
For this light, it is a possible YES if the tint shift is not an issue for your usage.
The built quality is almost on-par to the likes of Fenix and the inbuilt Micro-USB charging capability was icing on the cake. For those who are able to do LED swaps, a XP-L HI LED would help remove most of the tint shifts in the beam profile whilst gaining additional "throw". We found this to be the only step backwards when in comparison to the discontinued X7 model.
However, as mentioned earlier, we look forward to the day that Eagle Eye includes a holster with this light. The light is too big to pocket carry so having it in a holster would protect the light when it is transported in a bag, etc..
Here’s a bonus size comparison picture of the light next to TLR’s recently reviewed 26650 light – the Klarus G20L.
If this light will be used for BOB, dog walking or hiking, it is always recommended to bring along a keychain light. May we suggest the Fenix E01 we recently reviewed - a long runtime backup light.
As with all gears, two is one and one is none.
Stay safe,
The Lite Review
Disclaimer: Light was provided for by Banggood for this review. No other compensation was provided.
