The new CREE XM-L LED is a breakthrough in the flashlight world. The XM-L is a bigger LED which puts out a higher volume of light than previous version LED’s.
To get a good benchmark of what to expect from different lights which utilize the XM-L, we did a comparison video using 4 different torches which feature that LED. The beams are all different even though all 4 lights use the same LED. Many factors play a part in determining how the beam looks, so comparison videos like the one below are a valuable tool which allows you to choose which light is best for you.
Back again in the dark desert of Nevada. Just outside of Las Vegas we tested large and small throwers. This video is about the latter.
If you’ve wondered how the smaller throwers compare to each other then you will definitely enjoy this video. Head to head testing gives you an accurate representation of what to expect from each of these lights. Watch and enjoy!
The Lumintop Silver Fox is a AA powered flashlight with a stainless steel body. Even the button is stainless steel, giving it a really cool, classy look. The button has short travel and the light has an interesting interface, so the combination of everything is something new in a flashlight market filled with a lot of the same stuff.
The finished is polished stainless steel, but machining and an anti-roll ring make it where the grip is decent enough to keep it in your hand. The light is not intended for black ops tactical use anyway, so considering what it was made for, the design is perfect.
Lumintop has created some lights that have immense output for their size, so seeing a tiny little AAA light from them is a welcome departure. The Lumintop Worm has a solid stainless steel body, which gives it a nice hefty feel for its size. The interface is simple, with two outputs and no flashing or other fancy modes.
The light is small and simple, so I won’t ramble on about it like I tend to do. Here is a video if you prefer watching over reading.
The Lumintop TD15X looks the same as the TD15, but the CREE XM-L LED in it instead of the XP-G in the TD15 makes a huge difference to the beam of the light. The XM-L (TD15X) gives a nice, wide, floody beam that will light up a wide area at once where the XP-G (TD15) is very focused, with great throw, but a very tight beam. The multiple modes are still there, so you have quick access to three outputs and strobe by loosening and tightening the head.
One of the cool features of the TD15 and TD15X is that you can add extenders on that will add the capacity for 1 CR123 at a time or two for an 18650. The output does not really increase, but the runtime can get crazy long as you add on extra cells.
Here is a super exciting (maybe a slight exaggeration) video that shows the two models in comparison to each other:
The Lumintop TD15 is a thrower, meant to light up stuff hundreds of yards away. The drawback of awesome throw is a very small and concentrated hotspot (bright part at the center of the beam). If you want something that will light up more at once, the Lumintop TD12 is a better option.
The TD12 has the same CREE XP-G R5 LED as the TK15, but a smaller head and reflector. It has the standard modes: three outputs and strobe for when you want to send your friends into seizures in the middle of the night.
Lumintop entered the flashlight market recently and became known for their compact light with crazy throw, the TD15, but they also make lights a little more appropriate for pocket carry. They have four models, the L1A (AA), L2A (2 x AA), and L1C (CR123). All three have the same interface where you loosen and tighten the head to switch modes between three outputs and strobe. The heads are a little bit on the large side, meaning the reflectors are a bit on the large side, giving you solid throw for such compact lights. The L1C and L2A give you the highest output, where the L1A is on the low side.
One nice feature of these lights is that they all use the same head, so bodies are available if you want to have the option to use the different battery types.
