The Ledwave X-55 is contained in a solid plastic slipcase. Inside, protected with a foam, the flashlight and the two batteries. Unscrew the threaded cap, insert the batteries with the positive pole turned inside, rescrew the cap firmly.

The rubber button in placed behind the cap serves to turn on and off the flashlight. It is activated with the thumb and produces a pleasant click, in confirmation of excellent construction of the switch. To turn off press again the button.

During working the head of the flashlight gets warm but without being burning: it is the result of the 5 Watts of power concentrated in few centimetres...

The X55 works to full brightness for about 60 minutes, but he keeps on doing light for a long time thanks to an electronic regulator that use the charge of the batteries in a clever way. The luminous intensity remains usable for about two hours with a gradual attenuation, without changing the white colour of the issued light. Lithium batteries are of kind CR123A, the same used in many digital cameras. A forced choice to support the current  drain of the LED and to supply the 6 Volt necessary to drive the Luxeon V. The pros of these batteries are numerous: lightness, compactness and extreme working temperatures. The principal fault is the high price, owed to the particular productive process used.
 

Focus on Lithium Batteries They are base on Lithium chemistry, a metal very light that owns a high energy density. For this they are littler and lighter than alkaline batteries. Batteries suitable for supplying high currents are of the kind lithium/manganese dioxid (Li/MnO2) with a nominal voltage of 3 Volt, against 1,5 Volt of traditional batteries.  - They keep an almost constant voltage during working. Alkaline batteries starts discharging immediately and weak themselves more and more, therefore are not much controllable.  - They can keep on shelf for 10 years without lose their charge or damage them. Alkaline batteries cam be preserved for 3-5 years on average.  - They do not diminish if submitted to extreme temperatures. A flashlight with lithium batteries can be used on the ice or at the tropics without problems. >> A warning! Lithium Batteries like CR123A ARE NOT RECHARGEABLE and if one tries to do it, can explode violently. They do not must be confused with Lithium Ions batteries, used in portable computers < <

 

LIGHT BEAM CHARACTERISTICS One of the key strengths of the Ledwave X-55 is the kind of projected bundle. A wide disk with a central zone more intense, excellent to light closed places and close objects, without giving up the whole sight of places and paths.

This torch can allow one of the wider beams its category thanks to the computer planned reflector, that exalts the power of the 5 Watt LED (the amount of light reaches 75 Lumen). The colour of the issued light is solar white, without the green or blue components typical of other LED torches. In the  figure we see the close-up of the chip Luxeon V, bighead in arrear and perfectly well-balanced position in the reflector.

The generosity of lighting pushed me to use the X-55 with the video camera, with results like the 20 Watt halogen lamp!

 

High resistence anodized aluminum and gaskets, makes the X-55 a waterproof product. The flashlight can be used under torrential rains and even thrown in water (also salted) without undergoing damaged. The grip is guaranteed by the knurls present all the body of the torch, easy to handle also for the 105 grams only (included batteries) weight. A clip of excellent resistance, allows to hook the X-55 to the breast-pocket or the boundary and prevents from rolling.

The power switch is protected by a hood in anti abrasion rubber. The position of the button allows to drive the torch with only a hand and prevents from casual activations.

The group chip-reflector that concentrates the power of the LED, is protected by a disk of polycarbonate that assures the isolation. The scalloped head form offers a further protection and avoids the danger to forget the torch activated on a table.

A tool of lighting without compromises, little enough to be in a pocket, powerful enough to shine to 100 meters. The materials and the solidity of building, fully justify the price of this flashlight. A little sun to take always with us...

Direct link for this product: http://www.nicoshop.com/cat180.html.

I await your comments and suggest the reading of  LED flashlights to the maximum power! to deepen the science of white LEDs.