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| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review: ( 21 customer reviews )
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64 of 68 found the following review helpful:
 The best compact size LED flashlight. Nov 09, 2004
By T. Wong
"Misbehave"
Before going into my review of this flashlight, you first need to ask yourself what do you need this flashlight for. Do you just need a simple and reliable flashlight, doesn't matter what kind of technology it uses? Or you need a super bright flashlight? Or do you want a flashlight that can reach very far?
You will have to ask these question because LED flashlight is different from conventional flashlight. If you want a flashlight that can reach very far, stop reading this review and go get yourself a Mag-Lite with the Xenon bulb. Cause LED flashlight doesn't reach as far as a good conventional bulb flashlight. However, within the designated working distance (a.k.a focal point) of the LED flashlight, the brightness of a conventional flashlight is usually no match to the LED flashlight.
Now we have gotten this issue out of the way, lets get on with my review of this product.
The X1 is the best compact size LED flashlight that use conventional type of battery, one AA battery in this case. It's alos the brightest in it's class. The X1 only use one LED bulb. You won't need to worry about how much light only one LED can make cause the special LED being used in this flashlight is bright enough to blind anybody if you point to their eyes directly. On top of the LED bulb, there is a clever designed convex lens that focus the light to a circular beam. Many other LED flashlight suffer from inefficiency cause their light beam aren't focused as this one therefore you only have a very bright bulb in your hands but it's not lighting up the object or area bright enough for you to see clearly. The use of the lens made this flashlight very power efficient. With the clever designed lens, one LED is enough for this flashlight while many other flashlight have to use 3 to 5 LED bulbs, which comsume battery faster.
This flashlight only use one AA battery and the LED bulb doesn't consume a lot of power. One alkaline battery can last for months of inconsistant use. I use this flashlight a lot everyday, and the Durcel Ultra AA battery that come with the package lasted for 6 months. I recommend using Durcel Ultra, Energizer e2 Lithium, Energizer e2 Titanium, or Energizer Ultimate battery so you don't have to replace the battery very soon.
The body of the flashlight is very strong and very well built. It is shock-proof and water resistant. I dropped it to concrete floor a few times and there isn't one scratch on the surface nor does the lens or the bulb break. The funishing is excellent. The texture of the shell is smooth enough for the touch and for sliding it in and out of the holster but have enough friction to stop it from slipping away from your hand. I stepped on it accidentially once and everything still intact and fine. I am not sure if it is as strong as my 3D-cell size Mag-lite or not cause I haven't run over it with my car yet but I don't think it's necessary to test it this way.
Another special feature of the X1 is its dual switch. You can lit up the flashlight fast by pressing your thumb and holding down on the speed button at the end of the it. Let it go and it turns off. You can also twist the end cap and turn it on permanently so that you don't need to hold it. Turn the cap to the opposite direction to turn it off. By twisting the end cap, you can also asjust the sensitive of the speed button.
The X1 also comes with a nylon holster which I think is another great features that make it stand out from other brands. The holster and the flashlight fits like a condom :> You can put the X1 in its holster on your belt. The light weight of the X1 make it innoticable no matter how long you carry it. I practically carry it along whenever I am out of my house ever since I bought it. It is so handly when I need it. Taking it out and puting it back into the holster is extremely easy. The holster is tight enough to hold the X1 in place and won't fall out even you jump a few times while loose enough for you take it out smoothly.
The bottom end of the X1 is built with a hole at the tip for you to hold it on a key-chain or a strap. However it doesn't come with a strap. This is the only minor draw back of the X1. I bought a tiny nylon cell-phone strap that you can find in those cell-phone accessories stores and strapped it to the hole which makes it easier to take it out of the holster fast and also further more prevent it droping from my hand.
I think a lot of you who consider buying this flashlight might also be thinking if you should get the X5 from the same company instead. I know it's hard to choose from these 2 great flashlight. Then you will need to ask yourself again how are you going to use the flashlight for.
If you want a compact flashlight that you can carry it with you all the time on your belt or in your purse to be ready whenever you need it, then X1 is a sure bet. It's light weight, it's brightest in its class, and it uses a battery type that you can almost find in any store or gas station.
The X5 is much brighter than the X1 and have a focus area much larger and further thant the X1, but it also consume more power. Also, the X5 uses special CR type batteries that are also used in many cameras, which may not be available everywhere (but most stores and gas stations in US these days carry these CR type batteries.)
While also comes with a nylon holster, the X5 is still bigger than the X1 and may not be an ideal flashlight for you to carry it around like you can with the X1. If you want to put a flashlight in your car, then I would suggest you to get a X5 or a 3D-cell size Mag-lite. If you want to have a flashlight with you anywhere you go like your cellphone, then go get the X1.
Hope this review helps your buying decision. Thanks for reading (if you make it this far!)
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 X1 not as bright as Gerber Infinity Ultra!! Aug 26, 2010
By G. WILLIAMS
My X1 is not as bright as my old Gerber Infinity and certainly falls short of the light that my Gerber Firecracker puts out. Quality seems to be fine but not as good as my Firecracker. Some rave about the X1 and I have an X1 with green LED that is a good light, but my new X1 is just not that bright. Maybe it has an older LED in it. Save your money and buy an Infinity or Firecracker.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 wrong product Mar 04, 2010
By Wesley Bryan Snider
the product decribed is the old style of x1 with a clearly defined beam, the one they gave was the new style where there is blead off on the outer edges of the beam. this may be what you want, but it was not what i was looking for.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
...But This Model is Now Obsolete Jan 06, 2010
By C. MacPhail
** June 2011 update: Inova just released model Inova X1DM-HB Dual High/Low Mode Flashlight with White LED and 1 AA Battery, Black which has much better specs than this model for about the same price (55/6 lumens, 1.75/40 hour battery life, it has a high/low modes). I haven't tested the new model yet, however.
** July 2010 update. They keep changing the flashlight without changing the model number. The one I got in April 2010 is brighter and especially the center spot is brighter than the one I got in October 2009. I'd say it lights up a reflective sign at 75 feet about as well as the MagLite AA LED. Very impressive. The reflector is shinier. I don't know if they changed the LED.
For a tiny 2-ounce flashlight, the Inova X1 is amazing and just about perfect.
- - - Comparison with MagLite LED (2-AA) - - -
It's 47% as large/heavy, but center spot is about as intense as the MagLite LED (2-AA).
It's an ideal just-in-case flashlight for backpack/purse/travel -- when tiny rules.
For the glove box of your car, or anyplace you don't mind the bulk, the MagLite LED (2-AA) is probably better due to more battery life and multi-mode (energy saving mode).
Most affordable LED flashlights do not throw a concentrated beam nearly as well as these two models. Either will light up a reflective street sign really well from about 75 feet away.
The "contacts problem" is easily solved. Clean the endcap grease off them with a napkin and pencil eraser (see below).
PROs:
~~> Tiny & lightweight
~~> AA battery
~~> Concentrated beam. Better than most other LED flashlights
~~> High quality look and feel (exceptional)
~~> Has hole for tether/strap
~~> Affordable
CONs:
~~> Switch/contacts failure (easily solved)
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
DETAILS:
Beam focus: The beam has two well defined parts. The center beam lights a 8" diameter spot on a wall 10 ft away (4 degrees). At the same time an outer beam (53 degrees) illuminates a 10 ft diameter area. This compares to the MAGLITE LED 2-AA which dishes out a much brighter 8" diameter spot (at 10 ft distance) and the rest of the light fills a 8-ft diameter area (44 degrees).
Both models have plastic lenses which will scratch over time.
Stick with AA batteries for all your devices. Best deal on rechargeables, and only one size to stock up on. Borrow from other devices in a pinch. I never go AAA...they're 2-1/2 times as expensive per amp-hour of output, and in flashlights they're also less space-efficient (per amp-hour of output).
Contacts problem: I noticed after 3 months that the "momentary-on" button started to work poorly, and even the full-on position required a firm twist. Other reviewers had this problem. It was easily solved by cleaning endcap grease off the contacts (barrel end, disk inside endcap, and battery ends) with a napkin and pencil eraser.
Comparison Data:
Inova X1 ...... MagLite LED 2-AA
----------- ...... -----------------
.72" x 4" ....... .72"/1" x 6.6" ... Dimensions
2 oz .............. 4.25 oz ......... Weight (with alkaline batteries)
2 ................... 3 ................. Stated Watts
4/53 degrees .. 4/44 degrees .. Beam Focus
75 ft. ............ 75 ft. ............ Street Sign Test
YES................. NO ............... Glass Lens (scratch resistant)
NO ................. YES ............. Beam adjustment
?? ................. YES.............. Energy saving mode
YES ................ YES .............. Hole for wrist-strap or tether
4 of 6 found the following review helpful:
A really great flashlight, takes one AA battery. Nov 13, 2006
By Jaime Tabachnik
Small size and great light output for one LED. If you need a super bright light, though, get the X5, but remember it is substantially larger and takes the more expensive Lithium batteries. They are both GREAT lights, by the way.
See all 21 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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