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Flashlights are all over the place. You should buy them on the greenback retailer. You’ll be able to spend a pair hundred {dollars} on one which has a built-in climate band radio. However with regards to with the ability to depend on a flashlight once you want it, oftentimes the one you’ll use essentially the most is someplace within the center.
Wuben has made a reputation for itself by making flashlights. Value-wise, they’re all proper within the center. However when it comes all the way down to what these lights produce by way of output, ease of use, and modern options, they’re up there with among the finest flashlights — in some instances, they could even be just a few steps forward.
Over the summer season, Wuben launched a Kickstarter marketing campaign for its Lightok X3 Owl EDC Flashlight. Having already efficiently funded its X-0 Knight and the X2 EDC flashlights via crowdfunding, the X3 was destined to observe go well with. Every new Wuben flashlight has been bettering upon the final. Design-wise, you possibly can see the evolution.
Now, I’ll be the primary to confess that I like shiny new issues. I like know-how. I wish to tinker. However there’s much more going into my determination to check the X3. Issues like a 180-degree rotating head, a wi-fi charging field with a USB-C cable/lanyard, an LED show, and a magnetic base all caught my consideration and saved me the whole time I used to be utilizing this flashlight.
Briefly: Excelling in each type and performance, the Wuben Lightok X3 Owl EDC Flashlight is designed to mild up loads of nights with out the necessity for a devoted recharge. The rotating head, LED show, and inventive design components like magnets and a pocket/pack clip make this little mild much more helpful than your common torch. It received’t change your entire flashlights, neither is it excellent for each state of affairs. But it surely’s versatile sufficient that as an EDC flashlight, you’ll discover makes use of for it the place you wouldn’t anticipate to.
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X3 Dimensions
2.76” x 1.38” x 0.83” -
X3 Case Dimensions
3.35” x 1.85” x 1.57” -
X3 Weight
2.3 oz.* -
X3 Case Weight
3.6 oz. -
IP Safety
IP65 -
Influence Resistance
3.4’ (1m) -
LED
White Gentle – Samsung LH351D / Purple Gentle – Luminus 620nm -
Beam Distance
335’ (102m) -
X3 Battery
1,000 mAh -
X3 Case Battery
3,000 mAh - *Wuban claims the burden of the X3 is 70 g (2.5 oz.), however it’s really 65 g (2.3 oz.).
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The case can be an influence financial institution for different digital units -
Twin LED mild colours (purple and white) -
Wi-fi charging within the included case -
USB-C lanyard -
The compact dimension
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The plastic case won’t ever final so long as the sunshine itself
WUBEN Lightok X3 Owl EDC Flashlight: Overview
Output and Runtime
White Bulb
- Low: 1 lumen | 50 hrs.
- Medium: 50 lumens | 6 hrs.
- Excessive: 150 lumens | 2 hrs.
- Turbo: 200-700 lumens | 1.5 hrs.-30 sec.
- Strobe: 700 lumens | No runtime given
- SOS: 150 lumens | No runtime given
Purple Bulb
- Low: 1 lumen | 30 hrs.
- Turbo: 30-80 lumens | 2 hrs.-30 sec.
Design and Options: Lightok X3 Owl EDC Flashlight
The Lightok X3 Owl EDC Flashlight is a small type issue, multifunction magnetic flashlight with a 180-degree pivoting head. It has a pocket clip, in addition to magnets within the base (extra on this later). This enables for the X3 to operate in loads of completely different settings as a flashlight, worklight, and past.
The X3 additionally comes with an IP65 dustproof and waterproof ranking so it may be utilized in all circumstances. Whereas there isn’t any indication that it may be submerged in water, it is usually impact-resistant.
Battery and Cost
Much like Bluetooth earbuds, the X3 is available in a chargeable case that additionally acts as a 3,000mAh transportable battery. In accordance with Wuben, the mix of the battery within the X3 in addition to the rechargeable battery in its case has the aptitude of lasting an entire week with no need to recharge the case. Moreover, as a result of the case is a battery, it could possibly cost your different electronics — a pleasant bonus characteristic.
The lanyard included with the case is definitely a double-ended USB-C charging cable for charging the case battery. In penning this overview, I discovered that it additionally has a built-in Lightning Adapter for iPhones. The lanyard additionally has a centimeter ruler printed on it. However don’t fear — I transformed the ruler for you already — it’s 9.75 inches, in whole.
Onboard Gentle Features
By way of onboard mild capabilities, the X3 has a white LED mild that may produce as much as 700 lumens. It adjusts from 1 lumen, to 50 lumens, after which to 150 lumens. The blinding 700-lumen brightness setting might be accessed by shortly urgent the operate button twice when on the 150-lumen setting.
Urgent the operate button thrice shortly sends the X3 right into a blinding strobe (700 lumens) setting, which might be decreased to a slower SOS (150 lumens) setting by urgent the operate button three extra occasions. One press of the button turns the X3 off.
Moreover, there’s a purple LED mild with a 1-lumen or 80-lumen setting. Purple mild is nice for studying maps and navigating at evening once you don’t wish to be seen or disturb anybody or something round you.
There’s a small LED display screen on the pivoting head of the X3. That signifies what brightness stage you’re on and the way a lot battery life you have got left.
The sunshine can be utilized as a tender mild when it’s within the case and charging. However you too can pivot the pinnacle to goal out of the highest of the case lid, and it’ll operate as it will by itself. On this configuration, nevertheless, you can’t entry the controls.
Supplies, Colours
The Lightok X3 Owl EDC Flashlight itself is produced from impact-resistant plastic and steel, in addition to all of the electronics and bulbs. The case is fabricated from plastic with an opaque lid and a chargeable battery base.
There have been 4 colours to select from throughout the Kickstarter marketing campaign. I went with the translucent inexperienced physique and black head combo, which is available in an old-school camouflage case.
First Impressions
Other than the truth that it acts as an influence pack to cost the Wuben Lightok X3 Owl EDC and different transportable electronics, the case itself doesn’t appear sturdy sufficient to make it via the lengthy haul. I really feel prefer it might both separate or break after a few good bumps. However the flashlight itself is implausible. It’s sturdy feeling, well-weighted, and the pinnacle’s pivoting motion is so clean, it may be achieved with one hand.
Like all multifunction lights, there’s quite a bit happening in just a little package deal. With there solely being a single button, I’m certain there are extra specific button sequences that I’ll work out over time.
However I’m actually stoked in regards to the multifunction 3,000mAh energy financial institution in a small type issue. It’s change into a mainstay of my pack. Sure, I’m excited that it’ll recharge the X3, however understanding that it could possibly recharge my iPhone 14 Professional two or thrice can be superior.
Within the Area
Anybody who has owned a multifunction headlamp or flashlight is aware of that there’s going to be a little bit of a studying curve to working it. Whether or not that you must press and maintain a button for a selected size of time or a specific amount of occasions, that you must cycle via brightness ranges and capabilities. The X3 isn’t any completely different. But it surely’s not dangerous.
I’ve a Black Diamond headlamp that I like, however it both provides me a heck of a time going from white to purple mild or locking. I’m a reasonably technical man, and within the final 2 years, I’ve resolved that that is simply a kind of issues I’ve to take care of.
The X3 will not be that. In reality, I discovered the button sequence inside a couple of minutes earlier than I hit the path. It’s pretty intuitive with none directions.
Charging and Illumination
I purchased the X3 to hold off my pack strap, which is the place the belt clip and pivoting head turn out to be useful. Since I began utilizing it in August, there have solely been a few occasions the place I’ve used it in my hand. It’s simple to regulate and management from the pack strap. If I needed to take a guess, I’ve most likely put in over 30 hours on the path with it, with out recharging the case.
Every time you reinsert the X3 into the case, it begins charging. The case additionally is aware of when to cease, so it received’t overcharge the X3’s battery and deplete its general life.
In regard to a beam, the X3 lives someplace in between a highlight and a floodlight. While you choose to make use of a light-weight like this strapped to your pack, you run into dropping the “look and light-weight” characteristic of a headlamp.
If I wish to change the course of the place the sunshine is shining, I want to show my physique or carry it in my hand. However, actually, after utilizing headlamps on the path, solely, for over 25 years, the change isn’t actually that noticeable.
Magnetic Flashlight
Out of all of that, nevertheless, the place the X3 actually proved its value was one evening underneath the truck. I broke one of many exhaust mounts out on the path and ran the chance of snapping my tailpipe off of the muffler. With the magnetic base of the X3 flashlight, I used to be in a position to stick it to the body of the truck and shine the sunshine on my work space.
I had pulled over to offer myself extra room underneath the truck, however I didn’t wish to run the chance of burning myself. And I didn’t. The X3 allowed me to strap the tailpipe again in place. A month later the pipe strap remains to be holding in place. It’s stable work for somebody engaged on the path at midnight. This magnetic flashlight actually pulled its weight that evening.
Adjustments Made in Manufacturing
As soon as they efficiently funded their Kickstarter, Wuban made some adjustments to the ultimate X3 that weren’t shipped out to backers.
First off, the model modified the title. It was the “X3 EDC Flashlight.” Now, it’s the Lightok X3 Owl EDC Flashlight. Secondly, the charging field, which was plastic, is now aluminum. And lastly, the value has gone as much as $110.
The value leap is almost double what I paid for the X3 throughout the Kickstarter marketing campaign. Nevertheless, Wuban projected that the X3 would price $89 at retail. I haven’t skilled any points with the plastic case. However the improve to an aluminum charging case is well worth the $21 enhance, for my part.
WUBEN Lightok X3 Owl EDC Flashlight: Conclusion
I attempt to ensure that each bit of drugs I carry has multiple operate. Clearly, some stuff is designed to do one factor — like a water filter. However a flashlight that can be utilized to cost your cellphone and different electronics? That additionally clips onto backpacks and pockets and has magnets to stay to steel objects? It’s acquired some main enchantment. As does the sturdy construct, a number of mild settings, and addition of Lightok X3 Owl EDC Flashlight’s purple mild.
I’m not utterly bought on the sturdiness of the X3’s case, however Wuben appears to be bettering handle that already.
What was a shock to me was how a lot 1 lumen can illuminate. I don’t suppose I’ve ever owned a flashlight or headlamp that had such a low setting. However, 1 lumen was vibrant sufficient to get me down miles of path — as soon as my eyes adjusted to the darkish.
There’s a world of modern merchandise on the market designed to mild up the evening. However I feel Wuben is an up-and-comer value keeping track of. And this Lightok X3 Owl EDC Flashlight is certainly one of its finest merchandise thus far.
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