Preface
This is the third of three lights GearBest recently sent me for review. I’ve basically been carrying all three of them for almost a month or so. It’s a departure from the other two in that it’s a tail clicky with on-board charging. Let’s see how it stacks up!
Coupon Code
You can pick up the Eagle Eye X2R LED Flashlight – 3C for the flash sale price of $14.69, no coupon required! And here are some other Eagle Eye lights you might find interesting. There are 20 at the price of 14.69, then it goes back up to [something higher, idk.]
Eagle Eye X2R LED Flashlight – 3C Official Specs:
| Eagle Eye | X2R |
|---|---|
| Lamp Beads | Cree XM-L2 U2 |
| Beads Number | 1 |
| Lumens Range | 500-1000Lumens |
| Luminous Flux | 550LM |
| Power | 10W |
| Color Temperature | 1A 6000-6500K / 3C 5000-5500K |
| Switch Type | Clicky |
| Switch Location | Tail Cap |
| Feature | Integrated Heat Dissipation Design,Lanyard,Lightweight |
| Function | Camping,EDC,Hiking,Household Use,Night Riding,Walking |
| Battery Type | 18650 |
| Battery Quantity | 1 x 18650 battery (not included) |
| Mode | 3 (High > Mid > Low) |
| Mode Memory | Yes |
| Rechargeable | Yes |
| Waterproof Standard | IPX-65 Waterproof Standard |
| Working Voltage | 3.7-4.2V |
| Reflector | Aluminum Textured Orange Peel Reflector |
| Lens | Toughened Ultra-clear Glass Lens with Anti-reflective Coating |
| Beam Distance | 50-100m |
| Body Material | Aluminium Alloy |
| Available Light Color | Neutral White,White |
| Available color | Black,Titanium Grey |
The above section contains the manufacturer’s descriptions and claims, not my impressions or results.
Eagle Eye X2R LED Flashlight – 3C Short Review:
On-board charging makes this a great package for the price. Pick one up just as a backup to your backup, or even as a great gift light.
Long Review:
What’s Included
- Eagle Eye X2R
- Two spare o-rings
- Spare GITD tail cap
- Lanyard
Pictures
Here is the album of photos of the Eagle Eye X2R. And some beamshots which include some tint comparisons.
Package and Manual
Super simple package.
I appreciate that on a budget light. Let’s spend money on what I’ll be using (the flashlight) and not on stuff I will never touch again. Here’s a closer look at that handwritten note. As there are 4 versions of this light, I’m sure it relates to that.
There is no manual included. For operating the light that’s fine – simple 3 mode clicky. But the charging might benefit from some more prominent instructions, which I’ll go over later.
Build Quality, Durability, and Disassembly
This light basically feels like a Convoy S2+, but slightly thicker. It’s also very slightly longer – I’m surprised that it’s only slightly longer, because it has built in charging. This could be something we can hope for from the S2+ maybe, or some other Convoy light in a similar vein; that it’ll have built in charging. Especially since the X2R is already very inexpensive – maybe it won’t add too much to the cost. Or, just buy the Eagle Eye, it’s already a budget light!
The build quality of the Eagle Eye X2R is good.
Anodizing isn’t very thick but has held up. Mine has some variation in the anodizing but it’s something I wasn’t able to capture in photos. The threads are square cut and very smooth even with little lube. Everything about it feels like it’d be quite durable and last nicely – it has a great feel in hand! The knurling is also fantastic. Just the right amount of grip – not soft but not something that’ll tear your hands up.
It’s also quite disassemblable. The very first thing I did when I got the light was trade out the [already installed] black tail switch cover for the glow in the dark cover.
Of course the head and tail
come off, leaving a battery tube fit for an 18650. Sidenote here: The Convoy S2+ tube does work in the light but also it doesn’t “fit“. A completely strange combo….. So it works, but when screwed together the o-rings aren’t tightened over so it wouldn’t be waterproof. Just an interesting note. The mechanical switch is held down by a brass ring,
and the spring is nice! The Eagle Eye branded driver
is also held down by a brass ring, and has a similar spring.
Neither spring is bypassed. Here’s a blowup of the tail switch mechanism.
The flat bezel unscrews, to reveal the emitter.
Note that GITD o-ring between the lens and reflector.
This light has a micro-USB charge port, with a rubber cover.
The port seems very snug, unlike some other lights I’ve reviewed before. It also seems to charge to 4.2V. If that’s good or bad? I’m not really sure. Fine by me.
Size
Product size (L x W x H): 12.20 x 2.40 x 2.40 cm / 4.8 x 0.94 x 0.94 inches. It’s about the size of a Convoy S2+, but bigger enough that you’ll probably notice. But not notice in the “wow this feels big” but “wow this feels like an S2+… but is it?” way.
Retention
The X2R comes with a lanyard, but does not come with a pocket clip. I never use a lanyard, and always use a clip. It’s a ‘standard’ size body though, and many of the now-common clips will fit it. I think the Convoy s2+ clip (at least the one I have) is thinner around the connecting part, so it’ll have to be one more like what comes with Nitecores, I believe. Also no pouch and no magnet.
Power
Power is provided by a single (protected or unprotected) 18650. Working voltage is only up to 4.2V, so the light will decidedly not work with 2xCR123A cells.
The X2R also features on-board micro-USB charging. It’s a nice addition, and works well. The light charges at 0.9A.
Placing a low voltage cell in the light – the light will still work on [very] low, but will not switch through the modes.
User Interface and Operation
Simple reverse clicky with three modes. It remembers the last mode used, and cycles L>M>H. There’s no turbo, or strobes or any other shenanigans. No groups to pick from, etc.
The on-board charging is nice, and also works. It charged to 4.22 V, which is good. Making the on-board charging work might require some trial and error. But let me just tell you. Plugging the light in to micro-USB causes the light to come on for a few seconds. The red “charging indicator” will come on. Then the light will switch to green “not charging” mode. But plugging the cable in does not automatically cause charging to start. I’m not sure what the logic is here, but it seems a little strange to me. In order for charging to start, the tailcap switch must be actuated. When that is done, the indicator switch turns to red, and charging begins. As I stated, charging happens at 0.9A, which seems to be a reasonable rate.
LED and Beam
The emitter is a single Cree XM-L2,
and the beam has a nice amount of spill.
I like this beam, and the tint is great.
Beamshots, Runtime, and Lux Measurements
I’m very sorry to say that my runtime machine is still down! 😦 So no runtime. Maybe in the future I’ll edit this back in, but at the moment I am not sure when I’ll have the right equipment again.
| Eagle Eye | X2R |
|---|---|
| Emitter | Cree XM-L2 |
| Emitter Notes | – |
| Cell | 18650 |
| Beamshots [0.3″, f/8, ISO 100, 5000k] | 18650 |
| Claimed Lumens (lm) | 550 |
| Lux (Measured) | 1330 |
| At (m) | 1.5 |
| Candela (Calculated) in cd | 2992.5 |
| Throw (Calculated) (m) | 109.4074952 |
| Throw (Claimed) (m) | 50-100 |
Eagle Eye state the claim as “Max 550LM output, 3 modes: High 1.6A – mid 0.7A – low 0.08A”. Low is not very low, and high is only 550, but I’d expect this to have a very good runtime. Even at 550 lumens, it’s bright. A bright 550 lumens, if you will. And you probably will because if you’re read this far, we’re in this together.
Random Comparisons and Competitive Options….
The only thing I have to compare this to is the Convoy S2+. The size of the S2+ is better but otherwise, I probably slightly favor the X2R just because of UI simplicity. That could be my fault though as I’ve switched the driver on the S2+ I have, and don’t have stock one. Either way the UI on the X2R is great!
Conclusion
What I like
- On-board Charging
- UI
- GITD Tailcap
- Silly but I like that it’s gray and not black (black is available!)
What I don’t like
- No pocket clip
- It’s a little thick
Final Thoughts
I like this light, and I think you will too. I don’t know Eagle Eye brand too much, but I think it’s a good contender to replace some of the less expensive Convoy lights, particularly with the on-board charging. For this price, it’s very hard to beat!
Parting Shot
Thought of this every time I worked on this review. Every. Time.
