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#Post#: 533--------------------------------------------------
APEX GT01 Gas Tin CREE XP-G R5 1xCR123A/16340 Natural HA EDC Fla
shlight
By: JohnnyMac Date: April 12, 2013, 1:19 pm
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[html]<p><img
src="
HTML http://www.cnqualitygoods.com/images/201110/goods_img/1310_P_1319277407591.jpg"<br
/>width="500" height="468" style="vertical-align: middle; displa
y:
block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"> </p><p>This is
the Apex GT01 that I purchased from CQNG for $25 shipped during
a recent group buy held by Ric. Normal price for this light is
$27 + shipping.</p><ul><li><div class="bodyzone"
style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 0px;
margin-left: auto; display: inline !important; padding: 0px;"><p
style="list-style-type: none; display: inline !important;
border-style: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span
style="font-family: Arial;">Dimension: Head diameter 22mm, Body
diameter 22mm, length 65mm</span></p></div></li><li><div
class="bodyzone" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto;
margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: inline
!important; padding: 0px;"><p style="list-style-type: none;
display: inline !important; border-style: none; padding: 0px;
margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Cree XP-G R5
LED</span></p></div></li><li><div class="bodyzone"
style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 0px;
margin-left: auto; display: inline !important; padding: 0px;"><p
style="list-style-type: none; display: inline !important;
border-style: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span
style="font-family: Arial;">3 Modes---Hi>Mid>Lo ;
600mA>130mA>18mA; Memory; Current
Regulation</span></p></div></li><li><div class="bodyzone"
style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 0px;
margin-left: auto; display: inline !important; padding: 0px;"><p
style="list-style-type: none; display: inline !important;
border-style: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span
style="font-family: Arial;">Switching:
Twisty</span></p></div></li><li><div class="bodyzone"
style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 0px;
margin-left: auto; display: inline !important; padding: 0px;"><p
style="list-style-type: none; display: inline !important;
border-style: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span
style="font-family: Arial;">Material: Aircraft Aluminum Alloy
T6061 </span></p></div></li><li><div class="bodyzone"
style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 0px;
margin-left: auto; display: inline !important; padding: 0px;"><p
style="list-style-type: none; display: inline !important;
border-style: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span
style="font-family: Arial;">Net Weight: 32g (without
battery)</span></p></div></li><li><div class="bodyzone"
style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 0px;
margin-left: auto; display: inline !important; padding: 0px;"><p
style="list-style-type: none; display: inline !important;
border-style: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span
style="font-family: Arial;">Waterproof to IPX-8 standard
</span></p></div></li><li><div class="bodyzone"
style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 0px;
margin-left: auto; display: inline !important; padding: 0px;"><p
style="list-style-type: none; display: inline !important;
border-style: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span
style="font-family: Arial;">Battery: single CR123A or
16340</span></p></div></li><li><div class="bodyzone"
style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 0px;
margin-left: auto; display: inline !important; padding: 0px;"><p
style="list-style-type: none; display: inline !important;
border-style: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span
style="font-family: Arial;">Lens: Glass
(uncoated)</span></p></div></li><li><div class="bodyzone"
style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 0px;
margin-left: auto; display: inline !important; padding: 0px;"><p
style="list-style-type: none; display: inline !important;
border-style: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span
style="font-family: Arial;">Reflector:
Aluminum</span></p></div></li><li><div class="bodyzone"
style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 0px;
margin-left: auto; display: inline !important; padding: 0px;"><p
style="list-style-type: none; display: inline !important;
border-style: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span
style="font-family: Arial;">O-rings: 4 (lens *1, bezel *1, body
*2)</span></p></div></li><li><div class="bodyzone"
style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 0px;
margin-left: auto; display: inline !important; padding: 0px;"><p
style="list-style-type: none; display: inline !important;
border-style: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span
style="font-family: Arial;">Tail Stands:
Yes</span></p></div></li><li><div class="bodyzone"
style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 0px;
margin-left: auto; display: inline !important; padding: 0px;"><p
style="list-style-type: none; display: inline !important;
border-style: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span
style="font-family: Arial;">Seller: <a
href="
HTML http://www.cnqualitygoods.com/goods.php?id=1310"<br
/>target="_blank">CNQualityGoods.com</a></span></p></div></li><l
i><div
class="bodyzone" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto;
margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: inline
!important; padding: 0px;"><p style="list-style-type: none;
display: inline !important; border-style: none; padding: 0px;
margin: 0px;">Price: $27 +
shipping</p></div></li></ul><div><strong>Initial
Impressions:</strong></div><div>As you can see in the pics, this
torch is crazy small! It's also incredibly well machined to very
tight tolerances. In fact, you can feel the accuracy when doing
simple things like inserting the battery (can feel the air being
pushed out from around the battery as it's inserted) and
separating the tail from the head (suction and "pop" when
clearing the inner o-ring). The first thing I noticed (besides
the incredibly small size) is that changing modes could be
easier. The outer body almost entirely encloses the tail/battery
tube with just the very end of the tail end sticking out. Due
to the rounded tail and smooth finish it's very hard to grip
with only the "handle" at the very end giving any gripping
point. Once you work it a few times, however, it seems to
improve greatly. It may be that I grew used to it but I don't
think that is all of it. The fit and finish on the light is
incredible and the output is very nice for it's size.</div><div>
</div><div><strong>Construction:</strong></div><div>The HAIII
anodizing and machining is impeccable. All threads are smooth
and anodized and came lubricated. Machining inside is just as
impressive as it is on the outside. The only thing I can find to
criticize is the screen printing on the name & model is a little
thin and blotchy in spots. Power is not on until the front of
the battery tube makes contact with a ridge onto which the
driver sits. This means that using a QTC pill in this torch
won't work and is a shame because I really was hoping I
could.</div><div> </div><div>The bezel unscrews from the body
and the reflector comes out easily exposing the emitter and
pill. The pill is removed through the front by unscrewing it.
The emitter is perfectly centered and cleanly soldered. The
emitter base appears to be bonded to the pill with just enough
thermal epoxy. Unlike most Chinese torches, this one appears to
have been assembled by a skilled worker that knows how to
properly torch components.</div><div> </div><div>Properly sized
o-rings are used throughout the torch. One in front of the lens,
one at the base of the bezel threads on the head, and 2 on the
battery tube. They fit so perfectly that when separating the
tail from the head you can feel the suction and hear the "pop"
of the vacuum being broken. I've never felt that in any torch
before. This baby is definitely water proof, not just water
resistant. When threading the main body parts there is just
enough resistance (without being too stiff) from the o-rings
letting you know that the light won't come on in your pocket on
it's own.</div><div>
</div><div><strong>Performance:</strong></div><div>CNQG rates
the three power modes (Hi/Med/Low) as 600mA/130mA/18mA with
current regulation. I am unable to detect any PWM with this
light. BLF user "_the_" tested his GT01 with a 16340 battery @
3.74V and got the following results that closely match the
claimed outputs:</div><div><ul><li>High: 570mA</li><li>Medium:
120mA</li><li>Low: 20mA</li></ul><div>My calculations based on
his results show that output is 226L/47L/8L from the R5. The
GT01 should run for about an hour on High, 12 hrs on Med, and up
to 30 hrs on Low based on a decent 16340 Li-Ion producing
600mAh.</div><div> </div><div>Mode memory is extremely quick.
You have to be quick about changing modes but more than a half
second it seems to be locked onto what you want.</div><div>
</div><div>The tint on my example is on the neutral end of cool
white and is very pleasing to my eyes. There is a nice
concentrated hotspot of roughly 7" from 1 meter and the rest is
a butter smooth yet immense flood with ZERO rings. If not for
the intense hotspot in the center of the beam you would almost
think you were looking at the output from an Ultrafire
UF-H2/H3). The shallow reflector was definitely well designed
and not just some random offering conjured up from some
universal parts bin.</div></div><div>
</div><div><strong>Positives:</strong></div><div><ul><li>This
torch has a love it or hate it design. I happen to love it but
then again, I appreciate unusual designs. </li><li>Crazy small!
Compact lights don't really get much more compact than this one.
If you were to grind off the "handle" & "valve" from the rear
of it it would only be 6cm long but then you'd have almost no
way to grip it to turn it on/off or change modes.</li><li>Output
is phenomenal especially considering it's diminutive
size.</li><li>Fit and finish is superb.</li><li>Quality to price
ratio is outstanding.</li><li>One hell of a "WOW!" light and a
great conversation
piece.</li></ul><strong>Negatives:</strong></div><div><ul><li>Th
is
torch has a love it or hate it design. Some hate it. Not
me.</li><li>Almost too small to grip well when changing modes or
turning on/off. I did get used to it very quickly
though.</li><li>Have to be quick when changing modes. Change
window is very small (0.5 seconds?) and until you get used to
it, the small size can make it difficult.</li><li>The inner body
o-ring on mine was torn when I got mine. Fortunately I had the
exact size in my bin to replace it. Light did not come with any
spare o-rings or lanyard. I can live without the crappy
lanyards we usually get but a couple spare o-rings would have
been
nice.</li></ul><div><strong>Conclusion:</strong></div><div>A
great little torch that I am happy I bought and can recommend
with confidence to anyone that finds it's appearance enjoyable!
In the mean time, enjoy the pics I took below. Lighting could
be better but they're not too terrible either. The lanyard in
the pics was added by me.</div></div><p><img
src="
HTML http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg106/CigarJohnny/Apex%20GT01/IMAG0541.jpg"></p><p><br
/></p><p><img
src="
HTML http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg106/CigarJohnny/Apex%20GT01/IMAG0537.jpg"<br
/>width="612" height="1023"></p><p> </p><p><img
src="
HTML http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg106/CigarJohnny/Apex%20GT01/IMAG0538.jpg"<br
/>width="1023" height="612"></p><p> </p><p><img
src="
HTML http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg106/CigarJohnny/Apex%20GT01/IMAG0520.jpg"<br
/>width="1023" height="612"></p><p> </p><p><img
src="
HTML http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg106/CigarJohnny/Apex%20GT01/IMAG0519.jpg"<br
/>width="612" height="1023"></p><p> </p><p><img
src="
HTML http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg106/CigarJohnny/Apex%20GT01/IMAG0522.jpg"<br
/>width="612" height="1023"></p><p> </p><p><img
src="
HTML http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg106/CigarJohnny/Apex%20GT01/IMAG0525.jpg"<br
/>width="1023" height="612"></p><p> </p><p><img
src="
HTML http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg106/CigarJohnny/Apex%20GT01/IMAG0539.jpg"<br
/>width="1023" height="612"></p><p> </p><p><img
src="
HTML http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg106/CigarJohnny/Apex%20GT01/IMAG0528.jpg"<br
/>width="1023" height="612"></p><p> </p><p><img
src="
HTML http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg106/CigarJohnny/Apex%20GT01/IMAG0529.jpg"<br
/>width="1023" height="612"></p><p> </p><p><img
src="
HTML http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg106/CigarJohnny/Apex%20GT01/IMAG0532.jpg"<br
/>width="1023" height="612"></p><p> </p><p><img
src="
HTML http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg106/CigarJohnny/Apex%20GT01/IMAG0534.jpg"<br
/>width="1023" height="612"></p><p> </p><p><img
src="
HTML http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg106/CigarJohnny/Apex%20GT01/IMAG0535.jpg"<br
/>width="1023" height="612"></p><p> </p><p><img
src="
HTML http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg106/CigarJohnny/Apex%20GT01/IMAG0536.jpg"<br
/>width="1023" height="612"></p><p> </p><p><img
src="
HTML http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg106/CigarJohnny/Apex%20GT01/IMAG0540.jpg"<br
/>width="1023" height="612"></p><p> </p><p><img
src="
HTML http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg106/CigarJohnny/Apex%20GT01/IMAG0523.jpg"<br
/>width="343" height="645"></p><p> </p>[/html]
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