L-3 Insight Technology HX150 Tactical LED Light Review and Test

L-3 Insight Technology HX150 Tactical LED Light Review and Test
$40-$50 off a great LED light

Everyone needs a tactical light and right now I have stumbled on a deal for fellow Pandem’ians.  Insight has delivered an outstanding powerful full featured tactical light and right now through December 31, 2011 you can get a $40 rebate on their LED X-Treme series HX120 and HX150 lights and a $50 rebate on their HX200. This is about a 40% discount on one hell of a light.

I purchased the Insight HX150 because... I apparently don’t have very many tactical lights.   Yes I sucked in by the rebate on the HX150, but the focused beam and Smart-Power feature is handier than I ever thought.

FINISH, FIT, FEEL, FEATURES, & FUNCTIONING
FINISH & FIT
The Insight LED Extreme HX150 is a solid aluminum construction heavier than typical to what you will find in other quality tactical lights.  Great finish and of course everything fits together perfectly as you would expect from Insight Technology.

FEEL
This Insight Technology HX150 LED Tactical light is 2-cell 123A powered, but is more on the full sized tactical light size at just under 6” long.  For a holstered light, stowed, packed, or a general household light this is a great size and at 6.5oz with the batteries it has a nice heft and can take some serious abuse.  I liked the deep knurling on the exterior of the Insight Technology HX150 LED Tactical light and provides a very secure grip.

FEATURES
Insight markets the Insight’s LED X-Treme series as the world’s finest tactical flashlight which I will have to say, is in fact, mighty nice.  My Insight HX150 is certainly one beefy light and delivers a very unique beem unlike other lights.  


Comparing this light to others, my Surefire is a hot flood light with the brightest 100% light in the center and then fades to the edges gradually.  This is good for room flooding light, however it lacks distance. Innova has a more defined center spot and then a consistent light to the edges however at 100 lumens, it just does not have the power of the Insight light. The Insight X-Treme HX150 has a very focused inverse donut output pattern with a high output center spotlight beam with about a 20% output from their to the edge.  This does a couple things.  It throws a beam further and brighter than any of my other lights because that center 150 lumen high output beam is so focused.  If you want to see for distance, this is your light and has become my defacto critter and household light.  I personally think it also is less likely to piss off the neighbors, because I am only pushing bright light to the object of my illumination versus everything in the beam window which includes neighbors bedrooms.  One polite question from a neighbor of what was going on the other night and you might decide the focused beam and dimmer capability of the Insight Extreme LED lights are great ideas.

Insight’s HX150 LED Light Smart-Power Technology was designed to provide easy access to momentary, constant on, SOS, sttrobe, and dimming features.  As noted in functioning it all works very simply without the need of an engineering degree.  Other little item that many lights these days omit is a pocket clip, lanyard hole and lanyard.  Pocket clips are indispensable for anyone not holstering the light in a duty belt and beats the heck out of fishing the light from the bottom of wherever when you need it. Personally I use lanyards and believe they provide a tactical advantage for hands free access to extra magazines without potentially dropping the light.

FUNCTIONING
Access the momentary, constant, SOS, strobe and dimming functions on the Insight LED Extreme HX150 light is a bit easier to master than what I have experienced with some “multi-function” lights. The instructions are in the box, however pressing and holding provides a momentary light while the button is held and double clicking turns on the constant on features. The variety of other features such as SOS, strobe, and dimming are all accessible via several manners, however I typically turn the Insight Technology HX150 LED Tactical light on then do the appropriate clicks/click-n-holds to access the other features.  Personally the custom 1-150 lumen dimmer is one of the most handy features. Sometimes you only need a little, or very little light and not a blinding blast of light and of course the Smart-Power Technology delivers extended run time – up to 300 hrs. at lowest dimmed setting. The strobe is only a double click and hold away from a very disorienting light.

FINAL THOUGHTS
The Insight Technology HX150 LED Tactical light is not a small light, however the HX120 little brother is very small and would be a great carry light if you needed something to stick in your pocket or purse and still delivers 120 lumens. I have not seen the 3-cell 123A powered HX200 yet, but I am imagining at 7.5” and 8oz it would win the blind your friend contest at 100 yards.  The HX150 is an outstanding light and I would highly recommend you pick one up fro fun or for your holiday gift giving while the rebate is going on.  Awesome light and awesome deal.

INSIGHT TECHNOLOGY HX120, HX150, HX200 LIGHT SPECS
HX120
Interface: Handheld
Dimensions: 1.3” Bezel, 1” Body x 4.5” Long
Weight: 5 oz. w/ Battery
Light Source: Shockproof High Intensity LED
LED Output: 1-120 Lumens (Peak)
Run Time: 90 Minutes on High / 100 Hours on Low
Waterproof: At 5 Meters / 15 Feet
Battery Power: One DL 123 lithium battery (included)
Multiple Modes: Constant, Momentary, Strobe, Dimming and S.O.S.
Limited Lifetime Warranty*
$149.99

HX150
Interface: Handheld
Dimensions: 1.3” Bezel, 1” Body x 5.9” Long
Weight: 6.5 oz. w/ Batteries
Light Source: Shockproof High Intensity LED
LED Output: 1-150 Lumens (Peak)
Run Time: 2 Hours on High / 300 Hours on Low
Waterproof: At 5 Meters / 15 Feet
Battery Power: Two DL 123 lithium batteries (included)
Multiple Modes: Constant, Momentary, Strobe, Dimming and S.O.S.
Limited Lifetime Warranty*
$169.99

HX200
Interface: Handheld
Dimensions: 1.6” Bezel, 1.18”(30mm) Body x 7.5” Long
Weight: 8 oz. w/ Batteries
Light Source: Shockproof High Intensity LED
LED Output: 1-200 Lumens (Peak)
Run Time: 2 Hours on High / 300 Hours on Low
Waterproof: At 5 Meters / 15 Feet
Battery Power: Three DL 123 lithium batteries (included)
Multiple Modes: Constant, Momentary, Strobe, Dimming and S.O.S.
Limited Lifetime Warranty*
$199.99


SOURCES
L-3 Insight Technology
Click here to download the rebate card

http://www.insightlights.com
http://www.insightlights.com/products-hx150.htm