Inova X5:
 

The Inova X5 comes with 2 Sanyo CR123A Lithium batteries.
There is now a newer version of this light called the X5T.
It has a tactical tailcap switch, were as the version shown here
twists for on/off operation.
 
 
 
 

The X5 in just under 5" (4 11/16") in length and 13/16" in diameter.  LED life is stated as 110,000+ and
battery life is ~20 hours.  LED life is probably shorter as it appears the LED's are driven beyond factory specs.
You will get about 5 hours of steady, bright light thanks to the lithium batteries it uses.
Light output continues for another 9-10 hours but gets progressively dimmer.
 
 
 
 

The LED's are pretty well protected, they are recessed inside the aluminum.  The body is fluted instead of typical knurling.
The Inova X5 has a great look and solid feel.  I comes with a lifetime warranty and is water proof to 150'.
 
 
 

This is what the inside of the X5 looks like.
 
 
 

The X5 produces a nice round, straight beam with a small amount of blue in the center "hotspot".
The picture above was taken with the white balance set to daylight.
 
 
 

This is a beam shot of the Inova X5 (new batteries) & Photon II pointed at the ceiling. (about 3' away)
The difference is a little less obvious than the photo shows in real life & the X5
also has a bluish tint in the center "hot spot" that doesn't show up in the picture.
 
 

This is a shot showing the X5 and Photon II.  Notice how much brighter the Photon II seems in picture
compared to the picture above this one.  That's because I took the "dead" batteries that would not even light my
SureFire E2 and put them in the X5.  It's not as bright as new batteries but it still is much brighter than the photon II.
Doing this greatly extends the usefulness of the (123) lithium batteries and helps justify thier high cost.
 
 
 

This is a beam shot of the Dorcy Cool Blue and the X5.  You can see the blue "hot-spot" of the X5.
       The Dorcy light is Very bright in it's center but so tightly focused that it's usefulness can be somewhat limited.
         I personally like the Dorcy light, even though it's called the "Cool Blue" it seems to be one of the few
LED flashlights that has very little blue tint in it and it's main beam carries a long distance.
 
 
 

On the left is the Inova X5 -vs- the Maglite 2 "AA" on tight focus. On the right is the same with the Mag on medium focus.
     The Maglite can "throw" light farther on tight focus, but the Inova X5 has a smoother beam pattern & softer focus.
 
 
 
 

You can see the blue in the X5 here, as the Legend LX puts the X5 in it's place! :-)
          Not really a fair comparison but it once to see how closely an LED light holds up to an incandescent.
 
 
 
 

The X5 looks is streamline and very compact, it is the smallest and brightest LED flashlight that I have seen.
                         It's small size makes it very easy to carry with you at all times.