Review / InfinityX1 LED Rechargeable Flashlight

Image: InfinityX1

Note: InfinityX1 provided the flashlight used in this review at no cost–Ed.

A bright flashlight is a handy thing for your home, your workshop, and especially your campsite, and thankfully, the days of oversized lights with dodgy incandescent bulbs are gone, thanks to LEDs. LED flashlights generally use less power than their incandescent partners and often offer a more precise light beam, and manufacturers are often able to pack in interesting side features that wouldn't have previously been possible. The InfinityX1 flashlight is a good example of this.

The InfinityX1 is a hybrid flashlight which the company says it created to help build a sustainable future. As a hybrid flashlight, it can use both prepackaged rechargeable and dry-cell batteries. And the Infinity X1 does a great job of producing light.

The flashlight has three separate settings that you activate with a push of the flashlight's rubber covered button. Each push of the button changes the lumen output of the light being produced. For example, at the first push of the button, Infinity claims that the flashlight's light output is a significant 5,000 lumens. It's so bright you will not want to look directly at the beam. A second push of the button produces a 2,550-lumen light beam, and with a third push of the button, the light beam is claimed to be 850 lumens.

Of course, the brightest light beam consumes power more quickly than the lower settings. But using its rechargeable battery, I was able to get about two hours of constant and consistent light before having to recharge. Frankly, with that light output level, I was surprised the charge lasted that long. Testing the lower lumen settings, I got a little more than three hours out of the 2,550-lumen setting and about 4.25 hours at the 850-lumen setting.

InfinityX1 claims that on its highest 5,000-lumen setting, the flashlight's beam extends to 200 meters. While I didn't measure the distance that I could see the beam travel, I would say that Infinity's claims are justified. The other two settings have a claimed range of 145 meters for the 2550-lumen output and 70 meters for the 850-lumen setting. Again, I would say that Infinity's claimed ranges are justifiable. However, at the 850-lumen setting, you are getting into "normal" flashlight territory.

You can adjust the flashlight's beam width by turning the head. Image: InfinityX1

The flashlight's beam is also adjustable for width. By turning the head of the flashlight, you can change it from a narrow "driving" beam to a wide-angle floodlight beam. Depending on what you want to use it for, it's nice to be able to adjust the beam for your intended purpose.

The InfinityX1 can generate significant heat when used continuously on its highest setting. You will have to consider this if you intend to use the higher light beam settings continuously.

Although the InfinityX1 is rechargeable, you can also use regular dry-cell batteries. The flashlight comes with a separate internal "holder" into which you insert the nine supplied AA batteries. If you are a dedicated dry cell person, you can also use them.

The InfinityX1 can use its rechargeable battery pack or a stack of dry-cell batteries. Image: InfinityX1

But what sets the InfinityX1 apart from most other flashlights is the fact that you can use the rechargeable battery pack to recharge your other devices. Moreover, the rechargeable battery pack comes with both charge-in and, interestingly, charge-out capabilities.

Image: InfinityX1

Charging the battery pack is accomplished by removing it from the flashlight and plugging the permanently attached cable into a USB socket. But the same battery pack can also charge your devices (at the expense of its own charge) by plugging into the battery pack's internal USB slot.

The flashlight used in this review is Infinity's 5000-lumen model. Its case is made from aluminum and is approximately 13.25 inches long and about 2 inches across at its head. From these dimensions, you can tell it's a rugged and relatively large flashlight. However, there are smaller models that weigh less. In addition, this particular flashlight carries an IPX5 water rating, so it should have no problem being used in rain or similar wet conditions.

The InfinityX1 comes with a lifetime warranty.

The MSRP for the InfinityX1 5,000-lumen model is $159. Other models range from 500 lumens to 4000 lumens and have an MSRP of $19 for the 500-lumen model and up to $79 for the 4,000-lumens model.

I used the InfinityX1 flashlight for a couple of months and found its adjustable beam useful and to be very bright. With intermittent use (e.g., not for two straight hours in 5,000-lumen mode), the InfinityX1 flashlight will likely last a long camping weekend. However, depending on you you use it; your charge time could be more or less.

Overall, I liked the InfinityX1. It provides an excellent light beam in a rugged case. In addition, the option of charging another device from it is excellent, especially if you are in the last moments of your device charge and you need a way to charge it while from civilization.