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Inova XO3 Flashlight
Brilliant!
By Jon Gaffney
closeAuthor: Jon Gaffney
Name: Jon Gaffney
Email: jgaffney@gearpatrol.com
Site: http://www.gearpatrol.com
About: I joined Gear Patrol because I love searching for gear in my free time, and I felt the need to pass on my knowledge. As an avid reader of everything online, my bookmark list is about as bloated as George Costanza’s wallet; needless to say, my tastes are eclectic. So, readers, prepare yourselves for variety.
That said, I know that you work hard for your disposable income, so if I recommend something you can be sure I’ve done the research to know that it’s worth your while.
Outside of the gear, I am a born and bred New Englander who recently completed a 2 year stint below the Mason-Dixon Line, and I’m glad to have the Sox and Pats on local programming again (Please refrain from any TB Rays or NY Giants jokes). I’m also a Social Media dork so feel free to hit me up on Twitter @jongaffney.
I graduated not too long ago with a BS in Marketing and, according to my friends, an MS in the History Channel. As a collegiate athlete, my interest and passion for sports and fitness has carried with me. I’m always up for an adrenaline fix whether it’s from the gym, from skydiving, or from an intense game of ultimate.
That’s me in a nutshell, and if any one has suggestions, comments, disagreements, or something you think I should review just shoot me an email. Slainte!See Authors Posts (60) on Thu, Jul 2, 2009 | Email To A Friend
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“Yeah, it’s tactical, Matte black, overbuilt, and expensive.” That sums up the Inova XO3 pretty damn well. Well, all except one thing. Inova has been kind enough to skip the expensive part.
Machined from a solid block of aluminum, this sucker is shockproof, crushproof, and water-resistant. It has a 5.8 watt LED which, coupled with its precision optical system, throws an effective beam out over 250ft (from testing, that seems quite modest). At only six inches long, it’s almost identical in size to that Mini-Mag lite you carried to summer camp, while packing a light so much brighter that you’ll need to be careful not to blind yourself.
The “tactical endcap” allows you momentary on control, or it can twisted down for constant on mode. After a life lit by incandescent flashlights, the XO3 has been… enlightening (I’m here all day folks..). Although the XO3 was built with spec ops in mind, it’s equally useful for your glove box or nightstand. It’s best feature (the price tag), makes it a light that both you and the Pentagon can afford.
Editor’s Note: Unless you really don’t like someone, avoid playing flashlight tag with the Inova. It is, however, funny to watch people shine it on their hand and literally be blinded just by that (my Dad did this more than once).
Cost: $51
(10)
To use the phrase "crush proof" is to demand an intensified Gear Patrol review involving 18 wheelers and 747's.
Good thing I requisitioned those very vehicles from our secret lair dug deep into the Allegheny Mountains. They should arrive by morning for said testing. I call the big rig.
Normally, iPod docks arent the kind of thing to get revved up about. However, this recent release from Sony caught our eye, since it appears to solve one major problem thats hampered the usability of similar devices. Instead of simply offering users the option to skip back and forth between tracks from across the room, the systems included remote gives you full access to view your music library just as you would on your iPod.