The LF3 XT is LiteFlux's latest flashlight, but unlike the previous LF series, it's not just a variant of the LF5 XT running on a CR123 cell. There are various other user interface differences which will be gone through further down the review. The head has a bezel with shallower crenellations as compared to the LF5 XT, still serves well in letting the user know when the light is switch on when placed head-down. The head houses an AR coated glass lens, behind which sits a rather deep and finely textured reflector. The LED sits well-aligned at the bottom of the reflector cup, perhaps just a hair off. Looking from the rear of the head you can see the electronic's PCB and the various contact points for the battery and brass sleeve. Almost the entire exterior of the head is machined with diamond textured knurling for grip. After a number of battery changes, twisting the head on and off, I felt that the knurling on the head seemed to be slightly rougher than that on the battery tube. Upon closer inspection, I could see that with the knurling on the head, the ridges are cut slightly wider. In practical use, you will hardly feel the difference.

The battery tube makes up the lower half of the light, though the LF3 XT uses a push button switch, there is no separate tail cap. There is however a cross-shaped fixture at the bottom which hold the switch and brass sleeve in place, but this is meant to be permanently attached and should not be removed under normal use. This new switch fixture also remedies the annoyance which some users of the earlier LF5 XT have experienced where the light would switch off when dropped on it's tail end. Rest assured, this no longer occurs with the LF3 XT. Threading between the battery tube and head is smooth and well machined. The threads are somewhat fine, and after a number of battery changes, you may find some of the anodizing wearing off. Not to worry though as this doesn't affect the functionality of the light. A rubber o-ring sits just below the threads on the battery tube, providing some degree of water proofing. The brass sleeve which sits inside the battery tube is very well finished with polished surfaces. The spring at the bottom for the "-" battery contact is gold plated to provide improved conductivity. As with the head, the exterior of the battery tube is almost entirely covered in knurling. The switch at the tail end sits recessed so the light is able to tail stand without problems. There is also a small hole for lanyard attachments.

If you're unfamiliar with any of the terms used in this review, click here for explanations on common flashlight related vocabulary.

The LF3 XT uses a rather deep reflector, just like the LF5 XT, which provides a smooth beam profile from the XR-E LED. The end result is a smooth spot which blends nicely to the spill beam with no dark ring-shaped artifacts. Although the LF3 XT has a wider reflector than the LF5 XT, it throws a more defined hot spot of almost the same intensity albeit being marginally wider. The color tint on my sample is slightly cool when compared to sunlight.

The main difference the LF3 XT has over the LF5 XT is its user interface. In addition to the standard, deeply programmable interface that has become characteristic of LiteFlux products, the LF3 XT introduces an additional CUI (Compact User Interface) which is activated by default from the factory. This CUI addresses issues which some users had with the somewhat complicated FUI (Full-functioned User Interface). So if you were one of those who were taken aback by the FUI, this new CUI will surely come as a welcomed addition. Switching between the CUI and FUI is done by a 5x C + PH command, that is, clicking 5 times and holding down the switch on the 6th press. In addition to the CUI, the new electronics is now able to go down to a dimmest brightness level of 0.2% as compared to 1% with the LF5 XT.

I will leave the detailed explanation of the FUI to the official instruction manual which is included with the LF3 XT. Here I would like to run down the basic functions and general usage of the CUI.

1x C: Switch on/off at user mode, defaults at 50% brightness level.
2x C: Toggles between 0.2% and 50% brightness level.
1x C + PH: Toggles between 100% and 50% brightness level.
1x PH: Ramps brightness up/down.
4x C: Enable/disable momentary switch activation.
5x C: Indicates the battery's voltage level by a series of blinks and flashes.

Take note that if you switch the light off after ramping to a certain brightness level, it isn't memorized. Also, in either the CUI or FUI, the short 0.4 second delay is still present when switching on/off, just like the LF5 XT does.

Update: November 15, 2008
In user mode which defaults at 50%, ramped brightness level will in fact be memorized after switching off.

As you can see from the runtime graph below, running on a 16340 cell which is comparable to a 14500 cell, runtime at 100% brightness level shows a difference of only about 5 minutes. However at 50%, you will notice the runtime to be noticeably shorter than the LF5 XT, but do take note at the scale. Where 50% on the LF3 XT starts at slightly over 60% of actual measured output, the LF5 XT starts at about 40%.

The Good - Excellent build quality with all parts fitting well together. Smooth and consistent anodizing throughout the exterior. Extensive number of functions for almost any requirement. Good value considering all its features and included accessories. More features yet at a lower price.

The Bad - User interface for programming functions can be more complicated than what most users are familiar to. Slight delay when clicking on. Anodizing around the threads rub off after some use.

The Relative - Beam has a slightly cool temperature, with a smooth gradual profile from the hot spot to the spill beam. Is able to tail stand. Includes a simpler casual interface in addition to the fully programmable interface.

Head (front view).

Head (side view).

Head (rear view).

Battery tube (front view).

Battery tube (side view).

Battery tube (rear view).