Finally, an xp-g headlamp after waiting far too long! Just in time for Christmas; my 5 year old son didn't need any kid toys this year, anyway. This is more exciting, inticing, than the HP10 for me, because:
I like the deep reflector, and not just to see detail and objects from a greater distance. I typically find shallow reflectors that barely give enough lux for detail work with fresh batteries, to become useless after 40 minutes. This is no good for detail work. Give me more lux than I need on fresh cells, then, 5 - 8 hours later, I will still have good light for detail work. (painting/drywall repair/etc.) OTH, I find folding towels/clothes in basement, I do like more flood, and the hotspot becomes distracting. So it depends on task, so diffusers and flood/spot adjustable optics are really needed.
I also love the separate battery back, for comfort and long runtime options. I have made 4 AA packs, attached skinny elastic to make a 4 AA pack necklace to be worn under my shirt. The necklace design works just as well as tool belt design, but is easier at times than to get a good attachment on some pants. The tool belt design is needed for a 4.5 amp hour 6 volt 1.5 lb SLA, which I use for larger jobs. I see this pack could be converted to use an 6v SLA or more expensive/hard to get Lithiums (for at least 7.5 on turbo, where I assume with larger heatsink and more efficiency, there is no time limit)--a wise conversion would allow either fuels.
The case looks sweet too. But I would like to see the drop specification from 3+ meters, since dropping it is more likely and less controllable for me than getting it wet. It doesn't look truly 2 meter waterproof. for example, the battery case is dependent on only one o-ring that is prone to wear, stiffing, damage and movement. I am skeptical because I no longer buy watches with only 100 meter depth rating, since the last 10 (china made), fog up after a few baths and short out after 2 or less months. I can see a high return rate as people really start testing the 2 meter depth. This could lead to discontinuing the product.
I am interested in warmth and color rendering reviews. Also comparison with current lights.
I am recalling from months earlier research that r5 is about 130 lumen per watt, minus inefficiency from driver. I do think it is far too unfortunate that manufacturers cannot get the latest led in our hands a month or two after release. They would make more money, since it would make less sense to hold off the purchase.