LED Lenser includes a warning with its X21 flashlight: “Do not shine the light directly in someone’s eyes. If the light beam does shine directly in your eyes, look away immediately.” That’s because the four D batteries in the X21 put out 1,100 lumens through seven large LEDs.

Is it bright? Perhaps too much so. Just the reflection of the X21′s beam off the carpet in the Wired office was enough to cause us to flinch.

There will always be an arms race in flashlight lumens, and many flashlight companies claim to sell the brightest light. But lumens by themselves aren’t a useful measure. A light’s perceived brightness also depends on how focused it is. This German-engineered light employs a quick focusing system to illuminate threats — or targets — as far away as 1,500 feet.

Badassery in flashlights is about more than just brightness, though. This giant flashlight (it comes with a shoulder strap, if that tells you anything) is made of black, machined aluminum and weighs more than three pounds. If the light beam itself isn’t enough to stun a stalking cougar, braining the cat with the heavy end of the X21 is a legitimate second option.

Of course, all this technology will cost you. The X21′s list price is $500, putting it out of reach for all but the most enthusiastic flashlight freaks.

via [ wired ]

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