Xeno G42 V1 Review

I purchased the Xeno G42 V1 from Tactical HID.





Comes with these items.



What attracted me to the G42 was the design.






From Tactical HID's website description.

Uses a Cree XP-G R5 rated at 1.5A at the tailcap. I'm getting 1.48A.

420 OTF Lumens. I'm getting from the Xeno G2, 18650 - 20,000 lux @ 1 meter.

Linear LED driver, No PWM.

3-Stage driver: High, Medium, Low. The G42 will always turn on high. Does not memorize it's last setting when selected to off.

Powered by 1×18650, 1×17670 or 2x CR123 (no RCR123/16340)

2 options available.

1) XP-G 1B R5 Cool White 6500-7000K

2) XP-G 3C R5 Neutral White 4750-5000K

My G42 has XP-G 1B R5 Cool White 6500-7000K






Stainless Steel Bezel and GID o-ring behind the lens.



Double Gold Plated Spring makes contact with the positive anode of the battery.



Both side of the battery tube has square threads.



Nice machining with hand grips machined in. Also the anti roll feature.



Forward rear clickie.



Inside view of the forward ckickie.







Tail stands



I tried this grip first using the built in hand grip. No Good! I get pain on the bottom of my thumb nail and the side of my nail.





This grip works the best for me. It takes a few seconds more to get my hands in this position. No pain in any of my fingers or thumb.





My Xeno lights. Left, Xeno G42 V1, Middle, Xeno Farka F8 V5, Right, Xeno EO6 V5




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I choose to do a comparison of the Xeno G42 vs the Ray X60 because both lights use the same XP-G R5, use SMO reflectors and have the same battery configuration.

The Ray X60 did narrowly beat out my 4Sevens Malestrom G5 in throw and lux numbers.


Left, Xeno G42, Right Ray X60



Left, Xeno G42, Right Ray X60




I used my Meterman LM631.

I took a lux reading the battery hot off the charger.


Ray X60 XP-G R5, 18650, High - 14,130 lux @ 1 meter

Xeno G42, 18650, High - 20,000 lux @ 1 meter

Xeno G42, 18650, Medium - 8090 lux @ 1 meter

Xeno G42, 18650, Low - 550 lux @ 1 meter


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Xeno G42, 18650, @ 96"



Left, Xeno G42, 18650, Right, Xeno G42, 18650 @ 96"



Left, Xeno G42, 18650, Right, Xeno G42, 18650 @ 96" Stepped down exposure



Xeno G42, 18650, Low @ 32'



Xeno G42, 18650, Medium @ 32'



Xeno G42, 18650, High @ 32'



Ray X60, 18650, High @ 32'



Xeno G42, 18650, High @ 146' or 44.5 meters



Ray X60, 18650, High @ 146' or 44.5 meters



Xeno G42, 18650, High @ 210' or 64 meters



Ray X60, 18650, High @ 210' or 64 meters




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The UI is what I like. High, Medium then low. The G42 always comes on high which I like. I think all the light level brightnesses are spread out very good.

Beam tint is a nice white. A very, very slight hole in the beam. I've seen way worse one's and this isn't one of them.

This is the brightest XP-G R5 I have now. It almost rivals some of my Cree XRE-R2's and Cree XRE- Q5's in throw.

I tired to screw apart the light at the lens bezel and tried screw off where the clip is to take it off but I couldn't. I don't know if it's glued.

The clip seems a little to low. I think it should be more forward towards the head. Its feels a lttle top heavy IMO when clip my pants.

I had some issues with the hand grip. To get it my hand position I like takes a few second to adjust then just grab the light and go. Not very intuitive.

I didn't play with the lanyard to try the "Magical Lanyard System". The lanyard is clipped to the rear and also by the head.

I wish the Xeno G42 came with a holster but it would have cost more.

Very nice light you got there. I like the unique look of the hand grip, even though it is probably not very comfortable or practical.