Have used both recently in the BATA at STC for R&D. I currently have a xenon light on and have had one for a number of years. But when I tried the led recently i was quite surprise in its performance.
The UK 4AA eLED Zoom torch gives you pretty well the same performance as the xenon but I think it lacks the depth of penetration as the xenon. Not much, but their is a difference.
Please remember what are you trying to achieve, personal safety or search & rescue capabilities. You are probably going to say both. So either way both torches meet the "bar"
The led torch has improved since the introduction a few years ago, and even the pencil type led torch which some firefighters use give enough protection for personal safety and search & rescue capabilities.
Some type of helmet torch should be mandatory in the fire service. I personally think its up their with gloves and goggles. Not holding a torch to do a task is great. The organisation should be recommending and pushing this piece of equipment.
Think about purchasing a torch which is universal, so it is good to use in a bushfire at night or a MVA. Any of the UK brand will do this.
And Saberlite are great. we have them on our caba sets and I use them at work, the best torch I think I have used.
