Our story

From a can to market-leading

SEPTEMBER 2009

The rain is pouring down and the wind is tearing club tents in the little finnish area where OK Mark is hosting night district championships in orienteering for Västergötland. Three youngsters with a headlamp each are standing at the edge of the forest and illuminating the dark forest with their lamps. Two of the lamps are the best the money can buy in 2009 - Lupine Betty and Mila Nova. The third one reminds mostly of a can with the plastic glass and has been finished just an hour or so before the start of the competition.

The youngster with the "can" is Anders Johansson´s son Martin. They are done with their test after a couple of minutes and Martin in his rain clothes runs back to our club tent to protect himself from the bad weather. He runs directly to me and says - dad, dad, mine gives better light than the others'.

We head to the start with some extra excitement, Martin with the Pre-Cobra on his head and me with Martin's halogen lamp. How would it go, would it work for the whole race despite the pouring rain?

After the finnish I get the direct report that the lamp was great and worked all the way, but that it blinked a couple of times. After a closer examination I see the water splashing in the lamphouse which probably explains the blinking. Well, a really great test under very demanding conditions.
– Anders Johansson, the founder of LEDX Lights

NOVEMBER 2009

Orienteering event in Borås, SM-sport with Stefan Millegård in charge is in place with sports sale. Anders approaches, presents himself and asks a question.
– If there is a lamp for 5 000:- performing better than the lamps on the market today, is it possible to sell it?
Stefan having business sense and besides coming from Småland thought for a minute and said:
– Yes, but it has to look like something as well.
Anders took it as a challenge and said he´d come back. Development accelerated and contacts with possible suppliers were taken.

Ur-Cobra

SPRING 2010

Five days prior to Vasaloppet Anders visits Stefan Millegård again. His son Joakim is present as well while they sit in their home kitchen in Öjersjö. Anders presents the first almost production-ready prototype and takes long time to talk about the project until Joakim finally says:
– We have to go out and test how much light it gives!

It turns out Anders has forgotten the smaller function-tested batteries. Only the bigger battery was in place, the one he took to show the size of it. When we go out and turn it on, the lamp doesn´t work... Anticlimax.
Downhearted Anders went back to the kitchen together with Stefan and Joakim believing all the hope was out. Imagine his surprise when Stefan said "we'll take it in" despite the lamp not turning on. Later it was discovered that the bigger battery had manufacturing defects.

Two weeks later Anders is back with a functioning lamp and with a couple of weeks to 10-mila the first 15 Cobra lamps are out for sale. Some of them ended up on really good heads such as Patrik Martner IFK Göteborg, Albin Ridefeldt OK Linné and Filip Dahlgren from IFK Lidingö.

Cobra, giving appr. 2100 lumens had six LEDs on a star-card glued to aluminum backplate and three different lenses for both long and wide beam.

Cobra generation 1

FALL 2010

SM-sport has exclusive sales agreement until the new year and everything Anders produces is sold. Production is placed in Anders's old photo studio on the ground floor of his house. It is made of mostly bought-in components and everything is pretty much hand-made, for example, the 28 solderings in one lamp take 2,5 hours to complete!

It doesn't take long for Anders to realize this is not sustainable and in fall 2010 begins the development of Cobra II which is wholly done for LEDX Lights. An integrated platform for electronics and LEDs on the same PCB is produced, batteries get smaller, cord and contacts smoother.

Cobra I for riding helmet

Cobra I for the forest industry

SPRING 2011

Cobra II exists in a couple of prototypes which are tested at 10-mila. SM-sport has no longer exclusive sales agreement and LEDX is sold by 5 different resellers. LEDX Lights can be found in a n exhibition tent at O-ringen and the interest for the new lamp is huge.

FALL 2011

Cobra II starts selling in august, as well as its predecessor it has six Cree X-PG LEDs and three different types of lenses generating 2500 lumens. It is announced as week's gadget in Ny Teknik with a headline "Turns night to day". The headgear gets an update and is praised in independent tests. Later in the fall comes even a Backup-battery which makes a success. LEDX Lights becomes a main sponsor for an O-event, the winners in H/D21 classes gets LEDX Cobra inc. backup-battery each and one Cobra is given away as a lottery price among all the finnishers in other classes.

Cobra II (Swedish only)

The first employee, Linnéa, is working one day a week. We sign an agreement with Jenny Rissveds and Oleksandr Kratov, an agreement in force since then.

Jenny Rissveds

Oleksandr Kratov

FALL 2012

Cobra IIx looks alike Cobra II but has been upgraded to 3000 lm. More resellers are interested in LEDX Lights and we have 10 of them now.

Cobra IIx

SPRING 2013

Our lamps are spotted in Finland and enduro riders are first to discover them. Soon enough we are contacted by a reseller more than willing to sell Cobra II over there. We sign an agreement and Anders travels to experience Päijänneajo (Finland's Novemberkåsa = an anual enduro competition) where some of the best riders already use LEDX Lights lamps.

The decision is made to develop a totally new lamp series with a goal for each lamp to be best in it's class. Design is developed in cooperation with Avantic design in Bredaryd, a company behind Twixit bag clips and Baby Björn bibs among other things. It is decided to separate electronics from LEDs to optimize good balance, effective cooling and compact shape. A bit more expensive to produce but the qualities are much better.

Three lamps with the common electronics and mounting, a module system where all the parts are compatible with each other. All the batteries work with all the lamps etc. Development of the lamp series takes 18 months and as a result we have Cobra, Mamba and Kaa. Three lamps setting new standard when it comes to light pattern, performance, reliability and comfort.

FALL 2013

In spite of the ongoing development of the new lamp series, Cobra II gets an update. With the new LED-chip X-ml, the new Cobra IIxl gives 4500 lumens now.

Cobra IIxl

SPRING 2014

The tests with the new lamp series are in progress and it´s the light pattern we are mostly working with. The reflector introduced in Cobra is spot on and spreads the light really good even out in the periphery.

Cobra 5500 prototype

Kaa 1500

Mamba 3500 (Swedish only)

Cobra 5500

FALL 2014

In august the first Cobra 5500, Mamba 3500 and Kaa 1500 are delivered. The numbers after each model stand for light output in lumens and make it easier when updates come. Headgear Pro gets even more comfortable, thanks to the new click mounting. There is a click mounting even for mounting on handlebars, helmet or MC cover, or basically everywhere You need the light.

Resellers are pouring in. More and more players want to sell the brightest lamps on the market.

SPRING 2015

LEDX becomes LEDX of Sweden AB and the turnover exceeds 1 Mkr.

FALL 2015

Update to Cobra 6500, Mamba 3800 and Kaa 1700. Mamba gets the reflector as well. Launch of the cord for the connection to an external 12V DC source.
LEDX Lights goes to Novemberkåsan together with SM-sport and sells lamps. No big success when it comes to numbers as not many within enduro community are familiar with LEDX Lights.

Self-developed reflector, Mamba 3800

New cord for 12V energy source

It is another story in the forest. In one of the toughest races of all times storms Martin Sundin through the forest with 3 LEDX Lights Cobras and the crowd wonders what´s illuminating the whole forest! After this enduro and LEDX Lights are strongly connected.

After a couple of similar part time employees, Benjabin from Mebia starts working one day per week. This is a beginning of a really good cooperation between LEDX Lights and Mebia. Benjamin isn't just working for LEDX Lights, with the help of Mebia he produces brochures, films, grafic design etc for LEDX.

SPRING 2016

Turnover surpasses 2 Mkr

FALL 2016

Success within enduro continues. Cobra can be programmed to turn on directly when connected to the energy source and we launch the big Kåsakit. We revisit Novemberkåsan and this time it´s a sales success. All the lamps we brought with us are sold.
Benjamin is now working two days a week and cooperation with Mebia is expanding.

SPRING 2017

Turnover surpasses 4 Mkr

We sign cooperation agreements with orienteering clubs Koovee in Finland and IFK Göteborg. Theese clubs more or less subscribed for winning 10-mila and Jukola ever since. LEDX Lights together with Mebia is looking for new premises as we've outgrown my basement where the production took place.

Victory for IFK Göteborg

FALL 2017

LEDX Lights moves into new premises next door to Mebia.
The first employee with a contract of indefinite duration, Jenny, is hired. She's responsible for the production. Håkan takes after Benjamin and works two days per week during the season.

Mamba is updated to 4000 lumens and Kaa to 2000 lumens, a new software with more effect modes to programme is introduced. Launch of a double MC-cord for enduro riders.
The decision to develop a new webbsite with our own webbshop is taken. The project is a big one and it drags on.

We sign a cooperation agreement with Albin Elowson and he delivers directly by winning Novemberkåsan assuredly with 3 Cobras.

SPRING 2018

Turnover almost reaches 5 Mkr
Proffessional side grows and Ahlsell is our biggest reseller now.

FALL 2018

Launch of a helmet arch and three new cords for enduro with a new XT60 connection.

Helmet arch, two lamps

New cord on the market

SPRING 2019

Turnover is almost 6 Mkr. Once again we are looking for new bigger premises together with Mebia.

LEDX of Sweden AB gets a new owner, C2 Vertical Safety AB with the headquarters in Uppsala. A Swedish family company with distribution rights for appr. 10 brands in Sweden and a big sales organisation. This is a huge reinforcement for LEDX Lights giving new opportunities for growth and development of new products.

FALL 2019

We move to the new premises. Mebbia is still the next door contributing to LEDX Lights further development.
Our new webbsite www.ledx.se is launched in September.

A bit late into the season we launch the new Cobra X-pand and Mamba X-pand as well as Kaa wide. Cobra and Mamba got a new better frame without screws and a new lense configuration with our self-developed reflector. Kaa gets a new lence with some wider beam.

Production in Borås

SPRING 2020

Pandemics leaves a huge mark all over the world, but our sales aren't affected too much. The interest for moving outdoors with good light is still there.
The brand name is officially LEDX Lights as opposed to earlier LEDX. PRV (Swedish intellectual property office) grants a patent for our self-developed reflector X-pand.

Cobra 6500 X-pand

Mamba 4000 X-pand

Kaa 2000 Wide

FALL 2020

Staffan Ahltin steps in as a CEO for LEDX of Sweden and with the help of Anders Johansson the development of future LEDX Lights lamps gains speed.

All order administration, storing and customer support moves to Uppsala and C2 Vertical Safety thus leaving whole focus on pure production in Borås. Husqvarnas Enduro team becomes our ambassadors and takes Swedish Championshis gold both in mens and womens class.

2021

In autumn 2020, the development of Snok 2000 and our latest range of high-performance batteries, the so-called Mamba and Cobra batteries with 106 Wh and 141 Wh capacity respectively. The Snok lamp is intended to replace the Kaa lamp and is the first lamp in our fourth generation of lamps - Generation 4, G4.

The Snok project is being carried out in collaboration with the Swedish Hunting Federation and others, and Anders is developing a new fastening system called "LX Mount" which is based on and compatible with the Picatinny system and Weaver rail. LX Mount, and its LX brackets, will form the basis of the LEDX accessories range with total compatibility throughout the range.

2022

At the beginning of the year Snok 2000, the small lamp with the big light. The Snok lamp is equipped with a unique optical design where we find LEDX's proprietary X-band reflector, which is an important part of creating LEDX Light's market-leading light image. The reflector illuminates the peripheral field of view and the ground closest to the user, or the "map light" as it is called among orienteers, with a pleasant light. The Snok battery is designed around the powerful 21700 cell and is attached to the new head mount with an LX mount. The battery has been made more robust with a design including a plastic housing and reinforced cable, USB-C charging, and battery status indication. The LEDs on the battery can also be used as a rear light for better visibility in e.g. traffic environments.

With the launch comes a wide range of accessories to attach the light and battery to bicycles, helmets, hunting weapons and more.

Later in the year, our latest batteries will be launched, Mambas battery (106 Wh) and Cobra battery (141 Wh). These are also based on powerful 21700 cells and have been designed with a robust plastic shell to better withstand wear and tear, weather and wind. These batteries also come with a USB-C port for charging and battery status indication on the battery. USB-C PD charging makes it possible to charge all batteries in our range with a single charger. In the past, each individual battery required its own charger adapted to the current terminal voltage. In 2024, a legal requirement will also come into force requiring all rechargeable products to support the USB-C standard.

During the year, recruitment began for Mr Anders' replacement, Johannes Hörner, as the new Head of Development. He will take up his position in August 2022 and start working on the development of the new Mamba & Cobra lamps.

At the end of 2022, a development project will begin in collaboration with USWE in Malmö. USWE is the world's leading manufacturer of backpacks with hydration systems and other carrying solutions for running, motocross, etc. Battery Harness Pro.

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2023

After starting LEDX in 2009, building a successful company with market-leading products and being acquired by C2 Safety In 2019, Anders will finally say goodbye and retire - somewhat overtime. Anders will be celebrated with a big party in March and a solid guest list with everyone who has been involved and collaborated with LEDX in one way or another over the years will come to celebrate and thank Anders. Thank you Anders, and hats off!

In May at the 10-mile race in Skelleftå, IFK Göteborg Orienteering's women's team took home a double victory. LEDX has worked and sponsored IFK Göteborg for many years, and has for 2023 intensified the cooperation and also signed an agreement with Sara Hagström. It was therefore incredibly exciting and fun to follow the competitions (on site) and see the IFK runners' fantastic achievements, not least Sarah Hagström's stage that must go down in history as the pick-up of the century.

During the spring and early summer, a feverish development work is underway under Johannes' leadership to finalise the project with Mamba G4 and Cobra G4. In August 2023, the 'G4 lamps' will be launched in full force and take the market by storm.

Based on the same platform as the 'Snoken', the new lamps have been completely redesigned and include a range of improved features. The G4 lamps have improved light output, brightness, comfort and ease of use:

The proprietary, and patented, X-pand technology has been further improved with a significantly wider beam (> 160° spread), which has also given the lamps their characteristic shape. The X-pand reflector gives the user light in the peripheral vision and one illuminates the ground in front of the feet / gives a pleasant map light.

Mamba and Cobra G4 has a new button design - it's easier to use, especially with gloves, and the robust design is designed to withstand weather, wind and years of use.

Brightness has been boosted with smart solutions for electronics, optics and cooling. The lamps are also equipped with automatic recognition of which battery is connected, so that power and operating time can be optimised.

All electronics are now located in the lamp housing itself, unlike before when they were split between the lamp housing and the electronics box. This makes the lamps more compact and lower, and can be placed closer to the forehead/helmet. Together with the slimmer weight, the lamps have become even more ergonomic and comfortable to use - you experience the lamps as feather-light with an incredible light!

In autumn 2023, LEDX Lights will be exhibiting at the major sports and outdoor trade fair ISPO in Munich, and Mamba G4 X-pand wins the prestigious award "ISPO Award 2023" for its unique design and performance. This is a confirmation that LEDX Lights is the market leader in portable lighting for sports and outdoor activities.

During Novemberkåsan, Albin Elowsson, one of LEDX Light's ambassadors, takes home the win in the almost day-long challenge that is considered perhaps the most prestigious in enduro motocross. Of course equipped with Cobra G4 and Cobra G4 Spot.

In autumn 2023, work will also begin on developing PowerPouch, a battery bag/carrying solution to provide an alternative for users who do not carry the battery in a harness or backpack.

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2024

Launched in early 2024 MudGuard, which offers effective protection from mud and overheating to Cobra G4.

A number of changes are taking place within the LEDX organisation, including the Service Centre moving from Borås to Uppsala. We are also reviewing our production to become even more competitive, which creates new opportunities for LEDX Lights.

Launched in August Battery Harness Pro and PowerPouch, each of which offers smart and comfortable solutions to carrying the LEDX battery. The Battery Harness Pro is developed together with USWE and is based on their - legendary - Outlander series and of course features their patented NDM technology that guarantees the best possible fit and comfort. It is primarily aimed at high-performance practitioners of intensive activities (orienteering, running, enduro, MTB cycling and the like).

The PowerPouch is intended for all users who use LEDX products for less intensive activities such as hunting, snowmobiling, hiking or for attaching to a bicycle. It is developed together with Alvtegen Design and Fauna in Rättvik. It can be worn as a holster, on a belt or attached to a bicycle frame, for example. Made in Sweden from premium materials and outstanding quality, we believe this is a "must have" for all users of high-performance headlamps. Since August 2024, it is included in all our product kits that have 106 Wh or 141 Wh batteries, and is also available as an accessory.

Autumn 2024 is characterised by new development projects that we are very excited to present in the near future...