I evaluated the parasitic battery drain in 3 Raid Xe units (2fp, 1 lp). For the forst 5 days or so, in all three, which all displayed uniform drain characteristics. They were identical. However, since I use this stuff, I settled on only one, which I could set aside, for this test. It spans from 6/9/24 to 7/7/24.
I began with a fresh 3.26v Surefire battery. Unloaded voltage read 3.26V, and the Raid Xe read it as 100%. My pulse load battery meter read it as >80. My open voltage meter read it as 100%.
This was 6/9/24 when it was placed in the unit, mfr date 2024. The unit is a full power red laser unit. It was switched off.
On 6/14/24, voltage was taken to show 3.11v open circuit.
On 6/18/24, 3.08v
On 6/19/24, 3.08v
On 6/20/24, 3.07v
On 6/22/24, 3.07v
On 6/23/24, 3.07v
On 6/24/24, 3.07v
On 6/25/24, 3.07v
On 6/26/24, 3.06v
On 6/29/24 -7/5/24, 3.06v
On 7/7/24, it measured 3.05v, then 3.06v, then 3.05v. I measure 3x at each time to make sure conduction is best. It settled in at 3.05v. Pulse load measured battery at >80%, and open circuit meter rated it at 90%.
I then, at 1000hrs, placed it back in the unit and turned the selector to Viz, High. I did not activate thr laser. By 1700hrs, the battery read 2.94v and registered 85% SoC open circuit, 92% per the Raid Xe, and >80% on my pulse load meter, which operates in 20% increment. Interestingly, once the battery was removed and sat for a day, it rose back to 3.06v/90% open circuit, and 100% per the onboard Xe diagnostic. Ambient temperatures did not change.
It is my assessment that parasitic battery drain is not an issue for properly PMed systems using the Raid Xe. You are not likely to pick up your weapon to use it and find a dead battery, so long as you switch the laser OFF, which is a common theme with mfals.
This is based on my experience above, showing roughly a 10% SoC loss over 1 month, which was mostly in the first week and a half, slowing dramatically under 3.1v. The unit that I use has been in use well over a month, and while mostly off, it was forgotten ON one night, and has been frequently used for short periods of time over roughly 2 months. It is in my other FP laser and this Xe measures it at 98% with the onboard diagnostics, while the open circuit voltage reads 2.99v/85%, pulse measured at >80%.
It is worth noting that both Raid Xes read the same 98% using onboard diagnostics with this battery. I also note that it clan fluctuate from 90% when the battery is first inserted and the laser switched ON and the diagnostic run, to 98% if you run the diagnostic after its been in the ON position in any setting for a few minutes. It seems like a very sensitive system, based on voltage detected, and even slight demand fluctuations can cause a reading variance, of course.
I also tested a cr123 which read 2.86v open circuit/65% , per my meter, and <20% on the pulse meter. In both units, it read 80%. However, this was after the unit was switched ON for a few seconds. Initial test reading is 70%, which is why I came to the conclusion in the above paragraph. There is some start up draw that causes a brief sag, ever so small.
Thus concludes my observation that you should be fine verifying bedside type use weapon systems monthly, and I would not be shocked if you got a full year or more if you made sure to switch the Raid Xe off.
While this is a bit deep on the nerd scale, nothing is worse than your mfal dying unexpectedly, and there have been issues with units such as the NGAL eating a battery in a few days even when off.