1x AA Flashlights

[Planterz]

I just placed an order for 2 Fenix L1Ps. One for myself, and one for my friend/coworker who's in search of the perfect light for his job (pizza delivery guy). It's hard to believe the L1P is so much brighter than the Inova X1 or even the T1 that he has, yet is so much smaller and runs on just a AA battery. I think he'll be very happy with it.

 

[JoHnYKwSt]

I got a Fenix L1P about 2 weeks ago and to say that I highly recommend it would be an understatement. :thumbup:

 

[T.K.C.]

I gotta get a Fenix!!

 

[heathah]

I got my order in this week that included two Fenix L1Ps and two Fenix L2Ps. I have to say, they are awesome little flashlights! It's hard to believe the L1Ps run on one small AA battery. :thumbup:

 

[UnknownVT]

It's hard to believe the L1Ps run on one small AA battery. :thumbup:

Yep that's the advance in LED and flashlight technology for you.

I know this is a thread on single AA battery flashlights - but on a more modest front there is a tiny Nuwai 0.5w 1AAA (TM-310H) running on a single AAA battery for 1/2 watt output - that does pretty well and at about only $10 a pop.

It is small but "not too small" - OK, well I had to learn to hold it further up the body - so that my small finger does not obscure some of the side-spill/light.

--
Vincent
http://UnknownVT2005.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net/

 

[Sid Post]

Fenix L1P Impressive light for sure. It beats the Innova X1 in all categories. Much whiter, much more intense in the center beam, better throw, and enough side spill to walk safely down a side walk. The throw on this light is impressive to the point it may be over powering in a computer case for example.

Those little 8 and 12 LED no-name Chinese lights from LightHound are pretty neat. The 12 LED model has a lot of side spill and fill in light to be a good light for walking your dog home after the sun goes down. $6 dollars for each light was a good deal.

The UV light is a little mixed at this point. I think the clickie switch is making intermediate contact but, for $8 this isn't unreasonable IMHO - YMMV.

 

[cardimon]

Fenix L1P...beats the Innova X1 in all categories. Much whiter, much more intense in the center beam, better throw, and enough side spill to walk safely down a side walk. The throw on this light is impressive to the point it may be over powering in a computer case for example.

How does the Fenix L1P compare for runtime with the Inova X1, then? If the Fenix L1P casts a brighter beam and has better throw, then it would make for a better light for walking the dog. My X1 is great for inspecting cables, not so great for walking the dog. The X1 would need better throw and more sidespill for dog-walking. The Fenix L1P may be just the ticket here.

 

[UnknownVT]

How does the Fenix L1P compare for runtime with the Inova X1, then? If the Fenix L1P casts a brighter beam and has better throw, then it would make for a better light for walking the dog. My X1 is great for inspecting cables, not so great for walking the dog. The X1 would need better throw and more sidespill for dog-walking. The Fenix L1P may be just the ticket here.

The Fenix L1(P) is in a different class of flashlights - it is a good performing 1 watt Luxeon that runs on a single ordinary AA alkaline.
It should be noticably and significantly brighter than an Inova X1 despite the X1's very concentrated/focussed hotspot.

I would consider the Fenix L1(P) too bright for my closer tasks -
but good for most outdoors walking.

Please see the beamshots in the review -

Fenix L1 v2.5 (Non-Premium)

The current v2.5 is rated (and tested) on an alkaline AA - at about 2 hours runtime to about 50% intitial brightness, and probably a couple more hours of diminishing brightness.


--
Vincent
http://UnknownVT2005.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net/

 

[Planterz]

I got my L1Ps yesterday. What a fantastic little light. Yeah, there's better ones out there, but not at this price (not anywhere near it). Very impressive throw for its small size and especially since it's only 1AA. My friend is going to love his. I do wish there was a wee bit more flood (for walking around and reading/searching at night), but this problem is solved with my Arc AAA.

BTW, mine came with the new sheaths (very much like the Inova X1 sheath).

 

[cardimon]

I got my L1Ps yesterday. What a fantastic little light. Yeah, there's better ones out there, but not at this price (not anywhere near it). Very impressive throw for its small size and especially since it's only 1AA. My friend is going to love his. I do wish there was a wee bit more flood (for walking around and reading/searching at night), but this problem is solved with my Arc AAA.

Seems as though the L1P and Arc AAA are meant for different lighting chores, correct?

 

[Planterz]

Seems as though the L1P and Arc AAA are meant for different lighting chores, correct?

Yeah. The Arc AAA is a 5mm LED like on the real tiny keychain lights like Photons. The Arc has a fairly broad spot with a nice even flood. The Fenix uses a 1w Luxeon, an LED more commonly used with higher-power CR123A cells. The Fenix is fairly unique in that instead of using multiple AAA or AAA cells, or a 123 (or two), it only uses a single AA. The difference in the spots is more a result of the reflector than the LED.

The Arc AAA is great for a keychain and provides supprising amount of light for its size, great for finding your path in an alley, reading a map, or finding your keys without blinding yourself. The Fenix is more of a "what's that across the street?" light.

 

[cardimon]

The Arc AAA is great for a keychain and provides supprising amount of light for its size, great for finding your path in an alley, reading a map, or finding your keys without blinding yourself. The Fenix is more of a "what's that across the street?" light.

That's the best explanation of the differences I've heard so far. Or maybe I never asked the question properly. Anyway, thank you.

 

[UnknownVT]

The Arc AAA is great for a keychain and provides supprising amount of light for its size, great for finding your path in an alley, reading a map, or finding your keys without blinding yourself. The Fenix is more of a "what's that across the street?" light.

Careful now.....

Even though I am very enthusiastic about the Fenix L1(P) and like it a LOT - I think the ability to light up something well across the street may be over-estimating its brightness levels a bit.

Yes, one may be able to see the hotspot - but whether that is really enough to see well by may be debatable - or at least marginal.

Let's try to put this into context -
a good 1watt Luxeon is just brighter than a MiniMag 2AA -
but definitnely NOT as bright as a 3D MagLite - which is probably what one needs to light up something well across the street.

This little write up with beamshots may help to illustrate the point -

"Practical" Beamshots?

--
Vincent
http://UnknownVT2005.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net/

 

[cardimon]

Even though I am very enthusiastic about the Fenix L1(P) and like it a LOT - I think the ability to light up something well across the street may be over-estimating its brightness levels a bit.

So the Fenix L1(P) would be better suited for spotlighting what's in the darkest corner of your garage, then. Correct?

 

[Sid Post]

How does the Fenix L1P compare for runtime with the Inova X1, then? If the Fenix L1P casts a brighter beam and has better throw, then it would make for a better light for walking the dog. My X1 is great for inspecting cables, not so great for walking the dog. The X1 would need better throw and more sidespill for dog-walking. The Fenix L1P may be just the ticket here.

I've got to make this brief so, run time is TBD I have not run down the Fenix L1P yet.

The X1 is not very good at clearing a sidewalk of hazards at night IMHO. The beam is too tight with too little side spill. The center spot is good though for a number of tasks at distances of upto ~15 feet.

The Fenix L1P is much brighter. So much so, it is probably too much in a computer case and similar close in tasks. It is a great sidewalk clearing light at night with the intensity and side spill. I "spot" things with it much farther then with the X1. It's range is at least 3 times the X1 range.

The ARC AAA is a great keychain light but, in a totally different class of lights.