Fenix AA and AAA flashlights

quattrokid73

quattrokid73

Joined
Nov 2, 2007
Messages
427
I am very confused with the models in the Fenix line: led types, etc...

I am looking for a 1 cell AA or AAA model with high output (greater than 80 lumens) as an option. What are their best models?

I keep seeing L1P L1C L1D and I am very confused.

Thanks!
 
They don't make a AAA light over 80 lumens yet. You want the models that say they have a Cree led. It will give the brightness you want. The early Crees were P4. The next step up in brightness was the Q2, then the Q5. These later LEDs are available in Fenix lights as special editions. They are each slightly brighter, though they may have a slight decrease in run time.
 
I'm almost certain you're wrong on the model demarcations. Don't think of it as a brightness scale, think of it as an efficiency scale like what you would see in a comparison of same-model Intel processors: a Q5 can get more light from less power, but is harder to build. So getting a better bin is desirable from pretty much any angle. But that's just my understanding, I could be wrong.
 
I have the L1P? Q5 Premium.(2AA model) Plenty of light at 180 Lumens, and several lower brightness settings. The lowest setting is still bright and useful and I think they said it will run for 28 hrs.
 
I have the LOD, single AAA model. For something that runs on a AAA battery that you can find everywhere, puts out this kind of light and I can't hardly tell its in my pocket...It's a keeper!
 
The L1D Q5 is the model you are looking for.

The L1D features 5 modes (high, medium, low, turbo, strobe, SOS) and is easy to get the hang of. The Q5-bin Cree LED blows the stock emitter out of the water in terms of efficiency and brightness, so the overall effect is you get a brighter output.
 
Perhaos you could email the guys at the fenix-store.com and ask them for a suggestion or two. I have done this and gotten useful help.
 
Remember, most of the time output depends on how much "power" the battery can supply the emitter. Usually lights that run 80+ lumens run off of 123A cells that supply over twice the voltage than AA and AAA cells.

My suggestions, get either the L1D-ce or L0D-ce. They are plenty bright with the stock emitters now. You won't get very regulated output with just 1 cell simply because the cells can't supply to the emitters. Plus, your eyes won't be able to easily tell the difference between 80 lumens and slightly below 80.

I bought a L0D for my brother for Christmas and it was amazingly bright on high. But unfortunately that brightness just dies down (approx 18mins to 50%) simply because the cell isn't designed to have that much drawn out of it.

I use to have a L1P that I lost and I have yet to buy another high powered light simply because my ARC-AAA and E0 have been plenty bright for my uses.

As for Fenix's model numbers is fairly easy. Usually 3 parts to the model number with each part representing a certain aspect of the light.

L and E series lights use AA or AAA cells
P and T series uses 123A cells

L0 and E0/1 use 1 AAA cell
then the rest of the L series uses the same number of AA cells as described in the number (L1 uses 1 AA cell L2 uses 2 AA cells)
P1/2 use 1 123A cell
P3 uses 2 123A cells
T1 uses 2 123A cells

Finally ending with P were all L series premium models (R binned lux emitters I believe) (the last version of the L2P was high/low but I'm not sure about the others)
T was high/low lux3
S was high/low lux1
D is cree(-CE models) or Rebel (with premium D series using Q5 bin cree or Rebel 100 emitter)

Granted the above might not be 100% correct (I'm not a really big flashlight person) but it should give you the general idea.
 
I bought this for my brother for Christmas. I liked it so much I got one for myself! https://www.fenix-store.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_52&products_id=226

The beauty of it is that you can run the LD1 (AA battery) or just switch bodies and run the PD2 (123A battery). You have a lot of versatility there. Obviously, the PD2 is brighter (180 lumens), but the batteries are much cheaper for the LD1 (120 lumens).

Check it out....

OH... also... you can get an 8% discount on your order if you enter in the Candlepowerforums discount code CPF8.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top