- Joined
- May 19, 2007
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- 7,745
So I've had the Fenix HL10 for a few days, and I've got some thoughts on it. first off, a size comparison
So in comparison to a AAA battery, an E11, and E05.
So from a pocket perspective its just a 90 degree E05. The added material in the head, and the larger circuit do add a touch of weight, but in the hand, its hardly noticeable. The base has a small hole for a lanyard ring, but its pretty tiny, and would probably interfere in the headlamp holder. It also lacks the notch that allows the E05 to stand with a ring, so I'm not sure how it would be best used. As a handheld flashlight, it takes a bit to get used to, but it certainly works. Holding it in my teeth just doesn't work at all, (but thats what the holder is for....
)
Beam:
I can't really do beam shots, so I'll describe it the best I can. Where the E05 has a floody soft beam with a diffuse hotspot, the HL10 is more of a hard edged clean flood. The beam is listed at 90 degrees, and while the edge is a little fuzzy (what I would call a "soft focus") it is for all intents and purposes, a hard edge. Its just an even circle of light, which is different than anything I've ever used. (in a flashlight that is. its more like a theater fixture in that regard!) It offers a good view with sharp shadows. The three modes are well spaced out, I haven't had a chance to use the low (3 lumen) since I mostly use my light to look for things in the shadows of partly lit rooms. The mid mode (27) is comparable to the E05, although the tighter focus of the E05s hotspot makes it seem a bit brighter. The high mode (70) does what it claims, although it seems dimmer than the low mode of the E11 (35 reported) but I think it has more to do with beam pattern than anything else. (the E11 is focused quite tightly) Modes are accessed by short clicks of the button (.5 second for on-off) with last mode memory. The emitter is the Cree XP-E, which is pretty common, so color wise, its pretty similar to lots of other lights.
Runtime:
So far don't know. I use my lights at work pretty often, and have spare batteries close to hand, so it doesn't effect me. The listed range is from 50 min to 27 hours so I expect it will be about the same as my E05, since the mid mode matches the E05 and thats about what I need. Vampire drain probably won't be an issue for me either, as this isn't a backup light, or one getting left for a blackout.
As a headlamp:
For comparison, I'm benchmarking against the Black Diamond Gizmo. It's the closest light I have, and a common enough one to make sense.
side by side
So they are pretty even in size in headlamp mode. This is one of the things I don't much like about the Fenix. the Gizmo is a 2xAAA light, and it only slightly larger than the Fenix. (58g compared to 45g for the fenix) Now, the major part of the trade off here is the fenix's aluminum body and consequently its waterproof rating(IPX8 vs IPX4 for the Gizmo) I find the orange cover a bit gimmicky and fiddly, it doesn't hold the light at all, and if the steel clip somehow fails, the rest of the holder probably went with it, so its not a backup at all.
The steel clip gives very good up-down adjustment, meaning that the light can be worn either way, and quickly brought into line. The strap is simple, and comfortable enough, and the curve of the holder is wide enough to fit most heads I think. The clip will scratch the light over time, but as a fast and secure way to hold the light, I think its a fair trade off. Beam-wise they are apples to oranges. The Gizmo is a wide flood that just keeps going. It gets right into the peripheral vision with the edges, which is good for a general use light. The hard edge of the HL10 means it is better for focused work. But thats about as close as you can compare a singe cell singe emitter light to a dual-dual light.
I've modified the light by gluing a magnet into the base, so I can attach it as a work light. might never get used that way, but sometimes it helps to have light from a different angle.
Things I would have liked to see:
I would have liked the holder to have been slimmer. I would have also liked a tie clip option like the Pelican vb3 clip lights, so it could be used clipped to a shirt pocket or collar. I've read that a LD01 clip will just fit, but I don't have one to use or try. It seems like a simple way to add a huge amount of versatility to the light.
I don't know yet how much this light will get used, as the EO5 is always at hand, and so gets used even when a headlamp is a better option (best light is the one you have, right?) but with its multi mode use, It might supplant the E05 as my basic work carry light, as it fills the same niche rather well. The main factor will be what the EDC loadout changes to when I get the Skinth holster. Without a ring, carrying the HL10 alone isn't a great option (I don't like stuff in my thigh pockets) So right now it will be primarily a headlamp.
Preliminary conclusions:
As a headlamp, overall, its a success. Good combo of features, and the shortcomings are well worth the upsides.
As a handheld light, also a success. There could have been many compromises made here to have a dual mode light. Granted, its a road already traveled by Zebralight and Surefire, but at the end of the day, I think good choices were made. changing from stand-alone to headlamp takes no thought, no real effort.
Questions? comments? I'll have another opportunity to use it outdoor at night soon, so I'll see how it holds up to what I've come to expect from the E05.
So in comparison to a AAA battery, an E11, and E05.
So from a pocket perspective its just a 90 degree E05. The added material in the head, and the larger circuit do add a touch of weight, but in the hand, its hardly noticeable. The base has a small hole for a lanyard ring, but its pretty tiny, and would probably interfere in the headlamp holder. It also lacks the notch that allows the E05 to stand with a ring, so I'm not sure how it would be best used. As a handheld flashlight, it takes a bit to get used to, but it certainly works. Holding it in my teeth just doesn't work at all, (but thats what the holder is for....
)Beam:
I can't really do beam shots, so I'll describe it the best I can. Where the E05 has a floody soft beam with a diffuse hotspot, the HL10 is more of a hard edged clean flood. The beam is listed at 90 degrees, and while the edge is a little fuzzy (what I would call a "soft focus") it is for all intents and purposes, a hard edge. Its just an even circle of light, which is different than anything I've ever used. (in a flashlight that is. its more like a theater fixture in that regard!) It offers a good view with sharp shadows. The three modes are well spaced out, I haven't had a chance to use the low (3 lumen) since I mostly use my light to look for things in the shadows of partly lit rooms. The mid mode (27) is comparable to the E05, although the tighter focus of the E05s hotspot makes it seem a bit brighter. The high mode (70) does what it claims, although it seems dimmer than the low mode of the E11 (35 reported) but I think it has more to do with beam pattern than anything else. (the E11 is focused quite tightly) Modes are accessed by short clicks of the button (.5 second for on-off) with last mode memory. The emitter is the Cree XP-E, which is pretty common, so color wise, its pretty similar to lots of other lights.
Runtime:
So far don't know. I use my lights at work pretty often, and have spare batteries close to hand, so it doesn't effect me. The listed range is from 50 min to 27 hours so I expect it will be about the same as my E05, since the mid mode matches the E05 and thats about what I need. Vampire drain probably won't be an issue for me either, as this isn't a backup light, or one getting left for a blackout.
As a headlamp:
For comparison, I'm benchmarking against the Black Diamond Gizmo. It's the closest light I have, and a common enough one to make sense.
side by side
So they are pretty even in size in headlamp mode. This is one of the things I don't much like about the Fenix. the Gizmo is a 2xAAA light, and it only slightly larger than the Fenix. (58g compared to 45g for the fenix) Now, the major part of the trade off here is the fenix's aluminum body and consequently its waterproof rating(IPX8 vs IPX4 for the Gizmo) I find the orange cover a bit gimmicky and fiddly, it doesn't hold the light at all, and if the steel clip somehow fails, the rest of the holder probably went with it, so its not a backup at all.
The steel clip gives very good up-down adjustment, meaning that the light can be worn either way, and quickly brought into line. The strap is simple, and comfortable enough, and the curve of the holder is wide enough to fit most heads I think. The clip will scratch the light over time, but as a fast and secure way to hold the light, I think its a fair trade off. Beam-wise they are apples to oranges. The Gizmo is a wide flood that just keeps going. It gets right into the peripheral vision with the edges, which is good for a general use light. The hard edge of the HL10 means it is better for focused work. But thats about as close as you can compare a singe cell singe emitter light to a dual-dual light.
I've modified the light by gluing a magnet into the base, so I can attach it as a work light. might never get used that way, but sometimes it helps to have light from a different angle.
Things I would have liked to see:
I would have liked the holder to have been slimmer. I would have also liked a tie clip option like the Pelican vb3 clip lights, so it could be used clipped to a shirt pocket or collar. I've read that a LD01 clip will just fit, but I don't have one to use or try. It seems like a simple way to add a huge amount of versatility to the light.
I don't know yet how much this light will get used, as the EO5 is always at hand, and so gets used even when a headlamp is a better option (best light is the one you have, right?) but with its multi mode use, It might supplant the E05 as my basic work carry light, as it fills the same niche rather well. The main factor will be what the EDC loadout changes to when I get the Skinth holster. Without a ring, carrying the HL10 alone isn't a great option (I don't like stuff in my thigh pockets) So right now it will be primarily a headlamp.
Preliminary conclusions:
As a headlamp, overall, its a success. Good combo of features, and the shortcomings are well worth the upsides.
As a handheld light, also a success. There could have been many compromises made here to have a dual mode light. Granted, its a road already traveled by Zebralight and Surefire, but at the end of the day, I think good choices were made. changing from stand-alone to headlamp takes no thought, no real effort.
Questions? comments? I'll have another opportunity to use it outdoor at night soon, so I'll see how it holds up to what I've come to expect from the E05.