Fenix lights

[Razorsharp1986]

Hello fellas!
I've owned quite a few flashlights throughout my life, and always found Fenix to be my go-to flashlight company. However, I've noticed that people keep buying more expensive lights, while apparently not getting so much of a better product.

So my questions are, what do you think about the Fenix lights? do they withstand the test of time? do they perform well compared to the more expensive flashlights?

Also, what's up with the Surefire lights? how do they compare to quality and lighting power to my beloved Fenix??

Please post some comparison pictures if you can.

Thanks, Razorsharp1986.

 

[summerman]

I have 3, pd3, ld01 and another and have given 5 or more as gifts. they are great. Most lumens and bang for the buck. Chinese though.

 

[James0723]

If you want quality USA made flashlights ARC Flashlight and Peak LED Solutions are two good companies. Both have flashlight versions in titanium as well.

 

[Razorsharp1986]

If you want quality USA made flashlights ARC Flashlight and Peak LED Solutions are two good companies. Both have flashlight versions in titanium as well.

It's not necessarily that I want a USA made light . I'm just trying to figure out what's the deal with something like Fenix, which is rather cheap and throws a great beam, and something like the way more expensive Surefire. I really just want to know if I'm missing something. As said before, I always thought that even a China made product like the Fenix, can perform just like the popular higher end lights.

 

[KuRUpTD]

Some people are flashaholics and want/need the latest or greatest.
Fenix flashlights give you great bang for your buck in my opinion.
I own a Fenix L2D-Q5 (2AA) and absolutely love it :thumbup:

 

[NaturalWorld]

Fenix flashlights are my overall most supported flashlight manufacturer, and the metric by which I compare other lights. They do excellent with the single-cell AA format (which is what I've about altogether standardized to, so very important for me), excellent regulation to set the standard, and a comparatively low price (vs manufacturers with similar specs).

Price/performance wise vs SureFire, you've got a win in my book; build-quality is rather nice, HAIII etc, but quite not to par with SureFire. Brightness/runtime, and cell-selection are in your favor, not to mention investment costs. SureFire is a good example of american-made quality, but Fenix puts together a very nice product that does not leave you short.

Every few years, I upgrade my EDC, but that's admittedly just because I'm a bit of a gear-hound and not out of necessity. L1T, then LD1, now LD10. Brightness levels stayed about same, but I'd gain noticeable runtime, as emitter technology advanced. The old models still surprise everyone, and make excellent gifts! LD10 may run 34hrs at a regulated 9lumens, but the LD1 running about 25hrs at a regulated 10+lumens (can't remember exacts) is no slouch either for general use.

 

[baldtaco-II]

Interesting question. Recently I've been using a pair of modified AA Maglites on a head cradle to punch out around 280 lm. Despite the fact that system is working great for me I still have a fondness for my old Petzls so I keep an eye on the market in case something worthy comes along.

Knowing that Fenix has a great reputation as a giant slayer I was very keen to see what they would come up with [especially in relation to remote battery packs]. Lo and behold I find a Fenix headlamp at one of my favorite tinternet retailers. It doesn't have the features I'm after but for £38 GBP looks like a good bit of kit. Next to it is a Surefire Saint headlamp for £190 GBP. So now I'm wondering why that Surefire is so much more that the Fenix – Does it have some magickal properties? Does it hell, it looks very similar to a $50 USD Zebra offering but with a dial attenuator and very basic head cradle and around 100 lm flat out. I can see nothing special about it whatsoever. As with some knives I'm sure they'll sell 'cos of the branding to people that try to buy their way in with “it costs the most so it must be the best” mentality.

 

[GWashington1732]

I can't imagine spending that much on a flashlight. I picked up one of those LED Maglites for 25 dollars, it's the brightest one I've ever had. I can't even see why I'd ever need more than that.

 

[DOC-CANADA]

I used to be a big fan of Mini Mags as well, but their intermittent qualities drove me nuts.

Finally, I bought a Fenix L2D on Rock6's recommendation and have been quite pleased (Thanks again, Rock ).

I'm looking at the new Quarks (AA) for a backup light.

Doc

 

[baldtaco-II]

I used to be a big fan of Mini Mags as well, but their intermittent qualities drove me nuts.

Salut

Quick question 'cos I don't want to warp the thread too much, but what exactly did you find that failed on them?

I've never had one fail or ever heard of one fail in meatspace. I've heard a couple of folk on forums say they've had them fail but never exactly why. To my understanding they are such a popular platform for modification because there really isn't much to them once you have them apart. Certainly after having a few apart myself I can't see what could fail.

 

[The Government]

I can't imagine spending that much on a flashlight. I picked up one of those LED Maglites for 25 dollars, it's the brightest one I've ever had. I can't even see why I'd ever need more than that.

I was the same way until I converted and bought my my first (and only) nice flashlight, the Fenix L1D for 44 bucks. It is just as powerful as a full size light but fits comfortably in a pocket. It takes only one regular AA battery which means you dont have to spend a fortune buying all 4 D batteries of a latrge maglite. In the long run, I think it will pay off and have the added bonus of being small with multiple settings and water resistance.

I cant comment on any other brands, but I will say that I have been very impressed and that this is all I will ever need quality wise and technology wise. Every person who sees it in use is always amazed.

 

[kr1]

I've carried a P3D for years now, every day and every working night and would probably only consider changing it for another Fenix. I have given several for gifts to my sons and wife as well. I consider them to be very good lights.

KR

 

[lava_lamp]

I have a $50 Fenix P1d and a $200 Surefire A2 Aviator. The Fenix is the better light - brighter and with more settings. The Surefire is built much better, plus its made in the USA. Is it worth 4x as much? Probably not...

 

[Fonly]

I have a $50 Fenix P1d and a $200 Surefire A2 Aviator. The Fenix is the better light - brighter and with more settings. The Surefire is built much better, plus its made in the USA. Is it worth 4x as much? Probably not...

that is the thing. I sure like to help out companies in the states, and in canada, but why can't I help out a company in china, its not like Fenix has kids making their lights, they put alot of time into their products, listen intently to what their customers have to say, and have yet to find anything wrong with them as a company.

My TK-10 has held up find, I've dropped it, drove over it with a 3/4 tonne truck. It still works the same is it did the day I bought it.

Down the road I might get a surefire just to say I own one, but thats from a collectors point of few, not because I feel I need to get one because its better than fenix.

I can get a 265 lumen light from fenix now thats under $100, not to mention a 2.5 hour run time on high, multiple settings, and its 4" long, I think thats a serious contender.

 

[THE PUNISHER]

Fenix is good till it takes a crap,then you will have to mail it to australia not china to get it fixed,oh they will fixx it but not till you airmail it,surefire you make a phone call and they send you the part....

I got several fenix lights some are bright i do like them but i never could understand people laugh @ china knives then defend china flashlight companies over surefire/american....

 

[Fonly]

Fenix is good till it takes a crap,then you will have to mail it to australia not china to get it fixed,oh they will fixx it but not till you airmail it,surefire you make a phone call and they send you the part....

I got several fenix lights some are bright i do like them but i never could understand people laugh @ china knives then defend china flashlight companies over surefire/american....

because its different, most knife companies that go to china are to cut corners and make a cheaper product, Fenix came from china, didn't more there, they make solid products. all computers, gaming systems, everything is made in china, its not the country that makes it cheap, its the company.

 

[tknife]

My 2 fenix lights have blown away the Surefires I've owned. I use the little L0D daily.

 

[kgd]

Salut

Quick question 'cos I don't want to warp the thread too much, but what exactly did you find that failed on them?

I've never had one fail or ever heard of one fail in meatspace. I've heard a couple of folk on forums say they've had them fail but never exactly why. To my understanding they are such a popular platform for modification because there really isn't much to them once you have them apart. Certainly after having a few apart myself I can't see what could fail.

I have troubles with my mini-mag switch. It starts to flicker while on and sometimes turns off in use. I don't really like twist on switches. The fenix switch seems really robust. I just got the cheap 2AA model. I'm happy with it. Its just an on/off model with a focus adjustment. I can see the appeal of having variable light output. However, I can't see the appeal of spending more than $50 for a flashlight

 

[DOC-CANADA]

Salut

Quick question 'cos I don't want to warp the thread too much, but what exactly did you find that failed on them?

I've never had one fail or ever heard of one fail in meatspace. I've heard a couple of folk on forums say they've had them fail but never exactly why. To my understanding they are such a popular platform for modification because there really isn't much to them once you have them apart. Certainly after having a few apart myself I can't see what could fail.

Hey btII,

I used the conventional Mini Mags for years (AA)- after awhile, they would become intermittent, so I would take them apart, clean the contact areas, then they would work all right for awhile (never as long as initially, though) and then it would happen all over again.

When the NiteIze conversions, came out, I started using them (actually I don't know what happened with them ). Anyway, when the LED Mini Mag came out, I bought one and I was thrilled with it at first. Then it started getting intermittent, after only a short time of using it. I was on a canoe trip at the time and decided to take it apart - didn't come apart the same way . Rather than save it and send it back, I got it apart .

I was so disgusted with it, I said, never again. Rock6 recommended the Fenix L2D and I never looked back.

I should mention, with the exception of the Mag-manufactured LED model, all my Mini Mags saw daily usage at work and maybe if they were more casually used, as would be the case with most recreational users, might not have had the same amount of problems. Having said that, my Fenix gets used at work, as well.

Doc

 

[NJY]

I suggest checking out Coast FED Lenser flashlights: http://www.coastportland.com/

I have a Mini Tac Torch that runs on a AA battery and I am very happy with it. I use it all the time hanging on my neck from a lanyard. It provides a good focused beam, plenty for camp chores.

They are fairly inexpensive and I've found a few models sold at Home Depot.

NJY