Fenix lights

Back in the day, Surefire had the market when it came to powerful flashlights...my Surefire 6P incandescent was the cat's meow for along time until the LED lights started coming out and then I switched to a Surefire 6P LED and that was the cat's meow until Fenix, Olight, Quark, etc started becoming available and at a much cheaper cost. You'll notice that those newer entries are also a little bit more respondant to consumer preferences than Surefire. Multiple lighting levels, ergonomics, pocket clips, multi-size options etc. While Surefire is doing similar things, they tend to lag behind the others as far as speed of changing. For example, Fenix has upgraded the P3D (PD30, etc) three or four times in the last year or so. Another words, when a new emitter becomes available, they do away with old models and integrate the new emitter. When customers want pocket clips on the lights, they start to integrate that. When folks want better grip checkering, they respond....well, you get the picture. I think Surefire still has the market in the area of build quality but the others are darn close. Surefires are almost overbuilt for what they are. If you want a good idea on what lights are kind of the new thing, check out GoingGear.com and look at their lineup of lights. They tend to keep up with the trends of the day. They are also a forum member here.:thumbup:
 
kgd said:
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 :D
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Cheers. That's got me wondering though 'cos there really isn't a great deal going on in there. It's one of things that I think “if this happened in the sticks could I fix it”, and I think provided something hasn't actually sheared inside then probably yes. No dig intended, but it does make me wonder when I see the tinternet accounts of flaky ones why they can't be fixed at home with the whole repertoire of tools and access to parts that entails.

The pouch based torches I use are push button and I prefer that. Using those Mags as a headlamp I don't find the twist on/off an irritant.

Ha, you converted what is effectively a $50 USD Zebra light with an external battery pack did you. For those that haven't the Surefire Saint at £190.95 is a whopping $307.175 USD. Quite some mark up for not much more than what a regular Zebra light is.

Apart from Fenix which seems to deserve the reputation they have I've also been looking at the Cree range. After all many of these torches are fitted with Cree emitters so what could be wrong with a complete Cree torch. I'm unlikely to buy one 'cos I'm all torched up, but I do wonder if one wanted a simple unit what could be wrong with going direct to the brain. http://ant-supplies.co.uk/HighPowered.aspx
 
Also consider 4sevens.

http://www.4sevens.com/
http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/forumdisplay.php?f=140

I was a fan of the Fenix lights (still have a couple), but now 47's gets my business (better overall quality, IMO). What manufs. such as these can do with warm bin LEDs and even AA or AAA battery configs. crosses into domains of light output that used to be the "state of the art" back when I was geeked-out with Surefires. I still have a Surefire C3-HA that I keep as a host for whatever the "latest, greatest" LED drop-in is that I own...but more and more I am coming around to buying only AA or AAA based LED lights.

My current "woods lights" (all my backpacking / canoe trips) are:
- 4Sevens Quark "Tactical" 2AA *(the "moonlight mode" on this one sells it for me)
- Zebralight H50

These two lights can be scavenged for back-up batteries for my backup navigation aid (my Garmin 60CSx GPS), should that ever be necessary. (Notice I said “back-up” aid – I still consider GPS an interesting “toy” and I’m still (and always will be) a “compass guy” – yet for some reason, it now comes along).
 
DOC-CANADA said:
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 :o ). 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
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Doc, hola

Your post slipped through my net earlier, probably 'cos it was nearly time to do sleep, so I've only just read it. Thanks.

Having read some on the Mag LED and the NiteIze conversions I can understand a lack of satisfaction. The push button switch of the NiteIze alone seems to introduce some undesirables and the Mag LED appears to have a bunch of shortcomings according to what I read on CPF. I just modded mine by replacing the stock reflector, lense, and sticking in Terralux blah Mini Star Extremes. At the time I started doing that the Terralux bulbs alone were costing me about the cost of complete Fenix units, although the price of those has dropped off massively now. They get thrashed a lot and no problems yet.

...
Right, back on trail. I see MOF got banned sometime between last night and today. He was on my list of those of you most unlikely to get banned. I am very surprised. Given his membership only had four days left to run I'm suspecting there's a post somewhere with piking-two-handed-triple-twisting-succuhara[SP]-dismount. Must find.

wpwwkfbarztar400.gif
 
You're welcome DOC:D

It's funny this just came up. My in-laws came to visit and the electrical cord was stuck up inside their camper trailer. My father-in-law pulls out his Mini-Mag...and it doesn't work. He bangs on it, gets it going again, but not bright enough to look inside the receptacle and then it just crapped out again. He changed batteries...still no light. I went back inside and grabbed my Fenix 2D (older model) and he had just changed out the little bulb in the Mini-Mag. Well, it worked, but not bright enough to work with. I handed him my Fenix and he about fell over. Guess what he's getting for Christmas next year (or his B-Day)?:D

The home-security guy was installing our system and had a cool hat-mounted LED light, but it had no throw. As he was checking out my crawl space he needed a better light and was about to get one from his truck. I handed him the 2AA Nitecore and he was in awe and couldn't stop talking about it...he now has 4seven's website to check out:thumbup:

Maglite did a piss-poor job on their LED conversion. I actually just ordered a couple of Terralux LED conversions for my larger Maglites, but there are lights out there such as Fenix that just did it right the first time.

I do try to buy American when I can, but Fenix is an easy exception. We can bash Chinese knives, but their electronics are a good value. I was pretty impressed with Fenix lights when deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan...they took some harsh EDC abuse and use and I've never had a failure.

I still think Surefire is a great company; a little slow to adapt given their current size, but they still have the largest market on "tactical" and weapon's lights. Their customer services is top notch as well. If I want a light for my shotgun or AR, I'll lookup Surefire...if I want an all-around utility/EDC, I'd recommend Fenix (or some of their competition...Nitecore, Zebra, Quark, etc.).

ROCK6
 
I've EDC'd a P2D for a while now. It's been exposed to below -10 and up to 100 degrees weather, has been rained and snowed on, seen multiple hikes and camping trips, been tossed around and banged around, constantly exposed to pocket lint :D and keeps on ticking with no problems. I like that it can stand vertical and be used like an electric candle. It's lit up my tent for me more than once, and lit up my bedroom during power outages. It's lost some paint, gained some character, and performed perfectly for me. To me it's the perfect EDC light, the batteries last a LONG time using the lowest power setting and not going crazy with it. I think I've only changed the battery once or twice over a full year. The brightest settings matches the output of my larger Surefire, though it burns up the battery much quicker. Okay with me because I don't use it often, more of a nice to know it's there feature as opposed to being limited to just a lower output.
 
Recently, I was looking into getting a weapon light for my AR. I found a number of complaints that the good chinese lights can't handle the shock of repeated recoil like a SureFire. No experience myself (yet), but when I put a light on my AR it will be a SureFire G2 LED - which I picked up for under $50 new.

Maybe the mystique of SureFire goes back to weapons lights, and the community that uses them on a regular basis.

That being said, my EDC goes back and forth between a Fenix LD20+ and and iTP C8R. I like both of the lights, but I especially like having the option of making the iTP light into a single AA light with the C7 body (for about $10 extra).

By the way, both of three of the little LED lights I mentioned are about the same brightness as my 3 x D cell LED MagLite.
 
I'm a Surefire pig. :o I love the beam patterns, throw, and build quality. I don't think you can find a better or more reliable flashlight.
 
Fenix makes a great light. So does surefire. Weapons light? Only surefire. EDC? I like the RA twisty, the Fenix LD01, Surefire G2L.
 
I cannot compare the two brands since I don´t own a surefire.

But I own a Fenix TK10 and can answer to your question if they withstand the test of time: I think they do. I have mine since almost two years, I have dropped it many times, also on harder surfaces, the aluminum has some dings and scratches, but I never had any kind of problem! It also got wet, sandy, cold, etc.

I totally like that light and I am thinking of getting a tk30, just for that extra power!

Best regards,

l.
 
I could use some help finding a source for a part (switch to be specific) for my fenix P20D. I love it, but the switch is a little buggy. I can't see tossing it instead of fixing it, that it unless someone here is interested in trading it for another light that can use it / tinker with it. (Sorry Moderators if I shoudn't throw that out there in this section. I can happily erase the last part if necessary :) )
 
I don't buy Fenix lights anymore because IMO they are outclassed in their price range. The Eagle Tac lights, the Nitecore lights, and especially the 4 sevens lights outstrip Fenix easily.

The 4 sevens lights I own are brighter, whiter, have the best spot, and more throw than my surefires (L2 and L4), or any other of my premium lights.
 
I looked at Fenix and I was set to get the LD20, however I decided to get a 4sevens QuarkAA and feed it with some Ene/Duraloops.

I would love to get a Surefire but they just don't offer what I want in a flashlight. Multiple modes and AA compatible as it makes the most sense to use rechargeable batteries.

daddÿ
 
First, I love Fenix lights, and second, I think the output on my Surefire lights (120 lumens for 20 minutes) is pathetic. I can't see myself ever buying another Surefire.

That said, if something goes bump in the night, I'm picking up a surefire, not a fenix, because I know it will work. I can't say that for the Fenix. I've had one fail, and had one drain the batteries when left for a couple months.

The surefire also has the added benefit of one setting -- ON. No fiddling with settings when you need blinding light.
 
I EDC a PD30. I took it for a night hike last night on a local bush trail in -20. This light performs flawlessly.

If I buy another flashlight it will be another Fenix.
 
my opinion is surefires suck. no one wants an outdoor light that has a runtime in minutes and isnt even close to the brightness level of many other light companies. if thats not bad enough, i dont understand who in thier right mind at surefire decided thier lights are worth the prices they sell for but they are rediculous. ive had a fenix e20 for about a year now and it is an awesome little light.over 3 hours of runtime at 109 lumens,toguh,rugged and waterproof for 35$.my next light purchase will prob be the fenix pd30.i dont care where they are made,they work excellent.
 
I have a Fenix LD20 and it works great.

Lights things up just like a flashlight is supposed to. It cost all of 60 bucks on Amazon.

I have a Surefire E2L and it works great.

Lights things up just like a flashlight is supposed to. It cost 120 or so.

Does the Surefire work 2x better than the Fenix. No.

In fact, the Fenix is brighter, lasts longer, and has more modes.

The Surefire does have a slightly better fit and finish. The Fenix however came with a sheath, a lanyard, extra seals, and extra switch covers.

Both will work great. If you happen to be in the words "surviving" and come across a flashlight junkie you can impress him with the Surefire, althougth it would be better if you just asked him how to get back home.

Both good choices. have fun.
 
Fiddleback said:
I don't buy Fenix lights anymore because IMO they are outclassed in their price range. The Eagle Tac lights, the Nitecore lights, and especially the 4 sevens lights outstrip Fenix easily.

The 4 sevens lights I own are brighter, whiter, have the best spot, and more throw than my surefires (L2 and L4), or any other of my premium lights.
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Have you tried any of the new Fenix offerings? They have put out some cool lights and have updated most of their line in the past couple of months.

The other manufacturers are starting to catch up to the LED bins that 4Sevens uses. Fenix has some R4 models out and has R5 in the works. The big advantage that 4Sevens has is that they have a much smaller market share, so they can do very small production runs using the latest and greatest LEDs. The newest LEDs are easy to get when you need 1,000, but when you need 50,000 or 100,000, it's a different story.

I sell and really like both brands, but they both have their advantages. 4Sevens definitely caters to the CPF crowd since that is their main market, so you will see a lot of stuff that CPF has specifically asked for. 4Sevens doesn't have an answer to the Fenix TA or TK line though, although they will eventually.

My personal favorite brand is JETBeam. They just make cool lights. iTP is also a great compamy and has some killer lights for the amount of money you spend on them.
 
I don't understand it either. Most LED's and Drivers are made in china anyways, whether or not a threaded tube is made in the USA or China is not of much concern for me. I've taken to buying cheaper flashlights with decent body's like romissen, and just replacing the driver led, and sometimes reflector. The result is a flashlight of comparable quality to Fenix for about 30 dollars. I do still love my l2d-ce though, great beam for illuminating a hot spot and peripheral.

I also really like the look of the quark and other 4sevens lights. I think I'd look to those before buying anouther Fenix.
 
Munky88 said:
I don't understand it either. Most LED's and Drivers are made in china anyways, whether or not a threaded tube is made in the USA or China is not of much concern for me.
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You'd be surprised. CREE, the manufacturer of the LEDs in the vast majority of high end flashlights these days, is out of North Carolina. Luminus, an up and comer with some very high performance LEDs, is out of Massachusetts. Philips/Lumileds (Luxeon) is out of California. There are some big international players as well, like SSC and Nichia, who are out of Korea and Japan, respectively, but there are not really any high end LEDs coming out of China. I believe that CREE holds the patent for blue LEDs, which are what all flashlight LEDs are anyway (blue with yellow coatings to make them white).

Most Chinese light companies are buying their LEDs from the US. It's too bad that the US light companies can't keep up with actually doing something with those LEDs.
 
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