Fenix lights

[Munky88]

Really, i thought Cree was made overseas?

well there ya go, buy Chinese get American!

 

[Jason B.]

If you were to learn as much about flashlights as we know about knives you would understand why surefire is the better light. Fenix would be like a byrd knife while surefire would be like a strider.

You hear that surefire is behind in the times or is too expensive but they also do extensive R&D of their products to asure that when the customer needs light its going to work under the worst possible conditions. Surefire will spend years testing a light before it ever hits the market and once it gets to the market you usually don't have to worry about defects, something that is not so true with other lights.

Fenix lights are good but they are no where near the quality of a surefire. Fenix lights also usually have problems in the circuit or threads or switch, that cause annoying problems that you almost never see with a surefire.

Example of R&D time, when the SSC P7 led came out everyone jumped on it because of its extreme output. Surefire did too but are just now coming out with those lights because they wanted to make sure they worked out the bugs. If they put lights out without the extensive R&D people could loose their life because of it, something fenix is less concerned with.

I'll get some pix up in a bit to show some of the differences.

 

[akula83]

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.

Have one too, and I really like mine. Use a LD10 as my edc and 9P/G2 surefires for around the home, all of these are great products.

 

[Fonly]

If you were to learn as much about flashlights as we know about knives you would understand why surefire is the better light. Fenix would be like a byrd knife while surefire would be like a strider.

You hear that surefire is behind in the times or is too expensive but they also do extensive R&D of their products to asure that when the customer needs light its going to work under the worst possible conditions. Surefire will spend years testing a light before it ever hits the market and once it gets to the market you usually don't have to worry about defects, something that is not so true with other lights.

Fenix lights are good but they are no where near the quality of a surefire. Fenix lights also usually have problems in the circuit or threads or switch, that cause annoying problems that you almost never see with a surefire.

Example of R&D time, when the SSC P7 led came out everyone jumped on it because of its extreme output. Surefire did too but are just now coming out with those lights because they wanted to make sure they worked out the bugs. If they put lights out without the extensive R&D people could loose their life because of it, something fenix is less concerned with.

I'll get some pix up in a bit to show some of the differences.

ah, thats a little over the top for me. I have used a Fenix when my life depended on it, as well as the people I have been searching for, and I dont need a $200 light to do that.

You can't deny the fact that at the price and quality fenix produces their lights, there at the top as well.

I've held an LX2, and a TK-10 side by side, they both felt the same in terms of quality, but the LX2 three different shades of color on it.

FWIW, Im not denying the fact that Surefire are well made lights, but there is no need of that price when you can something brighter, just as well made, extra parts for free and just as good CS.

 

[HawGorn]

Go to bladeforums, and people think you're crazy spending $200 on a flashlight when a Fenix will do the job.
Go to CPF, and people think you're crazy spending $200 on a knife when a Mora or a boxcutter will do the job.
etc.

 

[Jason B.]

I'm not saying that fenix lights are bad but to dis surefire because you think they are to expensive or for whatever other reason then in the next thread tell someone to buy a sebenza because its the highest quality knife makes no sence. That would Be like saying a endura or delica is a far better choice. IMO the seb is a way overpriced knife but I understand why, no one seems to use the same logic with flashlights. I'll say again fenix lights are good but they will never be a surefire like a endura will never be a sebenza.

 

[Fonly]

Go to bladeforums, and people think you're crazy spending $200 on a flashlight when a Fenix will do the job.
Go to CPF, and people think you're crazy spending $200 on a knife when a Mora or a boxcutter will do the job.
etc.

exactly, in reality, its all stupid.:thumbup:

 

[Fonly]

I'm not saying that fenix lights are bad but to dis surefire because you think they are to expensive or for whatever other reason then in the next thread tell someone to buy a sebenza because its the highest quality knife makes no sence. That would Be like saying a endura or delica is a far better choice. IMO the seb is a way overpriced knife but I understand why, no one seems to use the same logic with flashlights. I'll say again fenix lights are good but they will never be a surefire like a endura will never be a sebenza.

meh, I feel the same for that, what makes a Seb so much better. I dont need a piece of art, I need a knife that cuts stuff, and is built fairly well. Just like I need a light to light things up, and that its built fairly well. :thumbup:

 

[Josh K]

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.

You need a new Surefire. I'm guessing you have the 6P with the high output lamp? That will eat batteries. Get the 6PL and you'll have 80 lumens for about 3-4 hours and another 3-4 hours of regulated light.

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.

Fenix makes lights in China. Surefire makes them here. If you can't see a cost difference in that then perhaps you should check again. Also, Surefire has been steadily increasing their LED offerings. Much longer run times.

 

[Razorsharp1986]

Guys, thanks a lot for all the replies!!! :thumbup:
You helped me realize, that I'm the type of guy that goes with Fenix!! I've also used their lights for a while, and they've never failed me. Crazy hot and Scary cold temperatures, numerous drops and the light still keeps on kicking.

The thing that makes me truly understand though, is that after all, I am an Endura guy Or rather the Military, not Sebenza.

 

[Jason B.]

Sebenza was a bad comparison, that's more like a Mcgizmo, more like a strider or millie would be better.

 

[Rupestris]

Chiming in late but I'm a Fenix fan too. I keep my TA30 with me most of the time. Its big and a bit heavy for EDC but it stays in my work bag.

Bought my son a LD20 for Christmas and was smitten by it. I'll probably have to get myself one now.

 

[flnder]

Doc The minimags seem intermittent,but what it is,is that the batteries go dead with out dimming,so that you are happily bright ,then all of a sudden you go out and then come on again. the battery has gone dead and then recovers itself a bit. Having said that,I have a AAA fenix hanging on my keys. On my belt switches from Mag manufactured 3watt LED AA to a surefire 6pled. I like the mininmag because it uses AA which are available anywhere. I just like the surefire because.

 

[Razorsharp1986]

Sebenza was a bad comparison, that's more like a Mcgizmo, more like a strider or millie would be better.

@_@ Don't make the Surefire military analogy. It just ain't fair; I'll have to buy a Surefire tomorrow if that's indeed the case

I'm currently looking into Quark and Nitecore. Has anybody had a BAD experience with any of the companies??? I've heard nothing but good things. Please enlighten me.

 

[coop1957]

If you were to learn as much about flashlights as we know about knives you would understand why surefire is the better light. Fenix would be like a byrd knife while surefire would be like a strider.

You hear that surefire is behind in the times or is too expensive but they also do extensive R&D of their products to asure that when the customer needs light its going to work under the worst possible conditions. Surefire will spend years testing a light before it ever hits the market and once it gets to the market you usually don't have to worry about defects, something that is not so true with other lights.

Fenix lights are good but they are no where near the quality of a surefire. Fenix lights also usually have problems in the circuit or threads or switch, that cause annoying problems that you almost never see with a surefire.

Example of R&D time, when the SSC P7 led came out everyone jumped on it because of its extreme output. Surefire did too but are just now coming out with those lights because they wanted to make sure they worked out the bugs. If they put lights out without the extensive R&D people could loose their life because of it, something fenix is less concerned with.

I'll get some pix up in a bit to show some of the differences.

I agree 100%. Fenix makes some good lights that are very affordable. And Fenix is quick to bring new products to the market. However Surefire flashlights need to meet a higher degree of engineering and manufacturing. For example look at the lights used in dangerous environments like mining and petrochemical industries. Most miners lights are either Streamlight or Surefire. Weapons mounted lights approved by DOD are nearly all Surefire. Lights approved for Fire Fighters are only Streamlights and Surefires. The testing done by these agencies are exhaustive. More than the normal flashlight use will ever encounter.
Bottom line is Fenix offers good lights at a great price. Surefires are over engineered for extreme enivronments and for this reason they tend to cost more.

 

[bladz]

@_@ Don't make the Surefire military analogy. It just ain't fair; I'll have to buy a Surefire tomorrow if that's indeed the case

I'm currently looking into Quark and Nitecore. Has anybody had a BAD experience with any of the companies??? I've heard nothing but good things. Please enlighten me.

I love my Nitecore D10. I would hightly recommend it. I have others, including Surefire, but prefer the Nitecore leaps and bounds over the others I have.

 

[banana-clip]

I got a quark 2AA on order right now. Can't wait to get it in. Never owned a Fenix, but hear nothing but great things on them. I owned a couple of surefires, they are great lights, but the runtimes on them arn't very long. I hear some of their newer LED models have a decent runtime. The quark 2AA has a 30 day runtime on its "moonlight" mode, which is a great option.

 

[squishware]

I got my son the single AA Quark for edc, it seems like a good quality light, (time will tell). I carry the Elzetta with the Malkoff warm flood drop in. I would go head to head with any surefire.

 

[mymindisamob]

I got rid of all my Surefires and now use Fenix exclusively. While I did love my Nitecores, I currently EDC a Fenix LD10 and use a TA21 for work and around the property. No problems and no regrets.

 

[Warriorsociologist]

Surefires are over engineered for extreme enivronments and for this reason they tend to cost more.

Agreed.

But a Surefire vs. Fenix comparison is truely an "apples vs. oranges" comparison. They are not in the same domaign -- or pricepoint. For the money, Fenix (and expecially 4Sevens) makes a damned good EDC light. That said, I don't have Fenix lights on my weapons... I do use 4Sevens and Fenix lights (and one 3D Mag + Malkoff drop-in) for everything else (glove boxes, camping, EDC, etc.)...