Looking for an all around camping light from Fenix or Surefire

C

Cruzer23

Joined
Feb 7, 2010
Messages
57
Greetings !
I am looking for an all around flashlight for camping.
-Needs to be portable, preferably pocket sized.
-By Fenix or Surefire (or other companies that make indestructible lights)
-Decent runtime with AA/AAA only
- Bright enough to light up a small area during total darkness (unlike those 1$ keychain LED's)

Budget, whatever it takes I guess.
I looked at Surefire G2, Fenix LD01... They all seem to be between 40 and 80 dollars.

Thanks !
 
I have a Fenix LD10 and love it !!! Plenty of light for camping with long battery life on a single AA. I also bought the white difuser wand for tent use & a red filter for night vision. I paid about $60 for all three at Amazon.com
 
SureFire's AA model has not come out yet, so that knocks them out of the running.

So, if you want Fenix, their AA/AAA models are:

E01 - AAA, not very bright, I wouldn't recommend this one unless you want a super simple light.
LD01 - AAA, pretty dang bright for its size. I carried a previous version for years and loved it.
LD10 - AA, very popular for good reason. Simple interface and several modes. Comes with a holster.
MC10 - AA, angle light with adjustable angle. The switch on these is kind of stiff, but they are nice lights and not much out there like them.

The LD10 just got updated with a new, brighter LED at the same price as before. It would be my pick unless you wanted to go as small as possible, then the LD01 is a better bet. The LD01 does not have nearly the same throw, due to the tiny reflector. It will still light up a backyard though.

If you want to look at other brands, I could list a couple hundred lights for you...
 
Thank you very much ! I just browsed your website and checked out the Nitecore lights, they look great as well ! (Basically anything that is rugged is good)

I think I will stick to a light like the LD10 then, any suggestions from NiteCore ?

If the light can be used as a tactical defender, ie blinding light vs animals and criminals it's a big plus as well.
I am trying to stay around 40-80$
btw, i already have a small ITP light and a small LM Monarch so I'm set in the ultra portable section...

THANKS !
 
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I'd go for the Fenix brand (I have the P3D) and use the excellent diffuser which transforms the torch into an astonishingly good lantern which emits a really nice white light over a wide area.

I just used my diffuser for the first time this week, and I'm really impressed!
happy0034.gif
 
AeroNautiCal said:
I'd go for the Fenix brand (I have the P3D) and use the excellent diffuser which transforms the torch into an astonishingly good lantern which emits a really nice white light over a wide area.

I just used my diffuser for the first time this week, and I'm really impressed!
happy0034.gif
Click to expand...

+1,000,000:thumbup:

The diffuser works great! Flashlight and lantern all in one.

trldad
 
I usually prefer a headlamp for camping. I prefer to work with both hands and usually combine camping with fishing so that's my priority. They usually gives a good flood and lights up the campsite well and on lower setting works well when hung in the tent. Petzl Tikka 2 XP.
 
Re: Diffuser - Is there just 1 type that fits all the Fenix line ? "Fenix Diffuser" That's it ?
 
The new Maglite LED for 39.99 80+ lumens available at Target. Or, the Comparable Inova for 34 bucks. Both Made in USA, and compete well with my 60dollar Surefire G2LED. I wish I had looked at the Inova first to be honest.
 
Check out the EagleTac lights.
http://www.eagletac.com/index.html

I've been carrying the P10C (single CR123) for about 2 years now, everyday, and it has been fantastic. What I think the EagleTacs have going for them most is the simple "twist the bezel" to switch between output modes. I've had a Fenix single AA L1P light, which failed within a year and a half. I really liked it up until then....but that is too short a lifespan, IMO.

The tail switch on the Nitecores drives me bonkers. It is too eccentric/complicated for my tastes.

The EagleTac just plain works. the P10A is a single AA that has two modes: 130LUM for 1.2Hrs & 37LUM for 8Hrs. Or their new 2xAA model: http://www.eagletac.com/flashlights/p100a2.html
 
Thanks, all the EagleTac Personal line looks great and affordable, especially the P10C.
220-300 lumens and under 80$ ! I don't think Fenix can beat that.
I will use the money saved to get CR123 cells

Would you do fine with a P10C for camping ? Is it sufficient ?
 
I think it will be more than sufficient. I use it camping all the time and in the wee hours before and after a day of fowling. I honestly don't find myself using the turbo mode much unless using it to find the shoreline/debris in the river getting to my blind.

Another plus for the light is that it will accept the 3.6V protected rechargables (ultrafire) that I like to run in my lights. It gives a bit more runtime than with a standard 3v L-Ion rechargeable.
 
Cruzer23 said:
Greetings !
I am looking for an all around flashlight for camping.
-Needs to be portable, preferably pocket sized.
-By Fenix or Surefire (or other companies that make indestructible lights)
-Decent runtime with AA/AAA only
- Bright enough to light up a small area during total darkness (unlike those 1$ keychain LED's)

Budget, whatever it takes I guess.
I looked at Surefire G2, Fenix LD01... They all seem to be between 40 and 80 dollars.

Thanks !
Click to expand...

Surefire does not have an AA / AAA light. With that feature set you're only choices are from Fenix.

If you decide to open up to CR123 powered lights, I would highly recommend a dual brightness Surefire (like the LX2). You get great runtime with the low power setting (which is often more then enough for anything) and have the ability to output a high amount of light if you need it. This isn't in your $40-80 price range though.

I'd say pick something from the Fenix / Nitecore lineup. :)
 
Cruzer23 said:
I think I will stick to a light like the LD10 then, any suggestions from NiteCore ?THANKS !
Click to expand...

The Defender Infinity from them is pretty sweet. It was my EDC for about a year and I never had a problem with it. As others have mentioned, the piston drive on the D10 or piston lights takes a little getting used to, so you would probably like the traditional switch on the Defender Infinity a little better.

Between the NiteCore and the Fenix, I personally prefer the NiteCore. I like the design and interface better.

My favorite AA light with a rear switch from any company is the JETBeam Jet I Pro though. You have three modes and you can program all three modes to whatever you want, from different brightnesses to strobe, SOS, beacon flashing, and all kinds of other stuff. I like the versatility that gives me.

I have a crapload of youtube videos showing most of these lights if you want to see their interfaces and performance.
 
Go look at Target---have a $16 single AA Energizer 1w LED(aluminium--clicky tailcap--clip--and lanyard) that's been riding in my pocket(not clipped but in the pocket) for a month now--along with all the other crap---and is holding up quite well----cheap and reasonably bright.

Also have a similar Inova light from Target for $20 that's also pretty nice---but can't comment on its day-to-day performace cause I slipped in my GHB as soon as I got it.
 
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olight also makes some nice lights, I have a t25 as well as the fenix ld20. Both are 2 AA lights, and pretty similar IMO. Really happy with both, would recommend either, though the olight seems to get more use from me
 
you want AA batteries and want budget/value light then Fenix is your brand...

but if you can afford the price the Surefire E1L (or E2L) Outdoorsman is the camping light of choice...2 stage-45/3 lumens, and you can clip it on a baseball cap too...
 
Check out the Fenix E20. (2AA's).

IMO, get a flashlight that takes common batteries,so when you're stuck in the middle of shitsville, you can get batteries at the corner store.(or your neighbors.)
 
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