Problems with a Fenix P3D CE

E

enderwiggin

Joined
Nov 18, 2006
Messages
2,011
This thread is so I can get some opinions on the P3D CE and my experience with Lighthound. It's not a review of Lighthound's performance, but more about the P3D. Either way, my apologies if it's in the wrong forum.

A while back I ordered a P3D from Lighthound, in Natural.

When it arrived, I decided I didn't like the color, and exchanged it for a Black model.

I noticed the Black P3D CE had a chip of medal stuck vertical near the LED, but I just went with it. A few weeks later, I also noticed a piece of hair or wire rattling around inside the reflector assembly, next to the metal chip:

hairandchipdf2.jpg



I contacted Lighthound, and they offered to have me purchase a second flashlight, and refund the purchase amount when they received my return, which I did. They also offered to inspect the flashlight they were about to send out.

I'm now holding the third P3D CE I've had from them. There is some kind of reddish-pink staining of the ring around the LED, and the light from this flashlight has a noticeably purple hue compared to the other two P3D CE's I've played around with. Lighthound sends out a little LED squeeze-light with every order. The past P3D CE's they've mailed me have come with White LED, Black squeezelights. Ironically, this most recent light came with a Purple LED squeeze light, that lights up Purple...

What's more, there's a metal chip in the reflector of this one too, but it's actually stuck inside the CREE LED assembly. This P3D won't stand on it's tailcap, because the clicky switch protrudes too far:

chipinsidegz2.jpg

chipinsidetopyt5.jpg


So am I just having some bad luck with Lighthound, or does Fenix have terrible quality control?

I'm regretting that I returned the Natural color P3D CE, as it had no defects I could see.

Should I try ordering from a different source, or is this just Fenix?

If anyone can recommends a different place to order a P3D from, I'm open to suggestions as well. I'm kind of fed up with Lighthound at the moment.
 
sounds like a quality control issue with fenix. perhaps a bad batch.

im surprised the retailer did not notice the defects having said they would inspect the newest on prior to shipping.

maybe the purple freebie was an attempt at irony?


in any event, id contact them again, and ask for a full refund. too much headache with one company for me.
 
MORIMOTOM said:
maybe the purple freebie was an attempt at irony?
Click to expand...

I posted the bit about being fed up with Lighthound right after I gave the purple light to my girlfriend. She tried it out, and it lit up bright purple.

Hate to sound paranoid, but it really makes me wonder!
 
I've had countless Fenix lights and 4 Fenix P3D's through my hands - for reviews. They have been basically flawless mechanically - there will always be some variation in tints - these were all supplied via http://Fenix-Store.com who have a very fine reputation (as do LightHound).

I have done reviews of three different versions of the Fenix P3D - in the later reviews the different versions are compared. In all the reviews I show an overall size photo of the light, and a detailed photo of the head/LED - at least in these samples one can see they were fine. The beamshots also show that although the tints do vary - they were more or less all acceptable - and a lot better than the typical 5mm LED.

Reviews most recent first -

Fenix P3Dce-Q5 Premium Comparison Review

Fenix P3D-RB100 Rebel Comparison Review

Fenix P3Dce Comparison Review

--
Vincent
http://UnknownVincent.Shutterfly.com
http://UnknownVT.Shutterfly.com
http://clik.to/UnknownVincent
 
i own 3 fenix's and a couple of buds have probably 3 more, all were perfect.

i would say ya are just unlucky/fenix had a bad run.
 
Uploaded some photos. Thanks to all who replied! Unknown VT, I actually went with Fenix because of your reviews. I've been having a bit of bad luck, but really like the flashlights overall.

That's why it's even more disappointing I can't get one that seems 100% right after that first P3D I had...
 
Anybody know where Fenix lights are made? I glanced at their website, but didn't notice that info. Are they US made?
 
Dr. Mudd said:
Anybody know where Fenix lights are made? I glanced at their website, but didn't notice that info. Are they US made?
Click to expand...

Yeap , made in China.
I bought a faux-fenix on the bay for about $12 , it has sort of a bluish tint to the light but it is easily as bright as my Fenix , which I lost and then found , thankfully.

I find it funny that a Chinese company would rip off another Chinese company and put out a product that is just as good.
What I do not get though is why make a copy of this particualr Fenix when some minor adjustments could make it your own design ?
 
enderwiggin said:
Uploaded some photos. Thanks to all who replied! Unknown VT, I actually went with Fenix because of your reviews. I've been having a bit of bad luck, but really like the flashlights overall.
That's why it's even more disappointing I can't get one that seems 100% right after that first P3D I had...
Click to expand...

I have always found LightHound very good as a vendor, and as you see from my reviews (none of the P3D's were in any way specially selected) - and from others as well, Fenix seems pretty good quality wise.

So as someone suggested maybe Fenix just had a bad run, and unforunately perhaps LightHound got that run?

Hope you can get one to your satisfaction.

You can try http://Fenix-Store.com, and maybe speak to them, and see if they can help you get a good one?
(again I've always had good experience with LightHound, so this is not meant as any disparagement).

--
Vincent
http://UnknownVincent.Shutterfly.com
http://UnknownVT.Shutterfly.com
http://clik.to/UnknownVincent
 
I go with fenix-store.com for my Fenix purchases. You could explain your problems with bad P3D's to them and see if they can hand pick one for you.
 
As an update, I just placed an order at Fenix-Store. I'm switching to the P3D Premium 100 series, and the different seller, to get away from the defective lights!

It's unfortunate, because I do like Lighthound and they seem genuinely embarrassed about the whole deal, but I do like to get my money's worth, and defective items drive me nuts.
 
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