MTO couldn't introduce me to flashlights. As an amateur astroobserver I prefer the dark, otherwise a low red light. I even keep my tablets illumination at the lowest level.
We go at evening and then wait an hour to get dark and achieve night vision (σκοτοψία) and leave in the early morning.
I've been a fan of Fenix forever Those lights CAN take a beating. I've used a E01 since 2011 when I first got into lights... and it was my first proper light Then I've had some more, E11, LD12 I've been also using for a bit over than a year on a daily basis. I've had also the LD05, E25, E05.... sold them later because I just had too many.Two words describe the Fenix lights: they work.
Good thread. I also have a PD32 and find it a terrific light. It's my only fenix but I wouldn't hesitate to get another of their offerings.
Quote from: Aloha007 on December 12, 2014, 05:42:40 PMGood thread. I also have a PD32 and find it a terrific light. It's my only fenix but I wouldn't hesitate to get another of their offerings. Ahh, the PD32 If only it weren't powered by CR123 cells
Quote from: firiki on January 04, 2015, 10:04:29 PMQuote from: Aloha007 on December 12, 2014, 05:42:40 PMGood thread. I also have a PD32 and find it a terrific light. It's my only fenix but I wouldn't hesitate to get another of their offerings. Ahh, the PD32 If only it weren't powered by CR123 cells Get some 18650 cells and charger. It'll open up a whole new world of lights.
Today, my somewhat new EDC torch combo was needed and it worked as expected. Here is how it proved useful and a few thoughts on why this combo was put together in the first place.I was visiting my grandma when the whole block’s lights went out. Without thinking, I reached for the LD09 I carry clipped to my left front pocket. I turned it on then stood up and pulled out my precious little E01, turned that on too, left it on the table then went to look for a candle. There wasn’t one to be found because Granny K. is 95 years old and senile which means that one moment she’s herself then the next she’s 40, or 12 and generally lost somewhere inside her head so we’ve removed the candles and the oil lamps she’d use five or six years ago. Sometimes she comes to herself quickly, other times not so much.When the lights went out she wasn’t herself and so she could have been frightened. She wasn’t, though I’m not sure if this is because the old veteran of life wouldn’t sweat it much or because she didn’t have the time to think about it. I acted fast enough for the little light to gain her admiration and help her make a connection with reality. She commented twice on how well the E01 lit the room where we sat waiting -roughly 4 meters by 6- and she seemed genuinely impressed. I decided I’d wait a little since power cuts are usually restored quickly so we sat there chatting. After a quarter of the hour I decided to go check with the building’s superintendent to see if he had reported the power cut. I left Granny K. waiting with the E01 and headed off. The LD09 was very good at lighting my way three flights of stairs up and to end of the corridor and then back. News was it’d take them around two hours. It took them another quarter of the hour in the end. In conclusion, I am very fond of my floody little E01, I’d have a hard time changing it for something else. Due to its portability, I see it as my tactical, electrical pocket candle or my tactical, electrical mini-torch. It’s good at illuminating an area nearby just enough for me to see clearly a good few times my arm’s reach (even with some ambient light provided it isn’t raining heavily or there’s fog or a bright source of light around) and it does that even better when used indoors. Depending on various conditions though, the E01 will be insufficient. This could be because I need a light with more throw so I can walk at a quick pace in complete darkness if needed or simply because I need to keep one area lit and be able to move to another. The LD09 with its three settings enables me to cover both these cases whether used indoors or outdoors. It’s slightly cream yellowish tint is comfortable for my eyes. The only thing I’d change on the LD09’s beam would be to make the hotspot a little wider. The way it is now it becomes too intense for work up close even at the lowest setting but that’s where the E01 comes into play. The LD09’s pocket clip deserves a special mention. It is tight but nothing like the darker ones found on the LD12, LD22 and PD32. Those ones strike me as too tight, which I find both pleasing and a nuisance as I feel they’ll probably rip my pocket apart at some point. On the contrary, the LD09’s clip makes the light very easy to use as it sits securely in my pocket but it can be removed without fear of tearing my pocket apart. The only time I dropped the LD09 (on tiles, no trouble whatsoever) the clip got caught on my bag as I was putting it down but it is completely my fault. I love the LD09’s pocket clip; it is an integral part of a very “pocketable” torch/flashlight. In fact, other than this light the only thing I’ve ever carried clipped to my pocket was a pen and I stopped that because of ink blots. Next stop, a review of the LD12 that I carry in my bag as a back-up to my pocket carried lights and a comparison between Fenix E01, LD09 and LD12. Sorry for the long post.
Honestly, most of the time I say to myself that carrying two lights on my person is an overkill. This incident reminded me one of the reasons I was looking for a pocket-friendly torch, brighter than the E01 Stay tuned for more details.
I have 3 PD32's and a TK09. All 4 operate using protected Li-ion 18650 batteries. They see varying degrees of use and I've never had a problem with the batteries.I only use quality 18650 cells, all mine are by Eagletac - they use Panasonic cells. I also use a high quality charger, a Pila IBC. I never monitor the batteries or check their voltage.
I've got to agree with your analysis of the LD09. Have had mine for 3 months now and, other than occasional use of my E05 or Tank007 PA01, it's been in my pockets the whole time. On low it's fine for close up use and reading, and on high it makes an acceptable backup light for when I'm on my bike. Really like the fact that it comes on in medium mode too - not too bright, not too dim and is easy to change levels. I run mine on Panasonic 2450 mAh Eneloop Pros and need to change batteries once a month or so - I seem to use the light a few times a day. It's starting to look nicely weathered from being in my pocket, I've just started using the clip again to free up a little room in the bottom of my pockets.
Two lights on your person is overkill.You should be much more sane like me. One in my work vest, one in my laptop bag, three in the truck.....DefSent from a digital multitool
Quote from: firiki on January 06, 2015, 10:16:47 AMHonestly, most of the time I say to myself that carrying two lights on my person is an overkill. This incident reminded me one of the reasons I was looking for a pocket-friendly torch, brighter than the E01 Stay tuned for more details.Two lights is overkill?? Not hardly! I NEVER go with any less than three, and here lately it's been 4 or 5. Let's go with 4 for the sake of argument: everyone who know me knows that I carry a flashlight, so it's not uncommon for one of them (esp. my dad) to borrow one - that leaves me three. Then what if I need one? Down to two. What if the batteries die in the one I'm using (I've actually had this happen)? Down to one spare, or none of I only had three. So IMHO, two ain't even close to overkill.P. S. - Looking forward to your review of the LD12, as it's pretty high on my want list.
You people are going to make me start looking into rechargeable cells
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