Finally got a Fenix!

[Roadie]

Well after a few months of deliberating i finally took the plunge and bought myself a Fenix. I decided to go for the L2D Q5 due to the common batteries (2x AA) and the pretty good output. I also got a diffuser and a red filter for it, 'twas cheaper to get them then and there than getting them separately. I got it from www.thephotoshop.co.uk Its not the cheapest place to just get the torch from but with the diffuser and filter it was cheaper. Service was excellent, ordered it on thursday evening and it arrived this morning. Also got a free keychain torch in the package and free batteries.

Initial impressions... 
I really like it! Can't wait till it gets dark so i can see what it can really do, but it blows my 1 Watt Nite-Ize Maglite out of the water even on medium setting. On turbo its hard to see if the Mag is on or not! It fits my hand nicely, the only slightly annoying thing is that i can't press the switch with the flat of my thumb (if that makes sense) i have to use the end, but i'm used to this with my Nite-Ize IQ switch so its no biggy. Construction seems very good, can't see any obvious blemishes, and all the accessories seem well made too. The red filter does look a bit tacky (not the sticky definition of tacky) compared to the light but it seems strong enough, the diffuser is cool though.

A couple of pics, will try and get some beamshot comparisons up tonight.




Roadie

[cryptrick]

Congrats on getting the Fenix L2D Roadie, I got the exact same torch for xmas!

I love it too. The power you get from 2AA's is superb. Me love the strobe as well   It makes my original bulb AA Maglite look absolute pants.

[Roadie]

Congrats on getting the Fenix L2D Roadie, I got the exact same torch for xmas!

I love it too. The power you get from 2AA's is superb. Me love the strobe as well   It makes my original bulb AA Maglite look absolute pants.

It is amazing how much light they can get out of them especially when you compare it to a torch you thought had a decent amount of light coming out. Can't wait to try it outside in the pitch black! the strobe is cool, especially the slow one, it does S.O.S all by itself!

[kreskin13]

Roadie, you're going to love that L2D! I got one a few months ago and it is my EDC at work now after carrying a MiniMag for over 15 years. The people at work have no concept of spending that much on a flashlight and are afraid to use it! They all have "alligator arms" when it comes to spending money on a good tool. They can all rot in their mediocrity! I make sure I have plenty of Maglites around for them to use.

Enjoy,

Calvin

[jock1]

Roadie
Congrats on the new toy can I ask hwat batteries you use ?if it's bog standard AA how do you find the power draw I had been told they don't like standrad AA battereis and to get the best uot of them you need NiMH rechargeables
Cheers Mate

[yellowhammer]

Roadie
Congrats on the new toy can I ask hwat batteries you use ?if it's bog standard AA how do you find the power draw I had been told they don't like standrad AA battereis and to get the best uot of them you need NiMH rechargeables
Cheers Mate

My L2D CE worked better with 2700mA NiMH (longer runtimes anyway), but I've gone all CR123 now, more beam for your buck

[Roadie]

At the moment its just got the batteries that came with it, alkaline ones. I do have some 2000mAh rechargeable ones some where so i'll try them out when i find them. But yeah i've heard they last a lot longer on rechargeable's too so will probably switch over to them when these run out. I'll try and remember to post back when i've tried them.

Roadie

[Benner]

I love my Fenix.   The output on them is awesome.

[jock1]

At the moment its just got the batteries that came with it, alkaline ones. I do have some 2000mAh rechargeable ones some where so i'll try them out when i find them. But yeah i've heard they last a lot longer on rechargeable's too so will probably switch over to them when these run out. I'll try and remember to post back when i've tried them.

Roadie

Cheers Buddy

[Splat]

Congrats on the new toy can I ask hwat batteries you use ?if it's bog standard AA how do you find the power draw I had been told they don't like standrad AA battereis and to get the best uot of them you need NiMH rechargeables

I should get NiMH rechargeables but for now I'm using a NiMH battery in my Fenix L0D Q4. It's BRIGHT and the NiMH takes the cold better than alkalines. I'm a Fenix lover now. Great, tough lights. Sure, I saw all the white-wall pics over at Candlepower forums but until I actually saw it in person I just didn't believe the hype. Good luck and happy shining with your new light Roadie. 

[WhichDawg]

Congrats! It will serve you well. After I got my L2D, I then ordered a L1D body/tube (was about the price of my filter and diffuser)
now I have a convertible/lego style 2AA and 1A torch!

[NutSAK]

Nice choice!  The L2D has been my favorite light for months, and I don't see it being dethroned anytime soon.  As many have stated, definitely run NiMH in that one.

[prime77]

Congratulations on your new toy Rodie. Fenix lights are really nice. The output on my P2D always amazes me.

[Roadie]

Well its nice and dark outside....now i've come back in that is! Seriously impressive output on this thing, i thought my upgraded mag was good, this is in a league of its own compared to it!

Took a couple of rough photo's to show the difference between the L2D and the NiteIze 1Watt Maglite, both run on 2AA's so its a fairish comparison.

Distance? About 10m i think, never measured it! The settings on the camera were nothing special, i just took the flash off.

The first one is the NiteIze and then its the L2D on low/med/turbo.

p.s. just as an aside i don't think the pic does the NiteIze justice, i could clearly make out the bin with my eyes, but the pic hasnt shown it up very well....different tints maybe?

[jock1]

Cheers for that mate I think the L2 will qualify for my new EDC after your review I wasn't sure of it for work with the rechargeable issue and the different levels to get to the really bright one but for the the day to day use this should work out fine
Cheers for  the review

[Roadie]

Cheers for that mate I think the L2 will qualify for my new EDC after your review I wasn't sure of it for work with the rechargeable issue and the different levels to get to the really bright one but for the the day to day use this should work out fine
Cheers for  the review

I think you'll be more than happy with it! Its easy to change between the lowest and highest setting, just turn the bezel. Went out for a little walk yesterday evening and it was great to be able to light up the footpath in front of everyone with the low setting and then when we needed to figure out what was ahead, just a quick twist and there was most of the track infront of us lit up like a christmas tree!

Roadie

[Roadie]

Anyone know where to get a Fenix holster from in the UK? Found a couple of places in the US but the shipping is about 3x the price of the holster!

Roadie

[yellowhammer]

Anyone know where to get a Fenix holster from in the UK? Found a couple of places in the US but the shipping is about 3x the price of the holster!

Roadie

Have a word with Doc at Glowgadgets; http://www.glowgadgets.co.uk/index.jsp

[Carthas]

I'm looking at getting either the L2D or P3D CE Q5. Any ideas as to which one to get?

[WhichDawg]

I'm looking at getting either the L2D or P3D CE Q5. Any ideas as to which one to get?

What type of batteries do you prefer? the P3D uses two 3V CR123A batteries (Lithium)
the L2D uses two 1.5V AA ( Alkaline, Ni-MH, Lithium )

[Carthas]

I'm looking at getting either the L2D or P3D CE Q5. Any ideas as to which one to get?

What type of batteries do you prefer? the P3D uses two 3V CR123A batteries (Lithium)
the L2D uses two 1.5V AA ( Alkaline, Ni-MH, Lithium )

I guess thats the real question - whether to go the model that has the CR123A's or stick with something that uses more regularly available (and cheap) batteries. Looking at the specs, the P3D is brighter. Is it bright enough or lasts long to warrant the extra cost in batteries?

[NutSAK]

Not to me, but I can tell you that the P3D is BRIGHT!  Noticeably brighter than the L2D.

The L2D is plenty bright enough for me, and I wouldn't consider the P3D due to the CR123a batteries required.  I use NiMH rechargeables in nearly all my lights now that the "low self discharge" batteries are available.

[Carthas]

Well, it was a tough decision, but I went with the L2D, and got the P2D body for is I need something more pocketable.

[WhichDawg]

Not to me, but I can tell you that the P3D is BRIGHT!  Noticeably brighter than the L2D.

The L2D is plenty bright enough for me, and I wouldn't consider the P3D due to the CR123a batteries required.  I use NiMH rechargeables in nearly all my lights now that the "low self discharge" batteries are available.

+1 I agree and do the same.

[kreskin13]

I bought my first Fenix, the L2D with an additional L1D body because the specs were just crazy! The I bought the P3D because it's specs were even better. The CR123a batteries didn't bother me because I may own and use every battery type known to man. I just can't let what type of battery something uses determine what flashlight I get, I own about 100 of these glorious devices and they are my most used tool! (I know how bad non-rechargeable batteries are for the environment and use rechargeables as often as I can. Even though I am an ugly American I am also a tree hugger, I recycle and I drive a Prius).

After buying those two I got a L0D keychain light (60 lumens, 1 AAA) and it is so bright for such a small light, I gave some out as Christmas gifts (to show how cool I am of course).

I love bacon.

Calvin

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Good man on the recycling front

[kreskin13]

Good man on the recycling front

Thanks and sorry about the bacon. I was a vegetarian for over 5 years, was healthier, weighed a LOT less and wish I could be one again.

Calvin

[Carthas]

I bought my first Fenix, the L2D with an additional L1D body because the specs were just crazy! The I bought the P3D because it's specs were even better. The CR123a batteries didn't bother me because I may own and use every battery type known to man. I just can't let what type of battery something uses determine what flashlight I get, I own about 100 of these glorious devices and they are my most used tool! (I know how bad non-rechargeable batteries are for the environment and use rechargeables as often as I can. Even though I am an ugly American I am also a tree hugger, I recycle and I drive a Prius).

After buying those two I got a L0D keychain light (60 lumens, 1 AAA) and it is so bright for such a small light, I gave some out as Christmas gifts (to show how cool I am of course).

I love bacon.

Calvin

Out of the L2D and the P3D, which one do you carry most, and when you do carry the L2D, have you ever used it and thought "bugger, I wish I had my P3D right now..."

I don't trust the Prius btw. Sure, it may be half battery powered, but how much pollution goes into making that car? and how much extra landfill will it create when the batteries start to fail, and are required to be replaced? And how toxic will that landfill be?

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Good man on the recycling front

Thanks and sorry about the bacon. I was a vegetarian for over 5 years, was healthier, weighed a LOT less and wish I could be one again.

Calvin

I was a vegie for 9 years up to about 2 years ago, I would do again if I could

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I bought my first Fenix, the L2D with an additional L1D body because the specs were just crazy! The I bought the P3D because it's specs were even better. The CR123a batteries didn't bother me because I may own and use every battery type known to man. I just can't let what type of battery something uses determine what flashlight I get, I own about 100 of these glorious devices and they are my most used tool! (I know how bad non-rechargeable batteries are for the environment and use rechargeables as often as I can. Even though I am an ugly American I am also a tree hugger, I recycle and I drive a Prius).

After buying those two I got a L0D keychain light (60 lumens, 1 AAA) and it is so bright for such a small light, I gave some out as Christmas gifts (to show how cool I am of course).

I love bacon.

Calvin

Out of the L2D and the P3D, which one do you carry most, and when you do carry the L2D, have you ever used it and thought "bugger, I wish I had my P3D right now..."

I don't trust the Prius btw. Sure, it may be half battery powered, but how much pollution goes into making that car? and how much extra landfill will it create when the batteries start to fail, and are required to be replaced? And how toxic will that landfill be?

Too be sure no car is carbon neutral, and the most poluting they do is during manufacture, but at least with the prius it's mostly recyclable and perhaps more importantly, it's a rolling advert for more enviroment and sustainable transport