Fenix E01 vs E05

[user24]

I saw some people discussing these in another thread and thought I'd do a quick comparison as I have both. It turned into a longer comparison so I threw it up on my blog (which is normally about web development so it's a bit off-topic for it, but hey)

http://www.puremango.co.uk/2011/11/fenix-e01-vs-fenix-e05-review/

Hope it's useful.

[getahl]

I was looking at both before finally opting for the E01, and honestly couldn't tell a difference between product pages. Thank you for the side by side.

[user24]

You really can't go wrong with the E01 for the money.

On the face of it it does seem like the E05 makes the E01 redundant, and if the E05 had something like 15 lumens, a 7 hour runtime and the same even flood then that would be perfect, but the fact is that the E01 lasts 4 times longer than the E05. Maybe I put too much stock in the runtime, but if a flashlight dies then it's useless. I'd rather have a working E01 than a dead E05, even if that means I don't get to have a nice flood beam.

[Gareth]

thanks for the review mate.   When I was first looking at getting a modern AAA light I considered the E01 but ended up splashing a little more cash on the L0D.  Fast forward a couple of years and I was looking at the E01 again but ended up getting the E05.   I'll maybe still end up with a E01 eventually but am happy with what I have ATM.

[captain spaulding]

Thank you for the review. I have been asking a lot about the E05 lately. I will bookmark the link for reading later tonight. 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Fine review there mate

I'm tempted to get an E05, but I'm all about runtime so I keep on sticking with the humble E01

[enki_ck]

Nice review and and great comparison shots. There are a few points you didn't mention that are the main reason I love and prefer the E01.

First is the ruggedness of the E01, It can't be killed. It's one of the toughest AAA flashlights out there and can withstand impacts from great highs or extreme high and low temperatures. It's the flashlight I would trust my life to.

Second is that it's a battery vampire, meaning drains a battery of all the juice it can. It can work of a dead battery that will not work in any other device. Try running your E05 until the battery is dead, then put that same battery inside the E01 and it'll work for hours.

These two are the reason I and a lot of people love the E01 and tolerate that purple/blue tint. There are a lot of great flashlights out there with better tints, affordable prices, great runtimes and more powerfull beams but not a lot of them that can do these two things, especially in this small size and this great price.

[user24]

Great points enki_ck, especially about the battery

As far as the ruggedness goes though, the E05 has almost identical construction, so it's surely close to the same level of indestructibility?

[Craig]

Great comparison 

Got a E01 a few weeks ago and it's great. Now I'm thinking I might need an EO5 as well.

[enki_ck]

Great points enki_ck, especially about the battery (Image removed from quote.)

As far as the ruggedness goes though, the E05 has almost identical construction, so it's surely close to the same level of indestructibility?

No, it is much different in construction. The E01 has a lens protecting the emitter, and the lens can break, especially as it is so close to the surface. The E01s emitter is covered in a blob of plastic that protects it. You can scratch it hit it and it won't break. Actually I heard you can get a better, floodier beam if you scratch it with some 0000 steel wool. There was a winter torture test on CPF some time ago comparing the E01, E05 and ITP A3 in very rough use and the ITP A3 and E05 died after a couple of tests. The E01 passed it with flying colours and just kept going. Regretfully that thread got lost in the big crash but there is still this. Read it and you'll understand what I mean.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?198231-My-Quick-Fenix-E01-Torture-Test&p=2485017&viewfull=1#post2485017