I'm torn

[metasyntax]

I pretty much decided on the Maglite and I was going to order it through REI, but they are sold out. They do not sell the new one I want on Amazon. I was looking around and I can't really find the one I am looking for. 

You can sometimes find them by searching for "3rd generation" instead of the ML300 designation. I just ordered mine from BrightGuy for a good price.

A few anecdotes about these two choices though... The Maglite apparently has a redesigned tube with shallower threads, which has caused trouble for some reviewers breaking under stress... On the other hand, there's a thread on CPF right now about contact problems on the Fenix's battery carrier causing the mode switch to not work correctly (Fenix is sending out replacements). So pick your poison. :-) I was facing the question of these two lights myself, and decided I'd rather have the Maglite, mostly because the Fenix would make me want to start down the rabbit hole of Eneloops and smart chargers, and I just can't afford that right now! :-D

Sent from my mobile.

Thank you for the info. What kind of "stress" is causing trouble for the Maglites? What sort of contact problems are affecting the Fenix?

Here's a great teardown video:
Around 18:30 he talks about how the tube is thinner, but says that the threads should be fine, unless maybe if you drop it.
However, there was an Amazon reviewer for the ML125 that talked about the thinner tube's threads wearing off at the battery cap... granted, he was taking the cap off a lot to charge the batteries.  (I forgot that what I had read was about the ML125, not the ML300; I am not sure that the machining is the same on both, although I would expect it given they are both relatively new models.)  Personally, I don't need to change batteries very often in my lights, so I'm pretty confident.

Here's the CPF thread on the LD41: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?393746-Fenix-LD-41-flashlight-stopped-working  Personally, I've seen them post enough on CPF to have no doubts about their customer service myself. 

[captain spaulding]

Weeeeell....... I ordered the Fenix LD41. I will probably buy the 3rd gen Maglite once they become more readily available, but my current 3-D LED will suffice until then. I am excited to get the LD41 and it will be a perfect light for walking the dog. To add to the good feeling of ordering a new light the price dropped down to the lowest its ever been on Amazon so that was a plus. Not to mention the surprise of a promotional discount which I had no idea about until ordering. Dropped it another $6.50 making it a great  deal in my opinion. To top it off I am using a Amazon prime trial so free 2 day shipping it is.  Its my Christmas present to myself. Figured I might as well buy it now. Why wait until Christmas to give myself a present. 

[mrynnr]

Nice! Do you have a nice collection of lights?

[captain spaulding]

Nice! Do you have a nice collection of lights?

I have a few. Off the top of my head. I might miss a few.

Fenix LD41 (soon)
Fenix E21
Fenix E01
Maglite 3-D LED
Maglite 2-AA LED
Maglite Solitare
Streamlight Microstream C4
Streamlight Stylus Pro (two of those)
Zebralight SC52
Sunwayman C15A
Inova (forgot model)
LED Lenser K2

About 3 or 4 headlamps from Fenix and LED Lenser
A couple cheap flashlights
Possibly some others I am forgetting

[comis]

I am a little late in the game, but I have the LD40 and Mag 3D led, and I think the choice between those two basically boils down to choice between:

 LD41 vs Mag
-regulated runtime vs likely to be semi-regulated
-more portable, light weight vs heavy blunt weapon
-AA battery vs D battery


Personally, I see myself use the LD41 more often, since it's lighter and easier to carry(at least for me).  I love the robust construction of Mag 3D, but Maglite has been lagging a little behind the whole led tech and functionality, and while it's difficult to keep up with the latest led game with their huge volume, I sure wish they circuitry could improve overtime.

[sawman]

Merry Christmas to you

That's a shame about the limited availability of the Mag but I hope the Fenix serves you just as well. I have a cool gift coming to me tomorrow, thanks to the USPS doing Sunday deliveries. So excited 

[captain spaulding]

Merry Christmas to you

That's a shame about the limited availability of the Mag but I hope the Fenix serves you just as well. I have a cool gift coming to me tomorrow, thanks to the USPS doing Sunday deliveries. So excited 

I know. It kind of surprised me. I'm not sure when the 3rd Gen came out though. If it was very recently it makes sense.

Are you going to let us know what this cool gift is? 

[JBW1]

Nice! Do you have a nice collection of lights?

I have a few. Off the top of my head. I might miss a few.

Fenix LD41 (soon)
Fenix E21
Fenix E01
Maglite 3-D LED
Maglite 2-AA LED
Maglite Solitare
Streamlight Microstream C4
Streamlight Stylus Pro (two of those)
Zebralight SC52
Sunwayman C15A
Inova (forgot model)
LED Lenser K2

About 3 or 4 headlamps from Fenix and LED Lenser
A couple cheap flashlights
Possibly some others I am forgetting

  wow,

[zoidberg]

Nice! Do you have a nice collection of lights?

I have a few. Off the top of my head. I might miss a few.

Fenix LD41 (soon)
Fenix E21
Fenix E01
Maglite 3-D LED
Maglite 2-AA LED
Maglite Solitare
Streamlight Microstream C4
Streamlight Stylus Pro (two of those)
Zebralight SC52
Sunwayman C15A
Inova (forgot model)
LED Lenser K2

About 3 or 4 headlamps from Fenix and LED Lenser
A couple cheap flashlights
Possibly some others I am forgetting

  wow,

Is that all?    You have more than one lot of few there capt    good on you. 

[mrynnr]

Nice! Do you have a nice collection of lights?

I have a few. Off the top of my head. I might miss a few.

Fenix LD41 (soon)
Fenix E21
Fenix E01
Maglite 3-D LED
Maglite 2-AA LED
Maglite Solitare
Streamlight Microstream C4
Streamlight Stylus Pro (two of those)
Zebralight SC52
Sunwayman C15A
Inova (forgot model)
LED Lenser K2

About 3 or 4 headlamps from Fenix and LED Lenser
A couple cheap flashlights
Possibly some others I am forgetting

that is a nice list capt!

[Hyatt181]

So I picked up a fenix e12 recently and it keeps craping out on me. Very disappointed with it.
Seems to be the contact from body to head.
Tried warranty and haven't heard anything after 2 weeks.

Really thinking of getting the mag tac
Plus most of the parts for the mag are made in the USA big plus for me. 


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[captain spaulding]

So I picked up a fenix e12 recently and it keeps craping out on me. Very disappointed with it.
Seems to be the contact from body to head.
Tried warranty and haven't heard anything after 2 weeks.

Really thinking of getting the mag tac
Plus most of the parts for the mag are made in the USA big plus for me. 


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's a bummer about the E12.   

Try contacting these guys for a warranty claim. They are USA based and have been wondering about their Fenix warranty.

http://www.fenixlighting.com/aboutus/openairbrandsllc.aspx

I cannot tell if they are for consumers or retailers though. 

[Hyatt181]

Will do thanks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[captain spaulding]

Just got my LD41 and am impressed so far. I have not got it out when dark yet, but its getting dark now so I will give it a go later. metasyntax mentioned a problem with the battery carrier in a earlier post. I noticed the LD41's I have seen on Youtube have clear carriers. Mine came with a white one. Maybe they started to ship the new ones with updated white cases. Maybe vice versa.    Anyone know?

[Yaesu Man]

Ummmmm, excuse me if I missed something or am just plain stupid, but according to the Fenix website (the page mentioned in the link above) lists the Fenix repair center as being in Monticello, Arkansas, US.  Am I missing something here?

[HarleyXJGuy]

Get the Spyderco Para 2!

Never know when they will be back in stock again.

[captain spaulding]

Ummmmm, excuse me if I missed something or am just plain stupid, but according to the Fenix website (the page mentioned in the link above) lists the Fenix repair center as being in Monticello, Arkansas, US.  Am I missing something here?

That is not Fenix's official website. It is some sort of US counterpart, but I cannot tell if it is for dealers only. Fenix's official website has been down for at least a week. Not sure what is going on with their website. 

[Yaesu Man]

Ummmmm, excuse me if I missed something or am just plain stupid, but according to the Fenix website (the page mentioned in the link above) lists the Fenix repair center as being in Monticello, Arkansas, US.  Am I missing something here?

That is not Fenix's official website. It is some sort of US counterpart, but I cannot tell if it is for dealers only. Fenix's official website has been down for at least a week. Not sure what is going on with their website. 

Ohhhhhh, OK.  Just ignore me .  I didn't see anything stating that it is for dealers only, so I'd say it's for everybody.  Just my thinkin'.

[captain spaulding]

Ummmmm, excuse me if I missed something or am just plain stupid, but according to the Fenix website (the page mentioned in the link above) lists the Fenix repair center as being in Monticello, Arkansas, US.  Am I missing something here?

That is not Fenix's official website. It is some sort of US counterpart, but I cannot tell if it is for dealers only. Fenix's official website has been down for at least a week. Not sure what is going on with their website. 

Ohhhhhh, OK.  Just ignore me .  I didn't see anything stating that it is for dealers only, so I'd say it's for everybody.  Just my thinkin'.

The reason I mentioned it is this statement.

We promise to support you (the retailer) and your consumers to deliver the highest level of satisfaction. That means taking responsibility for promptly solving product, service or warranty problems. If, as a retail partner, you are not satisfied with the service you have received at any time, then please contact us directly at youpromised@openairbrands.com. The goal remains your satisfaction – and success – as a key member of the Open Air Brands retail network.

[kmanct3]

Captain, I would go with the Fenix if it was me, They seem to be much brighter and get more battery life. My second choice would be a Streamlight.

[captain spaulding]

Captain, I would go with the Fenix if it was me, They seem to be much brighter and get more battery life. My second choice would be a Streamlight.

I have already had the Fenix for a few weeks now. Its awesome. 

[AimlessWanderer]

I've never failed to be impressed with Fenix. In truth I've not had a huge exposure to their products, but what I have experienced has been very satisfactory. In my mind, they are one of the reliable names, and if I want a torch (no Cap'n - not a fire on a stick ) of a specific format, I tend to look at Fenix first to see what they offer 

[HarleyXJGuy]

I've never failed to be impressed with Fenix. In truth I've not had a huge exposure to their products, but what I have experienced has been very satisfactory. In my mind, they are one of the reliable names, and if I want a torch (no Cap'n - not a fire on a stick ) of a specific format, I tend to look at Fenix first to see what they offer 

You would think after all these years you Europe folks would upgrade your fire stick.

[AimlessWanderer]

I've never failed to be impressed with Fenix. In truth I've not had a huge exposure to their products, but what I have experienced has been very satisfactory. In my mind, they are one of the reliable names, and if I want a torch (no Cap'n - not a fire on a stick ) of a specific format, I tend to look at Fenix first to see what they offer 

You would think after all these years you Europe folks would upgrade your fire stick.

We did ... we were just too lazy to upgrade the vocabulary

[HarleyXJGuy]

I've never failed to be impressed with Fenix. In truth I've not had a huge exposure to their products, but what I have experienced has been very satisfactory. In my mind, they are one of the reliable names, and if I want a torch (no Cap'n - not a fire on a stick ) of a specific format, I tend to look at Fenix first to see what they offer 

You would think after all these years you Europe folks would upgrade your fire stick.

We did ... we were just too lazy to upgrade the vocabulary

Now that is something I can get behind.

Plus it scares the constructed from human parts monster folks.