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Non Tool Forum => Flashlight Forum => Topic started by: cbl51 on May 18, 2019, 03:06:34 PM

Title: Fenix E01 discontinued????
Post by: cbl51 on May 18, 2019, 03:06:34 PM
I guess I'm slow to learn, but I'm not a real flashlight guy so I didn't know. My old E01, at least ten years old is starting at act a bit hincky. Flickers, sometimes goes out but comes back on. Went to order another one and now I fondest how my favorite keychain light is gone. WHAT THE SMURF?!

What I loved about the E01 was it had just enough light to get by with, didn't flood out my night vision, and had an insane run time off the battery. I used the heck out of, and only had to repay the battery two or three times a year. Found stuff under the cat seat at night, dropped keys at night, loose connection in my old truck onenoight and got going again, lots of stuff.

Yeah, I can get a E05, but I don't need the added light as much as I loved the run times. Same with the LED Maglight solitaire. If I need more light, my old standby is the AA mini mag light LED with 272 lumens.

Is there anything other with 10 to 15 lumens and atlas a 12 hour run time?
Title: Re: Fenix E01 discontinued????
Post by: comis on May 18, 2019, 04:32:50 PM
How about the Thurnite Ti3? 


It may not have 10 lumens 10 hours runtime, but I found the 3 levels really useful, especially the moonlight mode has outstanding runtime and just perfect for dark adjusted eyes.



Title: Re: Fenix E01 discontinued????
Post by: Don Pablo on May 18, 2019, 08:05:49 PM
Note:
The E01 is designed to suck non-rechargable alkaline batteries dry. This makes it a harmful flashlight for rechargeable batteries, because they lose lifespan when drained too low.

And it is low power, which is the only usage scenario where non-rechargable alkaline batteries come ahead of NiMH rechargeable batteries.
Why am I saying that? Because the Ti3 MAY last longer if you only use the 12 lumen mode, on a non-rechargable alkaline.
Thrunite does it's testing with NiMH rechargeables, which last longer on high power modes, but not on low power modes.
Title: Re: Fenix E01 discontinued????
Post by: Archibald Tuttle on May 18, 2019, 10:03:28 PM
There is the Sofirn C01. You will lose 60% of the throw of the E01. The C01 are still available, in limited amounts, on Evilbay. Both 3200 and 5600 Kelvin leds are currently available.
Comparison article:
https://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?453438-Compare-and-Contrast-the-Sofirn-C01-to-the-Fenix-E01-and-similar-flashlights
Just food for thought. Good luck with your search, there is so much product available nowadays you will certainly find a light that makes you happy.
Title: Re: Fenix E01 discontinued????
Post by: zoidberg on May 19, 2019, 02:11:45 AM
Yeah the E01 is awesome. Mine is running well seven years in.
They are still being sold here in New Zealand, would you like me to send you one?

Around four years ago I got an Olight i3S. And also started moving to eneloop rechargeables.
I get and appreciate the simplicity of the E01 however I have really liked using the i3S.
Have found it easier to operate, probably to do with the longer end cap, there's more room to grip.
The extra modes have proved to be very useful over the years and it now lives on the key ring.
Moving to eneloop batteries has been good, the kids use my lights a lot and charging is less painful than buying new.
Title: Re: Fenix E01 discontinued????
Post by: Blackbeard on May 19, 2019, 02:25:25 AM
nitecore tube is smaller, weighs less, brighter and rechargable, but I'm pretty sure you can still buy E01 from a few places and ebay.
Title: Re: Fenix E01 discontinued????
Post by: comis on May 19, 2019, 08:44:07 AM
I think a few well known brands do come up with a similar format twisty, stand on tail, 3-4 modes light.  It probably all comes down to personal preference.  The bright setting rarely get used, but it does come in handy when this is your backup light walking in the dark or looking for parts under a car during daytime.

I haven't used the Olight i3s, but differentiating difference is that i3s has high > mid > low > strobe, and the Thrunite Ti3 has low > mid >high.  I use these kind of lights often as a bedside light, and I usually do appreciate the light not too overpowering, so it doesn't kill my dark adapted vision.

I learned from my maglites that it never is a good idea to completely drain the batteries in a flashlight.  Nowadays, I use exclusively lithium AA or AAA lights in all my flashlights, it is much more expensive, but combining the fact that it never leaks, extra power and weight reduction, I think it does worth the extra.
Title: Re: Fenix E01 discontinued????
Post by: zoidberg on May 19, 2019, 09:11:53 AM
I haven't used the Olight i3s, but differentiating difference is that i3s has high > mid > low > strobe, and the Thrunite Ti3 has low > mid >high.  I use these kind of lights often as a bedside light, and I usually do appreciate the light not too overpowering, so it doesn't kill my dark adapted vision.

My i3S goes from med > high > low.   :shrug:
Title: Re: Fenix E01 discontinued????
Post by: comis on May 19, 2019, 09:26:25 AM
My i3S goes from med > high > low.   :shrug:


 :dunno:   :D I think that'd be nice too...not that I don't like lights go from high to low, but I always think it is more geared towards tactical/security/SAR use and in that case, I would want a much higher lumens or even big reflector to make it a thrower.
Title: Re: Fenix E01 discontinued????
Post by: nate j on May 20, 2019, 05:13:34 AM
Nowadays, I use exclusively lithium AA or AAA lights in all my flashlights, it is much more expensive, but combining the fact that it never leaks, extra power and weight reduction, I think it does worth the extra.

 :iagree:

Lithium batteries have better cold weather performance too.
Title: Re: Fenix E01 discontinued????
Post by: cbl51 on May 20, 2019, 04:41:18 PM
:iagree:

Lithium batteries have better cold weather performance too.

I live in Texas, and I don't ravel north in winter.

What I have loved about the Fenix E01 was the dirt simple operation and run times. Twist on, twist off. About 12 to 15 lumens, enough of rme to look under a car seat, or find a keyhole in the dark. Good enough to look at the back of the storage shelf to see whats in the shadows there.

I don't want multiple brightness, I don't want an hour and half run time. For over the past ten years, the E01 has been great. I LOVE it. Is there anything on the market that is like it? I repeat; no multiple brightness levels, long run time, simple operation. The Maglight solitare would be good except for the crappy run time that sucks.
Title: Re: Fenix E01 discontinued????
Post by: comis on May 20, 2019, 05:43:10 PM
I just did a quick search on ebay and amazon, seems like some folks are still selling brand new E01(some are not from US, but nonetheless options to buy from). 


Would you want to get them before they are gone?
Title: Re: Fenix E01 discontinued????
Post by: Aloha on May 20, 2019, 05:55:35 PM
You've had a great run with your Fenix  :salute:.  Not sure if you've given it a good clean inside?  My Fenix E05 was a real PITA till I actually tightened the led.  Its been fine now since but what a chore without the right tools.  Since then there have been a lot of AAA lights to hit the market.  Many with multiple modes and hidden ones.  I quite like a few modes and like the disco ones too. 

My regularly used AAA lights are;
Fenix LD02- orignial version.
Olight I3s Eos
Thrunite Ti (Titanium)
4/7s ATOM and Preon
Lumentop Worm SS original.  Not good run time.  I use mostly as backup or around home.
Fenix E05 SS. 
Photon X button cell light.

I only use Eneloop cells.  I haven't bought batteries in a long long long time.  Best investment ever. 

The only advice I can try to give is clean if you haven't or scour fleabay.  In terms of AAA light selections try not to be to put off by modes.  If all you use is low and med then you wont have to bother with high.  Great thing is, if you ever decide you'd like to try high its there.  Pick a light thats UI is LOW>MED>HIGH. 

My 2C.   Good luck.   
Title: Re: Fenix E01 discontinued????
Post by: zoidberg on May 20, 2019, 11:30:33 PM
I don't want multiple brightness, I don't want an hour and half run time. For over the past ten years, the E01 has been great. I LOVE it. Is there anything on the market that is like it? I repeat; no multiple brightness levels, long run time, simple operation. The Maglight solitare would be good except for the crappy run time that sucks.

Yes there's the Sofirn C01 that Archibald Tuttle posted about in reply #3.
Title: Re: Fenix E01 discontinued????
Post by: jcs0001 on May 21, 2019, 06:46:14 PM
I would also recommend the sofirn C01. I have one and also have the Fenix e01 and like them both.  My sofirn is the 3400 version.  It throws less light than the Fenix  but is sufficient to get around in the house at night or check out things where you just need a little bit more light.

John
Title: Re: Fenix E01 discontinued????
Post by: Blackbeard on May 22, 2019, 09:06:53 AM
I never understood the love associated with this light, I think I had one about 10 years ago and gave it away, very over rated for such a low power blue tinted light, I know they are very sturdy, but I got free keychain lights from battery junction years ago that are brighter. If I was OP I would not pay the higher prices some ebayers are selling them for, there are simply too many better and brighter lights on the market these days.
Title: Re: Fenix E01 discontinued????
Post by: this_is_nascar on May 22, 2019, 12:08:43 PM
I never understood the love associated with this light, I think I had one about 10 years ago and gave it away, very over rated for such a low power blue tinted light, I know they are very sturdy, but I got free keychain lights from battery junction years ago that are brighter. If I was OP I would not pay the higher prices some ebayers are selling them for, there are simply too many better and brighter lights on the market these days.
I have dozens of posts on this board that describe exactly why the E01 has its followers.  I don't have the time to list it all here again, but I will tell you this.

The Fenix E01 is the only light that trust with my life for all the reasons I've described in the past.


Sent from my moto x4 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Fenix E01 discontinued????
Post by: cbl51 on May 22, 2019, 04:09:06 PM
I have dozens of posts on this board that describe exactly why the E01 has its followers.  I don't have the time to list it all here again, but I will tell you this.

The Fenix E01 is the only light that trust with my life for all the reasons I've described in the past.


Sent from my moto x4 using Tapatalk

The E01 is like the snubbed .38 revolver. Maybe a dated and old school, but so simple that they always work, and work well enough to do the job of selfdefense. Theres the baby Glocks, the Rugged LCP's, the S&W .380 bodyguards, the little Kel-Techs and Karhrs a holding a few more rounds, smaller and lighter with the modern polymer technology. But the S&W .38 special in a small five shot package still works.

I like the simple no modes operation and long run times of the E01. Twist to turn on and I cans see what I'm doing. Twist to turn off. Over the past ten plus years I've carried mine, I have never had it fail, or not be enough light to see what I'm doing. It's traveled with me to Key West on several occasions, Mamoth Lakes California for trout fishing, Big Bend National Park and letup the inside of a tent, walked the dog the last walk of the night, looked for dropped stuff under and in-between the front seats of the Toyota Camry. I hate that most of these lights now, start on retina searing level and then you have step pit down to the more conservative light level. PITA.
Title: Re: Fenix E01 discontinued????
Post by: Aloha on May 22, 2019, 05:22:45 PM
We like what works best for us  :tu:.  10 years of faithful service is nothing to sneeze at.  Familiarity for a great many is important  :salute:.  If I could tempt you  :pok: I'd suggest giving one of the suggested lights within your comfort zone a go.  You maybe surprised to find you like a few extra mode  :dunno:.  Think Executive vs Classic.   

Of the lights I have and listed the Fenix LD02 is a work horse.  Its dangled from my keys for a good long while now.  Tail clicky is nice.  Pocket clip is nice. The size is nice and while it has 3 modes theres nothing eye searing  ;).  The low of 8llm is rated at 14 hrs, the med is 25lm rated at 4hrs, and high is 100lm rated at 45mins.

Its UI is MED>LOW>HIGH.  I don't think you'll miss 5lm but might miss 2 hours of run time when considering the Low of the LD02 vs E01  :think:.  The med of 25lm on the LD02 vs the 13lm of the E01 I don't think will be too much of a jump?  Yes then theres the run time  :(.  2 steps to get to low isn't horrible but I agree another step.  As for my usage I am familiar with the UI having had this light for so long that I go from med to low seamlessly.  I never eat up my cell since I don't use the med or high often enough.  Theres no memory so when you turn off and turn back on you are in med always.   

It looks to be available on the Fenix USA site for $20 FREE shipping.  I'd highly suggest the original over the new 2.0 version.

EO1 13lm 16 hrs                     
Size:
Length: 2.8″ (71mm)
Diameter: 0.56″ (14.2mm)
Weight: 0.5 oz. (14g) weight excluding batteries

LD02 8lm 14hrs/25lm 4hrs/100lm 45mins
Size:
Length: 3″ (76mm)
Diameter: 0.6″ (15mm)
Weight: 0.6 oz. (16g) weight excluding batteries

As you can see they are very comparable modes aside.  I'll tell ya what.  Order the light and give it a whirl.  If you cannot stand it then send it to me and I'll refund all the money you invested.  I like the light so much it'll be worth it.  We can also do a GAW.  Its a no loose situation for you.   :popcorn: 


     
Title: Re: Fenix E01 discontinued????
Post by: Blackbeard on May 23, 2019, 03:07:01 AM
We like what works best for us  :tu:.  10 years of faithful service is nothing to sneeze at.  Familiarity for a great many is important  :salute:.     

Yeah good point, It just wasn't my flavor I guess, just my opinion, and didn't mean to step on any ones toes....but for me the brighter the better
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/jooliesews/Bobbys/smileys/toxban.gif)
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn153/NKB_Pocket_Tools/smileys/flame.gif)

Title: Re: Fenix E01 discontinued????
Post by: Aloha on May 23, 2019, 06:15:03 AM
Its all good.  I like lumens too  :salute:.  Just had to get up to check out back and 900lm blast lit my back yard up nicely. 
Title: Re: Fenix E01 discontinued????
Post by: smiller43147 on May 24, 2019, 02:39:05 AM
The Olight I3T EOS is a good choice.  Two modes, UI LOW > HIGH, so it starts with just 5 lumens.  You might consider the 180 lumens eye searing (I don't) but you don't have to use that mode if the 5 lumens is sufficient.  And it's a white nicely focused 5 lumens, more useful than the purplish light my E01 put out.
Title: Re: Fenix E01 discontinued????
Post by: Stefano on May 24, 2019, 09:34:35 PM
Are you sure the light is damaged?
Sometimes a cleaning with a Deoxit type electrical contact cleaner is enough but in some countries it is expensive and can cost as much as a new Fenix E01

The Fenix E01 has earned itself a good reputation, it makes little light, the tint is very bad but it is a reliable mule.
I would buy the same light or try to buy a Fenix E05 2014 if this is cheap.
However, I think Fenix has stopped production to replace it with a more recent one.
I would like the same light with the only modification of a more efficient led (and with neutral tint)
Title: Re: Fenix E01 discontinued????
Post by: comis on June 02, 2019, 07:21:46 PM
Just curious, did OP end up getting another E01 or trying something new?  What's the user experience?  :pok: :)
Title: Re: Fenix E01 discontinued????
Post by: cbl51 on June 24, 2019, 02:35:10 PM
Just curious, did OP end up getting another E01 or trying something new?  What's the user experience?  :pok: :)

The question became moot when I ws checking out at Home Depot. There, right a the check out lane, were sone Maglights. I bought a AAA Solitare for 9.95 and put it right on my keyring.

So for the past two weeks it's been my walking the fog at night light, and I'm impressed.
Title: Re: Fenix E01 discontinued????
Post by: Aloha on June 24, 2019, 03:11:26 PM
I was a big fan of the maglights as were many.  The LED versions IMO were a big step up.  I still have one 2AA in my vehicle.  Its a good light and has been so for many years. 

Glad you got something you are finding works for you. 
Title: Re: Fenix E01 discontinued????
Post by: cbl51 on June 24, 2019, 08:53:03 PM
I was a big fan of the maglights as were many.  The LED versions IMO were a big step up.  I still have one 2AA in my vehicle.  Its a good light and has been so for many years. 

Glad you got something you are finding works for you.

It was sort of opportunity with it being right there at the check out, and the fact that I've been a Maglight fan for many years before the LED thing took off. I had a couple of the old AA Maglights and they were almost indestructible, so I put in the Night eyes conversions for 5.95 to the LED's. That was okay, and it did away with the bulb burn out or breaking problems. But when they came out with a real LED AA mini Mags I bought one and loved the 272 lumens for night use. But they were just a bit too much to carry around as regular EDC. So I had the little Fenix and that was my keychain flashlight.

But now I'm under going a thought evolution. I'm wondering why bother with the little keychain light? The AA mag has a nice nylon sheath that I can just hang on the belt, and why not just wear my AA mag everyday? It gets dark every night I've been alive, so I know before hand that after a certain time, I will need a flashlight. And it gives me yet another option in the self defense category. I always carry a small handgun in my right side pocket, but a non firearm would be better if it can do the job. My daughter and granddaughter have taken and are still taking Krav Maga, and Jess swears by the AA mini mag as a fist load and Yawara style impact tool. I've taken some Krav and I know what she means, and in the old days growing up in D.C. we just used a small crescent wrench or socket handle. Now the AA mini mag would give me a flashlight as well as a non lethal defense tool.

A win-win situation.