New Fenix torches ...

gabriel959
gabriel959 Posts: 4,227
edited January 2009 in Workshop
The substitute for the Fenix L2D Q5 is coming and it is called, FENIX LD20 Q5!!! :)

http://www.thephotonshop.co.uk/page22.htm

I think I am going to get one, seems to be more powerful than the current one and

* Cree Premium Q5 LED with a life of 50,000 hours
* 2 modes with 6 types of output. General mode - 9 lumens (71 hours) - 47 lumens (13 hours) - 94 lumens (5 hours) - SOS signalling. Turbo mode - 180 lumens constant (2 hours) - strobe. All figures using 2500 mah Ni-mh batteries.
Digitally regulated output maintains constant brightness
* Uses two 1.5 volt AA batteries (Ni-mh, lithium or alkaline), inexpensive and widely available.
* 150mm (length) by 21.5mm diameter
* Made from T6 - aircraft grade aluminium
* Durable type 111 hard anodized anti abrasive finish
* 56 gram weight (excluding batteries)
* Waterproof to IPX - 8 standard
* Toughened ultra - clear glass lens with anti reflective coating
* Push button tailcap switch
* Capable of standing up securely on a flat surface to use as a candle
* Included accessories : Holster, lanyard, two spare o-rings and a rubber switch boot

Operation - Fully tighten bezel for turbo mode - loosen bezel half a turn for general mode. To change levels in either mode fully press (click) the tailcap push button to switch on then half press and release the button to cycle levels.

Going to get one, as I was going to get the L2D but if this is better for only a couple of quid extra I can't see why not!!! :)

What do you guys think?
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
Commuting / Winter rides - Jamis Renegade Expert
Pootling / Offroad - All-City Macho Man Disc
Fast rides Cannondale SuperSix Ultegra
«134567

Comments

  • robbarker
    robbarker Posts: 1,367
    They are a very good buy indeed - a pair of these will blow the pants off most rechargeable lighting systems and for less than £100. I don't understand why anyone buys anything else at the moment.

    I have a P3D to complement my Solidlights setup on my audax bike, but it's bright enough on its own. I've just ordered a pair of these new AA ones, one with the orange peel reflector which my audax chums find even better than the smooth, even on the road. They will primarily be for mountain biking over the winter.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,665
    Looks awesome. I've got the L2D and it makes a great helmet light for the trails at night.
  • Turbo mode output is the same as the L2D Q5 - 180 lumen. This one has a new body design and lower output in the other modes - so longer battery life when not in Turbo. If that's worth something to you, get the new one; if you're only going to use it on Turbo, or 55 hours is long enough on the lowest level for you, get the L2D and save the couple of quid.

    Your call.

    _
  • Good find! Time to find the debit card...
    ================
    2020 Voodoo Marasa
    2017 Cube Attain GTC Pro Disc 2016
    2016 Voodoo Wazoo
  • Garry H
    Garry H Posts: 6,639
    Daft question; how do they attach to the bike?
  • Mog Uk
    Mog Uk Posts: 964
    Garry H wrote:
    Daft question; how do they attach to the bike?

    With a bike mount....

    http://www.thephotonshop.co.uk/page65.htm
  • simbil1
    simbil1 Posts: 620
    There are a few Seoul P7 lights available now which go up to around 900 lumens. They tend to use the big lithium batteries though (18650's) which I personally like but not compatible with AA's.

    Possibly more light than you need on the road, but it would be nice when offroad or if you commute down fast and rough lanes.
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    I have 2 L2D CE Q5's, absolutely superb and the best lights I have owned (I have tried a lot of higher priced ones). The new one looks good, though the lower output high mode may be slightly less good (I use high not turbo most of the time for 4.5 hrs battery life), though there isn't a great difference. I do like the hexagonal ring on the new one, will stop the torch rolling.

    I will probably wait for the next generation of emitters before upgrading, but for now these lights are the best under £100.
  • robbarker
    robbarker Posts: 1,367
    Mog Uk wrote:
    Garry H wrote:
    Daft question; how do they attach to the bike?

    With a bike mount....

    http://www.thephotonshop.co.uk/page65.htm

    The lockblock is simpler and cheaper, and works fantastically.
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    Yes, agree, the Fenix mount is prone to rattling (I bodged a fix), is more expensive, takes up more bar room, and requires unscrewing to remove the torch. When I emailed The Photonshop about the rattle, Rob sent me a free Twofish Lockblock next day (I kept the Fenix), great service from The Photon Shop!
  • simbil1
    simbil1 Posts: 620
    robbarker wrote:

    The lockblock is simpler and cheaper, and works fantastically.

    I agree, use them off road and they hold on perfectly and take no effort to remove.

    http://www.thephotonshop.co.uk/page64.htm
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    £40 seems a bargain ? How do these compare to the Dinotte ? I've one of those at the moment and its pretty good in pitch black lanes, but you always want more dont you ? ;-)
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    edited September 2008
    I had the Dinotte 5w (predecessor to the 200L). The Fenix outperforms this on brightness and run time, and uses half the number of batteries and needs no separate battery holder (some of which have been temperamental with the connectors). The Fenix is also lighter, less fiddly, and serves as a great camping and tent light (using the diffuser accessory) and can be used on a headband as a head torch. The variety of output levels makes it very versatile. It is also a lot cheaper. The beam with the orange peel reflector is as good. It lacks a mount, but these are available for about £6. It beat the Dinotte 5W hands down in every area (much as I was thrilled with the Dinotte when I got it).

    The new Dinotte 200L has on paper, more output than the Fenix (200 lumens versus 180), but I have no idea how it would compare in the real world, my guess is a very slight difference, if any. The Dinotte still costs a lot more and still has the other disadvantages over the Fenix mentioned above, so my vote remains with the Fenix, and you can have 2 Fenix for around the same cost as a Dinotte, so £ for £, twice as good?
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Thanks for that ! <reaches for cards>
  • gabriel959
    gabriel959 Posts: 4,227
    Which beam for biking? Smooth or Orange Peel? :)
    x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
    Commuting / Winter rides - Jamis Renegade Expert
    Pootling / Offroad - All-City Macho Man Disc
    Fast rides Cannondale SuperSix Ultegra
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    edited September 2008
    Orange Peel, though I have one of each, smooth works okay.
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    OOh i just googled the same ! Most people went for Orange peel. Theres a youtube that shows you the difference too.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBmV0GLBEPk
  • FYB
    FYB Posts: 14
    the velcro strap mount (lockblock?) works well :lol:
    The Fenix plastic mount is fine if you've a thin bar. Most bars aren't that thin and the mount snaps (rubbish) :twisted:
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    I've bought the torch and the £7 lock block ? I think thats right.

    I'm such a sucker for bright shiny lights.
  • gabriel959
    gabriel959 Posts: 4,227
    cougie wrote:
    I've bought the torch and the £7 lock block ? I think thats right.

    I'm such a sucker for bright shiny lights.

    Did you get the new one coming in October or did you go for the L2D?
    x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
    Commuting / Winter rides - Jamis Renegade Expert
    Pootling / Offroad - All-City Macho Man Disc
    Fast rides Cannondale SuperSix Ultegra
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Er the new one in October. Darn October is aaaages away. :-(
  • gabriel959
    gabriel959 Posts: 4,227
    Nah, only a week away (less than that!!!)


    Anyway, I have seen that VapexTech is selling some Instant and Normal rechargable batteries. Could anyone enlighthen me and explain me if I need thos instant lights for may be my rear lights instead of normal rechargable ones?
    x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
    Commuting / Winter rides - Jamis Renegade Expert
    Pootling / Offroad - All-City Macho Man Disc
    Fast rides Cannondale SuperSix Ultegra
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    I use the hybrid ("instant") batteries for my Smart 1/2 watt rear light because they keep their charge for up to a year. Normal NiMH batteries will lose 1 to 2% of their charge per day, but in a light that you recharge the batteries for after every 4 hours use that's not a problem. The Smart goes for about 40 hours on a charge so the hybrid batteries make more sense.
  • ademort
    ademort Posts: 1,924
    Hi i recently bought the new Fenix TK20, and have to say i am very impressed it gives a good spot and wide beam for the dark nights or on unlit roads and with 2 AA batteries i get about 2 hours from one charge, which is more than enough for my needs. I also have a Fenix T1 which is an even better light, the only problem is with the batteries it takes the Lithium CR123A type which are quite expensive and up to now the rechargeables that i have bought only last 1Hour max and do not give anything like the same brightness as the normal Lithium type. If you were to purchase toe TK20 you will not be disappointed Greetings Ademort
    ademort
    Chinarello, record and Mavic Cosmic Sl
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  • Scrumple
    Scrumple Posts: 2,665
    Anyone know if these are much cheaper in the US? Going there soon.

    And, how long realistically until the "next generation" of LED lights start appearing.
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    I think the next generation is P7 emitters, they are here already, Deal Extreme have a range in the $40-$55 bracket. They don't use AA's, they use 1 or 2 18650 rechargeable lithium batteries (so new cells and chargers required) Fenix are not yet selling one. On-One / Planet-X will soon be selling the Airbike SSCP7 for about £120. The design is not quite there yet, but pretty soon we will have amazing LED bike lights that will blow HID out of the water at reasonable prices.
  • simbil1
    simbil1 Posts: 620
    I'm waiting for this to arrive:

    http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.14451

    Not sure how it will work out (quite long) but I'm fairly sure it will be staggeringly bright :)
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    Please post your thoughts when you get it. Yes, the length was making me hold off (and anyway, I have far too many lights already :oops: ), but I think the P7 need 2 cells to run well. If you use a Lockblock you may find you need to balance it carefully - it is likely to be top heavy, or fit some rubber inner tube under the mount to stop movement over bumps.
  • paul27
    paul27 Posts: 515
    Just bought one, on the forums recommendation, I hope they're good
    I love a bargain :D
  • If you're buying any of the Fenix lights go here... http://www.thephotonshop.co.uk/page62.htm ... and add one of the red diffusers to your order. £3.25 gives you 180 lumens of rear light!
    The lantern diffuser is useful for camping and general use as well.