Fenix T1 Review - Picture heavy (Outdoor shots added)

[ernsanada]

Protected 17670's fit the T1 snug. Another CPF'er bondr006 said and showed a picture of his fitting loose.

The Fenix T1 Q5 OP 1 17670 took 14:12 to go into flicker mode.

Read this thread Fenix T1 and RCR123A

 

[ScubaSnyder]

T1 blemishes when I received my light... sad but it will be heavily used anyway.

O theres more

 

[iced_theater]

My light doesn't have any blemishes like that at all. Though the anodizing wasn't very good right where the clip connects to the head.

 

[Tempest UK]

That's quite disappointing about the anodising...

It will be interesting to see people report back after giving them a few weeks/months of use, or seeing the reports of those who are "torture testing" them.

Regards,
Tempest

 

[cmichael]

T1 blemishes when I received my light... sad but it will be heavily used anyway.

O theres more

Nice clip...Did you make them?

 

[WadeF]

Shame to see the blemished T1's. Mine looks pretty good from what I can tell. Did yours come from Fenix-store Scuba?

 

[ScubaSnyder]

Nice clip...Did you make them?

Yes I did make the clip cover, It protects the body thats about it!

 

[ScubaSnyder]

Nice clip...Did you make them?

Yes I did make the clip cover, It protects the body from switching modes quite well.


Wade, the light did come from fenix-store.com, I have had some trouble with lights from there but the price is usually ok so I still order from there.

 

[IsaacHayes]

The textured reflector helps give the hotspot a nice blend into the spill light. I have noticed with a lot of cree lights with throw that the hotspot is like a spotlight that's dark all around it. You still have spill but at a distance with no fade around the hotspot it's too much of tunnel vision. The T1 looks good in those shots, showing more area lit up in the dark.

 

[Tiny86]

Great Reveiw. Thnanks for the pics.

 

[wishywashy7]

good review! great read!

 

[Spotpuff]

Haven't seen anyone ask this yet: Is the tailcap glow in the dark or just fluorescent orange?

The Fenix ads aren't very clear; just says "fluorescent switch cap easy to find in the darkness" which is a bit ambiguous.

 

[meuge]

Haven't seen anyone ask this yet: Is the tailcap glow in the dark or just fluorescent orange?

The Fenix ads aren't very clear; just says "fluorescent switch cap easy to find in the darkness" which is a bit ambiguous.

It's poorly fluorescent. There are fluorescent "specs" mixed into the orange tailcap, but they need quite a powerful light to activate them, and they only fluoresce for 10-15 minutes.

 

[CandleFranky]

Hello,

I have two question about the Fenix T1, which couldn't be found anywhere. Most Fenix flashlights can be run on turbo mode for 10 minutes, otherwise they get to hot and can be damaged. What's about the T1? I didn't find anything about this limitation. :shrug:

Second question: Can the T1 use rechargeable batteries? I've heard, there is sometimes a problem with the correct size, sometimes it is impossible at all. Some experiences here?

For your information: Momentary I use a Maglite 2D with an original Maglite LED-Upgrade, it get's darker after 10-15 Minutes. I am looking for a powerful bright multi purpose flashlight.

Thank you in advance!
Frank

 

[WadeF]

Most Fenix flashlights can be run on turbo mode for 10 minutes, otherwise they get to hot and can be damaged. What's about the T1? I didn't find anything about this limitation. :shrug:

Where did you get that information? I've only seen that for the P3D, and it says not to run more than 10 minutes IN HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. Many people have left their P3D's on Turbo until the batteries are dead, non-stop, with no ill effects. It's best to hold it in your hand to act as a heat sink.

The T1 does not have this warning and has plenty of metal to heat sink. This isn't an issue with Fenix, this is an issue with running the emitter at high current (around 1A) and not having enough matterial (such as with a P3D) to heat sink it well enough. Most lights running the emitters at that current have more mass than the P3D, and if they don't they get hot even faster. The P3D should be fine as long as you hold it in your hand to help keep it cool. Leaving it on turbo in the holster, or in a pocket, where it's insulated, wouldn't be good.

 

[jsr]

Second question: Can the T1 use rechargeable batteries? I've heard, there is sometimes a problem with the correct size, sometimes it is impossible at all. Some experiences here?

Frank - the T1 battery tube physically fits some 17670s, but the circuit is not designed to run off a single Li-Ion rechargeable. The only rechargeable option is 2xR123As, which does not give very good runtime.

 

[uh1c]

Hello,

...Most Fenix flashlights can be run on turbo mode for 10 minutes, otherwise they get to hot and can be damaged. What's about the T1? I didn't find anything about this limitation... Frank

Using the supplied Panasonic CR123a batteries I am into a runtime test at 4 hours now (I started at turbo; it drops from turbo to normal automatically; I did not change the bezel position) There is slight but noticeable warmth in the center of the body (not the head or lens) at 15 minutes into the test. That did not change until it dropped to normal output at which time the body quickly returned to room temperature. It was never hot or even "very warm". Just warm...I see no problems with heat.

 

[Art Vandelay]

Fantastic review! I really like those photographs.

:goodjob:

From the beamshots, it looks to me like Fenix made the right call in using a textured reflector and regular sized head. It seems to me the T1 has much more useful light in the sides of your beamshots than the other flashlights. I love the tailcap, but I'm not crazy about the orange. It would be cool if Fenix would sell a black one as an option for modders.

I'm waiting to see if the lightreviews guy can remove the clip. He seems pretty good at breaking flashlights down without damage.

 

[woodrow]

I will most likely buy this light pretty soon, and am glad it uses a textured reflector. My M1 SE came with both, and suprising to me, the textured one is the one I leave in it. Just too nice of a beam to put the smooth one back in.

I will always like smooth reflectors, but in dedicated throw lights like the DBS, Tiablo, MRV ect. In a smaller light, up close work is nicer with the textured reflector and I usually only need to see out to 80 yards or so anyway.

 

[CandleFranky]

@all: thank you for your kind support

I've only seen that for the P3D, and it says not to run more than 10 minutes IN HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. [..] The P3D should be fine as long as you hold it in your hand to help keep it cool. Leaving it on turbo in the holster, or in a pocket, where it's insulated, wouldn't be good.

Yes, but what are "ambient temperatures"? Is there any definition? By the way. I've read the same for the Fenix L2D (Premium Q5 180lm) here. The P3D and the L2D would be also interesting for me.

Using the supplied Panasonic CR123a batteries I am into a runtime test at 4 hours now

You've tested, while you hold your flashligt in your hand? At what temperature?

Frank - the T1 battery tube physically fits some 17670s, but the circuit is not designed to run off a single Li-Ion rechargeable. The only rechargeable option is 2xR123As, which does not give very good runtime.

What does "not a very good runtime" mean in percent compared to regular CR123a's? I like the Fenix T1 and the P3D very much, but I have have to think about the CR123a's, they are not bad, but not cheap also.