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alberto said:
Some of my favorite and most respected lights are the half-dozen Photon IIs I have on various key rings -- a great little light. I was recently looking for the new Freedom programmable version at my local tactical gear store but they didn't have it and I bought the Photon III instead -- for the programmable intensity feature. I really like it and wonder if the Freedom would provide any additional benefits. Anyone have both?
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I have both. In fact, I've had all 3 revisions of P3s so am in a reasonable position to comment. Unfortunately, comparing the 2 is a bit like comparing apples with oranges: Neither is objectively better than the other - it depends on your mood/wind direction/etc.
Having said that, here is a quick summary:
Freedom:
+ More Waterproof
+ Replacable LED
+ Designed to be more reliable
+ Cheaper
+ More intuitive interface
+ Simpler to operate simple functions (on, off, brighter, dimmer)
+ They come with a very nice clip holder
+ They come with a very nice clip
+ Strobing and SOS functions etc are available but "hidden at the back"
- No autooff mode and signal mode is not a great replacement (messy to get into and out of)
- Doesn't remember last mode if switched off (other than signal mode)
P3:
+ 2 switch design allows for greater flexibility (i.e. leave the light in auto-off/dim mode, click on the front of the switch of you need instand light
+ Now very reliable (on their 3rd attempt)
So, based on the above, I'd go for a freedom, happy in the knowledge that the lack of a proper autooff facility is overcome with the other benefits.