BentHeadTX
Flashlight Enthusiast
A little background first:
Three guys work with me and they all carry flashlights at work. Presently, they all use Peak Mediterraneans. They have the 2AA bodies and 123A lithium bodies with 10 CR123A batteries in their desk drawer. We have a Maha charger that keeps the NiMH batteries charged for label makers, wireless mice, flashlights and other things. The batteries used are Powerex 2500mAH batteries.
The guys at work all use Mediterraneans with 2AA bodies, although they have 10 lithium 123A batteries and bodies. I decided to see what they thought of my Fenix L1P (I use it as a bicycle helmet light) Showed them the L1P, explained that it gets 2.5 hours of runtime on NiMH batteries, see how small it is, the holster etc. Did I start a revolution?
They played around with it and thought the small size was cool. They gave it back after 30 minutes and went about their business. Puzzled, I asked them what they thought and they basically did not see the point. They all stated the Mediterraneans were brighter, had better throw and if they wanted a small light, they would run the CR123A lithium body and be done.
I then asked them why none of them use the 123A body with the Mediterranean and only use the 2AA body. The response was unanimous.. the reason for the 2AA was that it gave the light enough weight that it can be used with a minimag holster and not fall out. No flaps to pull off so it is a quick and easy draw/remount. Their minimag holsters have the bottom of the pouch removed so the end of the light sticks out and the head sits on the top of the holster.
One more try... what about the small size? Their answer was quick: it is too big to put on a keychain, if it was an AAA light they would love it. I decided to EDC the Fenix L1P and Mediterranean 2AA with my Ripoffs CO-47FL holster this past week.
90% of the time I used the Med 2AA because I could grab it, use it and throw it back in the holster quickly. Using the L1P took more effort, I had to pull the flap on the holster, pull it up...grip the light and pull it out. Once done, look down, fit it back in and then close the holster. Doing this ten times a day becomes a hassle so I now understand my co-workers view.
I asked the secretary and she liked it but prefers my "little keychain light" (Matterhorn Snow29 3 LED HO) since it is bright enough, much smaller and fits on a keychain.
My conclusion is convienence is very important to "non-flashaholics" holster lights are prefered and if it is small, it better not be bigger than a single AAA keychain light. Once the Peak Ocean single AAA Luxeon light becomes available, I can assume they will love it until they hear the price!
The Fenix L1P returned to it's bicycle helmet mount duties and the Med 2AA returned to it's holster. My spare L1P will be modifed to run the high/low switching and placed in my deployment flashlight box next to the Arc and Peak red/UV lights. As a bicycle helmet light, the L1P is great for spotting drivers so they see me while riding.
Once I get my mitts on an Ocean AAA Luxeon, it should cause a stir... at least more interest than the L1P. The folks that evaluated the L1P were corrupted by being familiar with the Mediterranean and Matterhorn so that might of really threw my results off. If they only knew minimags and solitaires... things might of been different.
Three guys work with me and they all carry flashlights at work. Presently, they all use Peak Mediterraneans. They have the 2AA bodies and 123A lithium bodies with 10 CR123A batteries in their desk drawer. We have a Maha charger that keeps the NiMH batteries charged for label makers, wireless mice, flashlights and other things. The batteries used are Powerex 2500mAH batteries.
The guys at work all use Mediterraneans with 2AA bodies, although they have 10 lithium 123A batteries and bodies. I decided to see what they thought of my Fenix L1P (I use it as a bicycle helmet light) Showed them the L1P, explained that it gets 2.5 hours of runtime on NiMH batteries, see how small it is, the holster etc. Did I start a revolution?
They played around with it and thought the small size was cool. They gave it back after 30 minutes and went about their business. Puzzled, I asked them what they thought and they basically did not see the point. They all stated the Mediterraneans were brighter, had better throw and if they wanted a small light, they would run the CR123A lithium body and be done.
I then asked them why none of them use the 123A body with the Mediterranean and only use the 2AA body. The response was unanimous.. the reason for the 2AA was that it gave the light enough weight that it can be used with a minimag holster and not fall out. No flaps to pull off so it is a quick and easy draw/remount. Their minimag holsters have the bottom of the pouch removed so the end of the light sticks out and the head sits on the top of the holster.
One more try... what about the small size? Their answer was quick: it is too big to put on a keychain, if it was an AAA light they would love it. I decided to EDC the Fenix L1P and Mediterranean 2AA with my Ripoffs CO-47FL holster this past week.
90% of the time I used the Med 2AA because I could grab it, use it and throw it back in the holster quickly. Using the L1P took more effort, I had to pull the flap on the holster, pull it up...grip the light and pull it out. Once done, look down, fit it back in and then close the holster. Doing this ten times a day becomes a hassle so I now understand my co-workers view.
I asked the secretary and she liked it but prefers my "little keychain light" (Matterhorn Snow29 3 LED HO) since it is bright enough, much smaller and fits on a keychain.
My conclusion is convienence is very important to "non-flashaholics" holster lights are prefered and if it is small, it better not be bigger than a single AAA keychain light. Once the Peak Ocean single AAA Luxeon light becomes available, I can assume they will love it until they hear the price!
The Fenix L1P returned to it's bicycle helmet mount duties and the Med 2AA returned to it's holster. My spare L1P will be modifed to run the high/low switching and placed in my deployment flashlight box next to the Arc and Peak red/UV lights. As a bicycle helmet light, the L1P is great for spotting drivers so they see me while riding.
Once I get my mitts on an Ocean AAA Luxeon, it should cause a stir... at least more interest than the L1P. The folks that evaluated the L1P were corrupted by being familiar with the Mediterranean and Matterhorn so that might of really threw my results off. If they only knew minimags and solitaires... things might of been different.