Review: Fenix LD02 (XP-E2, 1x AAA, 100 lumens)

[Lord Flashlight]

And I'm wondering... what's the point in having 100 lumens on such a small light (which I was excited about initially) if it'll last for only 3 minutes?

I agree. I can't remember the last time I went for a walk in the dark which only lasted three minutes. Completely useless as an only EDC.

 

[WalkIntoTheLight]

So just reset it if you need another burst of high. Not a big deal, just make sure you don't overheat the light. 100 lumens from a AAA light would get pretty hot. I'd rather have the option than not have it at all. It's not like the light shuts off after 3 minutes, it just steps down.

 

[Swedpat]

Re: Fenix LD02 vs Fenix E12 - measured and commented

So, and I am guessing here, the 4 times brighter light on the right must have 4 times more Lumens than the left one? Or, something along this lines. This picture is actually quite nice representation of the real life difference of these two lights.

Even better example. Again, I am guessing here: the middle light has the most lumens, the left one a bit less, and the right one has by far the least lumens here?

Are these comparisons between LD02 and E12?

 

[Pila]

Re: Fenix LD02 vs Fenix E12 - measured and commented

Are these comparisons between LD02 and E12?

Yes. Point was to show the differnece between Lumens and Lux since as a rule people say they want more Lumens and mean they want more Lux (throw). Too often, people want light that throws to the Moon. They do not consider that means a very narrow beam which is absolutelly not usefull at 0,5-2-5-10 meters away (too strong and too small a hotspot). Why are we not using laser pointers as lights? They do throw faaaaar

Pic with 2 beams shows Fenix LD02 8 Lumens @ 21 Lux low beam, while the far stronger right beam is Fenix E12 which on Low places 82 Lux at the same wall. What we can not see here, is the large spill of LD02 where remaining Lumens are distributed.

As for 3 beams shot: left is Fenix E12 Low 8 Lumens @ 81 lux, the middle is the Nitecore Sens AA 6 Lumens @ 48 Lux and at the right is the LD02 Low 8 Lumens @ 21 Lux. It is much more illustrative to convert Lux to FL-1 meters: E12 8 Lumens 18m - Nitecore Sens AA 6 Lumen 14m - Fenix LD02 8 Lumen 9m. Cut the meters to half go get more realistic 1 lux meters (instead of standard 0,25 lux).

For a comparison: Fenix TK61 at 8 Lumens would produce about 1360 Lux (throw 74 meters!) - none of the above lamps can throw at all to 74 meters with their 100+ Lumens! So, 8 Lumens, or any other number of lumens is regularily used absolutelly wrong.

With 1 Lumens, these 3 lights would produce: LD02 = 5 Lux = 4 meters throw, E12 = 15 Lux = 8 m throw and TK61 = 170 Lux = 26 m throw. So, who needs a 1 Lumen lamp? You mean throw 4 m or trow 8 m or throw 26 m?

 

[Swedpat]

Re: Fenix LD02 vs Fenix E12 - measured and commented

Pila,

I think what you are talking about is that not only lumen matters but also lux at short distance. And depending of the purpose different beam profiles may make the demand of different lumens outputs. A throwy beam like TK61 will make the light useful at short distance with lower lumen output than LD02 and E12. And in the other way a floody beam will make it possible to use a light at short distance with higher lumen than a throwy light, without beeing blinding. Is this what you mean?

 

[kaichu dento]

Re: Fenix LD02 vs Fenix E12 - measured and commented

I think with a 3 mode light the difference between low and mid should never be smaller than between mid and high.

You'd think that light makers would eventually figure this basic principle out by now.

Visually balanced levels, instead of handy and brainless electronic algorithms!:thinking:

 

[Treeguy]

Re: Fenix LD02 vs Fenix E12 - measured and commented

Good review.

Having just got my first light with a moon mode, I don't think I can live without it. Gimme moon and max and an easy way to make sure the light comes on the way I want it to, and drop all the beacons and strobes.

K.I.S.S.

 

[mcnair55]

Re: Fenix LD02 vs Fenix E12 - measured and commented

Good review.

Having just got my first light with a moon mode, I don't think I can live without it. Gimme moon and max and an easy way to make sure the light comes on the way I want it to, and drop all the beacons and strobes.

K.I.S.S.

It is a shame the light makers do not read these pages as your posting is spot on.I need moon for nipping to the loo at silly o clock and reading a menu without looking like the local clown,decent low for little easy finding jobs,nice medium for most tasks and a turbo mode to anoy the neighbour lol,you can keep your strobes and flashing beacons as they are just toys for the anorak wearers.

 

[markr6]

Re: Fenix LD02 vs Fenix E12 - measured and commented

Good review.

Having just got my first light with a moon mode, I don't think I can live without it. Gimme moon and max and an easy way to make sure the light comes on the way I want it to, and drop all the beacons and strobes.

K.I.S.S.

It is a shame the light makers do not read these pages as your posting is spot on.I need moon for nipping to the loo at silly o clock and reading a menu without looking like the local clown,decent low for little easy finding jobs,nice medium for most tasks and a turbo mode to anoy the neighbour lol,you can keep your strobes and flashing beacons as they are just toys for the anorak wearers.

 

[WalkIntoTheLight]

Re: Fenix LD02 vs Fenix E12 - measured and commented

The problem is that most consumers don't know the usefulness of moonlight mode. Before I got my first light that had moonlight mode, I thought, "Yeah, interesting, but I'll probably never use it. Too dim for anything useful."

After I started using it, I was hooked and now won't buy a light without it. But I'm in a very very small minority.

 

[kj2]

Re: Fenix LD02 vs Fenix E12 - measured and commented

Before I got my first light that had moonlight mode, I thought, "Yeah, interesting, but I'll probably never use it. Too dim for anything useful."

Had the same. Now I've multiple lights with moonlight, and I really like it. Use my Olight S15 every night. I don't want it on every light, but on small AAA or small EDC-lights, it's a big bonus

 

[gunga]

Re: Fenix LD02 vs Fenix E12 - measured and commented

I pretty much want moonlight on everything if I can get it... At least 1-3 lumen low if not moonlight.

 

[Lord Flashlight]

Re: Fenix LD02 vs Fenix E12 - measured and commented

I've got a few lights with moonlight mode. Never used it.

 

[powernoodle]

Re: Fenix LD02 vs Fenix E12 - measured and commented

The problem is that most consumers don't know the usefulness of moonlight mode.

This. Fenix lights are not marketed to CPF members. They are marketed to the masses, whom Fenix apparently believe prefer an 8 lumen low setting rather than a 0.3 lumen.

 

[Lord Flashlight]

Re: Fenix LD02 vs Fenix E12 - measured and commented

I'm sure they've done their research. Nobody buys a flashlight for a 0.3 lumen setting. Think about it. It's a handy feature to have but it's an indulgence aimed at a minority.

 

[gunga]

If I was a non CPF person, I think the 8 lumen low would be good. The medium could be a touch higher to space it out better though.


Sent from my iPhone using Candlepowerforums

 

[Swede74]

This. Fenix lights are not marketed to CPF members. They are marketed to the masses, whom Fenix apparently believe prefer an 8 lumen low setting rather than a 0.3 lumen.

Sheep can be taught to need...sorry, I mean the masses can be helped to discover the usefulness of a moonlight setting. It is our duty as enlightened flashaholics to tirelessly keep reminding the flashlight industry as well as the unenlightened masses what we we want to see in future models. Eventually a new standard will be set, and (almost) every EDC light produced will have moonlight setting.

 

[markr6]

If I was a non CPF person, I think the 8 lumen low would be good. The medium could be a touch higher to space it out better though.

You're probably right. But these are the poor souls reduced to having to hold their thumb over the flashlight in order to create a moonlight mode Been there, done that, not going back.

 

[Treeguy]

Re: Fenix LD02 vs Fenix E12 - measured and commented

I'm sure they've done their research. Nobody buys a flashlight for a 0.3 lumen setting. Think about it. It's a handy feature to have but it's an indulgence aimed at a minority.

Perhaps, but we`re a very smart and good looking minority.

I`ve got a 0.2 LM moon on my new Quark andI love it. Perfect for finding things on the nightstand and in the bedroom without bugging the wife. If the flashlight guys want to give me options, give me a moon option that runs from .01 to about 2lm that I can adjust real easy, and then give me the max setting that lasts "I don`t care how long" and will burn the retinas off a fire breathing dragon.

And then make it in AA. I`ll buy it!

 

[Javora]

Re: Fenix LD02 vs Fenix E12 - measured and commented

The moonlight mode is the mode I use the most, followed by low and then high. The moonlight mode is the reason I bought the Archer 2A.