4sevens (http://fenix-store.com/) very kindly sent me a bunch of Fenix flashlights on loan for review - these included L1T, L2T, P1 and the Civictor V1. He also very generously put Lithium batteries in all of them.
This review concentrates on the L1T - a single AA 3watt light in the same form factor as the very popular Fenix L1P.
The main differences are the 3watt emitter over the 1watt and the new L1T has a two stage for a longer running lower level output.
Size comparison
The heads -
Supplied holster, compared to the older style that came with the early L1P -
Some earlier questions were whether the the body tubes of the L1P/L2P would fit the L1T/L2T. The answer is yes, physically - BUT they do not work fully - losing the low level of the two stage.
Comparison of L1T and L1 body tubes (also showing the insides of the tailcap and head) -
The most obvious difference is the bare aluminum threads of the L1T tube at the head - which makes electrical contact for the low stage. When the head is screwed on tightly the tube end makes contact with the circuit board to make the High stage.
If one compares the tube lengths carefully - one can just make out the L1T tube is just a shade longer than that of the L1 - this confirms some reports I've read where the L1(P) body tube may not work with the L1T head at all - depending on the battery length the slightly shorter body may prevent the tube end from making good contact with the L1T circuit board........
OK, so how well does the L1T perform - how bright is it?
Note: I conducted all the comparison beamshots with Alkaline batteries - since these are what the majority would likely use. But as a sanity check I did do one set of beamshots with the supplied Energizer Lithium AA.
L1T on High vs. Fenix L1 v2.5 (Non-Premium)
Now here's a surprise -
according to Fenix specs, and the early reports I read about the L1T - I expected the L1T to be less bright (or equal to) my L1 v2.5.
It wasn't - the L1T was just perceptibly brighter - as shown in the comparison beamshots.
I checked the current draw with the tailcap removed and got these readings -
........... Fenix L1T
........... Hi ..... Lo .. Fenix L1 v2.5
Alkaline 0.78A 0.24A 0.49A
Lithium 0.78A 0.24A 0.63A
The L1T on High is drawing substantially more current at 0.78A (for both Alkaline and Lithium AA) over the L1 v2.5 at 0.49A (on alkaline). So unless the L1T(L2T) circuitry and emitter are very INefficient - it's not surprising that the L1T is brighter than my L1 v2.5.
How dim is the Low setting?
Fenix L1T on Low vs. Fenix L1 v2.5 (Non-Premium)
It is just noticably dimmer - but not really that dim - the claimed 10 lumens is probably in the right ballpark - as it seems about the same level as an average 1/2watt - as shown here -
Fenix L1T on Low vs. 0.5w 1AA - AdvancedMart LED-005S
L1T on Hi vs. Civictor V1 1watt 1AA twisty
very comparable, with the L1T on Hi maybe just a shade brighter than the 1watt Civictor V1.
L1T on Low vs. Civictor V1
L1T vs. L2T (3watt 2AA) both on Hi -
L2T seems brighter - but not by much - and probably not much difference in use (for me)
L1T vs. L2T(3watt 2AA) both on Low -
about the same relative brightness as in the High comparison.
L1T on Hi vs. Fenix P1 (3watt 1x CR123)
Sanity check - L1T on Hi with Lithium AA vs. Fenix P1 - only the -2 Stops Underexposed shot shown to compare relative brightness levels -
This shows there is very little if any difference in brightness of the L1T on High using Lithium AA over alkalineAA when they are fresh, and this is confirmed by the current draw readings. Of course, Lithium batteries should last longer and maintain the brightness levels longer.
Note: I do not have any Li-Ion 14500 rechargeable batteries to do a test of the brightness level using 3.7V Li-Ion.
L1T on Low vs. Fenix P1
Overall I like this L1T a lot - the low setting might not be as low as some might want - no, it's not a dim "stealth" mode - but for me it's about the right level for most general practical usage (in the ballpark of a typical 1/2watt my at home EDC).
So for me it's a definite improvement over the very popular L1P - so it's not much brighter - but more useful.
I'd use the L1T most of the time on the Low setting and twisting it to High only when needed - showing once again - for me - brighter does not necessarily always = better.
This review concentrates on the L1T - a single AA 3watt light in the same form factor as the very popular Fenix L1P.
The main differences are the 3watt emitter over the 1watt and the new L1T has a two stage for a longer running lower level output.
Size comparison
The heads -
Supplied holster, compared to the older style that came with the early L1P -
Some earlier questions were whether the the body tubes of the L1P/L2P would fit the L1T/L2T. The answer is yes, physically - BUT they do not work fully - losing the low level of the two stage.
Comparison of L1T and L1 body tubes (also showing the insides of the tailcap and head) -
The most obvious difference is the bare aluminum threads of the L1T tube at the head - which makes electrical contact for the low stage. When the head is screwed on tightly the tube end makes contact with the circuit board to make the High stage.
If one compares the tube lengths carefully - one can just make out the L1T tube is just a shade longer than that of the L1 - this confirms some reports I've read where the L1(P) body tube may not work with the L1T head at all - depending on the battery length the slightly shorter body may prevent the tube end from making good contact with the L1T circuit board........
OK, so how well does the L1T perform - how bright is it?
Note: I conducted all the comparison beamshots with Alkaline batteries - since these are what the majority would likely use. But as a sanity check I did do one set of beamshots with the supplied Energizer Lithium AA.
L1T on High vs. Fenix L1 v2.5 (Non-Premium)
Now here's a surprise -
according to Fenix specs, and the early reports I read about the L1T - I expected the L1T to be less bright (or equal to) my L1 v2.5.
It wasn't - the L1T was just perceptibly brighter - as shown in the comparison beamshots.
I checked the current draw with the tailcap removed and got these readings -
........... Fenix L1T
........... Hi ..... Lo .. Fenix L1 v2.5
Alkaline 0.78A 0.24A 0.49A
Lithium 0.78A 0.24A 0.63A
The L1T on High is drawing substantially more current at 0.78A (for both Alkaline and Lithium AA) over the L1 v2.5 at 0.49A (on alkaline). So unless the L1T(L2T) circuitry and emitter are very INefficient - it's not surprising that the L1T is brighter than my L1 v2.5.
How dim is the Low setting?
Fenix L1T on Low vs. Fenix L1 v2.5 (Non-Premium)
It is just noticably dimmer - but not really that dim - the claimed 10 lumens is probably in the right ballpark - as it seems about the same level as an average 1/2watt - as shown here -
Fenix L1T on Low vs. 0.5w 1AA - AdvancedMart LED-005S
L1T on Hi vs. Civictor V1 1watt 1AA twisty
very comparable, with the L1T on Hi maybe just a shade brighter than the 1watt Civictor V1.
L1T on Low vs. Civictor V1
L1T vs. L2T (3watt 2AA) both on Hi -
L2T seems brighter - but not by much - and probably not much difference in use (for me)
L1T vs. L2T(3watt 2AA) both on Low -
about the same relative brightness as in the High comparison.
L1T on Hi vs. Fenix P1 (3watt 1x CR123)
Sanity check - L1T on Hi with Lithium AA vs. Fenix P1 - only the -2 Stops Underexposed shot shown to compare relative brightness levels -
This shows there is very little if any difference in brightness of the L1T on High using Lithium AA over alkalineAA when they are fresh, and this is confirmed by the current draw readings. Of course, Lithium batteries should last longer and maintain the brightness levels longer.
Note: I do not have any Li-Ion 14500 rechargeable batteries to do a test of the brightness level using 3.7V Li-Ion.
L1T on Low vs. Fenix P1
Overall I like this L1T a lot - the low setting might not be as low as some might want - no, it's not a dim "stealth" mode - but for me it's about the right level for most general practical usage (in the ballpark of a typical 1/2watt my at home EDC).
So for me it's a definite improvement over the very popular L1P - so it's not much brighter - but more useful.
I'd use the L1T most of the time on the Low setting and twisting it to High only when needed - showing once again - for me - brighter does not necessarily always = better.
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