Any Fenix L1T owners in the house?

[jnj1033]

I'm referring to the latest L1T - the one with a Cree in it. I've been eyeballing that light in its various forms for a couple of years now, but I got sidetracked with the P series. Current EDC is a P2D CE.

I'm considering an L1T partly because of the user interface, and partly because it could run on NiMH.

So, if there are any L1T owners who would care to comment, here are my questions:

1. How well regulated is the output on high with NiMH or alkaline? I plan to use NiMH, but in a pinch, I'd like decent performance on primaries.
2. Do you ever wish it were smaller?
3. Is there anything positive/negative you wish you had known before you bought it?
4. If you have a P2D, can you visually tell a difference between the L1T and the P2D on their maximum settings.

That's all. Thanks for any enlightenment you can provide.

J

 

[NutSAK]

If you plan to use alkalines at all, I would suggest an L1D instead. The L1T will only regulate alkalines in the low mode--the high mode will kill an alkaline very quickly. An L1D will regulate alkaline well on low, med and high. Turbo on an L1D is roughly equal to high on the L1T.

 

[youreacrab]

Turbo on an L1D is roughly equal to high on the L1T.

Makes more sense the other way around: Turbo on the L1T is roughly equal to the high of an L1D.

 

[RWT1405]

Hi J, I can tell you that I have no problem with the size of my L1T's (I have 2, and always carry 1 at work & 1 off-duty. I carry them in my pants pockets).

I also have P2D's and I can't say I "see" much (if any) difference in them (compared to L1T's) on maximum. I will tell you that (at least for me) the low setting is fine for me probably 95% (or more) of the time, the maximum is a "nice to have available" option.

As to use of primaries in it, I used alks. in them for the first few weeks or so and found that low works just fine on them, and what little I "need" the high setting, they worked just fine. I just made sure I changed them out regularly. However, I now use L91's in them and am VERY happy with them so far.

My .02 FWIW YMMV

 

[NutSAK]

Makes more sense the other way around: Turbo on the L1T is roughly equal to the high of an L1D.

No, it doesn't. Fenix describes the highest level of the L1T as "high", and the highest level of the L1D as "Turbo". There is no "Turbo" level available on the L1T as Fenix describes it.

I guess the point you may be trying to make is that, the lumens output of the L1T on "high" is more like the lumens output on the L1D on "high" (not turbo). However, I was not comparing output of the two, rather the regulation on alkaline batteries.

I should also add that, to my eyes, there is a visual difference from the highest mode of the P2D to the highest mode of the L1T. The P2D is brighter.

 

[phosphor]

I should also add that, to my eyes, there is a visual difference from the highest mode of the P2D to the highest mode of the L1T. The P2D is brighter.

Agreed. I own both the the L1Tv2.0 and the P2D, and I clearly perceive the P2D's turbo to be brighter than the L1Tv2.0 on high.

Having said that, the L1Tv2.0 is my favorite 1xAA EDC ( of those that I have tried ). I even prefer to carry it over my P2D Premium Rebel 100.....because I have found that I practically only need two preset factory modes, high and low. For general every day pocket carry this light covers my requirements; my "older eyes" appreciate that the L1Tv2.0's low is 15 lumens ( give or take ). My L1Tv2.0 is one of the early batch with the tactical switch. I utilize the momentary feature frequently, often just shining a quick burst of light here or there. This is how I most often use a flashlight. Also, I regard the Rebel 80 beam pattern to be warm and admire the nice balance of spill and spot.

NutSAK is also passing along important information when he reminds us that the L1Tv2.0 is not completely functional with alkaline batteries. In an emergency situation, presented with only alkalines as an option, the L1Tv2.0
will not function for long on high. For emergency AA use I prefer my Liteflux LF1 modded with a SSC.......it has a beautiful wall of light with impressive throw; the beam pattern is much like an HDS.

- regards

 

[youreacrab]

No, it doesn't. Fenix describes the highest level of the L1T as "high", and the highest level of the L1D as "Turbo". There is no "Turbo" level available on the L1T as Fenix describes it.

My mistake. Purely marketing and semantics, though. Looking at two of Fenix's 2-stage lights, the TK10 is "turbo/general" and the L1T is "high/low." Turbo is a bit of a misnomer anyway because I doubt either of these lights are using pressurized induction.

I guess the point you may be trying to make is that, the lumens output of the L1T on "high" is more like the lumens output on the L1D on "high" (not turbo).

Exactly. Not to mention the difference between the L1D on high and turbo is barely detectable.

In sum, the L1T is a great light. If you were to directly compare it A-B it with its peers you'll find its output is similar, slightly lower. In a blind taste test, assuming identical tint and reflector, you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference. Read around and you'll see that some people can't even perceive the difference between medium and high on a P1D (stepping from 95 to 180 lumens).

 

[RWT1405]

I'm not sure I "buy into" the L1T not being "completely functional" on alky batts.. I believe the L1T (on high) will last approx. 18 min. on alkys (if my memory is correct). If you need more then that (on high), I'd like to know what for (other then "PLAY")?

Most "emergencies" that I know of require the use of pretty much "any" light (i.e. low level is fine 99% of the time, if not 100%), with some exceptions, and most of those "exceptions" require very short "bursts" of the high level.

If you are looking to just "play" with your L1T on high, then yes, by ALL means get the rechargables. BUT if you use your L1T for REAL work & EDC, alkys would be fine for probably 99% (if not 100%) of what you need.

Also, as I said, I use L91's in mine now. I don't "play" with them, so they last a good LONG time & high is available, if needed, for a longer period of time.

So I guess it comes down to what you are going to use it for, EDC, work, or "PLAY".

My .02 FWIW YMMV

 

[phosphor]

I'm not sure I "buy into" the L1T not being "completely functional" on alky batts.. I believe the L1T (on high) will last approx. 18 min. on alkys (if my memory is correct). If you need more then that (on high), I'd like to know what for (other then "PLAY")?

Most "emergencies" that I know of require the use of pretty much "any" light (i.e. low level is fine 99% of the time, if not 100%), with some exceptions, and most of those "exceptions" require very short "bursts" of the high level.

If you are looking to just "play" with your L1T on high, then yes, by ALL means get the rechargables. BUT if you use your L1T for REAL work & EDC, alkys would be fine for probably 99% (if not 100%) of what you need.

Also, as I said, I use L91's in mine now. I don't "play" with them, so they last a good LONG time & high is available, if needed, for a longer period of time.

So I guess it comes down to what you are going to use it for, EDC, work, or "PLAY".

My .02 FWIW YMMV

.....if you can't for see yourself ever needing high for more than about 15 minutes in an emergency situation, then I think you are correct....the L1Tv2.0 will suffice. As well, typically one would have access to several fresh AA alkalines in a "pinch", and if that were the case the issue of "short" runtime with alkalines on high during an emergency would be moot. :thumbsup:

- regards

 

[jag-engr]

...I will tell you that (at least for me) the low setting is fine for me probably 95% (or more) of the time, the maximum is a "nice to have available" option.

...the L1Tv2.0 is my favorite 1xAA EDC ( of those that I have tried ) ... Also, I regard the Rebel 80 beam pattern to be warm and admire the nice balance of spill and spot.

What they said above - I find the light highly useful and very intuitive. I understand that there's a bit of a "lottery" aspect to this, but the one that I have has the cleanest, whitest beam of any light that I have ever seen! It's even better that the vanilla-colored beam of my P2D RB100!

However, I now use L91's in them and am VERY happy with them so far.

I'm going to have to look into these...

 

[RWT1405]

I was just trying to answer the OP's question.

1. How well regulated is the output on high with NiMH or alkaline? I plan to use NiMH, but in a pinch, I'd like decent performance on primaries.

Glad we agree! That's why I like the L1T so much!

My .02 FWIW YMMV