Classic L0D vs. new LD01?

[Stress_Test]

I'm about to break down and buy one of these lights to fill the need for a minimalist travel light that still can produce serious output.

So, now that the new LD01 has been out for a while, which one seems to be the popular choice? I'm guessing the old L0D is still pretty popular because on 4-seven's site it's still not discontinued, and still not even discounted.

Light-Reviews tests showed that the L0D actually had longer run time on low, which I would prefer, even if it means giving up some brightness.

So, I'm leaning towards the L0D. (I don't mind the flashing modes either).

Are there any compelling advantages of the LD01 over the L0D?

 

[Marduke]

I prefer the L0D-Q4 over the LD01.

1) I prefer a keychain light with strobe
2) The slower PWM doesn't bother me
3) I prefer to maintain the lower low with longer runtime
4) Brightness on high is nearly identical, and therefore negligible IMO

 

[Flying Turtle]

I made this decision a few months back and chose the L0D. This was based on all the points Marduke mentioned, plus it was available in olive finish and was a bit cheaper. I don't expect to need strobe or SOS, but it's there just the same and doesn't get in the way.

Geoff

 

[thedeske]

Either light is a fine choice.
The 'less is more' 3 mode LD01 serves my needs. Run time is not a factor here.

 

[nzbazza]

Are there any compelling advantages of the LD01 over the L0D?

Stainless steel body!!! nice bit of bling on the keychain.

 

[DHart]

According to 4Sevens, the outputs and runtimes from one to the other are so close as to be relatively insignificant.

L0D 30 lumens 3.5 hrs. > 11 lumens 8.5 hrs. > 75 lumens 1 hr.
LD01 27 lumens 3.5 hrs. > 10 lumens 8.5 hrs. > 80 lumens 1 hr.

So for me it came down to simply wanting three output levels without any Tokyo (or Shenzhen) light shows. Choice: LD01. Something about having a Q5 I liked as well. :thinking:

Other than that, I probably would have been happy either way. I'd say decide if you want the lightshows or no lightshows and go with that.

 

[Zeruel]

I like SS too and without strobe, so LD01 for me.

 

[Marduke]

According to 4Sevens, the outputs and runtimes from one to the other are so close as to be relatively insignificant.

L0D 30 lumens 3.5 hrs. > 11 lumens 8.5 hrs. > 75 lumens 1 hr.
LD01 27 lumens 3.5 hrs. > 10 lumens 8.5 hrs. > 80 lumens 1 hr.

So for me it came down to simply wanting three output levels without any Tokyo (or Shenghen) light shows. Choice: LD01. Something about having a Q5 I liked as well. :thinking:

Other than that, I probably would have been happy either way. I'd say decide if you want the lightshows or no lightshows and go with that.

The medium and low modes on the LD01 are set incorrectly. They are really brighter and have shorter runtime than advertised.

 

[jzmtl]

I don't have LD01 but FWIW I like my old L0D just fine. It was old P4 cree but I swapped a R2 in there (don't do it, output change is not noticeable). PWM doesn't bother me. Strobe and SOS on twisty isn't nearly as bad as the reverse clicky lights, there is no chance you'll enter them accidentally.

 

[ResQTech]

I agree with less is more... The LD01 with three modes without sos or strobe is a much better fit for me. Even an LD01 with only low and high would be fine with me. I hardly ever use medium, or even low for that matter. The only time I would need low is if I thought that I wouldn't have enough battery to last in a survival situation. Just my 2 cents!

 

[chibato]

I'll give another vote for the LODQ4. Since the LOD is often the only light I have on me, knowing that extra runtime is there, if needed, clinched it. However, the LD01, does seem to be noticeably brighter and it is very easy to carry spare AAAs for that peace of mind.

 

[hyperloop]

apart from all the great input already, i'd like to point out that the LD01 works perfectly well with 10440s while the L0D, which can use the 10440, seems to 'lose' modes.

I am astounded (as are most others) with the output of the LD01 on high while using a 10440. Runtimes are of course much much lower but for sheer output, it cant be beat for a light that size and if its easy to carry spare AAAs, it would be just as easy to carry spare 10440s and AAAs are a convenience store away if necessary.

 

[Marduke]

apart from all the great input already, i'd like to point out that the LD01 works perfectly well with 10440s while the L0D, which can use the 10440, seems to 'lose' modes.

I am astounded (as are most others) with the output of the LD01 on high while using a 10440. Runtimes are of course much much lower but for sheer output, it cant be beat for a light that size and if its easy to carry spare AAAs, it would be just as easy to carry spare 10440s and AAAs are a convenience store away if necessary.

Umm, the L0D retains all modes on 10440, same as the LD01.

Neither light is designed for 10440 cells, and their use is strictly at your own risk.

 

[hyperloop]

The LD01 is able to function on a 3.7V 10440 li-ion cell while still maintaining it's different output levels. Output on High is incredibly bright when running on a 10440 cell. This also means that you have to be careful of over-heating due to the small size of the LD01, heat will build up pretty fast. Runtime performance on an AAA cell is good in terms of both runtime and regulation.

which i read here

while for the L0D, nothing was mentioned about using 10440s in this review

you are right though, its not stated specifically that the LD01 was built to run on 10440s, that was an assumption on my part, i sit corrected.

But on a personal note, i am running my LD01 on 10440s almost exclusively and have not had any problems so far *fingers, toes and all other appendages capable of being crossed, crossed.*

 

[Woods Walker]

I think the LOD has a longer runtime on low than the LD01. I don't know if the low is lower or the slower PWM has something to do with it. I would take a lower low or longer runtime over the real runtimes of the LD01. I have not gotten the LOD or the LD01 as the S2 works well for me but have played around with a friend's LOD and like the S2 the PWM does not seem to bother me. I don't remember what the real lumen outputs of the LD01 on low and med but do recall a thread on the runtimes and think it fell far short of the 8.5 hours listed on low.

 

[StandardBattery]

I was totally happy with my L0D and went LD01 only for the SS, but I appreciate the removal of the SOS and strobe though not a deal breaker with L0D. I still have L0D in Red, Black, and Olive. I might let one go on B/S/T, but I'll probably let a standard LD01 go first as I reduce my backups.

Either light is wonderful.

At least one popular vendor here is charging more for the L0D than the LD01, very interesting.

 

[kaichu dento]

I've got quite a few L0D's and a couple LD01's but still carry my very first olive L0D that I swapped to an RB80 as my everyday L0D. Really like the emitter in both of my Lo-Ti's too.

 

[Sharpy_swe]

Haven't tried the LD01 but my L0D RB80 is a wonderful flashlight, great modes combined with a nice tint - cant beat that

 

[Henk_Lu]

I carry an LD01ss on my keychain, wouldn't want to let a black anodization meet my keys, a SwissTec and an Inka Pen (everything in stainless steel).

In a little box in the car, I put the L0D, quite usefull there. I like both, don't need strobe, never compared the output, the LD01 will win though...

 

[PhotonBoy]

I just bought 2 more L0D Q4 as presents. I'm a firm believer that the flashing mode could be a life saver. If L0D saves my life just once, I'll be a happy camper.