EagleTac P100A2 or Fenix E21; Which One?

JNieporte · Jul 7, 2011

I have the chance to get one of these from a friend and would like your opinions on them. I know there's the Quark AA Turbo and Quark AA>2, along with many other "newer" 2AA LEDs, but this is what he has, so let's keep it between these two please. Both lights offered are the "normal" versions: no neutral, cool white, etc.

I'm mainly looking for throw (possibly a bike light), then overall output, then runtime and waterproofness.

Stats:
Both run on two AAs.
Cost is about the same (plus or minus $5).
EagleTac puts out 170 lumens on high; Fenix puts out 150 lumens on high. Both put out 50 lumens on low. (OTF lumens on both.)
Both use a loose / tight bezel design to switch between high and low modes.
Both use a forward clicky.
Both have protruding clickies; no tailstanding on either.
Both use a smooth reflector.
E21 uses a XP-E R2; P100A2 uses a XP-E Q5.
Neither come with a pocket clip or holster.
Both are drilled for a lanyard.
Both are HAIII.
Both companies have great customer service.
Both meet IPX-8 standards.

So, which one would you rather have? I know the R2 throws a bit farther than the Q5, but I'm not sure what the difference in relfector depth / diameter allows for (or if there's even a difference between these two lights).

JNieporte · Jul 7, 2011

This was asked in September of last year... Search is not my friend. I apologize for reposting the same topic, but would still like thoughts on which is the better thrower.

TMedina · Jul 7, 2011

I don't have the EagleTac, although it's on my "impulse buy" list. I do have the Fenix E21.

In a nutshell, I'd flip a coin. Neither one has any singular feature, or combination of features, that makes it better than the other. The reflectors are both basically the same - the minor oomph from the LED is minor enough that it won't make a big difference for your purposes.

I will say the Fenix E21 is available at REI, which has a "no questions asked" return policy - so you can buy it, try it and if you really don't like the flashlight, return it.

-Trevor

kramer5150 · Jul 7, 2011

I have the P100C2 (Similar optics to the P100A2, but 2xCR123).

The E21 is big/heavier than the P100A2. Its thicker walled and a heavier carry. Other than that, I think there are more similarities than differences. The XPE in all these lights with these reflectors really makes a tight spot, Good throw from such small lights.

I measured my E21 in the BC sphere and it did ~205L OTF with fresh eneloops. It doesn't generate much heat either so, I think the 150 Spec'd lumens is a worst case scenario, after what little thermal warming there is.

I'm very happy with both brands in my collection. I had a %15 REI coupon during a memorial day sale and bought my E21 for $25... its a no brainer B/M deal at that price.

Win-Win scenario for you my friend!! Go with the cheaper of the two.

JNieporte · Jul 7, 2011

Quick Question:
To get the most amount of light out of each, what should I run? I have alkalines, Energizer lithiums, and NiMH cells. No rechargeables that aren't NiMH.

JNieporte · Jul 8, 2011

Well, I got to see them both today. The P100A2 throws farther, but that's about it. Output on both lights is the same (to my eyes) on both modes. The E21 has a warmer tint. The heads aren't interchangeable, and neither are the tailcaps. I traded him some knives and got both :thumbsup:

ADDED: I did my normal "new light break-in" which consists of tightening the switch into the tailcap, lube, etc. and noticed that the P100A2's switch simply screws into the tailcap with the familiar two holes. The E21 does this as well, but first you have to drop it down past the threads that go on the body, then screw it in the other way (what would normally be backwards) on a different run of threads. Weird...