stealthedc
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2008
- Messages
- 2
Hello all,
After two months in Iraq (US Army, Truck Driver), I was wanting to share what works well for me and what doesn't, to maybe shine some light on common schools of thought, indirectly.
In Iraq, I have 4 flashlights that I use on a fairly daily basis. They are a Fenix EO1, a Fenix PD20, Surefire G2L, and a older model Princeton Tec headlamp (Quad I think). The PT was issued by my unit, and I can sign for a Surefire light with weapon's mount, but I haven't. What I have is equally as good and I don't want the liability for it's loss or theft.
I share my experience in Iraq because that is an example of extreme usage. So you can be confident that these lights are but to the real world test.
Without further ado:
The Fenix EO1 is an awesome light. Combined with a carabiner, it serves multiple needs. On the road it is a small light I can go to for simple tasks while driving or riding shotgun. And the carabiner lets me put it wherever I want, which is always in some easy access spot. Back on base, it serves as a nightlight, which is all so important when you sleep with buddies, have to pee in a bottle at night, or whatever you might need a little handy light for. Another plus about this light is that it easily fits between the sidewall of a cap and your head, making it an ideal impromptu headlamp. This works well for port-a-john type usage and you won't be heartbroke if by some slim chance it fell in. Recommended.
The Fenix PD20 is another awesome light. For needing to light up someting on the road or on my truck or whatever, it is a versitle light. it rides in a molle pouch attached to my vest in easy access. I have a piece of gutted paracord for hanging it or making sure I don't drop it. We all know what this flashlight can do, and it serves that niche. I save the batteries in it by using my EO1 more for low light needs, so I almost always use this light on turbo-high. My only complaint is the reverse clicky. woud. be awesome if it started with a forward clicky and then soft presses after the click. For example, forward clicky (to allow tactical usage of turbo), but a soft press once it is one to get to strobe. The implementation of a forward clicky with soft press after the click would IMO make this flashlight perfect.
The two Fenix flashlights are well built and the PD20 has never failed me. The EO1 had a couple minor issues with the light flickering and not wanting to come on, but that was a couple times and I feel that as a back-up it is fine, but it should not be the only light you carry. I still like the EO1 as my favorite 1 cell, as I had and Infinity Ultra completly die on my and an Innova X1 is just to big and bulky for a 1 cell. I have not had other one cells, but the EO1 is a good one if you are looking for that platform. They also don't get nasty with all the sand and dirt and grit and grime that they come in contact with.
The Surefire is somewhat of a letdown. It is my first SF. It is big and bulky and not as bright as the PD20. Because of the momentary on/twist design, the funk builds up gunk in where it turns on. Battery life is not as good. Not all that bright, which is kind of dissapointing when I am looking for leaks underneath a truck. I wear it with a SF holster on my belt. It is uncomfortable to wear with body armor (vest), so it doesn't go on missions with me. I have all the confidence in the Fenix though. I still carry it everyday and use it everyday, and the holster is nice and works well, but it is not something that leaves me impressed or exceeds my expectations. It simply carries out the daily tasks I put it through, but it is almost like the lazy kid who does the bare minimum to keep from getting disciplined.
The Princeton Tec is a dissapointment. This headlamp was issued by my unit. I believe it is the quad model. It was brand new. It looks just like the quad tactical, less the color of the plastic and headband. I have a red filter in it and thus it is a red or white light. At any rate, while everyone talks about how great headlamps are for hands free, (and the PD20 fits under the cap as well) that is only true as long as they work as a headlamp. My PT broke with minimal usage, from actually bouncing around in the truck. So now it is an akward to hold small flashlight as opposed to a headlamp. Whether it breaks in usage or not is moot, it doesn't stand up to abuse. It broke because little plastic pins keep the headlamp mounted to the plastic base, and one of those broke. I would recommend a flashlight, and a red or white flashlight like the princeton tec is awesome, just not the construction. I would try a headlamp again if it was constructed well, but I am not going to drop my money on one right now. Probably when I get back I will.
I also have a Surefire Helmet Light. It has an Infared Strobe, 3 green/yellow led's with 3 levels of light, and 2 red led's with 3 levels of light. this light is decent, but it turns on super easy. Even though it has a lockout feature to prevent accidental activation, that did not happen to me. There are so many ways to turn it on and increase/decrease the voltage and so many that it is complicated at first, and easy to accidentally activate always. Also the construction leave something to be desired as the switches are cheap rubbery-plastic. The light is not very bright, but it is a super-tactical low light, but it still at times is not bright enough, especially the red led's. It runs on one CR123A, which I don't understand why since it is so efficient it could run on a AAA or AA, but I guess SF wouldn't do that. Still, when I wan't a fresh battery in the PD20, the used battery goes in the SF helmet light and it works just fine. Only I don't use it that much.
The PD20 and SF are getting nicked and dings in them, but going strong, the EO1 has the typical loss of paint that you get just from carrying it in your pocket, but other than that, they are all going strong, less the Princeton Tec. This set-up works well for me now. I might change it up again at some point.
Hope this helps...
After two months in Iraq (US Army, Truck Driver), I was wanting to share what works well for me and what doesn't, to maybe shine some light on common schools of thought, indirectly.
In Iraq, I have 4 flashlights that I use on a fairly daily basis. They are a Fenix EO1, a Fenix PD20, Surefire G2L, and a older model Princeton Tec headlamp (Quad I think). The PT was issued by my unit, and I can sign for a Surefire light with weapon's mount, but I haven't. What I have is equally as good and I don't want the liability for it's loss or theft.
I share my experience in Iraq because that is an example of extreme usage. So you can be confident that these lights are but to the real world test.
Without further ado:
The Fenix EO1 is an awesome light. Combined with a carabiner, it serves multiple needs. On the road it is a small light I can go to for simple tasks while driving or riding shotgun. And the carabiner lets me put it wherever I want, which is always in some easy access spot. Back on base, it serves as a nightlight, which is all so important when you sleep with buddies, have to pee in a bottle at night, or whatever you might need a little handy light for. Another plus about this light is that it easily fits between the sidewall of a cap and your head, making it an ideal impromptu headlamp. This works well for port-a-john type usage and you won't be heartbroke if by some slim chance it fell in. Recommended.
The Fenix PD20 is another awesome light. For needing to light up someting on the road or on my truck or whatever, it is a versitle light. it rides in a molle pouch attached to my vest in easy access. I have a piece of gutted paracord for hanging it or making sure I don't drop it. We all know what this flashlight can do, and it serves that niche. I save the batteries in it by using my EO1 more for low light needs, so I almost always use this light on turbo-high. My only complaint is the reverse clicky. woud. be awesome if it started with a forward clicky and then soft presses after the click. For example, forward clicky (to allow tactical usage of turbo), but a soft press once it is one to get to strobe. The implementation of a forward clicky with soft press after the click would IMO make this flashlight perfect.
The two Fenix flashlights are well built and the PD20 has never failed me. The EO1 had a couple minor issues with the light flickering and not wanting to come on, but that was a couple times and I feel that as a back-up it is fine, but it should not be the only light you carry. I still like the EO1 as my favorite 1 cell, as I had and Infinity Ultra completly die on my and an Innova X1 is just to big and bulky for a 1 cell. I have not had other one cells, but the EO1 is a good one if you are looking for that platform. They also don't get nasty with all the sand and dirt and grit and grime that they come in contact with.
The Surefire is somewhat of a letdown. It is my first SF. It is big and bulky and not as bright as the PD20. Because of the momentary on/twist design, the funk builds up gunk in where it turns on. Battery life is not as good. Not all that bright, which is kind of dissapointing when I am looking for leaks underneath a truck. I wear it with a SF holster on my belt. It is uncomfortable to wear with body armor (vest), so it doesn't go on missions with me. I have all the confidence in the Fenix though. I still carry it everyday and use it everyday, and the holster is nice and works well, but it is not something that leaves me impressed or exceeds my expectations. It simply carries out the daily tasks I put it through, but it is almost like the lazy kid who does the bare minimum to keep from getting disciplined.
The Princeton Tec is a dissapointment. This headlamp was issued by my unit. I believe it is the quad model. It was brand new. It looks just like the quad tactical, less the color of the plastic and headband. I have a red filter in it and thus it is a red or white light. At any rate, while everyone talks about how great headlamps are for hands free, (and the PD20 fits under the cap as well) that is only true as long as they work as a headlamp. My PT broke with minimal usage, from actually bouncing around in the truck. So now it is an akward to hold small flashlight as opposed to a headlamp. Whether it breaks in usage or not is moot, it doesn't stand up to abuse. It broke because little plastic pins keep the headlamp mounted to the plastic base, and one of those broke. I would recommend a flashlight, and a red or white flashlight like the princeton tec is awesome, just not the construction. I would try a headlamp again if it was constructed well, but I am not going to drop my money on one right now. Probably when I get back I will.
I also have a Surefire Helmet Light. It has an Infared Strobe, 3 green/yellow led's with 3 levels of light, and 2 red led's with 3 levels of light. this light is decent, but it turns on super easy. Even though it has a lockout feature to prevent accidental activation, that did not happen to me. There are so many ways to turn it on and increase/decrease the voltage and so many that it is complicated at first, and easy to accidentally activate always. Also the construction leave something to be desired as the switches are cheap rubbery-plastic. The light is not very bright, but it is a super-tactical low light, but it still at times is not bright enough, especially the red led's. It runs on one CR123A, which I don't understand why since it is so efficient it could run on a AAA or AA, but I guess SF wouldn't do that. Still, when I wan't a fresh battery in the PD20, the used battery goes in the SF helmet light and it works just fine. Only I don't use it that much.
The PD20 and SF are getting nicked and dings in them, but going strong, the EO1 has the typical loss of paint that you get just from carrying it in your pocket, but other than that, they are all going strong, less the Princeton Tec. This set-up works well for me now. I might change it up again at some point.
Hope this helps...
