Fenix AAA durability??

[SoUptheEXTREME]

From what I've read the "Type III hard anodized finish" on their models is a fairly decent coating. Most posts that comment on such include that theirs have picked up some nicks in the paint over time.

My keys come in and out of my pocket probably 6+ times daily. As you can see, I replace my cheap carabiners all the time due to the abuse it receives.

If I was to spend money on a quality product, I would want it to last quite some time. I probably wouldn't be as satisfied if in a couple months the finish is quite damaged. Otherwise I'd consider the cheaper DX alternatives from the beginning. So for you Fenix AAA owners, how well do they hold up??

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[Lee1959]

Re: The Fenix AAA durability??

I have carried my L0PSE for a year now, bought it for myself last Christmas. I do not carry it on my keys, instead I carry it in my other pocket attached to a SAK Midnight Manager. The finish has held up good, there are a couple of small chips in it, one on the bezel edge and one near the split ring.

Not exactly your situation but hope it helps.

 

[LukeA]

Re: The Fenix AAA durability??

The finish on the carabiner is Type II, which is not nearly as durable as Type III, aka HAIII.

 

[cave dave]

Re: The Fenix AAA durability??

It's a tool. You don't throw away your hammers when they get scratched up do you?

 

[Khaytsus]

Any light in your pocket with keys will eventually start getting increasingly shinier, around the edges, then overall around the body.

It won't affect the performance at all, of course. If you get the Natural body, it'll look nice a lot longer than the black finish. Not sure about the Olive yet, haven't been around long enough to get some long term use reports on yet I wouldn't think.

 

[Germ]

I've had a black L0P on my keychain for a couple of years now. It almost looks like your carabiner.

Whenever a L0D comes out with a high end Cree or Rebel LED I want to get one. I'll probably get it in natural since it shouldn't show scratches as well.

I've also started to make my keys and keyring more finish freindly. I got some plastic key covers and a plastic covered cable key ring from ACE hardware.

The Lumapower Avenger looks like a good AAA light, though its finish may be no tougher than the Fenix's:

http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=171917

The Arc lights are supposed to have a true HA III finish, though they aren't nearly as bright as the L0D.

The Photon Rex is all plastic and should hold up well on a keychain, if it didn't I wouldn't care as much since it is plastic. I wonder how easily it turns on when in your pocket on a keychain.

http://www.photonlight.com/Photon-ReX-Keychain-LED-Flashlights-p/rex-lithium-ion-rechargeable.htm

Just trying to give some alternatives.

 

[mcmc]

My solution was to:
1) get a real climbing carabiner, $10-13, with a screw gate (locking) - I've lost some keys and such before and it was not fun. Plus, it's solid aluminum and no finish to wear away. The spring is so firm on the snap it's awesome.
2) I moved from a plain anodized light, to a stainless steel CR123 Cree light. Not only is it more powerful than any AAA light I've tried, it's also got longer runtime, and the finish never wears off, and it's a powerful single stage, which I find perfect for keychain use. If I need multiple levels I use the HDS on my belt.

 

[Oddjob]

I've had my Fenix E0 on my keys for about a year and a half and all of the edges are worn away. The flatter areas still look black but you can see the aluminum edges along the knurling and particulary on the head and tail. This is bound to happen because anodizing does not grow as well on points and edges. It is these points and edges that receive the most wear and therefore more prone to being worn off. Bottom line for me is that it still function properly.

 

[sabre7]

Metal vs. Metal=scratches. A flashlight is a tool to be used if you are worried about getting a scratch on it you are spending way to much money for it.

 

[naturelle]

HA-III is not that tough that I wish. My Jetbeam Mk2X is walking together with a Victorinox SAK and the key of my car in my pocket. The finish is scratched at all edges and narrow curvatures.

 

[cv3po]

Re: The Fenix AAA durability??

It's a tool. You don't throw away your hammers when they get scratched up do you?

Couldn't agree more. I have some pics of my "old" lod-ce vs. my lod q4 but I don't know how to post them. Can anyone tell me how to do this? Thank you!

FWIW..........the finish on the lod series is really tough. I keep mine in a tool pouch that contains utility knife blades, screws, nails and various other nasty objects and while it does look its age now it took several months to get there.

 

[guyg]

Re: The Fenix AAA durability??

It's a tool. You don't throw away your hammers when they get scratched up do you?

Ditto..

 

[dulridge]

The Photon Rex is all plastic and should hold up well on a keychain, if it didn't I wouldn't care as much since it is plastic. I wonder how easily it turns on when in your pocket on a keychain.

http://www.photonlight.com/Photon-ReX-Keychain-LED-Flashlights-p/rex-lithium-ion-rechargeable.htm

Just trying to give some alternatives.

On my one which arrived yesterday, I'd say that accidental activation isn't going to happen, the click is very positive and quite long throw. It is actually smaller than I thought it was from the pictures I've seen. Here it is beside a Fenix E0, a Fauxton, and a Saab (i.e., GM) alarm remote.

I've only had it for a day (The ReX - The E0 has been on the keyring since I bought the Saab last November) but am well pleased with it. Here's a pic of the ReX with a Fauxton on top of it.

I strongly suspect the ReX is going to end up on keyring duty before too long. And i can recharge it with the small mountain of LSD AAA's I own. Whether it will last as long as the Fenix or the LED upgraded Soli it replaced is another matter...

 

[Monocrom]

Your E0 is a good example of what will likely happen if the Topic-Starter carries a black E0 or L0D in his pockets, with his keys. Despite being HA III, it'll still get scratched up.... Didn't let that fact stop me from buying a black L0D. :thumbsup:

 

[dulridge]

Your E0 is a good example of what will likely happen if the Topic-Starter carries a black E0 or L0D in his pockets, with his keys. Despite being HA III, it'll still get scratched up.... Didn't let that fact stop me from buying a black L0D. :thumbsup:

Agreed - but I believe it is Type 2, not 3 anodising. The packaging simply claims hard anodised - but not Type III anodised. Any black light is going to get scratched up and worn - Fenix' anodising seems to be tougher than that on a Solitaire or the ilk. Not that I care one way or the other. As long as it gives light reliably, I can't say I care too much what it looks like - the OP seems to differ.

My keys come out of my pockets more like 100x daily. And get a hard time even when they are in my pockets.

 

[SoUptheEXTREME]

A while back I got a 10 pack of the cheapo carabiners, I realize the coating would be inferior to the light. More just a visual reference of what what I'm talking about. I'll get a nice climbing one eventually.

Overall wear and tear is a look I've always had with anything on my keychain. I was more just curious to see what mine would end up looking like. In the end its really not a huge deal to me.

In a flashlight enthusiast community, I can see plenty of people looking more into them than just being a tool. Its a really nice light, who wouldn't want it to stay clean looking. :santa:

Anyways so far I've leaned away from getting an ultrafire, looking to pick up the black Q4 off amazon for $48 shipped. (< best deal?)

and thanks for all the input!

----------------
edit:
cv3 - this or this should help to explain posting pictures
dulridge - I used the info from fenix-store about the finish, I have no idea

 

[Marduke]

Agreed - but I believe it is Type 2, not 3 anodising. The packaging simply claims hard anodised - but not Type III anodised. Any black light is going to get scratched up and worn - Fenix' anodising seems to be tougher than that on a Solitaire or the ilk. Not that I care one way or the other. As long as it gives light reliably, I can't say I care too much what it looks like - the OP seems to differ.

My keys come out of my pockets more like 100x daily. And get a hard time even when they are in my pockets.

Fenix is specifically spec'ed as HA-III, as there is no "Type II Hard Anodized". However, the black HA that Fenix uses is known to not hold up as well as other HA-III. The natural wears much better (although it is now discontinued), and we shall see about the olive and new red that are done in the new in-house anodizing shop fair in the coming months.

Anyways so far I've leaned away from getting an ultrafire, looking to pick up the black Q4 off amazon for $48 shipped. (< best deal?)

For black, probably the best deal. If red doesn't bother you, fenix-store has the Q4 LOD for $42.78 shipped, worldwide.

 

[garence]

That Fauxton looks like a Cardassian light of some kind.

If someone intends to have their light rub up against metal objects, why not sheath it in heat shrink tubing or some liquid rubber? To avoid overheating, just do it on the vulnerable sections.

 

[sabre7]

To avoid scratches don't carry with keys use pocket clip, holster another pocket, briefcase, backpack, or neck lanyard.You don't need the light on their keys anyway just remember to bring it with you with other EDC things. Keys can get lost just as easy as anything else.

 

[SoUptheEXTREME]

Keeping it on the keys for me is the absolute most practical. Regardless of what I grab when I leave, I always have my keys. I personally wouldn't purchase a AAA if it was not to be used on my keychain. Thats just me.

I'm just going to grab the rubber heads for my keys and thats probably it. It'll stop some jingle, color code them, and contact less. I don't know if I would wrap anything over the light... maybe a tiny black strip on the top edges or something.