I just got E05 recently from pass around here. Just want share how do i think about these popular lights. This review is not about which light is brighter. It's all about beam pattern.
Size
Fenix E05 has shortest length compared with E01 with Prevo SS, but it most fat between E01 and Prevo SS. E01 is medium size compared with Prevo SS and Fenix E05 and it is as slim as Prevo SS. The Provo SS has the longest size between 3 lights.
As for E05 size from my preference, it suit best for key chain light. Not too short not too long. The only thing i doubt about E05 is plastic lens. If you carry your key chain in your pocket, on extended usage the lens will be scratched. Still don't how tough is Fenix plastic lens yet since this is first Fenix flashlight that using plastic lens if I correctly remember.
Beamshot
Wall Shot @ +/- 50 cm
Beam Shot @ 1 meter
This 1 meter shot is distance when the lights will be use for illuminate dark path. From all 3 light, i really like Fenix E05 beam pattern for 1 meter illumination task.
Beam Shot @ +/- 4 meters
At further distance, Prevo SS shown it's capability as a throw light between 3 lights.
Bottom Line
For the close range illumination Fenix E05 outperform Prevo SS and Fenix E01 IMHO. Fenix E05 has perfect brightness with flood beam pattern and bright side spill while Fenix E01 is too dim for me. I also feel Prevo SS is too focus for close range task IMHO.
I also think Fenix E01 and E05 still could be best selling light for fenix as their price is very affordable. USD.24 before CPF discount for Fenix E05 and USD.15 before CPF discount for Fenix E01. While Prevo SS is a bit sold at higher price around +/- USD 56 before CPF discount.
But i would like to see Fenix or 4sevens making lights with similar beam pattern like Fenix E05 but added extra feature such as glass lens and multi mode option. That would be perfect key chain light for me.
Size
Fenix E05 has shortest length compared with E01 with Prevo SS, but it most fat between E01 and Prevo SS. E01 is medium size compared with Prevo SS and Fenix E05 and it is as slim as Prevo SS. The Provo SS has the longest size between 3 lights.
As for E05 size from my preference, it suit best for key chain light. Not too short not too long. The only thing i doubt about E05 is plastic lens. If you carry your key chain in your pocket, on extended usage the lens will be scratched. Still don't how tough is Fenix plastic lens yet since this is first Fenix flashlight that using plastic lens if I correctly remember.
Beamshot
Wall Shot @ +/- 50 cm
- Prevo SS has very bright hotspot and fairly bright side spill, i could say this light was design for beam that produce balance between throw and flood.
- Fenix E05 has no hot spot, it has very bright side spill which perfect light for close range illumination.
- Fenix E01, which is very become a very popular light before ITP A3, Maratac, Prevo born but beam at reality does not look like in the picture. It has purple hot spot with dim yellow side spill, which is i don't really like it IMO.
Beam Shot @ 1 meter
This 1 meter shot is distance when the lights will be use for illuminate dark path. From all 3 light, i really like Fenix E05 beam pattern for 1 meter illumination task.
- Prevo SS still got hot spot and side spill on 1 meter distance.
- Fenix E05 beam is flood, which is perfect beam pattern for 1 meter distance IMO
- Fenix E01 beam nearly about the same with Prevo SS, except it has purplish tint.
Beam Shot @ +/- 4 meters
At further distance, Prevo SS shown it's capability as a throw light between 3 lights.
- I could see Prevo SS still has very bright focusing beam with fairly bright side spill.
- On Fenix E05 it same beam pattern, flood light with bright spill.
- On Fenix E01 i still could see fairly bright purplish hot spot with fairly dim side spill.
Bottom Line
For the close range illumination Fenix E05 outperform Prevo SS and Fenix E01 IMHO. Fenix E05 has perfect brightness with flood beam pattern and bright side spill while Fenix E01 is too dim for me. I also feel Prevo SS is too focus for close range task IMHO.
I also think Fenix E01 and E05 still could be best selling light for fenix as their price is very affordable. USD.24 before CPF discount for Fenix E05 and USD.15 before CPF discount for Fenix E01. While Prevo SS is a bit sold at higher price around +/- USD 56 before CPF discount.
But i would like to see Fenix or 4sevens making lights with similar beam pattern like Fenix E05 but added extra feature such as glass lens and multi mode option. That would be perfect key chain light for me.