Fenix E01 still a good value?

[TimEggers]

I just ordered a Fenix E01 $15 shipped. I need something to replace my dead and beat up Mag Solitaire.

I searched these forums and google for good inexpensive key chain lights and the Fenix received many glowing reviews in older threads.

My question is does the Fenix E01 still hold up currently, should I have moved on to something better, more recent?

I need a personal use key chain light for illuminating a walking path to my bird feeder at night (I fill it up when I get off work so the birds have seed the next day). Besides I'm always using my little lights for daily quick looks.

I'm not overly worried about run time, I'm home everyday and have piles of AAA alkalines because they're cheap.

Also thinking that a fleet of E01's would make great emergency home power outage lights. Like I said I have a pile of AAA (who doesn't) and the E01 seems to have really good run time on just one AAA.

So does the Fenix E01 still hold up or is it obsolete? One things for sure, the price was right for me.

 

[Mr Floppy]

in my opinion, yes. Its really rugged and its so versitile. I have a pile of AAA batteries that people gave to me thinking they are spent and I've barely made a dent in draining them.

 

[Black Rose]

My E01 has lived in my pocket with two sets of keys and a pocket knife for over year now.

Still looks good and more importantly, it still works.

 

[RobertM]

I just ordered a Fenix E01 $15 shipped. I need something to replace my dead and beat up Mag Solitaire.

I searched these forums and google for good inexpensive key chain lights and the Fenix received many glowing reviews in older threads.

My question is does the Fenix E01 still hold up currently, should I have moved on to something better, more recent?

I need a personal use key chain light for illuminating a walking path to my bird feeder at night (I fill it up when I get off work so the birds have seed the next day). Besides I'm always using my little lights for daily quick looks.

I'm not overly worried about run time, I'm home everyday and have piles of AAA alkalines because they're cheap.

Also thinking that a fleet of E01's would make great emergency home power outage lights. Like I said I have a pile of AAA (who doesn't) and the E01 seems to have really good run time on just one AAA.

So does the Fenix E01 still hold up or is it obsolete? One things for sure, the price was right for me.

I've had an E01 on my work keys for over a year now and it still works fine. For the $15/AAA lights, I prefer the Streamlight Microstream though. While it doesn't have nearly as good of runtime, the beam isn't bluish-purple like the E01 and is considerably brighter (more useful IMO). Plus is has a forward clicky.

-Robert

 

[Flying Turtle]

It's still an excellent value. One of, if not the most efficient 1AAA light available today. And, very well made.

In the $30-$60 range there are brighter, better beamed options, but the E01 still holds its own.

Geoff

 

[tedshred]

Yes, a good value, but you have to love the color purple.

 

[Crenshaw]

well, in my experience, the colored finishes arent the toughest...but the black and natrual certainly last

Crenshaw

 

[RobertM]

well, in my experience, the colored finishes arent the toughest...but the black and natrual certainly last

Crenshaw

I gave away two brand new black E01s to coworkers and kept an olive/natural E01 on my keys. Both of their black ones are starting to look pretty beat up while my olive still looks practically new!

-Robert

 

[Sgt. LED]

They are still a very good value. Grab one at least.

 

[TimEggers]

Thanks for the feedback guys, I've just received the shipping notice and hope the light arrives soon.

I'll admit I'm not overly fussy about tint, I have a really blue LED light that at first was off-putting but I grew to accept it. And man it was really really blue.

Looking through the research the E01 seemed like the strongest >$25 solution. High build quality, long life and still all from a cheap AAA. Can't wait, even if it performs similar to the Soliaire I'll be happy, but by all accounts I've read it blows the little Mag away. All the more better.

 

[Rexlion]

For $22 plus shipping you could have gotten a Maratac AAA, 3 mode twisty. All the light output of the E01, and more, and less... if you get my drift.

 

[Sgt. LED]

That might be a great little light and might not.
The E01 has a track record that makes it worthy of suggesting and the other is quite new. I need to pick one up and test it out actually.

 

[1anrm]

$22 is nice but the shipping if I recall is $8 or so it's really about $30.

Tim since you bought it from Fenixstore you have lifetime warranty :twothumbs not that you'd have to use it. The only time I notice the tint is when I have another light with it.

 

[TimEggers]

I did consider that one and almost pulled the trigger, in the end the E01's track record and price beat it out.

Something that surprised me was the sheer number of options most of them very good.

The E01 seemed to balance performance with price, call me ol' fashioned but as a consumer I truly appreciate value.

 

[TimEggers]

$22 is nice but the shipping if I recall is $8 or so it's really about $30.

Tim since you bought it from Fenixstore you have lifetime warranty :twothumbs not that you'd have to use it. The only time I notice the tint is when I have another light with it.

Good point, the warranty sealed the deal (for me).

 

[LightWalker]

I replaced my Fenix LOD CE with the E01 because the LOD CE would come on or apart in my pocket, this has not happened one time with the E01 after several months on my keyring.

You could probably take a battery that is too dead to power a remote and run it in the E01 for a few days. The Maratac AAA does look like a nice light however.

It may be a good idea to run a NIMH such as Eneloop in the E01 because an alkaline is likely to leak before it goes dead.

 

[TimEggers]

Good idea on the NiMH. Considered that myself.

I really can't wait to get this light, my key chain is so naked without anything (light-wise) on it and I miss having a personal carrier light.

 

[Woods Walker]

I have an E01 in OD and gave away a few as gifts. They are just win. Sure the tint is a bit purple but heck this is a tool and given the runtime and low cost I can live with it. I run it off an LSD NiMH so I don't need to worry about self discharge. Given the long regulated runtime and often limited use in EDC (maybe a few mintues every other day) this could be an issue with standard NiMH. Used Energizer lithiums when I tossed it into my camping gear for winter. Works well with the jak strap too.

It does not have the output of some 1xAAA lights but the darn thing works everytime and does have enough light for most EDC needs in my view. Once had to hike out using just the E01 as burned the headlmap batteries during a camping trip. Worked well on a known trail for a small backup.

 

[Backpacker Light]

Can't wait, even if it performs similar to the Soliaire I'll be happy, but by all accounts I've read it blows the little Mag away. All the more better.

Tim - I believe you will be a little more than blown away with the E01.

Check out this CPF thread from last year, where Marduke makes his infamous quote about the Solitare (post #9)
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?p=2671295

"I've seen matches which are brighter AND have a longer runtime."


Funny, but unfortunately true. I think the Solitare is an attractive little light, but it is almost useless as a flashlight. You will enjoy the quality, brightness, and runtime of your new E01!

 

[hyperloop]

+100 on the Fenix E01, all that can be said, HAS been said. Get it, i've already gotten 3, given away 2 of those and am going to get a few more in the near future (i'm hoping and hoping that they change the LED to one with a different tint).

Regarding that purple tint, its really only noticeable on a white wall, in real life use, you hardly notice it. It's tough, great runtime and small, i've dunked mine, dropped mine, thrown it to friends (who missed) and its still working great. Just clean the contacts in the head once you see it getting a bit discoloured (i just use a pencil eraser) and it will work great.