FENIX E11 vs. LD15

[davecroft]

Looking to add one of these Fenix lights to my small collection.
E11 = XP-E, low at 32 lumens, high at 110 lumens. Rear clicky.
LD15 = XP-G, low at 8 lumens, high at 117 lumens. Twist switch.

The LD15 is approx 50% more expensive than the E11 - is it worth the extra? Also I can find very little on the E11, no reviews, no YouTube vids or anything. I think it uses a lens - is this likely to improve the beam? If anyone has the E11 I would be grateful for any information. Beamshots would be great!

Thanks

 

[tam17]

- LD15 has a wide floody beam, while the E11 is supposed to be more on the throwier side (according to Fenix specs).
- E11 can't tailstand, LD15 can.
- LD15 lacks Medium mode, E11 lacks real Low.
- LD15's beam isn't so perfect against the white wall, but in real world use that's completely irrelevant. I don't know about E11.
- Owners have generally reported greenish tint on their LD15s (mine has it too).

You will find extensive E11 thread here.

Cheers,

T.

 

[davecroft]

Thanks Tam, that's helpful. I had seen the other E11 thread but to be honest, it seems like a discussion of the manufacturer's data, which is a bit confusing, so I was hoping there might be someone out there who has bought the E11 and could give some more info. (For example the TIR lens on the E11, does it give a spot beam or a flood?)

Having looked at the thread again though, it does make me think the E11 is perhaps not a 'serious' flashlight given the comments on the optics, it's large(ish) size and its low cost. Hardly groundbreaking stuff -perhaps that's the reason no-one has reviewed it in any depth!

So in view of this and your comments re. the LD15, I might have to have a re-think about my intended Fenix purchase. Perhaps a Quark AA Mini - oh dear, this is all getting very confusing...

 

[User3451]

Hope this helps : )

http://forum.fonarevka.ru/showthread.php?t=5953&language=en

 

[davecroft]

Thanks for the link. Some interesting reviews on there and the translations are a laugh too :-)
Looks like Fenix have lost the plot with the E11. Nice beam but everything else is a letdown. And what shoddy workmanship on the head! It's off my shortlist. Will be getting the LD15 next month (just ordered a Quark Mini AA so no more until payday).

 

[mmace1]

Thanks for the link. Some interesting reviews on there and the translations are a laugh too :-)
Looks like Fenix have lost the plot with the E11. Nice beam but everything else is a letdown. And what shoddy workmanship on the head! It's off my shortlist. Will be getting the LD15 next month (just ordered a Quark Mini AA so no more until payday).

I'd be curious how you like the LD15 vs. the Quark mini AA. I think the only 1xAA lights in this extra-small size bracket are:

Nitecore EZ AA, Quark mini AA, Fenix LD15, & the I-think-not-yet-released? EagleTac D25 Mini.

 

[parnass]

... I think the only 1xAA lights in this extra-small size bracket are:

Nitecore EZ AA, Quark mini AA, Fenix LD15, & the I-think-not-yet-released? EagleTac D25 Mini.

The Peak El Capitan is small, too, depending on the body chosen. The Inova X1 is thin, though a little longer than some of the other lights.

 

[mmace1]

This will sound a *little* obsessive...and I may have made a mistake but...

Volume:

Fenix LD15 17,305

EZAA 17,954

Eagletac D25 18,149

Quark mini AA 18,808

Peak El Capitan 24,641

Inova X1 26,674


Or so I've calculated, possibly accurately. The Peak (which I'd never heard of somehow, thanks) seemingly is a little over 30% bigger than the Quark mini. While the Inova X1 is far smaller than I had thought...but even larger. So while they're small 1xAA lights, they're not in the same minimalist areas as the other four by my rather arbitrary standards.

I have an odd interest in this, as I like to compare the smallest 1xAA lights against 1xAAA lights...as I'm still on the fence about which to get as an everyday-carry, if either.

 

[Zeruel]

I'd be curious how you like the LD15 vs. the Quark mini AA. I think the only 1xAA lights in this extra-small size bracket are:

Nitecore EZ AA, Quark mini AA, Fenix LD15, & the I-think-not-yet-released? EagleTac D25 Mini.

There's also the ITP A2, Maratac AA and Olight i2.

 

[mmace1]

There's also the ITP A2, Maratac AA and Olight i2.

Oh OK, those three too. Thanks...I'll have to add those 3 to the super-small AA list I'm looking at.

 

[davecroft]

Thanks All. I'm starting my collection by focusing on small, lightweight single AA flashlights - they suit my needs for an easy carry on nightime hikes. (I travel very light, no rucksack if possible and I am not a fan of headlights). I like the Nitecore EZAA and the Quark Mini and wanted to try a Fenix next. The other E11 thread has given me some useful info on the E11 and I won't be buying it. So next payday an order will be going in for an LD15, I found a supplier who can ship for £26 so it's not too much to waste if it's not suitable for hiking (I tend to use 'medium' modes most, around 30 - 60 lumens and the LD15 doesn't do medium). I'll have a look at the others suggested above but I understand the iTP A2 is almost identical to the Quark Mini? Also no supplier in UK for Maratac as far as I know. Has anyone tried the Jetbeam PA01? I like the look of that one and it's modes suit my needs but a bit pricey.

 

[Bass]

You can get AAA and AA Maratac from edcgear.co.uk, under 'flashlights'.

 

[Paul_in_Maryland]

Other narrow 1xAA lights:
- Tank007 E07, 17x85mm
- JetBeam PA-01, 17x90mm
- DQG AA, 17.5x72mm (due out any day now)
- Jetbeam E3/E3P/E3S, 18x92mm.
- some offbrand Chinese units--Yetzl, maybe.
No way is the El Capitan's diameter 24.6mm. It's about 18.5mm.

 

[davecroft]

Just a quick update.

I got the LD15 - love it. Not a perfect EDC for me - runtime on high is a bit short, and low is a bit too low for my needs when hiking but for other uses around the house it's great.

I also tried the Quark Mini AA but got a bad one and sent it back (got the similar but cheaper Olight i2 instead - nice light but not in the same league as the Fenix - the LD15 has much better twist action, no skipping of modes, no battery rattle and just feels more solid).

Unfortunately against my better judgement I bought an E11 as well! It's well built, feels nice in the hand with good knurling. But the optic is in a very bad way and the beam is severley green. I'm waiting for a response from Fenix on this one. Hopefully they will sort it out.

 

[gerolykos17]

e11 is also submersible (true ipx8:rolleyes:) tested by me, in washing machine at 40C for 2h :laughing::laughing::laughing::laughing::laughing::laughing:(inside a coat pocket!!)

 

[N_N_R]

Sorry, I don't have a link right now and I'm in a hurry, but if you don't care much about a foreigner with a heavy accent and stupid flashlight videos, you can go to my youtube channel UraganOtEnergiya and find a couple of vids on the E11. :)


Oh, sh**, just realized I replied to an old old post maybe, lol.

 

[fridgemagnet]

I really like my LD15 - it disappears in my pocket, is very well built, and mine has a good beam, which is not at all floody - a distinct circular hotspot and a not so large or bright a spill. The tint is not very nice though. Runtime is ok, but not spectacular. The twisty is smooth and easy. The low beam is the one I reach for when delving into the innards of my laptop.
£25 is a very good price, I think.
However, it's nowhere near as good as my SC52w l2, which I have just received, and am totally blown away by.