Fenix E21 or Eagletac P100A2?

[aEx155]

Narrowed down my AA light search down to these two lights. Hoping to get some opinions on both to help me choose.

 

[defloyd77]

Any specific uses in mind? I have owned 2 of the Eagletacs, my first one's beam was fine, but the second has an annoying dark spot in the middle, there seems to be a "lottery" so to speak with that problem. Otherwise it's a great light, but it's beam is relatively narrow/more throw oriented, whereas I believe the Fenix has a more balanced beam. I'm pretty sure the Fenix can't tailstand, but the Eagletac can be bought with either a protruding tailcap or a tailstandable one.

 

[bigfish5]

I have bought 2 of the eagletacs. Both were very bright, and had great beams.
Nice mix of flood and throw, they actually throw very well.

 

[dealgrabber2002]

If you want throw... get the P100A2. It has insane throw for AA.

 

[TMedina]

I've always had good experiences with Fenix - I haven't purchased an Eagletac yet.

I will probably pick up a Fenix E21 as my x2AA backup.

-Trevor

 

[chenko]

I have an Eagletac P20A2 and the UI is just uber-DUMB, I hate the way the strobe gets triggered... other than that, it throws nicely, just as a P100A2 would throw.
I'd get a Fenix E21 probably.

 

[aEx155]

So, two votes for the E21 and three for the P100A2?

Just to clarify, I don't really have a specific use in mind for the light. It might get used occasionally for bike riding when it gets darker, but other than that (okay, maybe for the fun of having a good light) just general use.

 

[vickers214]

I have the P100A2 and P10A2, I only have an Eo1 and have used 1aa Fenix and the brands are very comparable.

The P100A2 is brilliant for throw and I truely rate it the best 2aa light when price etc is taken into consideration,other than a Javlelini cant think of a 2aa that throws better, but the P10A2 is a better bike light because of the dimpled reflector.

If run time is a thing then the Fenix as it isnt driven as hard, so i would guess its not as good at throw, and does 2.15/11hours V 1.5/8 hours on Eneloops.

If you are using Alkalines though the 195 mode on the P100A2 HATES Alkalines and is very short, so the 150 on the E21 may be better.

so i guess its another nod to the ET!

 

[chenko]

If you are considering the use as a bike light, I would diss all those throwy lights with small hotspot: I can assure you it will be much more useful a light with a wider and smoother beam, such as the one you would get from a XP-G based light with an OP reflector.
So, I revise my answer: I wouldn't choose any of those two lights.

 

[GunnarGG]

I don't have any of these two lights, even though I have recommended them!
I do have the P20C2 MK2 neutral white and thats a nice light. The first model of P20C2 and P20A2 had this stupid strobe but in the Mk2 it's hidden and no problem.
In the P100A2 there is no strobe at all so it's no problem there either.
I don't know how throwy the P100A2 is but I think it's more than P20C2.

I also have Fenix TK20 and LD25 and both of them are neutral white and great lights. The TK20 a little bit to throwy for allround use and bike but there the LD25 is better and very good on the bike.
The E21 has a little more throw than LD25 as I have understood and I think it would be great for you.

You can get the EagleTac in both neutral and cool white but the Fenix is only neutral.
If you want cool white then it's the P100A2, and that is also the brightest one then.
If you want neutral white you can pick either one and I don't think it is much of a difference in output (maybe the P100A2 is a little brighter on the paper).
I like the look a little better of the E21, but thats subjective.
Except the plastic grip it's rather similar to my LD25 and that feels like a sturdy flashlight

Both are probably good lights
(As you might have understood my preference is neutral white )

Open up these two links in two windows and compare them side by side (the P100A2 is the cool white and a little bit brighter than the neutral white would be)

http://fonarik.com/test/?model=21&scene=2&mode=0http://fonarik.com/test/?model=21&scene=2&mode=0
http://fonarik.com/test/?model=21&scene=2&mode=0

This site is a very good reference for beamshots.
Thanks for your great work Fonarik! :thumbsup:

 

[aEx155]

If you are considering the use as a bike light, I would diss all those throwy lights with small hotspot: I can assure you it will be much more useful a light with a wider and smoother beam, such as the one you would get from a XP-G based light with an OP reflector.
So, I revise my answer: I wouldn't choose any of those two lights.

Like I said before, the light isn't specifically for riding at night, and when it does, it'll only be occasional use. Its main purpose is general use, and so I have something brighter than my 1xAA without having to dig up my modded mag.

Open up these two links in two windows and compare them side by side (the P100A2 is the cool white and a little bit brighter than the neutral white would be)

http://fonarik.com/test/?model=21&scene=2&mode=0
http://fonarik.com/test/?model=21&scene=2&mode=0

This site is a very good reference for beamshots.
Thanks for your great work Fonarik! :thumbsup:

That is a great site I did not know about, thank you.

 

[defloyd77]

If you are considering the use as a bike light, I would diss all those throwy lights with small hotspot: I can assure you it will be much more useful a light with a wider and smoother beam, such as the one you would get from a XP-G based light with an OP reflector.
So, I revise my answer: I wouldn't choose any of those two lights.

Gotta strongly disagree with you on this one, my P100A2 is my bike light, I choose it over my Quark 2AA with either the neutral XP-E head or warm XP-G head or my Fenix L2T. I love how it's beam is "concentrated" so to speak, I've never found it too narrow personally. I Mount it with Twofish Lockblocks by it's head, that way I can switch modes simply by twisting it by it's tail.

 

[Lamont]

Another vote for Fenix.

 

[bigfish5]

I have already voted but i will say this, the lights that i have liked the most and been the most impressed with have always been the brightest out of my choices. I have bought 4 eagletacs and everytime i thought "dang this thing puts out alot of light". The beam is probably plenty wide for bike riding , and you can light up a long way in front of you. You will not be as impressed if you sacrafice lumens.

 

[bigfish5]

The links provided above are the same exact fenix beam. Click on eagletac on the left hand side. Then click on th p100a2. That will definetly help you make up your mind.

 

[righttoown]

I have the E21 and I like it but Eagletac is good to.

 

[aEx155]

I have the E21 and I like it but Eagletac is good to.

What do you like about your E21 (maybe, compared to something else you've used)?

 

[GunnarGG]

The links provided above are the same exact fenix beam. Click on eagletac on the left hand side. Then click on th p100a2. That will definetly help you make up your mind.

I tried to edit my post but it's still the same thing, the TK20 shows up. :thinking:

Just choose the lights you want to compare.

Comparing the beamshots I think the E21 has a smother transition from the hotspot to the spill and I think that's the best for general use.

If you also look at the TK20 you see it has a very narrow spot and it's not very good for closer work but works well on longer distance.
The P100A2 is more like the TK20 it looks like to me, maybe a little brighter spill around the hotspot.

If you search the CPF you might find some reviews with outdoor beamshots that can aid you in your decision.

I would pick the E21 I guess.

 

[shipwreck]

Any specific uses in mind? I have owned 2 of the Eagletacs, my first one's beam was fine, but the second has an annoying dark spot in the middle, there seems to be a "lottery" so to speak with that problem. .

I disagree. I have 4 Eagletacs and they all are great. Like anything - NOTHING is perfect. Not every light is perfect. I've seen complaints about Fenix Olight, Jetbeam, and yes, Eagletac. I see less complaints about eagletac than some of the others.

 

[aEx155]

Bump for more recommendations?