bulgie
Newly Enlightened
Just got mine, after being strictly a Zebralight kinda guy for the last 12 years. I keep upgrading when they put out a substantially better model, and the old ones get relegated to car glove compartment, bedside table etc. I decided to try the Fenix because it's cheaper and has some actual advantages over ZL. Not sure yet how/where it will be deployed.
Mostly happy but there are some major downsides, the main one being the hotspot. All my ZLs are pure flood except a couple that are "floody". I only use them for two things, close-up worklight, and "be seen" light on bike helmet. For both of those, I want a flood. I know this is personal preference and there is a place for a light with more throw, but not for my uses. Someone please let me know if this light comes in a flood version and I just screwed up ordering the wrong SKU.
The other annoyance is that it doesn't take flat-top cells, which is all of mine. I guess this is probably a FAQ -- where do I get a tiny magnet to attach to my flat-tops to give them a button on the + end?
Lest I sound too negative, there's lots to like. I love the snap-in cradle on the headband -- ZL's is a pain by comparison. It's brilliant how the pocket clip can stay attached when it's in the headband.
I love how the ZL steps down in power mode when the battery is low, and I think I'm going to hate the behavior of the Fenix when it plunges me into darkness with no warning. Does anyone think that's a feature and not a bug? When would you want that?
I'll never use the USB charger, because I always have a bunch of charged cells lying around, so I'll just swap one of those in and put the dead one in the charger. The tail-cap magnet might be useful someday, but not in my normal usage, so that feature is pretty neutral for me.
I got the first-timer's 20% off deal, so I'm happy, but at regular retail I think I'd rather pay a bit more for a ZL. Fenix hasn't converted me with this light.
Mark B in Seattle
Mostly happy but there are some major downsides, the main one being the hotspot. All my ZLs are pure flood except a couple that are "floody". I only use them for two things, close-up worklight, and "be seen" light on bike helmet. For both of those, I want a flood. I know this is personal preference and there is a place for a light with more throw, but not for my uses. Someone please let me know if this light comes in a flood version and I just screwed up ordering the wrong SKU.
The other annoyance is that it doesn't take flat-top cells, which is all of mine. I guess this is probably a FAQ -- where do I get a tiny magnet to attach to my flat-tops to give them a button on the + end?
Lest I sound too negative, there's lots to like. I love the snap-in cradle on the headband -- ZL's is a pain by comparison. It's brilliant how the pocket clip can stay attached when it's in the headband.
I love how the ZL steps down in power mode when the battery is low, and I think I'm going to hate the behavior of the Fenix when it plunges me into darkness with no warning. Does anyone think that's a feature and not a bug? When would you want that?
I'll never use the USB charger, because I always have a bunch of charged cells lying around, so I'll just swap one of those in and put the dead one in the charger. The tail-cap magnet might be useful someday, but not in my normal usage, so that feature is pretty neutral for me.
I got the first-timer's 20% off deal, so I'm happy, but at regular retail I think I'd rather pay a bit more for a ZL. Fenix hasn't converted me with this light.
Mark B in Seattle