Fenix L1/L2 new batch has HiFreq ringing noise

[Glowman]

I just noticed that the new batches of L1/L2 Q5 head has a high frequency ringing sound. Has anyone noticed this? "new batch" I mean is the one with reversed battery protection tabs just beside the + contacts. I noticed that while holding the lights at head level near the ear and switching modes, you can clearly hear the whining sound and getting louder as you reach the high setting.

I have several Fenix lights dating back when when it was still P4 available. I also have several units (coz' i'm selling Fenix) of each kind; none of those have this problem. Have not noticed this until the said new batches came out. Quite noticeable and annoying especially when you are holding it near you ear.

Aside from the noise problem, noticed lately that the anodizing is poor especially on the natural olive finish. I'm a big fan of of Fenix products and am not intending to shun away from it. I just hope Fenix would do something to maintain product quality like they used to.

 

[LED-holic]

Yes this has been noted by several here. It's not universal and not consistent. My new batch head for instance has no noise, while others like yourself have noted the noise.

It could also be due to the change in hearing as we age as well.

This is not isolated to Fenix. Other lights also have similar sounds as well.

Not sure about how annoying it is, since I rarely hold my lights to my head/ear. I imagine if it was a headlamp it would be more of an issue, but I figure for most of the people it should be a non-issue.

 

[Glowman]

I still have the old (2pcs.) and the new ones (4pcs.) as well, the old ones (P4) don't have the noise. I bet Fenix modified the circuit a bit. At the time when there was still no L1 Q5, I used to use the L2 Q5 head on an L1 body for EDC. It does not have that noise. However, sometimes the switching to other modes like mid to high, occasionally misses on single AA. Maybe this prompted Fenix to modify the circuit and came up with the new L1 Q5 along with L2 Q5.

As we age, our sensitivity to high frequency diminishes and besides, the old ones were just barely 1 year ago; so age does not matter here. In some supermarkets in Europe, there is a device they installed outside producing a quite annoying hi freq sound specifically targetted to discourage teenagers to hang out at the area. Most adults never noticed the sound but, the younger ones find it very annoying saying something is wrong with the supermarket's paging system.

 

[Henk_Lu]

My new L2 has it too. The higher the output, the louder the noise. While testing the device in the house, it was rather annoying, let's see how it'll be outdoor. But, does it really come out of the head or ist it the tailcap? This will be investigated this evening.

My wife is 6 years younger than me, she prompted as soon as I switched it on "Hey, what's that terrible noise?" :huh: She'll keep her modded MiniMag and her L4... I think outdoor in the forest I won't notice it anymore, but I would preffer it silent, my first thought was "that's the price difference"...

Henk

 

[Glowman]

I just noticed there were already quite a number of threads talking about the noise problem. Fenix surely did change the circuit because there is already no low mode initial flash on the new ones.

At first I totally believe its an inductor in the head making that sound but after close scrutiny, it could be the switch at the tailcap. As you softly press the switch, the sound correspondingly changes. This could be possible if high current is passing thru the switch and the switch contact area is quite dirty or uneven and eventually arcing a bit. This could produce the same buzzing/ringing noise. But, this case usually happens on higher voltage system. Well, I don't know. The bottom line is, its annoying.

I also want to mention a bit off topic but, related to Fenix' improving their designs. The L0D's flickering at low modes. If you shine it on a fan like the CPU heatsink fan. Due to the stroboscopic effect, the fan would look like it slowed down or even look stationary. This could cause injury if you are not aware of this.

 

[lumenal]

My L1T had that annoying, whining-buzzing sound coming from the tailcap.:green:

A new tailcap module solved the issue.

On a sidenote, I've noticed my LOD Q4 makes a sound only discernable when holding the light right up next to my ear - and in complete silence.

Like someone else above said - who holds a flashlight up to their ear while using it?! :laughing:

 

[Glowman]

Since it is a light that has a switch on the tailcap. There is always that tendency to hold the light with your thumb just resting on the tailcap. Now how would you aim it front without holding your arms up? Hope you got what I mean. It would surely be quite near your ear like in a tactical operation. Don't get us wrong, I don't hold my lights on my ear like a pencil... that would be ridiculous. If these lights were like the 4D Maglite that has the switch near the head, I wouldn't have noticed the whine.

 

[LED-holic]

I use the first joint in my thumb operate the clicky, so I can hold the light in a cigar style. Much easier than raising your arm and having to hold up the light, which is quite uncomfortable for long period of time.

I would find it pretty awkward if I had to hold a light anywhere near my head.

 

[Glowman]

Well, quite subjective eh... dunno how you hold an L2D, cigar style:kiss:

 

[squaat]

I just bought a new L2D and I too have the high pitch squeal, especially in turbo mode. I found that if I switched batteries (from eneloops to regular NiMh) that the noise was not as noticiable.

From my testing it seems like the noise is coming from the tail cap.

I have no idea if it's having an impact on the lights output though as I've never owned a fenix before.

Wondering if I should return it based on the noise.

 

[lumenal]

Since it is a light that has a switch on the tailcap. There is always that tendency to hold the light with your thumb just resting on the tailcap. Now how would you aim it front without holding your arms up? Hope you got what I mean. It would surely be quite near your ear like in a tactical operation. Don't get us wrong, I don't hold my lights on my ear like a pencil... that would be ridiculous. If these lights were like the 4D Maglite that has the switch near the head, I wouldn't have noticed the whine.

OK, gotcha, most tactical switches require an overhand grip.

And if the noise is loud enough, you don't need to have the light anywhere near your ear to hear it - and thats annoying.

squaat - most dealers will take care of the noisy tailcap by sending a replacement tailswitch module, which is a simple fix as long as one can operate a pair of needlenose pliars.

 

[squaat]

Just shorted the tail end of the light to see if I could still hear the squeal in turbo. (I used a key )

And yes it still squeals, So I guess it's not the tail cap, but the head after all.

 

[GanXta]

I just received my L2D-Q5 and I'm not hearing any high frequency sounds coming out of it, even on turbo.

I know that I can still hear that range, since I had an experience 2 days ago at Office Depot with a high frequency sound.

 

[slitheen]

I'm quite surprised no one else has worked this out...to me it is obvious:
The sound is coming from the head, the only reason you can hear it more from the tail is because the switch end with the rubber clicky is allowing the sound to pass through the bottom of the torch easier than the sealed head and body. Simple acoustic physics, guys. Oh, and in my case, it's a brand new 3 day old L1D that has the issue. But only on medium, high, SOS and strobe. The respective default settings of the light's two stages, low and turbo, do not have the noise issue. It is what I would describe as a "digital noise"....like the noise a flea sized dial up modem would make....if there were such a thing.

Last night I emailed Glowgadgets, where I purchased it, to ask if they can hear it from other L1D's they have in stock....I'm hoping not, so they can replace it with a quiet one. It is fairly annoying, I'm quite young and the sound is very prominent to me if I'm in a quiet room....which is a common environment in my place of work, where I use my torch most. I'm not happy with the noise at all. The main chap at Glowgadgets is a really helpful fella, by all accounts, so I'm hoping they'll sort me out. :candle:

 

[edap617]

I got a L2D Q5 with OP reflector from Fenix Store last April. Just a month ago, I got another Fenix, a L1D Q5 with smooth reflector.

The split second turbo blast was already corrected on both heads. The older head doesn't have a reverse polarity protection while the newer one has.

Since both the L1D and the L2 head are theoritically the same I decided to compare the tint and the brightness of the two heads using the L2D body (2AA). The older head has a cool white tint while the newer head has a warm tint and a lower low.

Both heads doesn't emit any noise in all modes.

 

[Glowman]

I have exactly similar observation with the older and the newer batch of fenix L1/L2. The warmer or shall we say more like yellower tint, the whining, and if you got the natural/olive finish, you 'may' notice fine scratches around the body. I bought several coz' I sell some. Overall, quality control seem to suffer lately.