Fenix L1Dce Textured Reflector

[UnknownVT]

4sevens of http://Fenix-Store.com kindly loaned me a Fenix L1Dce with a lightly textured reflector.

Heads comparison -

As the heads on the L1Dce (and L2Dce) can be unscrewed one can access the reflector - which unscrews.

Neither of these comparison shots show the texturing that well - which actually means the texturing is very light. Even in the flesh one has to look pretty carefully to see that it is textured. The light scoring is concentric.
In the heads shot one can see the reflections are sharper in the stock reflector

How well does it work?

Textured vs. Stock Fenix L1D-CE (link to review)

pretty good the overall beam looks smoother and the dark halo is de-emphasized.

As some may know, since the L1Dce head unscrews one can refocus the beam -

Textured vs. ReFocussed Stock (see ReFocussing the Fenix L1D-CE (link))

The refocussed stock L1Dce looks pretty good - which in comparison reveals that there is a very slight ghost dark halo on the textured version - not really enough to call it in isolation - but in comparison I can see it.

So, what about refocussing the textured reflector?

yes, definitely smoother than the refocussed stock - again because of comparison the slight ringiness can be seen in the refocussed stock

Stairway beamshots - (in comparison with L1Dce Stock) (see "Practical" Beamshots?) -

 

[whc]

You can also use the reflector from Lumapower M3, it fits perfect, making an almost perfect beam, and you can tighten the top bezel completely down, making no space between the top and bottom part of the head.

I only uses the L1D-CE with the M3 reflector, paid $10 for it, very nice, see more here: http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=156863

 

[gunga]

Whc,

does the GID o-ring from the M3 fit the L1D? That would be pretty cool to get a glowing bezel on the Fenix too!

 

[qip]

I tried the M3 from WHC thread but i got a different reflector

so if you get an m3 reflector make sure it matches the right one

 

[whc]

Whc,

does the GID o-ring from the M3 fit the L1D? That would be pretty cool to get a glowing bezel on the Fenix too!

Haven't tried the GID O-Ring, but think the M3 O-Ring is a bit to small in diameter.

 

[JohnK]

Well, beating a dead dog I guess.

I can't tell squat difference in the stairwell beam shots.

 

[UnknownVT]

JohnK wrote: "Well, beating a dead dog I guess.
I can't tell squat difference in the stairwell beam shots."

This is the point....

under most real practical usage the dark halo is hardly visible -
even for the worst example from Fenix the P1Dce (please see Fenix P1D-CE comparison Review)

I can see the dark halo in both the textured and the stock L1Dce stairway shots -
but it is so minor that it was not mentioning.....

 

[UnknownVT]

UnknownVT wrote: "4sevens of http://Fenix-Store.com kindly loaned me a Fenix L1Dce with a lightly textured reflector.
As some may know, since the L1Dce head unscrews one can refocus the beam -
Textured vs. ReFocussed Stock (see ReFocussing the Fenix L1D-CE (link))
The refocussed stock L1Dce looks pretty good - which in comparison reveals that there is a very slight ghost dark halo on the textured version - not really enough to call it in isolation - but in comparison I can see it."

Cropped section to show more of the hotspot area of the textured reflector beam -

It is very slight almost "ghost"-like - but the dark halo can just be seen.
(whether it is an optical illusion or not - is not the argument - since I can see it physically, and the camera can capture it as well)

"So, what about refocussing the textured reflector?
yes, definitely smoother than the refocussed stock - again because of comparison the slight ringiness can be seen in the refocussed stock"

Cropped section again to show the hotspot area of the ReFocussed Stock reflector -

Again one can just see the ringiness - I had to oversharpen the shot to help emphasize the ringiness - but it is there, and can be seen on a plain surface - but like the dark halo it's not really bothersome when used in real-life practical situations.

I think most of us on CPF (me included) just like to see things as "perfect" as possible and are sometimes disappointed when beams are not quite that way.

Although texturing does provide a reasonable solution to the dark halo -
I still think the simple fact that the L1Dce/L2Dce show considerably less than the P1Dce, and when re-focussed (on the L1/2Dce) can eliminate it -
means that a mirror finished reflector can be properly designed to maximize light output (or throw) AND minimize (if not totally eliminate) the dark halo.

 

[FILIPPO]

good review!!

 

[qip]

should mention that in those shots , that stock is refocused & stil showing a bit of rings...nevermind i see you did , when quickly browsing it looked like comparing stock normally focused as intended and textured