fenix ld20 or e21

[dangee]

fenix ld20 and the e21 both these lights serve my purpose, is there a concensious which is better overall?

 

[mmace1]

The E21 was (and still is?) popular as a gift-light. Strong construction/simple operation/relatively cheap.

The LD20 is far less ideal as a gift-light - it's more complicated to use & more expensive. It's probably better for the average flashaholic (debatable, but I think for most) due to a higher high and more flexibility...

However, if we are talking for a CPF-person then...other 2xAA lights are *generally* thought to eclipse the LD20 at the moment, so the LD20's place is less clear. Everything is debatable, but a very CPF-mainstream eclipser would be the Quark 2xAA. It uses the same emitter as the LD20.

Even better for many...would be a new Quark X 2xAA. Newer emitter. Brighter high and more efficient in general - but also larger emitter, so despite the higher high - throw is less than the older regular Quark 2xAA. For a general purpose light - I prefer flood. But many don't.

Hopefully more knowledgeable persons can chime in. Though...CPFer since 2002...it would help if you were more specific in what you want! There are an awfully large number of awesome lights now a days. Even compared to when I joined, the field has become much more varied in terms of "good" lights. It's quite amazing.

Edit: In terms of a two-stage light, I agree with the other poster - look at the Jetbeam BA20. It uses the same newer emitter (XM-L) as the Quark 2xAA X.

 

[RedForest UK]

I'd look at the Jetbeam BA20; It has two modes and a very good price like the E21, but is smaller like the LD20, and with higher output and efficiency than either of them.

 

[ico]

The E21 has a very simple UO so it is good for a average user. The price is about half of the LD20. If the user is like a "flashaholic" or is just very patient and eager in his instruments the LD20 is fine. Yet again' there are many 2AA lights can be better than the ld20 as they say like Quark's AA² / X AA². There are also many comments that the LD20 has donut holes/ pinhole which most would dislike. I don't own an LD20 so I really haven't seen those comments about it.

If you could specify more what you need more CPF'er can answer your question

 

[luke_DF]

LD20 - I found the Q5 version very reliable and efficient. really flexible with the modes, overall good balance of access vs amount of options. you might want to look at other holster options, unless they've improved that flawed design.

 

[MrLi]

I have both Fenix E21 and LD20 (premium R5 version). I like the E21 for simplicity, and it has Energizer L91 in it, stored in my car as a simple on/off flashlight with 2 modes. Don't have to explain to others on how to use it if they need to borrow it.

I like the LD20, and I use it mostly as my indoor flashlight, as in, i like the low modes on it, and I can switch to brighter modes as i need to. Coupled with diffuser tips, it's a great indoor light (for my use). The E21 was too bright for me to use indoors after my eyes have settled to the lighting inside (for close range usage).

About the donut holes, yes it's there. I got annoyed at first, but gotten used to it. 1

Another thing to note bout the LD20 (at least for my R5 version), is the battery type. I used Energizer L91 (1.7V) with it when i first got it, but realized the low-mode was gone. It's like medium/medium-high/high.
Read more on CPF and found out the higher voltages affected the low output, so I ended up using Eneloops (1.2V) and it's fine since. I got the desired low/medium/high modes.

 

[fannin]

i can strongly recommend the ld20, i have the q5 and the r5, i was lucky with both tints

the q5 can have some rings and the r5's pretty much all will have a donut hole to some degree, my ld20 r5 has a small one, it doesn't matter, my ld10 r5 has an even smaller one, it doesn't affect use either, my friends ld10 r4 has a bigger one but it still doesn't affect using the light but i can see a really bad one being annoying

my ld20 r5 is my best light, i've had 2 q5's and both were warm and my r5 ld20 is my favourite tint that i have, quite a pure white, i use it all the time

the ld20 isn't perfect (low is not low enough) but the quality and reliability (so far) are both excellent

i only use eneloop/eneloop type batteries in them

 

[CheepSteal]

I prefer E21 because of pure simplicity and forward clicky switch as opposed to the reverse clicky of the LD20. I've owned both and I prefer the Low - High operation over the 6 mode UI. I never use SOS or strobe.
Both have had no-so-good beams from my experience of two LD20's and one E21. But if it's an outdoorsy light then it won't matter too much.
I think the Jetbeam BA20 is better than both, just my opinion however.

 

[roadkill1109]

fenix ld20 and the e21 both these lights serve my purpose, is there a concensious which is better overall?

it boils down to this: If you have budget and want a light with more modes and good quality: LD20

if you want a cheap two-mode light which has great quality: E21

I agree with the other posts, when i give a gift to someone who is impressed with my lights but is not a flashaholic, i get them the E21. Not a bad starter light for the un-enlighted :)

But for the budding flashaholic, the LD20 is a good start. It's like getting a Quark light...almost everyone starts with a Quark light... then the collection continues.... haha...