Fenix LD20

LEDBE
H

Hiker

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Aug 1, 2006
Messages
111
Location
Northern Californiga
I want a 2AA light for hiking that has good throw and a reasonably wide field.

I want a low setting for extra long use, a medium with a good amount of light plus a reasonable run time, and a high that still has an hour or 2 regulated.

I want it to be reasonably light, good quality, durable, fairly waterproof, and to take lithiums and NIMH.

Is the LD20 the best choice? Anything else I should consider? I also take a headlamp.

Thanks
 
Re: LD20 Best Choice?

OrchidLight said:
Personally I think the L2D Q5 is a better light.
Click to expand...

That's interesting!

I don't own an LD20 and didn't have one in my hands yet. Could you give us a few more details, why you preffer the "old" model?

I'm very happy with mine, but an anti-roll design would have been nice though! Same thought for the L1D of course.
 
Re: LD20 Best Choice?

kts said:
+2 and better looking...
Click to expand...

+3. LD20 = ugly.
The L2D was sleek and just small enough for edc. Now, the LD20, it has become slightly fatter and uglier.
I really hope that Fenix will keep the L2D available :poke:
The best looking Fenix was the L2P.

Kind regards,
Joris
 
Re: LD20 Best Choice?

I've had both the L2D Q5 Premium and the LD20.

I prefer the LD20 because it has slightly more flood and is anti-roll. When I use it around the house, and set it on a table, it doesn't roll away or off a table.

Personally, I think either are too big for EDC. As for going camping or hiking, there's not much difference between the two. I usually set them on the medium output ~47-50 lumens and that's more than enough.

Have you checked out the Olight T25 yet? I also have it, and I think I prefer it when going outdoors. It has more flood than the L2D and comes with a belt clip, holster, and lanyard. Also, I think the UI is better suited for outdoors. Basically you loosen the head just a tiny bit and re-tighten it to change output, which I think is more intuititve than changing your grip to use your thumb to hit the switch to change output (or using your other thumb to hit the switch). On top of that, it has a memory feature.

Good luck choosing your light!
 
Re: LD20 Best Choice?

Hmm.. i thought the LD20 had a Q5 in it too. I have the i cell version, the LD10 and it's a Q5 LED.:shrug:

Take care
 
Last edited:
Re: LD20 Best Choice?

Henk_Lu said:
That's interesting!

I don't own an LD20 and didn't have one in my hands yet. Could you give us a few more details, why you preffer the "old" model?

I'm very happy with mine, but an anti-roll design would have been nice though! Same thought for the L1D of course.
Click to expand...

Check out the significant runtime edge that the L2D has over the LD20 in SelfBuild's great review of the Nitecore D20:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=210904
 
If You already have good Ni-Mhs and charger, then decide by Your feelings between L2D and LD20,

if not, totally switch to Li-Ion, means an 18650 light.
... shorter and a bit bigger, easier and nicer to bring along and to grip, more power in cell

con: no alkaline/lithium primaries possible
(I see that as a plus) ;)
 
Re: LD20 Best Choice?

Hiker said:
I want a 2AA light for hiking that has good throw and a reasonably wide field.

I want a low setting for extra long use, a medium with a good amount of light plus a reasonable run time, and a high that still has an hour or 2 regulated.

I want it to be reasonably light, good quality, durable, fairly waterproof, and to take lithiums and NIMH.

Is the LD20 the best choice? Anything else I should consider? I also take a headlamp.

Thanks
Click to expand...

To answer your question, yes get one. They are a nice light. As you see more of these lights you see this and that and find new ones you want. The user interface is fine and it throws a good combo of flood and throw.
I am no expert and after much questioning I bought one for my first light. They work great! you will be impressed for the money! We can always find one that is different and one may think is better. Overall they are a fine light!
 
Re: LD20 Best Choice?

swrdply400mrelay said:
Have you checked out the Olight T25 yet? I also have it, and I think I prefer it when going outdoors. It has more flood than the L2D and comes with a belt clip, holster, and lanyard. Also, I think the UI is better suited for outdoors. Basically you loosen the head just a tiny bit and re-tighten it to change output, which I think is more intuititve than changing your grip to use your thumb to hit the switch to change output (or using your other thumb to hit the switch). On top of that, it has a memory feature.

Good luck choosing your light!
Click to expand...

How does the Olight T25 compare in quality, durability?
 
really wondering about someone who likes the typical Olight UI :thinking:
(especially over the Fenix one)

differences:
The Olights usually come on at turbo, while the Fenix comes on in low (except Turbo is chosen be4)
Olight is two-handed twist the head operation, while Fenix is one hand pushbutton operation (except for chaning between normal and turbo mode)
Olight is turbo-->high-->med-->low-->very low-->high brightness strobe-->high SOS-->low SOS and remember last setting
--> if You are in a useful level for normal flashlight chores (lower outputs) and want to get higher, You have to go through all the dazzle modes and - when You twisted too far - all those levels another time. All with two handed twist head operation.
While the Fenix UI always comes on in a given level (low or Turbo) and the other ones are just a few half-clicks away.
I think it cant be better than that, serving the "low at 1st" as well as the "full at 1st"-crowd with one and the same UI.

... in build quality they should be totally the same.

belt holder and lanyard are offered by both (and Fenix, as well as other makers also) put spare O-rings and spare rubber switch caps to the package. This should not be the reason to decide for one or the other.

Decide by Your sight of "best" operation procedure
 
Last edited:
Re: LD20 Best Choice?

yellow said:
really wondering about someone who likes the typical Olight UI :thinking:
(especially over the Fenix one)

differences:
The Olights usually come on at turbo, while the Fenix comes on in low (except Turbo is chosen be4)
Olight is two-handed twist the head operation, while Fenix is one hand pushbutton operation (except for chaning between normal and turbo mode)
Olight is turbo-->high-->med-->low-->very low-->high brightness strobe-->high SOS-->low SOS and remember last setting
--> if You are in a useful level for normal flashlight chores (lower outputs) and want to get higher, You have to go through all the dazzle modes and - when You twisted too far - all those levels another time. All with two handed twist head operation.
While the Fenix UI always comes on in a given level (low or Turbo) and the other ones are just a few half-clicks away.
I think it cant be better than that, serving the "low at 1st" as well as the "full at 1st"-crowd with one and the same UI.

... in build quality they should be totally the same.

belt holder and lanyard are offered by both (and Fenix, as well as other makers also) put spare O-rings and spare rubber switch caps to the package. This should not be the reason to decide for one or the other.

Decide by Your sight of "best" operation procedure
Click to expand...



Actually the Olights have a memory mode so it doesn't automatically come on at turbo mode. You just cycle thru the outputs depending on which one you were on last.

Also, if use your index finger and thumb, you can switch between the outputs using only one hand (which is also the way I hold the flashlight). For me, it wasn't intuitive at first, but after a few mins of practice, I can switch output pretty quickly using one hand - just loosen the head ever so slightly and tightened it.

In the end, it's just a matter of preference. :)
 
Re: LD20 Best Choice?

Hiker said:
How does the Olight T25 compare in quality, durability?
Click to expand...


I think the quality is pretty comparable. They're both pretty well made, and feel pretty solid. The emitters on both are centered properly. Truthfully, I like both brands and would buy them again. :D
 
Re: LD20 Best Choice?

ALCON,

I feel that the LD20 and L2D are great builds from different aspects. Consider it another way. The L2D would be something you carry while in slacks. The LD20 is something you would take while in denims. Both feel fantastic in the hand. I like them both. I prefer the knurling, anti-roll feature, and crenellated bezel a little better but not by much. The new tailcap is definitely an improvement for those with clumsy thumbs. Easier access without having to use the tip of your thumb.

The new pouch is alot better. I like the covered holster considerably more than the slip out pouch. There have been a few times my light came out. While coming off a ladder or out of the ceiling, the light had snagged and came out. Two options to attach to the belt, velcro or loop is nice.

If you plan on puchasing either, consider your daily dress. :grin2: Your typical flashoholic already has both...

Aloha,

jag
 
Re: LD20 Best Choice?

swrdply400relay said the LD20 has slightly more flood than the L2D. How do they compare in throw?

I have an older Streamlight Propolymer 4AA Luxeon. How do they compare in beam with it? Throw? Spread?
 
Re: LD20 Best Choice?

I'm in a similar situation: deciding on AA candidates, though vs 18650s. I have a bunch of 2100 eneloops, so I'm leaning towards the AA and the LD20/L2D is at the top of the list along with a few others that reportedly have great spill characteristics such as the EagleTacs.

I believe I am leaning towards the LD20 out of the Fenix offerings due to the new antiroll feature. Other than that, look at the beamshots of the two of them from various reviews.

The only concern I have is that variance between models, and reports of a greenish tint to the beam.
 
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