Fenix P3Dce Comparison Review

[UnknownVT]

Once again through the kind courtesy of 4sevens (http://Fenix-Store.com) I have on loan a Fenix P3Dce to review.

The Fenix P3Dce runs on 2x CR123A and is spec'd at 160 lumens maximum brightness (Turbo setting) and has a runtime on low (9 lumens setting) of 65 hours - that's nearly 3 days continuous running....

Size -

the P3Dce is a pretty handy size - at about 4.5" length it is just pocketable - like in the back pocket.....

Head -

the head looks similar to the L1/2/P2Dce (common head) - but the ability to handle 6V (2x 3V CR123A) means the head is not really supposed to interchangeable with the L1/2/P2Dce.

BUT it will fit on the L1/2/P2Dce bodies and will "work" with limitations -
on 3.7V rechargeable Li-Ion batteries (ie: 1x 14500/AA size in the L1Dce and 1x RCR123 in P2Dce) the limitation is that the Turbo mode makes the output do a fast strobe/flicker -
I don't think it's doing the LED any harm as the input voltage is quite a bit below the regular 6V of 2x CR123A - but probably how the circuit is set to behave when the voltage is too low.

Single AA battery = no light
Single primary 3V CR123A - all levels (except low) give that fast strobe.

2AA alkalines the P3Dce head on the L2D body behaves similarly to 3.7V rechargeable
2x NiMH AA it fast strobes at all levels.

So the P3Dce head fits the other bodies - L1/2D and P2D - but does not work all that well.

Since the rated 160 lumens on max brightness/Turbo is one of the highest I've seen from a single LED light - the comparisons are with other "seriously" bright lights/combinations.

2x Primary CR123A -

vs. Fenix P2Dce on 3.7V Rechargeable RCR123

hard call to make because of the difference in tint - I think the P3Dce is just a bit brighter.

vs. Fenix L2D-CE on 2x NiMH AA

a bit easier to compare here, I think the P3Dce is a just a bit brighter.

vs. Fenix L1D-CE on 3.7V Rechargeable Li-Ion 14500

close call but maybe P3Dce squeaks it.......

vs. DEXlight X.1 (pre-production sample) on 3.7V Rechargeable Li-Ion 14500

pretty similar - perhaps the cooler tint makes the DEXlight X.1 look a bit brighter?

 

[Patriot]

Thanks for the nice comparisons. I really appreciat these reviews

 

[Kilovolt]

Very interesting, thanks.

:twothumbs

 

[Nake]

Good job, have always appreciated your comparison beamshots and reviews. In your beamshot with the Dexlight X.1 the light setting used is marked as max. Is this max in basic mode or max in advanced mode which is called 100% by Dexlight? The reason I ask is because with the MKIIx max brightness in basic mode is equivalent to 60% in advanced mode for light output (with the light I have at least) and since the Dexlight appears to use the JETBeam circuitry....

 

[UnknownVT]

Nake wrote: "In your beamshot with the Dexlight X.1 the light setting used is marked as max. Is this max in basic mode or max in advanced mode which is called 100% by Dexlight? The reason I ask is because with the MKIIx max brightness in basic mode is equivalent to 60% in advanced mode for light output (with the light I have at least) and since the Dexlight appears to use the JETBeam circuitry...."

First the DEXlight X.1 I have is a Pre-Production sample - which seems to behave differently from the one tested by ernsanada.

see: DEXlight X.1 Comparison Review

On 3.7V rechargeable Li-Ion 14500 (which is what I used for the beamshot) my sample of the DEXlight X.1 seems only to get the Advanced Mode (ie: I cannot get the general mode). Since all lower levels on the X.1, as far as I can tell, is done by PWM - to ensure I have Max brightness I check by waving my open hand in front of the light to make sure the PWM is off (also the LCD monitor screen of my digicam shows any PWM well). So as far as I know my sample of the DEXlight X.1 is on Maximum brightness.

Another sanity check - if the pre-production sample of the DEXlight X.1 on 3.7V rechargeable Li-Ion 14500 may be just very slightly brighter than the Fenix P3Dce - which in turn has been shown to be brighter than any other lights compared to here - does it make any sense that the DEXlight X.1 on a single AA even if it is a 3.7V rechargeable Li-Ion 14500 would be accidentally on a LOWer level? - how bright can it expected to be?

 

[M16]

Thank you very much

 

[swxb12]

Thanks for including the DEXlight in this review!

 

[techwg]

nice, however i wish that all reviewers would show all lights on standard CR123 and in seperate shots have rechargables... otherwise the test is not fair. like saying heres a 1xaa light and a 1xcr123 and compare them...

 

[sb0007]

I have gotten both lights. the p2d is showing a yellowish tint which I dun really fancy. I had for a while then one day I was using it to do some checks during heavy rain. later when i was changing out of my wet (throughly soaked) clothes, I notice the p2d is showing mositure in the reflector. the recovery of the light is still in progress by 4-7. just 1 week ago, i received my P3D. It took 18days to get to me. the centerign of the led is acceptable, mcuh better than the P2d. Most of all the tint is white. whiter than my ff3 and close to my Jetbeam MKI. As i intend to use it as a keychain light, i pop in a RCR123 and tested the light. Although i lost the turbo mode as it flickers (rapidly). but the normal lo, med and high work perfectly. it had since replaced my ff3 as EDC. Now if some one can update us how long it can run in lo, med and high with RCR123. I had yet to charge my rcr123 since i started it in the P3d. I will see how long it last prior next charge for my usage.

 

[adnj]

Nice review. Thx.

 

[ensile]

I LOVE this light, even though i had to send mine back because the mode's weren't working properly, some things i did notice in the minutes i spent with it testing for some ray of hope were,

Its small It's very portable, only the VERY size concious would go for the p2d, this is brilliant design, the mode's are useful, the lowest setting is brilliant, plenty of spill with no major hotspot. Runtimes, speak for themselves. output is breathtaking for such a little unit, I noticed the colour of the tint was very white, very very nice !

highly recommended light if you get one that works. if u buy from a reputable dealer you will be covered (i bought from www.fenix-store.com).

 

[nanotech17]

My P3D vs lumapower LM301 SSC P4 USYNH at 2.5 feet from the wall.
http://shw.fotopages.com/14809912/p3...301-USYNH.html