Fenix putting out to many similar lights?

[Badbeams3]

Looking at the Fenix line up. To me they are really overlaping the 123x2 models. And only one MC-E light...TK-40...nice but it`s big. Shouldn`t they be pushing some smaller MC-E lights?

PD 30
TA 20
TA 21
TA 30
TK 10
TK 11
TK 12

All 123x2 lights and all of similar brightness.

Looking at the TK-12 for example...what sets it apart?

 

[Marduke]

The TK12 replaces the TK10, and to some extent the TK11 with optional 18650 body, but gives the option of using a number of different mode groups.

 

[Search]

PD 30
TA 20
TA 21
TA 30
TK 10
TK 11
TK 12

It's not a negative thing.

While I don't think the PD30 belongs in the list, as it's general verses tactical.

However, it's like having a car and being able to buy it in 20 different customized ways.

 

[nick__45]

It's not a negative thing.

While I don't think the PD30 belongs in the list, as it's general verses tactical.

However, it's like having a car and being able to buy it in 20 different customized ways.

How many people buy 5 or more of the same car just to be able to add a CD player, bigger wheels, or front grill? Fenix, like other makers, is simply not innovative enough. This is why we're stuck with incandescent bulbs for ages because people were happy to buy many of the same thing. I buy things of variation. For example, I may have 2 MiniMag but one is LED and one is Krypton and they were purchased 12 years apart. I also have a 3D and a 4D Maglite with the same differences in bulb and years of purchase. However, with the approach Fenix and others are taking, it would be the same as buying 10 Maglite of the same battery cell, length, and possibly even color.

 

[Search]

How many people buy 5 or more of the same car just to be able to add a CD player, bigger wheels, or front grill? Fenix, like other makers, is simply not innovative enough. This is why we're stuck with incandescent bulbs for ages because people were happy to buy many of the same thing. I buy things of variation. For example, I may have 2 MiniMag but one is LED and one is Krypton and they were purchased 12 years apart. I also have a 3D and a 4D Maglite with the same differences in bulb and years of purchase. However, with the approach Fenix and others are taking, it would be the same as buying 10 Maglite of the same battery cell, length, and possibly even color.

What I meant was this.

Want a selector ring? Then you have a choice on length and output with runtime.

Want something with a combat grip? Then you have the choice of UI and beam profiles.

Just pretend you can't modify cars. You have a Ford Cobra and an Acura RX-7.

Do you need something that can get up and go? Get a Cobra.

Need something that can handle corners a little better? Get the RX-7.

It's the same with flashlights. You can't change UIs, body styling, features, etc. It's like SureFire offering the 6P with combat ring, selector ring, multi-stage tailcaps, strobe, etc.

I'm SureFire biased, but I still see what Fenix is doing. They are making 10 different models of an idea so people can pick whichever one best suites them. Because you can't change a flashlights charicteristics like you can cars, this isn't a bad thing.

How many people mod SureFires? How many people mod Fenixes? Now I would be willing to bet a good portion of people on CPF own Fenixes to people who own SureFires.

 

[jirik_cz]

The TK12 replaces the TK10, and to some extent the TK11 with optional 18650 body, but gives the option of using a number of different mode groups.

I think that TA30 is going to be discontinued too and replaced by TA20 and TA21. So the list of tactical lights will shrink to:

TK11
TK12
TA20
TA21

 

[DimeRazorback]

What I meant was this.

Want a selector ring? Then you have a choice on length and output with runtime.

Want something with a combat grip? Then you have the choice of UI and beam profiles.

Just pretend you can't modify cars. You have a Ford Cobra and an Acura RX-7.

Do you need something that can get up and go? Get a Cobra.

Need something that can handle corners a little better? Get the RX-7.

It's the same with flashlights. You can't change UIs, body styling, features, etc. It's like SureFire offering the 6P with combat ring, selector ring, multi-stage tailcaps, strobe, etc.

I'm SureFire biased, but I still see what Fenix is doing. They are making 10 different models of an idea so people can pick whichever one best suites them. Because you can't change a flashlights charicteristics like you can cars, this isn't a bad thing.

How many people mod SureFires? How many people mod Fenixes? Now I would be willing to bet a good portion of people on CPF own Fenixes to people who own SureFires.

I understand you, you're saying they are making them more 'customised' without them actually being a 'custom made' thing :thumbsup:

 

[Marduke]

Fenix, like other makers, is simply not innovative enough.

I guess you don't know enough about their history. Fenix was the "first" in a lot of flashlight history. First high output 1xAA and 1xAAA lights, first to have the two-position head for mode operation, and have some of the most efficient circuits available.

 

[Badbeams3]

I guess you don't know enough about their history. Fenix was the "first" in a lot of flashlight history. First high output 1xAA and 1xAAA lights, first to have the two-position head for mode operation, and have some of the most efficient circuits available.

So very true. Innovative is one thing Fenix is. And one of the reasons I find it surprising they have not come out with a single 18650 MC-E powered light. Seems like there would be a huge market for an affordable small MC-E Fenix.

And it seems to me they are over doing the 123x2 Q5/R2 stuff. Most of us...here at CPF...Can`t or won`t keep buying these...even if they add a feature or two...we have what we need already. I know the world does not revolve around we the people of CPF. But still.

I know I would jump on a small MC-E Fenix...and I think most of us here would.

 

[bansuri]

Maybe they're waiting for the XP-G and then they'll put out something less incremental.
Also, if you don't give your engineers and designers something to do why keep them on payroll? If they had stopped designing new lights at the TK10 what are the engineers, machinists who build the fixtures and setups for the new models, graphics department, etc.. going to do? A couple of years without new models would be a huge drain on a company as you would have production workers making the old lights and they would be the only ones doing anything.

When a company puts out a new product it also entices new buyers, nothing says "Buy Me" quite like the latest and greatest model because buyers assume that a new product comes in to the market in direct competition with all the other new models out there and should be competitive feature-wise and value-wise. If they said something like "Here's our TK10, same one as last year...still going strong" it's not going to look as attractive to new flashoholics as "NEW!".


IMHO of course.

 

[Badbeams3]

Maybe they're waiting for the XP-G and then they'll put out something less incremental.
Also, if you don't give your engineers and designers something to do why keep them on payroll? If they had stopped designing new lights at the TK10 what are the engineers, machinists who build the fixtures and setups for the new models, graphics department, etc.. going to do? A couple of years without new models would be a huge drain on a company as you would have production workers making the old lights and they would be the only ones doing anything.

When a company puts out a new product it also entices new buyers, nothing says "Buy Me" quite like the latest and greatest model because buyers assume that a new product comes in to the market in direct competition with all the other new models out there and should be competitive feature-wise and value-wise. If they said something like "Here's our TK10, same one as last year...still going strong" it's not going to look as attractive to new flashoholics as "NEW!".


IMHO of course.

Very good points

 

[wykeite]

I've got a few Fenix lights and am well impressed with the quality. What doesn't sit so well for me is the lack of upgrade support. As fine as they are I don't see me buying any more flashlights that can't be easily upgraded.

 

[Marduke]

I've got a few Fenix lights and am well impressed with the quality. What doesn't sit so well for me is the lack of upgrade support. As fine as they are I don't see me buying any more flashlights that can't be easily upgraded.

All their models have heads that can open. Unscrew, unsolder, repaste and resolder, and you're done.

 

[Badbeams3]

All their models have heads that can open. Unscrew, unsolder, repaste and resolder, and you're done.

Way beyond my skill level. Unscrew old head, screw on new head. I *might* be able to handle that :sick2:.

 

[ZMZ67]

Better to have a variety of models to meet the needs/wants of different individuals.My disappointment with Fenix and other brands as well is in the lack of availability of lights with neutral/warm LEDs.Fenix has only one the TK20 and nothing in the smaller EDC lights they are so well known for.