First post by newbie -- Fenix LD10 R4

[kevin512]

Hello,

I stumbled across this forum while searching for information about LED flash lights. I've been searching the forums for a few hours and think I've come to a conclusion on a flash light that will work well for me, but since I am new at this I wanted to run this by the forum.

Requirements:
-AA batteries (1 or 2)
-will be used primarily for hiking, camping, and hunting.
-waterproof
-dim enough for using in a tent, bright enough to walk in the rain at night on a semi rugged trail
-if I understand your terminology correctly -- I prefer floody over a thrower
-clip
-Works well with Eneloops
-Provides enough light to walk for 8 hours at night without changing batteries
-doesn't rattle... noise and deer hunting don't mix
-$50 budget
-easy enough for my non technical wife to use.

I'm leaning towards the Fenix LD10 R4 or LD20 R4 (I haven't decided if the longer runtime of the LD20 is worth the extra size/weight).

Is this a reasonable choice? My current flash light is a 2xAA (non LED) mini MagLite so anything will be an improvement. I also have a Petzl Tikka XP headlamp that I often use.

Thanks!

Kevin512

 

[marc123]

I think you have done your reasearch and made a fine choice.

If you can walk your trails at night with a AA Mini mag then the LD10 R4 will be more than adequate on medium. It can pump out 50 Lumens for approx 6 hours. Compared to your current 2 x AA Mini Mag... "The traditional two AA cell Mini Maglite flashlights come with a replaceable LM2A001 lamp. Output is 2,952 peak beam candlepower and 15.2 average lumens. Run time is 5.5 hours on alkaline batteries. The AA cell Mini Maglite is probably the most popular model with hunters." http://www.chuckhawks.com/maglite_flashlights.htm

That is a massive difference.

As for the two Fenix torches, for me I'd rather carry an extra battery for the LD10 than get the longer LD20 with the extra runtime. They both pump out almost the same lumens on turbo.

Good luck and enjoy.

 

[daf3m]

+1 on LD10 R4

 

[Kilovolt]

You will be very happy with an LD10 R4 which has a compact size and fits in any pocket.

By the way :welcome:

 

[SixM]

The Fenix is a good choice.
I would like to suggest one, it's slightly over your budget, but it seems that you will be using your light outdoors a lot and these are a great outdoor light.
http://www.4sevens.com/product_info.php?cPath=297_310&products_id=2287 As far as we know these are a limited run.
I think the tint is much better for all outdoor activities, especially hunting if you have to follow a blood trail. The XP-G emitter in these have a beautiful floody beam that still projects quite well.
I wish that they offered a single AA light, but you can buy an extra single AA or cr123 tube, different tailcaps and other items are also available.
http://www.4sevens.com/index.php?cPath=297_304

I've purchased a Preon 2 and a Mini AA already, with a Turbo 123 on it's way. All in this warm tint.
I think I'm done buying cool white lights for the most part, as long as I have an option like this available to me.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

BTW, welcome to CPF!

 

[Wiggle]

Quark AA has a moonlight and a low mode that are both below the Fenix LD10 low. I think it's been scaled down from before but it's still probably too bright for use in a tent without being overpowering. Quarks .2 lumen moonlight mode is great in tent.

Edit:
And right now you can get them in warm white and neutral white, both of which perform better outdoors than the normal editions.

 

[*Dusty*]

Or you could buy a drop in kit for your Maglite which will make a world of difference. Very cheap too, but the Fenix are a great light.

 

[MichaelW]

Since you are outdoors person, I can strongly advise that you pass on cool-white flashlights.
Warm-white might be ideal, but warm-white always lags behind neutral-white (which itself lags behind cool-white)
The Fenix LD10 doesn't have the eight hour [constantly on right?] runtime, the LD20 does. You can use the Energizer Advanced Lithium to save weight over alkaline (and Eneloops)
http://www.light-reviews.com/fenix_ld20_r4/


If you mini-Mag has sentimental value, you could pick up a Terralux drop in (or other brand) on the cheap at BJ, and you could order a neutral-white Quark mini AA, all for around $50.

or find $7 somewhere (make that $2.44 with the CPF discount)
http://www.4sevens.com/product_info...=2322&osCsid=6ee169ba5da37b4c2f1d00622fbc1830

 

[sjmack]

I think the Fenix LD10 is a great choice. Both Fenix lights I have have been solid for the year plus that I have owned them.

 

[kevin512]

Everyone -- thanks for the help.

The Warm White Quark AA2 tactical looks to be a good choice as well, but I wasn't quite sure if I would like the user interface on it.

Am I correct that only two of the regular modes (moonlight, low, medium, high, max) are available at any given time? I like the idea of having all those light levels, but I don't like the idea of having to re-program the light to access more than two modes. If I have the Quark setup for low/medium and I want to use the moonlight mode, do I need to go through the whole reprogram sequence (tightening the head four times and etc.)? Can somebody clarify this for me?

My mini 2xAA MagLite has served me well, but there are two things I don't like about it. First, the bulbs burn out far more frequently than the advertised bulb life (probably because they endure a lot of outdoor abuse). I had one fail on me in cold deer hunting weather (northern Minnesota) while walking home, my fingers were way too cold and my gloves too bulky to even attempt installing the spare bulb. Luckily I was in familiar woods so I could find my way home without it. Second, the MagLite is a bit dim in rainy weather.

Thanks again,

Kevin512

 

[Wiggle]

Everyone -- thanks for the help.

The Warm White Quark AA2 tactical looks to be a good choice as well, but I wasn't quite sure if I would like the user interface on it.

Am I correct that only two of the regular modes (moonlight, low, medium, high, max) are available at any given time? I like the idea of having all those light levels, but I don't like the idea of having to re-program the light to access more than two modes. If I have the Quark setup for low/medium and I want to use the moonlight mode, do I need to go through the whole reprogram sequence (tightening the head four times and etc.)? Can somebody clarify this for me?

Yes that is correct. The light will need to be reprogrammed for other modes if you need them. If you pick your 2 levels right you will rarely need to reprogram but if you find yourself frequently needing more than 2 levels you should pick the normal (non-tactical) AA2 version in neutral or warm.

The reprogram doesn't take long once you're used to it. I find low/high and med/max are my favorite combos to use.

 

[SixM]

Everyone -- thanks for the help.

The Warm White Quark AA2 tactical looks to be a good choice as well, but I wasn't quite sure if I would like the user interface on it.

Am I correct that only two of the regular modes (moonlight, low, medium, high, max) are available at any given time? I like the idea of having all those light levels, but I don't like the idea of having to re-program the light to access more than two modes. If I have the Quark setup for low/medium and I want to use the moonlight mode, do I need to go through the whole reprogram sequence (tightening the head four times and etc.)? Can somebody clarify this for me?

My mini 2xAA MagLite has served me well, but there are two things I don't like about it. First, the bulbs burn out far more frequently than the advertised bulb life (probably because they endure a lot of outdoor abuse). I had one fail on me in cold deer hunting weather (northern Minnesota) while walking home, my fingers were way too cold and my gloves too bulky to even attempt installing the spare bulb. Luckily I was in familiar woods so I could find my way home without it. Second, the MagLite is a bit dim in rainy weather.

Thanks again,

Kevin512

You are correct on the interface Kevin. Honestly I would prefer the regular Quark UI but unfortunately its not available with the warms, the neutrals yes, but not the warms.
Really, the tactical UI does make it more simple to operate for a non-flashlight person, or in a tactical situation, click once for Moon mode.... twist head for Max, however you want to set it up. No confusing levels to cycle through for someone not familiar with modern LED flashlights, or if you need to have full power or strobe, with just a single click, you can set it up for that.
You are going to be so much more pleased with a new LED light than your old Mags, I used the Mags for years and went through many, many bulbs.
I will say though, it took a little bit to get adjusted to the blueish white tint of my first LED lights, but now with all the neutrals and warms out, I'm going back to that warm light I didn't realize I liked so well.

 

[kevin512]

Thanks for your help everybody. I decided on the Neutral-white Quark AA2 Tactical and placed the order today. Ship date is listed as 6/29/2010.

Kevin512