Good EDC: Fenix L0D Q4 vs. Fenix LD01 Q5 vs LiteFlux LF2X

[Hoggy]

Hi all,

I'm new to this area (LED flashlights). I've been reading the 'batteries included' area for over a year though due to battery needs - and I simply LOVE my Maha C-9000!!. I've also sorta been a flashlight junkie my whole life though.
I just got the Walmart Coleman Max Cree XR-E 2xAA as my 'step-up' light into the world of higher-end flashlights. All I can say now is -- "I'M HOOKED!". No more wimpy flashlights that quickly break down for me, thank you! :thumbsdow

I'm now looking into replacing one of my 7 Dorcy 1xAAA lights... Namely my pants-pocket one. I'm looking for some real power here. The thing I like about the Dorcys is that it's a TON of flood for a 1xAAA. When I'm walking past an area of forest between two streets in my area, I whip out the Dorcy and can see any branches or whatnot that may have fallen in my path - as well as any head-level branches that haven't been cut yet. I would now like more though...

I haven't spent more than ~$12 on any flashlight until now, so I want to make sure a purchase of either $45 or $60 will be worth it for a 1xAAA light.

OK. So on the one hand, the Fennix - either model - seems to be a solid buy for ~$45. The LD01 seems to have maximum brightness that is more than the max of the L0D. However, the initial default setting(med) seems to be higher on the L0D than for the LD01. In the real world though - would I really see any difference?? (I've never had strobing/SOS type features before, so I don't know what that means to me outside of saying "COOL". :thinking: )

The other option I'm looking at is the Liteflux LF2X. It's a bit pricier at ~$60, but seems to have a lot of programming options. The downfall of the Fenix, IMO, is that after turning it off it reverts to it's default(med) setting.. A HUGE anoyance if you ask me - one that I think just shouldn't be there if one is to pay that much for ANY flashlight with modes.

Am I right in understanding that the LF2X will remember settings - even if batteries are switched out? I'm also understanding that the Liteflux LF2X will be safer to use with my NiMH's since it seems to offer a low-battery warning as well as auto-shutoff.
Does the LF2X also offer sustained output with a NiMH until it's too low to work on 'high' - without over-discharging NiMH cells?

I'm also worried about the markings on the LF2X. I understand that they might be important in order to program it. Well - in my pocket, I KNOW that they'll likely wear out pretty quick - so are there also some indentations to mark them?
In a super-quick 'rudown', how does the programming and usage work?? I hear all this about SW2, SW-6,P1,P2, pushing the headcap up/down - blah,blah -- WTF? How does that truly work?? (not in detail because I could figure that later on - I'm just not understanding the entire concept-of-use.)

I also want to make sure that the light wont turn on and/or reprogram itself simply by being in my pocket.. For instance, with my Dorcys, I have to unscrew the end-cap a few turns and test by pushing the button while wobbling it around to make sure it wont turn on, before I put it back in my pants-pocket. Will either the Fenix or LiteFlux have such problems?

As you can guess, I'm leaning toward the LF2X at this point. But I've never spent so much on a flashlight, let alone one that will fit in my pocket - and could easily get lost..


Thanks for all your help,
Brian

P.S. I'd also like to give a BIG thanks to Silverfox for all his in-depth and knowlegeable information about rechargeable batteries in the 'batteries included' area. He's the reason I got my beloved Maha C-9000 in the first place. Thanks to SOOO many others there too - like 'Mr. Happy'(off the top of my head - must be that nickname! !!

 

[Derek Dean]

Howdy Hoggy,
I own an ARC Mania Extreme III, which is very similar to the LF2x. It has the same UI and same basic components, but in a custom case with a handpicked LED.

I also owned an LD01 briefly.

Both are GREAT lights. Seriously, you can't go wrong with either one. The following are simply my personal observations.... and I'm no expert.

LD01 strengths:
1. Buy it from 4sevens.com and you get a lifetime warranty...... plus he gives you 30 days to check it out and if you don't like it you can get an RMA number and ship it back for a full refund!
2. Very bright on a NiMh cell.
3. Great build quality.
4. Easy to operate, a no-brainer.

Weaknesses:
1. The 3 levels are spaced to close together, not that much difference between them.
2. The low level isn't nearly low enough....way to bright for night adapted eyes.
3. Not designed to take 10440 lithium-cell. It will work with one, but there is no low voltage warning or auto cutoff.
4. For me the beam was a bit ringy.... of course that is one quality that is VERY subjective, but I'm used to the beautiful beam of my NovaTac 120P (which is flawless), and to my eyes the LD01 had rings that were very distracting and it was not a smooth transition from the central spot to the side spill.

However, in all fairness..... most folks don't seem to have a problem with it, and in real world use it probably is just fine... just not my cup of tea.

Liteflux LF2x (ARC Mania Extreme III) good points:
1. Great beam quality (I understand the LF2x has a very nice beam too).
2. Designed to use a 10440 cell or any other AAA.
3. Simple to operate
4. User adjustable levels, from VERY high, to VERY low.

LF2x bad points:
1. More expensive than LD01
2. UI can be too complicated for many folks.
3. Warranty not as good as the Fenix at 4sevens.com.
4. No keyring attachment point. There is however a simple mod that can be done to create one at virtually no cost and with very little effort.
5. Very slight delay when turning the light on. I thought this would bother me.... but it is so slight that I don't even notice.... not a big deal... at least to me.

Ok, now to answer some of your questions about the LF2x:

1. It will remember user programmed settings, even during a battery change.
2. The low voltage warning/cutoff will work with lithium-ion 3.7 cells AND NiMh 1.2 cells. It can also be switched off if you so desire. It will run the battery on high until it is to low to safely use, then it begins flashing 3 times every 40 seconds for 2 minutes, then it shuts off.
3. You were worrying about the markings for the P1 and P2 'wearing off'. Don't worry. Besides having a VERY durable finish, the marks are indented dots. They will not wear off. I've had my light in my pocket everyday for 2 months.... not a mark on it anywhere.... still looks new!
4. Will it turn on and reprogram itself in m pocket? In order to program you have to do a series of twists, that won't happen by accident. My light does come on rather easily, but there is enough resistance to keep that from happening. It is possible to "lock out" the light by turning the bezel 2 rotations.
5. What is the basic programming like? Here are a bunch of Utube videos so you can see for yourself:

1. This video actually shows how to program both P1 and P2 light levels:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ExtremeIII.flv

2. This video shows how to access the user adjustable mode (yes, it's basically a 3rd light level, but it's much easier to adjust on the fly than the P1 and P2 levels, so it's very handy..... or you can set it and leave it, giving you a 3rd light level):
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ustableMod.flv

3. This shows a few more operations. It is the older Liteflux LF2 and some of the stobes, beacons, etc. are a bit different on the newer Extreme III, but the operation is the same. Also, you don't have to take the head off of the new Extreme III to attach the diffuser, it simply attaches (a nice upgrade):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kor7tVHj3zo

4. This video shows how to program the LF2 using presses instead of switching back and forth quickly, something not discussed very much, but quite neat. It involves setting the light to the P2 position and then holding the front barrel of the light with two fingers while quickly pressing the rear of the light forward. It doesn't move very much, but just enough to accomplish what it needs to do:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE9r75bQgv8

I can send you the PDF instructions for the LF2x if you'd like to see them. They are rather poorly written, but along with the videos will let you see if this is something that you would want to deal with.

I will say this, I was put off by all the hoopla about the programming.... P1 this and P2 that, but once I saw what it was... well..... it's NOT that hard, it's simply twisting back a forth to accomplish a few things.

1x (1 quick twist from P1 to P2 then back to P1) puts you back in regular mode at any time. Regular mode is where P1 is the low level and P2 is the high level.

2x (2 quick twists from P1 to P2 then back to P1) puts you into User Adjustable mode. Both P1 and P2 (in regular mode) are adjustable, but you have to go into the program made (6x) to do that. User adjustable mode is a separate mode that lets you simply adjust one brightness level up or down without having to go into the more complicated 6x program mode. Personally, I leave this mode set to the lowest light level.

3x goes to Beacon Mode (you get 2 beacons, fully adjustable)

4x goes to SOS mode (you get a dim and bright SOS)

5x goes to voltage check mode where you can see the voltage of your battery at any time.

6x goes to program mode (where you adjust P1 and P2 brightness and many other parameters).

7x goes into DEMO mode...... just to show what it can do.

8x turns the low voltage warning/cutoff ON or OFF.

10x is a factory reset to the default settings.

Hope that helps. Again, they are both good lights, just depends on whether you think you will be comfortable with the programming of the LF2x. Do remember, you don't have to do any programming to use it..... it simply turns on to the low level, then turn the bezel a bit more for high......

BUT, the LD01 is simplicity at it's best, and VERY bright on a NiMh.

So, what to do? Well, you might do what I did. Order the LD01 from 4sevens.com and see if you like it.... it's a great little light. If you don't, return it and go for the LF2x.

Have fun.
Derek

 

[victor01]

Or if you're conservative about price, you could go for the original Liteflux LF2 (the ones before the updated LF2X version) which cost 45 USD , include worldwide shipping. From this you'll have two choices, a Cree X-re led version or an SSC P4 led version which gives pure flood beam pattern. Both have exactly same UI as Liteflux LF2X, only not as bright as (LF2X uses newer model led)

Liteflux LF2 Cree and SSC sales thread

and for that matter

Liteflux LF2X bare aluminum and natural colored HA3 coating sales thread

 

[LightScene]

Since the lack of memory in the Fenix is a "A HUGE anoyance " I'm not sure what the question is.
Personally, I don't like mode memory. When I turn on my LD01 I know I'm going to get around 80 lumens in Medium mode with a 10440. That suits me fine.

 

[Flying Turtle]

Great advice, Derek. Don't know about Hoggy, but it rekindled my interest in the LiteFlux, especially after having a LF3XT for about a month. I agonized about the same thing and opted for a L0DQ4, for all the reasons you listed. But that voice in my head is still saying, and louder now, get a LF2X or LF2.

Geoff

 

[Derek Dean]

Great advice, Derek. Don't know about Hoggy, but it rekindled my interest in the LiteFlux, especially after having a LF3XT for about a month. I agonized about the same thing and opted for a L0DQ4, for all the reasons you listed. But that voice in my head is still saying, and louder now, get a LF2X or LF2.

Geoff

Just for your information, here is the keyring mod for the LF2x by CPF member Kevo that I mentioned:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showpost.php?p=2453602&postcount=6

Be aware that he uses a dremel to cut away 2 little slots. I don't believe that NEEDS to be done. I think he did it because he wanted both the regular clip AND the keyring mod to be functional at the same time.

I think all you need to do is remove the regular clip, form a loop piece that will fit in that groove, put in back on the light with the retaining cap and your done.

I believe what confuses a lot of folks is that the LF2x comes with a quick release neck chain holder which looks like a keyring attachment lug, but from what I've read it comes off a bit to easily to be considered secure enough for attaching to a keyring. BTW, the ARC Mania Extreme III does have a keyring/lanyard attachment hole.

Also, I've been thinking a bit about the LD01, and I wonder if the reason Fenix made the visual spacing so close on the 3 levels is that most normal folks (non CPF types) will want as much light as possible ALL the time, and the only reason they would use a lower level would be to get longer run time...... so they made the lower levels just low enough to get increased runtime, but without sacrificing to much brightness.... a good thing for most people.

Anyway, I'm not pushing either light. I think the majority of folks will find the LD01 an excellent value with it's keep-it-simple UI, robust build quality, and very bright output........ I simply tend to like as much control as possible over my UI and light levels and don't mind putzing around with a more complicated UI.

 

[bluewater]

I have all the lights in question. Simply put, the Lf2x does everything the Fenix lights do, and much more. For me the biggest plus of the Lf2x is the ability to run very low.

With LiIon batteries in it the LF2x is about all the light you'll ever need. Extremely bright, or very dim. Very small and pocketable. I think it's the most versatile light around.

 

[Flying Turtle]

Got a quick question about the LF2X. If you have the pocket clip attached is there an attachment point for a split ring? I like having a "pocket pull" on my small lights and a clip. Using a slide-on clip (seldom use it anyway) I've had this setup with all my 1AAA pocket lights, and want to keep it. I know the LF2 will work this way.

Geoff

Edit: From memory (should know better) I didn't think there was another attachment point on the LF2X. Checked out a picture of the light and saw the wire type clip. I guess there are an infinite number of points.

 

[regulator]

I have the LF2X and had the LOD-Q4. Both great AAA lights and two of the best out there. I prefer the functionality of the LF2X and like the style better than the LOD. I also liked the beam a bit better. The low mode is great and having the adjustability in the user mode allows the light to be adapted as needs demand.

The LOD was easier to operated one handed (at least to me) and could be a decision maker if the light is used very often during the day. It also is a bit lighter than the LF2X.

Can't go wrong with either!

 

[Hoggy]

WOW - thanks, Derek, for those video pointers and excellent rundown!

Here I was thinking that the head pulled out and one had to coordinate all the modes and programming via twisting, pulling, pushing back in, twisting again, etc.. :candle:
By watching those vids - I now see that it's not nearly as complicated as I first thought!

I think I'm definitely going to get the LF2x now. After all - learning to program it will help keep my aging mind sharp. Plus I like the ability to customize the main 2 levels.
Not to mention something for me to play around with when I'm bored.

Also, I've seen it at KD(Kaidomain) for $52 - free shipping.
I also saw the KD max V5 for $17, which I think I'll also get. Nice for a wow-factor light. Plus in the rare event of a survival-type situation, I could take the battery out of the KD and put it into the LF2x on low. (A nice AAA battery holder, if you wil - rather than just carrying a loose AAA in my pocket along with other metal items - if you know what I mean. ;-)


Thanks,
Brian