Help in choice of first led flashlight

[bojank76]

Hi to all
I have been looking to buy led flashlight. I have narrowed the choice to:

1. Fenix LD 20 R5 (43 euros)
2. Fenix LD 20 Q5 (50 euros)
3. Fenix PD 31 (58 euros)

Can some one tell me which one has better throw? It will be mainly used outdoors (not the city, forest and around the house) and occasionally indoors when the power goes out. What would I get with one and loose with the other?
I do have a stock of AA NiMh 2700 Sanyo batteries with a decent charger. As for CR123 I would have to buy 18650 and a charger or use disposable ones
Price is not that big issue, I just want to be satisfied when it arrives :)

Best regards Bojan

 

[Derek Dean]

Howdy bojank76, and welcome to CPF,
Here are some good flashlight review sites to help you size up the differences between those 3 lights:
http://www.light-reviews.com/reviews.html
http://www.flashlightreviews.ca
http://www.lygte-info.dk/review/Reviews UK.htm

There are a few ways to measure light output, so it can be a bit confusing. Some manufacturers will list it in lumens, which is generally what the LED (not the flashlight) can put out at the rated current of the light, but because there can be a lot of light loss before the beam gets out of the light (from the reflector, optics, etc), a better specification to trust is if you see it with an ANSI lumen rating, which is OTF (Out The Front), and while still not perfect, gives a better basis to compare lights.

Second, because lumens is generally a measure of total light output, it won't tell you anything about the beam pattern, so look for a lux measurement, as this specifies the strength of the brightest part of the beam and will be a better indication of throw.

Also, learn how to use the Google Search box located at the top left of most CPF pages. Leave it check marked for "CPF Only" and it will list only relevant CPF threads. This is handy because it will help you find current threads on all 3 of the lights you've listed.

Plus, if you're thinking about getting into lithium-ion rechargeable batteries (which we really like here on CPF), then you should first spend a little time learning about the precautions that need to be taken when using and handling those types of cells. Here is a good starting place:
Battery University:
http://batteryuniversity.com/

Also check out the "Flashlight Electronics-Batteries Included" section of CPF, where you will find a lot of good info on specific battery brands and chargers:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?9-Flashlight-Electronics-Batteries-Included

Finally, don't be in a hurry. Spend some time reading the various reviews and threads about those lights. Often times your research into one light will end up leading you down a different path to a completely different light that you hadn't originally considered, so keep an open mind.

I'm sure other CPF members will chime in with more info about the specific lights you've mentioned. Have fun!

 

[jhc37013]

The LD20 XR-E Q5 out throws the XP-G version by a good margin, nearly double but the XP-G is brighter in the spill area. The PD31 is closer to the throw of the LD20 Q but the Q5 is still a little better. The PD31 would rule here in the bright spill area but if throw is your main concern then the Q5 is the best of the 3.

If you want a really good throwing 2xAA light look at the Eagletac P20A2 XR-E R2 , not the Mark II version with the XP-G. To give you an idea the lux is almost double the LD20 Q5 at 4,000 lux compared to the P20A2 around 7500 lux, that is nearly twice the throw.

 

[bojank76]

Unfortunately I have to choose between these three lights. I have read about rechargeable li-ion but I think I will stick with cr123 in the beginning if I decide to get PD31. Just had a chance to play with one, but did not have LD20 in hand.
One more question will R5 give a longer run than Q5, or did I understood something wrong? For example with Sanyo 2700mAh?
Thanks for answers
and best regards

Bojan

 

[jhc37013]

The XP-G LD20 runs ~10-15mins longer on Turbo and Hi compared to the XR-E Q5, the XP-G model is brighter overall but the XR-E throws father by almost double the lux.

 

[bojank76]

I just decided and went for PD31. I will be using it as a bicycle light as well, so I think that somewhat shorter lamp is better and spill is ok. Also I saw:
http://fonarik.com/test/indexen.php?model=6&scene=2&mode=6
and
http://fonarik.com/test/indexen.php?model=6&scene=2&mode=6
and stopped having second thoughts
As jhc37013 said "The PD31 is closer to the throw of the LD20 Q" I was leaning more towards PD31
I can get JetBeam Li-ion 3.7V, 2300mAh 18650 (15 euros a piece) and wanted to ask are they ok? Not that I have a choice just want to know if they are ok?
Found a charger too, I know it is cheap but it is the only one available HXY-18650-2Ahttp://www.mikroprinc.com/proizvodi...njac-hxy-18650-2a-za-2x18650-li-ion/index.php (it costs 15 euros as well)

Thanks again for answers
Bojan

 

[DaveTen]

I just decided and went for PD31. I will be using it as a bicycle light as well, so I think that somewhat shorter lamp is better and spill is ok. Also I saw:http://fonarik.com/test/indexen.php?model=6&scene=2&mode=6and http://fonarik.com/test/indexen.php?model=6&scene=2&mode=6and stopped having second thoughts As jhc37013 said "The PD31 is closer to the throw of the LD20 Q" I was leaning more towards PD31I can get JetBeam Li-ion 3.7V, 2300mAh 18650 (15 euros a piece) and wanted to ask are they ok? Not that I have a choice just want to know if they are ok? Found a charger too, I know it is cheap but it is the only one available HXY-18650-2Ahttp://www.mikroprinc.com/proizvodi...njac-hxy-18650-2a-za-2x18650-li-ion/index.php (it costs 15 euros as well)Thanks again for answersBojan

I have waited and bought a PD32! Very satisfied, although also wanted to buy PD31.