How durable are the Fenix lights?

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insanefred

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Especially the TK series. Can they take some abuse? How far can you drop them? How do they compare with Streamlight or Surefire? Are they reliable?

Discuss..
 
Do some searching around and you will see some Fenix abuse topics. From what I've seen on CPF it seems like the Fenix lights have been put through some pretty nasty testing that I haven't seen other brands go through. The Fenix lights stood up very well to some horrific abuse. Many have gone through the washer and dryer and have come out fine. We have heard of many drops without issues. The appear to be as tough, if not tougher, than many of the other brands. I've seen topics about Surefires, Novatacs, Innovas, etc, fail from a single drop. What does this mean? Who knows. I'm not trying to say that Fenix is better or tougher than the other brands, but I haven't seen anything that would convince me they aren't as tough as other brands.
 
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I smashed my T1 really hard into a concrete wall several times, the SS bezel got deformed but the light is still ok. dont ask me why i did it...

Also did a waterproof test, left on it at turbo mode for 1 hour at 1m deep, the light is completly watertight.

4hxtav.jpg
 
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+1 about Streamlight. While I used to be their biggest fan, I've had to send one too many of their lights out for repair. To their credit, Streamlight has always fixed them, but it's still very annoying.

I carry a Fenix light walking the dog most nights. It's been dropped a few times and still works just fine.
 
A lot of my friends use Surefire G2's, will the TK20 make them jealous? And not hang out with me anymore?
 
insanefred said:
Especially the TK series. Can they take some abuse? How far can you drop them? How do they compare with Streamlight or Surefire? Are they reliable? Discuss..
Click to expand...

Why don't you get a Fenix TK series ? Then abuse / drop them before sharing your finding with us.

I think it would be more helpful to everyone than starting another comparison thread between Fenix vs Surefire or Fenix vs Streamlight.

insanefred said:
A lot of my friends use Surefire G2's, will the TK20 make them jealous? And not hang out with me anymore?
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If they are jealous over a flashlight and do not want to hang out with you. they are not worth to be your friend.
 
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firefly99 said:
Why don't you get a Fenix TK series ? Then abuse / drop them before sharing your finding with us.

I think it would be more helpful to everyone than starting another comparison thread between Fenix vs Surefire or Fenix vs Streamlight.


If they are jealous over a flashlight and do not want to hang out with you. they are not worth to be your friend.
Click to expand...

Off topic, but true story. Ever since I got a Nikon D300, my colleagues that use Canon no longer hang out with me. :shakehead
 
insanefred said:
Off topic, but true story. Ever since I got a Nikon D300, my colleagues that use Canon no longer hang out with me. :shakehead
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Well, you still have a lot of online buddy who would appreciate you.

You will be our hero, if you abuse the Fenix and post a review on this forum.
 
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ausiebob's link pretty much says it all, but I just thought I'd add that I have about ..... 11 or 12 Fenix lights and I've never had one fail. I've been using a pair of them while mountain biking also and never had any trouble.
 
I remember someone BBQ'ing their fenix light. Can't remember it was a fenix light or not but I'm pretty sure it was?
Anyone know this?
(And after the BBQ it still worked!)

edit - Dang it, should really look through the thread before posting :ohgeez:

P.S I have a TK10, sturdy, bright piece of machine!

even though they are durable, I've heard plenty of times people here say that they have dropped there lights on tile floors, concrete floors etc and the light will never turn on again!
Because of this when I hold my light, I'm holding on it for dear life because I'm scared I'll drop it onto a hard surface and never see it light up again :(
 
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mossyoak said:
they are on par or a tad more durable than surefire, and streamlight is significantly less durable than both of them.
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My Fenix T1 has been utterly reliable. My TK20 is new...but functioned perfectly.

As for Streamlight....I have had a twin task crap out on its own....but the scorpion c4 led survived 7 20+ foot drops onto concrete and still worked (after I changed out the 123a's that were destroyed. I think the survivorLED would take abuse that no 123a metal light would.
 
unique said:
I remember someone BBQ'ing their fenix light. Can't remember it was a fenix light or not but I'm pretty sure it was?
Anyone know this?
(And after the BBQ it still worked!)

edit - Dang it, should really look through the thread before posting :ohgeez:
Click to expand...
Sorry I am not impressed about the tests.

What so great about a metal tube being grilled, bbq & freeze in an ice cube. Any metal body flashlight (even a Maglite) would easily pass the tests.
It would be different if the flashlight contain battery and is producing light while in an ice cube or being grilled on a fire.

Any flashlight would have passed the firecrackers tests and being tied to a fishing line and thrown into a lake.
 
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woodrow said:
My Fenix T1 has been utterly reliable. My TK20 is new...but functioned perfectly.

As for Streamlight....I have had a twin task crap out on its own....but the scorpion c4 led survived 7 20+ foot drops onto concrete and still worked (after I changed out the 123a's that were destroyed. I think the survivorLED would take abuse that no 123a metal light would.
Click to expand...

Please tell me more about your tk20, I should be getting mine tomorrow I am very anxious on how it preforms.
 
firefly99 said:
Sorry I am not impressed about the tests.

What so great about a metal tube being grilled, bbq & freeze in an ice cube. Any metal body flashlight (even a Maglite) would easily pass the tests.
It would be different if the flashlight contain battery and is producing light while in an ice cube or being grilled on a fire.

Any flashlight would have passed the firecrackers tests and being tied to a fishing line and thrown into a lake.
Click to expand...

Any 'ole flashlight may certainly not - high heat than rapid cooling & freezing causes a lot of rapid expansion/contraction that can kill electronics. Tossing into a lake too, I didn't see the thread, any idea of the depth? Could have been quite deep.
 
Marduke said:
+1 (obviously)

I was looking for that link before I saw you found it for me. Thanks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WvhJWE3_Oc
Click to expand...

I think I had added it to my favorites on YouTube in case I needed to find it quickly for emergency purposes. ;)

firefly99 might find fault with it, though, which has me quaking just a bit...
mpr.gif


:D

(Kidding, firefly99...but the crush test is probably as legit as you can get.)
 
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