Impressions: L2D CE (switch prob?), E01, and affordable AAA rec?

[tnforever]

Hello all

You may or may not remember me as being a poor student who needed a good bike light.

Well, after a month or so, I've finally sprung and bought a L2D CE from 4sevens. Wanted a LD20, but for 50% more money than a L2D, and me being poor and needing the light for a practical purpose, the L2D was better.

The first sample I received impressed me a lot. Worked with no kinks whatsoever, and while low mode was a slight tad on the green side (can't really tell unless comparing to other lights), the rest of the modes were just fine. What struck me was how little difference there was between modes from medium up. Yes, they were brighter, but I couldn't always justify the tradeoff in runtime. This really taught me a lesson in human perception of brightness.

The second sample I received had a weird switch. It was as though it was oversensitive, the slightest tap will cause it to change modes or turn the light off. I isolated the problem since I had two L2Ds. Weirdly it works better if I switch the tailcaps between the lights. Still, does anyone have a possible diagnosis for this?

Now, onto the E01. While I've read that the beam is very purple, I've always thought it'd be sort of like my crappy home depot lights, ie white with a blue tint. But, as I found out, the beam of the E01 is actually PURPLE, not white with a purple tint.

So, very disappointed. While the build quality is no doubt good, I will try it out in the dark tonight, but I dont think I'm going to put this in frontline duty.

So, onto my question:

What relatively affordable AAA EDC (basically on my keys was my plan) is there? I've had my eye on the LD01, which I would clip on my pants, if I eventually get it, but at $45, it's really expensive.

I'm looking for:

-Toughness: Tough enough to withstand being carried with keys, and the occasional drop from human height.
-Tint: As long as it's whitish, not outright purple like my E01
-Brightness: Doesn't have to be super bright, just something that can outshine a solitaire
-Runtime: Not important, 30 minutes is more than enough
-Battery: AAA (NiMH), no button cells, no lithiums
-Price: Twofold, one that is cheap (ie, the cheaper the better, a la E01)
another rec for more expensive (~$50) that I can EDC without worry of failure. LD01 is my first choice, but I know there are good alternatives.

And my second question, of course, is what can I do about the switch on my L2D?

Thanks!

 

[Zatoichi]

I don't notice a massive difference between the L2D's modes just shining it on a wall indoors, but when I've used it outdoors in dark, open spaces, the difference is much more pronounced.

As for the E01, I can't stand shining it on a white wall, but in actual use it does just what it's supposed to and lights things up.

 

[1anrm]

And my second question, of course, is what can I do about the switch on my L2D?

Thanks!

Contact the dealer you bought it from.

 

[Gunner12]

The talicap retaining ring could be loose, try tightening it. It's the metal ring in the talicap of the light. Take the right pliers, place the tipss into the holes, and tighten. It could also be thw switch itself.

If that doesn't help, try for a replacement.

The E01 is pretty much known for it's bad tint, but it's pretty usable in use. Not the prettiest beam, but tough and gets the job done.

Shining the light at outside targets and changing the modes might show a more pronounced difference in output.

 

[tnforever]

Upon further inspection, it seems as if the problematic switch sticks out further (ie closer to the rubber boot)

I can understand why this may make it more sensitive, but not why it turns the light off while trying to change modes (without clicking). Tapping the switch again without clicking, while it's off from trying to switch modes, will turn it back on/switch modes again.

It's as if after you press the switch down, it doesnt rebound all the way again to tell the light to turn on again...

This is similar to what I've experienced on some of the $1.50 husky lights I've had, when the reverse clicky turns off the light without clicking, only so far, the light has managed to come back on after tapping it, where as on the huskies you need to give it a good whack

 

[tnforever]

@ Gunner, I tried twisting it with a pair of pliers and it doesn't budge. I dont want to work it too hard in case I slip and mar the metal ring, but it certainly doesn't move with a moderate amount of effort.

 

[BBnet3000]

all lights with LEDs in the realm of the E01 are bluish. the E01 is better than many others, in fact i dont know of any that are better than it.

ive got one, its really great. the only thing more you could want is multiple levels of light (which unless you go with a cheap DX light, is going to go for $45). i dont need that for a long runtime EDC anyway.

 

[Marduke]

Sounds like the you may have reassembled the sensitive tailcap in the incorrect order, which is why the switch unit sticks out further. That would mean the rubber boot is holding down on the switch because of the shorter travel distance.

There is a washer which needs to be between the boot and switch. If you placed it anywhere else, it could give erratic behavior.


BTW, if you think the E01 is bad tint (no, they are not using a purple GS, it's white), you should have used a 5mm light from a couple years ago. Things were MUCH worse.

 

[Beacon of Light]

Loving my E01. Can't say anything negative about it at all. Long runtime and durable as anything I have.

 

[tnforever]

Sounds like the you may have reassembled the sensitive tailcap in the incorrect order, which is why the switch unit sticks out further. That would mean the rubber boot is holding down on the switch because of the shorter travel distance.

There is a washer which needs to be between the boot and switch. If you placed it anywhere else, it could give erratic behavior.

I never touched the tailcap besides unscrewing it to put in batteries. In fact I don't even know how I'm supposed to open the tailcap.

As for the E01, I just went inside my pantry (where it's completely dark) and indeed, the E01 works quite well, it renders colors ok, but the beam really is violet, I'll take pictures tonight.

 

[Marduke]

Well, it's something to check. Make sure the retaining ring is tight when you are done.

 

[Benson]

If you're ok with a wire pocket-clip instead of a dedicated ring/lanyard fitting, and a recessed forward clicky instead of a twisty, I'd recommend the Akoray K-102 as the cheap option. It's $8.80 at DX.

It's a cool white P9 -- a hint bluish, but nothing like a typical 5mm LED, let alone the Nichias in my E01 or Streamlight Nano. It has a very nice beam profile, IMHO. Build is quite solid, although the anodizing is not hard, so if you carry it on your keys, it will acquire a "well-worn" finish soon enough.

Runtime is 50 minutes on 10440s -- it runs on NiMH, too, at only slightly reduced brightness (atill much brighter than E01, let alone Solitaire) but I don't use them in it, so not sure on the runtime. Runtime on alkalines is apparently around 150 minutes.

 

[tnforever]

Well, it's something to check. Make sure the retaining ring is tight when you are done.

Anywhere that describes L2D disassemnbly?

 

[Marduke]

Anywhere that describes L2D disassemnbly?

http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/1250/fenixtailbootcapreplacement0vy.jpg

 

[carrot]

all lights with LEDs in the realm of the E01 are bluish. the E01 is better than many others, in fact i dont know of any that are better than it.

The Mako is an AAA light with a superbly white LED (a 5mm Cree, instead of the E01's Nichia). However unless you are willing to spend $120+ on this wonderful custom Ti light like some crazy forumites here the E01 is one of your best bets.

 

[BRO]

You will like the LD01 very much I'm willing to bet. Go for the LD01 and use the forum code when you buy. Save a little money.

 

[22HERTZ]

The E01 really is the perfect EDC except for the disappointing purple tint.

If they fixed that one flaw to a white tint, even if run time had to be sacrificed I would buy several of these great little lights.
As it stands I cant stand the purple hue, and even though it is much less noticeable in real use it IS still noticeable and aggravating.

 

[tnforever]

I just started a new thread asking what I should get for my EDC. I'm so tempted by the LD01...

For the L2D, I just realized in the first sample I received, there's some evidence of it having been used. For one thing, the serial number on the bezel is much less clear than the other one.

For another, I was surprised at how neatly my second sample was packed, compared to my first, with the warranty card and instruction leaflet tucked neatly underneath the provided belt sheath, whereas the first had the cards all strewn about on under the tray. The sheath itself was also packed differently.

The box on both of them were crushed slightly, but the first much more significantly so. And lastly, perhaps most importantly, the threads of the battery tube on the bezel side was already black with residue while the second sample was clean and silver.

I suppose these aren't grounds for returning it... but I'm a bit disappointed, maybe because I had high expectations.

 

[tnforever]

Tried out the E01 in the backyard last night and the purple tint is less noticeable, it provides much more spill than a solitaire, making it actually useful for emergency

 

[jankj]

If you have little money, I suggest you live with the E01 for a while. You'll probably be going to like it more as you use it. Personally, I prefer the photon II on my keychain because it's so much smaller and has a nicer tint, but I have no illusions that the E01 will last much longer than the photon. They're though as nails! And the purple tint does not matter when you use the ligth, you only notice it when you compare it to other lights or go white wall hunting.

The L2D is a really nice light. I use it on turbo when riding my bicycle at dark trails. With fresh LSD nimh it gives me 1-2 hours of good illumination. Not really a thrower, but its large hot spot will fill an area with light out to perhaps 50 meters, depending on conditions (wet, dark mud "eats" much more light than snow, so 30-100 meters is probably a good range estimate). This is plenty good for my kind of bicycling. In traffic I prefer a cheap "blinkie" that spreads more light to the sides. I think the L2D is too focused for a "bee seen" light.

Of course, as an EDC or a general purpose light I hardly go above the low level. In fact, I only have 2 things I could wish were different: 1) the "flash" when you turn it on can be blinding, 2) a much lower low would be useful.