Is This P2DCE Beam Bad Enough to Request Replacement?

[Bob K]

1/60, F2.7 no compensation

I just received my first Fenix P2DCE. I already have a P3DCE and an L0DCE. I like the beam on the P3 and the L0--nice, full hotspot and gradually diminishing spill with no significant dark rings. This P2D, on the other hand, has two voids right in the middle of the hotspot and a significant dark ring around the hotspot. Unfortunately, you can't see the black spots in the middle of the hotspot in this picture. However I can see them during use. Now that I know how a perfect beam is supposed to look, this one distracts me while I'm using it (real life use, not just wall hunting.) I fiddled with the head but saw no change. I guess I just expect a better beam for a $50+ flashlight.

I purchased the light from Lighthound. Is it reasonable to request a replacement or am I being excessive?

 

[kanarie]

try to get it replaced; If not, try to live with it.

 

[cernobila]

This beam is better than on mine, I love my Fenix lights, when I use my lights I dont see any problems....I am not a white wall hunter......no point in wasting money by sending any back as the replacement may not be any better.....I have over 30 flashlights, some of my $150.00 lights have similar beams.....for $50.00 these are great.....

 

[Oddjob]

If it distracts you when you use it then you may end up not using it at all. I say if it bothers you enough to take a beamshot and start a thread, then exchange it.

 

[bondr006]

Looks about the same as the beam on my P3D. I don't see a problem with it.

 

[matrixshaman]

Consider your cost of shipping back with insurance probably. Maybe offer it here for sale with an honest note about the beam. Then buy another. Or return it as I'm sure Lighthound will be good in taking care of you. But no use keeping it if it bothers you. Or even give it to a non-flashaholic friend who will likely think the beam is great as he's used to Mini-mags

 

[yaesumofo]

This is the cost of buying inexpensive (cheap) Asian stuff.
If that was a SureFire we wouldn't even be having this conversation.
I would return it and I would try to make them send me a UPS label to sent it back with.
The dealers on CPF need to have good customer support and service because just a couple of Bad experiences turn into jeers and they absolutely effect business in a negative way.
Your other option is to flog it as is, cheap, to somebody on cpf who doesn't have lots of cash but would like a light even if the beam is defective.
IMHO that is about as good as it will get turning your flashlight lemonade into orange juice.
Sell it off cheap or give it to a deserving person. Then go buy a surefire.
Yaesumofo

 

[geepondy]

I don't like it either which is why I'm seriously considering a Seoul light over a Cree. I think it's a legitimate complaint. However, will any any of the Fenix-store orange peel reflectors fit the P2DCE? That would most likely cure the problem although at the expense of a less intense hotspot.

 

[x2x3x2]

Personally i don't think it's fair to knock and label it as a cheap asian light.

Firstly, weather it's cheap or not is relative to the buyer.
Secondly, I don't think quality should be tied to the place it was made, especially according to misconcieved and outdated stereotypes.

Consider the MagLites which also have certain beam artifacts, and how about the SureFire $300 U2 with it's common donut holes, does SureFire replace U2's with donut holes?

Anyway, to me, the beams on either Fenixes, MagLites or SureFires are all usable for their intended purposes and use. Then again, I'm not a white wall hunter.
Most of my XR-E based Fenix lights have similar beam profiles to yours.

Btw, could u post the beamshot of your P3D vs your P2D?

 

[FlashCrazy]

This is the cost of buying inexpensive (cheap) Asian stuff.
If that was a SureFire we wouldn't even be having this conversation...
Sell it off cheap or give it to a deserving person. Then go buy a surefire.
Yaesumofo

Bob: "My Ford Escort feels like it has a wheel that's out of balance...should I take it in to the shop to see if they can fix it?"

John: "That's what you get for buying cheap cars...you should have bought a Lexus, then we wouldn't be having this discussion. I'd sell it off cheap and go buy a Lexus."

Not so sure about the logic here...lol.

 

[Norm]

+1 for X2X3X2's comments
Norm

 

[bondr006]

This is the cost of buying inexpensive (cheap) Asian stuff.
If that was a SureFire we wouldn't even be having this conversation.
I would return it and I would try to make them send me a UPS label to sent it back with.
The dealers on CPF need to have good customer support and service because just a couple of Bad experiences turn into jeers and they absolutely effect business in a negative way.
Your other option is to flog it as is, cheap, to somebody on cpf who doesn't have lots of cash but would like a light even if the beam is defective.
IMHO that is about as good as it will get turning your flashlight lemonade into orange juice.
Sell it off cheap or give it to a deserving person. Then go buy a surefire.
Yaesumofo

I totally disagree with your knock on Asian manufacturing. It doesn't have to be Asian to be cheap and inferior. You can find that in any market. Some of the very best quality manufacturing comes from the Asian market. I also collect expensive high powered lasers, and guess where the best laser technology comes from....Asia. You can step off your almighty surefire high horse now and come down and join the rest of us air breathers. Your comments are uncalled for.

 

[Art Vandelay]

Sometimes it's hard to capture less than obvious problems in beam shots. Based on the photo it does not look bad. If I saw it in person, my opinion might change. What's important it how you feel about how it looks in real life.

I don't know if you are familiar with Cree LED lights. If you search CPF for "Cree ring" you will find lots of information. It has been discussed to death here at CPF. The Cree has become wildly popular as people have judged the Cree LEDs positives and negatives.

You are lucky you got a Fenix, and you are twice as lucky you got it from Lighthound.com. Both are known for great customer service.

Take a look at this thread. http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=159401 Basically, it's a recent tread by people unhappy with the Surefire warranty.

Most of the time if I make a post about Surefire it's positive. You can search that if you want. My second favorite light is my Surefire L4 with a McGizmo 2 stage tail cap, and my Fenix P1D-CE is just a little further down the list.

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

I have a Streamlight Tasklight 3AA that got modded with a Cree. It has a lightly orange peal reflector and has an ICKY beam. But the spot in the middle of it all is BRIGHT!

I can't easily try any other reflector. So I live with it.

 

[Bob K]

Thanks for the opinions. It sounds like the beam quality on my P2DCE is within the acceptable range experienced by others. I think I'll hang onto it and just learn not to look for the little flaws.

 

[litho123]

From what I've seen, the dark ring around the hotspot is typical of most cree based lights.

The Fenix-Store offers an OP reflector which I've been using
OR
you can experiment with diffusion gel to see if you'll be happy with the beam.

The nice thing is that you can try the sheets before permanently installing into the light. All it takes is disassembling the head and inserting the sheet(s) between the lens-n-reflector.

I have an assortment (3 different sheets) which will give you varying amounts of diffusion to help blend away the dark ring.

PM me if interested. I have a whole pile of extra 2"x2" sheets.

 

[cernobila]

Thanks for the opinions. It sounds like the beam quality on my P2DCE is within the acceptable range experienced by others. I think I'll hang onto it and just learn not to look for the little flaws.

Way to go my fellow CPF'r, you have just made the first step in being a real flashlight user/collector and on the way to being wise and thoughtful. Every question/answer here will catapult you into greater knowledge of our most important "sense"......light, sight and vision, that is.

 

[PhantomPhoton]

In my opinion, because I could immediately see the asymetrical shape of the beam in the thumbnail, I'd say yes. That said The current models of Fenix are known for having that dreaded ring, which is why I have yet to buy a CE Fenix.
I personally love my TRIOS Inova T3 though many loathe the 'rings of Saturn" It's all up to your preference. Many here seem to accept the dark ring of the Fenix. So to each his own. But if you're asking here, you probibly aren't satisfied. If it is worth the return postage... and worth the gamble that you likely won't get much improvement send it back.

On to other things... I have a new Surefire L2 with the most tremendous doughnut I've seen since I played with a maglite. Just because it is a surefire doesn't mean that it has a flawless beam. :shakehead

 

[Thujone]

Fix it! All you have to do is refocus the head. Use a couple rubber bands to enhance your grip and loosen the two parts of the head until the beam is acceptable. This only takes moments and made perfectly acceptable beams on the 3 I have come in contact with.

 

[bondr006]

Fix it! All you have to do is refocus the head. Use a couple rubber bands to enhance your grip and loosen the two parts of the head until the beam is acceptable. This only takes moments and made perfectly acceptable beams on the 3 I have come in contact with.

Should this work on the P3D head also? I am twisting with all my might and it just wont budge. I would like to get it open to just clean it and play around with fine tuning the focus.