medicmerlynn
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Nov 6, 2007
- Messages
- 111
hey guys... i know i've been spamming the forum lately about whether to get the Q5 or RB100... and as the title says, i chose the Q5.
i didn't have first hand experience with either light, just what the forums and what the fenixstore guys said. i took pictures of everything i got with the purchase and i'll post them later. i just want to get a first impression post up right now. anyway, the box looks like everything else you've seen on the net. big surprise there. it also comes with a lanyard, which i immediately put on the light, a looped holder, 2 extra o rings and an extra endcap.
simple basic looking light like everything i've seen on the net as far as fenix goes. the cool thing about this is that the light is RIDICULOUSLY small... compared to what i was expecting. it is almost exactly the same size as the 5/8" heater hose i used to mod the mag 2c. the light feels a bit slick to the touch, and i figured it would. that's why i put the lanyard on straight out of the box. i prefer black... just because i do and that's the color i chose. i feel like i can easily lose this light just because of the size. and i actually think this is supposed to be one of the larger lights by fenix... (which is extremely impressive) ...
the endcap is smooth to loosen, no hinges or anything, but i need to work in the grease to make it yet smoother. what i would call the 'head' of the light has only about a 1/4" of knurling, which is only cut in a single direction, where the endcap has the checkered style i prefer.
i would like to see crosscut hashes to provide better knurling to be honest, but this is a preference thing and i'm trying to give the truest review i can. the rest of the body is very smooth but i am 'thinking' about adding rubber to make the grip better. or maybe double sided tape and some heat shrink. just to customize it anyway. as i said about the lanyard, it seems to be a decently made lanyard, just like the others i've seen for other lights and accessories (my sony dsc t1 camera has one almost identical) and is definitely large enough to fit even the largest hands.
the end cap is slightly subdued so it is less than flush with the body so it can stand up, but the light is so tiny anyway it can't be even touched with a feather or it would tip over (again, not a stab, actually a plug for the size of this light).
i bought the aw123 3.7v recharge batts for the light and the quick charger so i can take this thing anywhere i go and i'll review the batts and the charger in a bit. i initially plugged in 2 surefire cr123s in the light to see how it would take them. i also didn't know how the head turned to differ the light output. so i plugged in the batteries and light came on. a decently bright light. it was in the turbo mode and i turned the head for the normal.
i tested function and then i replaced the cr123s with the recharge aw123s. i turned on the low mode and saw a faint little bluish light come from the light. i was neither astounded nor disappointed with the amount of light because i didn't know what to expect. but seriously, this is a 'low' level on a light that is rated for up to 215 lumens.
i played around a bit further with the endcap to change between settings... and mind you, it takes about 20 seconds to train your thumb to know the difference in pressures to change; a breeze with no complaint here. i then clicked to the medium mode and was actually impressed with the amount of light i saw. the light is still a little bluish but the level of light is actually very impressive. the medium level isn't the slightest bit overpowering and is very easily to manage, at least in my house at 11:30 in the am. the beam definitely illuminates it target quite well. next comes the high level. even more light and even a better spill. the high mode is definitely bright, but since it isn't 'dark' outside, i don't know how it performs outside. i do know that i won't have any trouble seeing what i need to when it is on high. next i came to the s.o.s. and just thought it was neat. nothing to comment on here except the fact that it works. next is the turbo mode. with a turn of the head we kick the light into high power.
the light coming from the turbo mode is yet still a bluer light, to my eyes anyway (but i usually prefer incandescent anyway). there is a noticeable difference between the turbo mode and the high mode, but on the same token, they are relatively close to lighting the same 'field of view' so to say i guess.
there is definitely a noticeable 'oomph' to the turbo. again, since it isn't night time yet, i can't really comment on how it works other than what i'm doing. the next setting is the strobe mode. this is probably the best and coolest mode on the light. the strobe is ridiculously fast and ridiculously blinding. after playing with the strobe for about a minute, i began to see other images i was trying to not look at. this HAS to be on the irritating side of things at night and will be awesome in tactical situations.
ok, now to the beams again. the low beem seems a little sickly, but it 'is' intended for low light applications and emergency use, so i'll leave it alone. the next beam is the medium beam and this one is a delight. i'm actually very pleased with the output of the medium setting and the color isn't that bad either. then is high output which is definitely bright enough to make itself known. the color becomes even more true. the turbo mode has a bit of a blue hue to it, but it might just be my eyes and i'll comment on this as the light gets broken in. i will compare my other lights to this one later on today but i just wanted to get a first look at the light.
i HAVE to say this, regardless of the color of the light output (as i said i prefer incan) this light is EASILY the absolute smallest yet most versatile light i have ever used... ever. and i have only had it for about 2 hours now. this light will be able to fit in almost any pocket and you shouldn't have to worry about it falling out. the light is not cumbersome in anyway, but it is a bit slick as we know and i've ideas on how to fix this... more to come.
overall, as an initial impression and a first review of a light, i think i pretty much ruined myself on all other leds. i didn't know what to expect coming into the led realm and jumping right in the with the 'cream of the crop' pretty much set the standard. although i 'might' prefer the color of a rb100 or other led that more closely resembles incandescent, i honestly don't think i'll be able to find the brightness or the power that i have in my Q5.
this light almost defies reality in it size, weight, function, and style. this is easily a new favorite flashlight, but i will be honest. i will tend to 'baby' this light, even thought i probably don't have to, but it did cost a decent amount of money. oh, and i'm trying fenix out because i am getting ideas for my dad for Christmas. more to come on this review. i know this was a bit long and not organized in anyway but i just wanted to get my ideas down as i experienced the Q5. thank you for reading the review and please comment on how i can organize these to make them more enjoyable. thx again!!
i didn't have first hand experience with either light, just what the forums and what the fenixstore guys said. i took pictures of everything i got with the purchase and i'll post them later. i just want to get a first impression post up right now. anyway, the box looks like everything else you've seen on the net. big surprise there. it also comes with a lanyard, which i immediately put on the light, a looped holder, 2 extra o rings and an extra endcap.
simple basic looking light like everything i've seen on the net as far as fenix goes. the cool thing about this is that the light is RIDICULOUSLY small... compared to what i was expecting. it is almost exactly the same size as the 5/8" heater hose i used to mod the mag 2c. the light feels a bit slick to the touch, and i figured it would. that's why i put the lanyard on straight out of the box. i prefer black... just because i do and that's the color i chose. i feel like i can easily lose this light just because of the size. and i actually think this is supposed to be one of the larger lights by fenix... (which is extremely impressive) ...
the endcap is smooth to loosen, no hinges or anything, but i need to work in the grease to make it yet smoother. what i would call the 'head' of the light has only about a 1/4" of knurling, which is only cut in a single direction, where the endcap has the checkered style i prefer.
i would like to see crosscut hashes to provide better knurling to be honest, but this is a preference thing and i'm trying to give the truest review i can. the rest of the body is very smooth but i am 'thinking' about adding rubber to make the grip better. or maybe double sided tape and some heat shrink. just to customize it anyway. as i said about the lanyard, it seems to be a decently made lanyard, just like the others i've seen for other lights and accessories (my sony dsc t1 camera has one almost identical) and is definitely large enough to fit even the largest hands.
the end cap is slightly subdued so it is less than flush with the body so it can stand up, but the light is so tiny anyway it can't be even touched with a feather or it would tip over (again, not a stab, actually a plug for the size of this light).
i bought the aw123 3.7v recharge batts for the light and the quick charger so i can take this thing anywhere i go and i'll review the batts and the charger in a bit. i initially plugged in 2 surefire cr123s in the light to see how it would take them. i also didn't know how the head turned to differ the light output. so i plugged in the batteries and light came on. a decently bright light. it was in the turbo mode and i turned the head for the normal.
i tested function and then i replaced the cr123s with the recharge aw123s. i turned on the low mode and saw a faint little bluish light come from the light. i was neither astounded nor disappointed with the amount of light because i didn't know what to expect. but seriously, this is a 'low' level on a light that is rated for up to 215 lumens.
i played around a bit further with the endcap to change between settings... and mind you, it takes about 20 seconds to train your thumb to know the difference in pressures to change; a breeze with no complaint here. i then clicked to the medium mode and was actually impressed with the amount of light i saw. the light is still a little bluish but the level of light is actually very impressive. the medium level isn't the slightest bit overpowering and is very easily to manage, at least in my house at 11:30 in the am. the beam definitely illuminates it target quite well. next comes the high level. even more light and even a better spill. the high mode is definitely bright, but since it isn't 'dark' outside, i don't know how it performs outside. i do know that i won't have any trouble seeing what i need to when it is on high. next i came to the s.o.s. and just thought it was neat. nothing to comment on here except the fact that it works. next is the turbo mode. with a turn of the head we kick the light into high power.
the light coming from the turbo mode is yet still a bluer light, to my eyes anyway (but i usually prefer incandescent anyway). there is a noticeable difference between the turbo mode and the high mode, but on the same token, they are relatively close to lighting the same 'field of view' so to say i guess.
there is definitely a noticeable 'oomph' to the turbo. again, since it isn't night time yet, i can't really comment on how it works other than what i'm doing. the next setting is the strobe mode. this is probably the best and coolest mode on the light. the strobe is ridiculously fast and ridiculously blinding. after playing with the strobe for about a minute, i began to see other images i was trying to not look at. this HAS to be on the irritating side of things at night and will be awesome in tactical situations.
ok, now to the beams again. the low beem seems a little sickly, but it 'is' intended for low light applications and emergency use, so i'll leave it alone. the next beam is the medium beam and this one is a delight. i'm actually very pleased with the output of the medium setting and the color isn't that bad either. then is high output which is definitely bright enough to make itself known. the color becomes even more true. the turbo mode has a bit of a blue hue to it, but it might just be my eyes and i'll comment on this as the light gets broken in. i will compare my other lights to this one later on today but i just wanted to get a first look at the light.
i HAVE to say this, regardless of the color of the light output (as i said i prefer incan) this light is EASILY the absolute smallest yet most versatile light i have ever used... ever. and i have only had it for about 2 hours now. this light will be able to fit in almost any pocket and you shouldn't have to worry about it falling out. the light is not cumbersome in anyway, but it is a bit slick as we know and i've ideas on how to fix this... more to come.
overall, as an initial impression and a first review of a light, i think i pretty much ruined myself on all other leds. i didn't know what to expect coming into the led realm and jumping right in the with the 'cream of the crop' pretty much set the standard. although i 'might' prefer the color of a rb100 or other led that more closely resembles incandescent, i honestly don't think i'll be able to find the brightness or the power that i have in my Q5.
this light almost defies reality in it size, weight, function, and style. this is easily a new favorite flashlight, but i will be honest. i will tend to 'baby' this light, even thought i probably don't have to, but it did cost a decent amount of money. oh, and i'm trying fenix out because i am getting ideas for my dad for Christmas. more to come on this review. i know this was a bit long and not organized in anyway but i just wanted to get my ideas down as i experienced the Q5. thank you for reading the review and please comment on how i can organize these to make them more enjoyable. thx again!!
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