Just got my three P3Ds, very quick observations on one sample

[who]

Thank you 4sevens for the great service.


Just got my three P3Ds, very quick observations on one sample before going to work, again.
By the way, my official retirement date will be next Monday, April 30.

The bottom line: it is not as bright as expected but is the MOST versatile Fenix head so far.


The good:
It is one of the smallest 2-CR123 lights, shorter than the X5, L4, X0…
Brighter than L2D, P2D, L1D with 14500, but not much
Very white (a surprise for me here)

Fenix hardware compatibility:
Head: fits on L1D, L2D, P2D bodies


Body: L1D, L2D, P2D heads fit and work with 17670 (be careful here with the rest of the battery options. They will burn the LED)

Tail: identical to P2D

Battery compatibility:
2 CR123 – all modes work
2 RCR123 - all modes work
1 unprotected 17670 - all modes work (had to take the wrapper off to fit)
1 14500 – all modes work in L1D body
2 14500 - all modes work in L2D body
2 Ni-MH – barely lights up

The 17670 was measured at 4.10V. The 14500 was 4V.

One 14500 at 3.86V in the L1D body will trigger the low battery warning mode, a very high flashing rate, which could be useful in some tactical situations. The regular strobe mode works. All other modes work fine with 3.86V.

The unknown:
My over-achieved L4 is brighter than the P3D. I do not know why.



I did all this in 20 minutes, have to go now.

Overall, great light. The Fenix lego is working fine.

 

[luchs]

thank you very much for the fast n short review.

I like the version with L2D body and 2x14500!!!

 

[who]

Some update on rechargeable batteries and the Fenix P3D head:
Using my small sample set, all single-cell rechargeable batteries (RCR123, 14500, 17670) that could be used with the P3D head and various Fenix bodies (L1D, L2D, P2D) will start to flicker around 3.7-3.8V in the Turbo mode. The P3D head will work perfectly in the remaining 5 modes (strobe, low, medium, high, SOS) after that. I am pretty sure that it will do that until reaching 3V. I know that 3V would not work as I did try a CR123 in a P2D body.

The P3D looks like ~ 130 lumens OTF (out the front) to my eyes, which is not bad.

 

[frosty]

Very interesting to see that all levels work with 2 RCR123's. I thought this wasn't the case.

 

[who]

Very interesting to see that all levels work with 2 RCR123's. I thought this wasn't the case.

It should work as I tried that combination as described in the initial post. 2 RCR123's should not be allowed to drop to 3.7-3.8V combined (1.85V each).