Nocturnicus
Newly Enlightened
Got my P3D-CE in the mail yesterday – three days from Lighthound in Texas to Connecticut – free shipping, no less. I'd gladly order from them again. I'm not much of a flashlight collector; my only "serious" lights are my Electrolumens Tri-Star Phazer and a 1-CR23 Lux 1 "Nextech". That doesn't give me much in the way of equivalent lights to compare the Fenix to, but still, I can't resist some random comments.
First, the brightness is absolutely incredible! I took a walk in the dark last night, my typical use for my lights, and brought both the Fenix and my TSP, my usual walking light, along. I know it doesn't sound like a fair comparison, the little Fenix vs. the four-C three-Lux III TSP, but I was totally stunned when the Fenix held its own. No, the Fenix can't quite equal the 240 lumens of the TSP, but the difference to my eyes wasn't that dramatic. It was funny, really, walking along with this big black monster in one hand, and the little Fenix, not much bigger than a large crayon in the other, almost equaling the TSP. And I found the lowest level, the 9 lumen setting, quite suitable for seeing most things I need to see at close range. If was so dark, though it rarely happens, that I couldn't walk without the light on constantly, I could use that 9 lumen setting comfortably.
Ok, a few minor nit-picks: I like the looks of the light with the black HA finish, but it felt a bit slippery to me – causing me to worry about dropping it. Some additional knurling on the body might be nice. And I was rather disappointed that those flats in the tube are recessed so that they can't prevent the light from rolling when laid on a not-quite flat surface. The tail clickie worked reliably, but with it being so small, and recessed into the tail cap the way it is (I know, it's to allow the light to tail-stand, and to keep the button from being accidentally pressed) I found it just a bit difficult to press with my thumb. And my hands are quite small – someone with big hammy thumbs would probably have a tough time. And the sequence of clicky actuations – my personal preference would be to be able to go directly from the lowest, 9 lumen, setting right to the maximum 160 lumens with just a click. Just a minor nit about the belt holster: I wish it had a Velcro flap over the top, to preclude the possibility of the light popping out while running or climbing or whatever. It's been my experience that holsters like this tend to stretch and wear over time and loosen their grip on the light.
Overall, I absolutely love that little light, and I'd recommend it to anyone. My TSP will still be my favorite walking light, but I'll probably EDC the Fenix, and it will certainly come along when I take very long walks which start off in the daytime but might not have me home by dark.
First, the brightness is absolutely incredible! I took a walk in the dark last night, my typical use for my lights, and brought both the Fenix and my TSP, my usual walking light, along. I know it doesn't sound like a fair comparison, the little Fenix vs. the four-C three-Lux III TSP, but I was totally stunned when the Fenix held its own. No, the Fenix can't quite equal the 240 lumens of the TSP, but the difference to my eyes wasn't that dramatic. It was funny, really, walking along with this big black monster in one hand, and the little Fenix, not much bigger than a large crayon in the other, almost equaling the TSP. And I found the lowest level, the 9 lumen setting, quite suitable for seeing most things I need to see at close range. If was so dark, though it rarely happens, that I couldn't walk without the light on constantly, I could use that 9 lumen setting comfortably.
Ok, a few minor nit-picks: I like the looks of the light with the black HA finish, but it felt a bit slippery to me – causing me to worry about dropping it. Some additional knurling on the body might be nice. And I was rather disappointed that those flats in the tube are recessed so that they can't prevent the light from rolling when laid on a not-quite flat surface. The tail clickie worked reliably, but with it being so small, and recessed into the tail cap the way it is (I know, it's to allow the light to tail-stand, and to keep the button from being accidentally pressed) I found it just a bit difficult to press with my thumb. And my hands are quite small – someone with big hammy thumbs would probably have a tough time. And the sequence of clicky actuations – my personal preference would be to be able to go directly from the lowest, 9 lumen, setting right to the maximum 160 lumens with just a click. Just a minor nit about the belt holster: I wish it had a Velcro flap over the top, to preclude the possibility of the light popping out while running or climbing or whatever. It's been my experience that holsters like this tend to stretch and wear over time and loosen their grip on the light.
Overall, I absolutely love that little light, and I'd recommend it to anyone. My TSP will still be my favorite walking light, but I'll probably EDC the Fenix, and it will certainly come along when I take very long walks which start off in the daytime but might not have me home by dark.
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