This has probably been discussed, but I may have a different question to add. I would like to know which of these are better quality, or if they are both of good quality. I would like to know how much difference there is in size between a AA size Fenix and an Orb Raw. I would like to know if the Orb Wee is still available (or anything other than the Raw for that matter). Thanks in advance for any info!!!
Orb vs. Fenix
- Thread starter mattz357
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The Orb is closer to a custom light while the Fenix is a mass produced light. Quality would have to go to the Orb although I've been pleased with every one of my four Fenix lights.
The Orb Raw is significantly 30%-50% smaller than the Fenix AA lights.
The Orb Raw is a RCR2 sized light. The Orb Ns is a smaller 14250 li-ion sized light, but just as bright as it's slightly larger brother the Raw.
The Orb Raw can use off-the-shelf lithium batteries, or RCR2 rechargeable 350mah li-ion batteries
The Orb Ns can only use 14250 300mah li-ion batteries, but again is smaller.
Orb and Fenix are very different lights in many ways. Fenix is very utilitarian, while the Orb is kinda like pocket jewelery while still maintaining its usefulness as a hard working tool if nec. Many people like to keep their Orbs in pristine condition because they look so pretty, while Fenix users are generally not overly protective of their lights. I usually work my LODCEs pretty hard, while I tend to baby my Orb Ns a bit. The Fenix AA lights will all have longer run times than the Orbs.
Hope than helps some.
If you need pictures I can post some if you're not in a rush....
The Orb Raw is significantly 30%-50% smaller than the Fenix AA lights.
The Orb Raw is a RCR2 sized light. The Orb Ns is a smaller 14250 li-ion sized light, but just as bright as it's slightly larger brother the Raw.
The Orb Raw can use off-the-shelf lithium batteries, or RCR2 rechargeable 350mah li-ion batteries
The Orb Ns can only use 14250 300mah li-ion batteries, but again is smaller.
Orb and Fenix are very different lights in many ways. Fenix is very utilitarian, while the Orb is kinda like pocket jewelery while still maintaining its usefulness as a hard working tool if nec. Many people like to keep their Orbs in pristine condition because they look so pretty, while Fenix users are generally not overly protective of their lights. I usually work my LODCEs pretty hard, while I tend to baby my Orb Ns a bit. The Fenix AA lights will all have longer run times than the Orbs.
Hope than helps some.
If you need pictures I can post some if you're not in a rush....
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jrv
Newly Enlightened
I agree with Patriot36: Orb and Fenix are for entirely different purposes even if the size seems similar. Think: the Orb goes with your formal dinner outfit and the Fenix goes with your bluejeans
It terms of "quality" it's hard to say, other than that the Orb is more likely to have been individually tested due to it being semi-custom (presumably hand-built).
The Wee is something else altogether and has no Fenix analog (the Wee will fit entire into the battery compartment of a Fenix CR123 light!). The Wee also uses a 10180 battery which is uncommon and difficult to charge correctly without an RC charger.
You might list your goals to make it easier for others to evaluate. Both are good lights in their respective uses but they are quite different in nature.
I just bought the Raw and the Wee.
I'll be buying another Wee (a 50 lm this time) and an NS.
I cannot bring myself to keychain even the Wee, though that's why I bought it. I will say, IMO, buy the Raw. It's not bright (by today's standards) using the CR2 battery, but you have the option of the RCR2. With the RCR2, it's brighter, throws better, etc, than even my Novatac 120. HIGHLY recommended. Like I said, Rob will be getting 2 more purchases from me in the next 2-3 months. Orbs are awesome.
That said, my Fenix P1 died, it started getting hotter and hotter for shorter periods of run time. One night I was fertilizing the yard and within 5 minutes I could hardly hold it. It died shortly there after. But I'm one person...most folks have good luck with Fenix. That said...you will NOT regret an Orb....only I think the normal Orb isn't water resistant even...could be wrong on that one.
I can't say enough about how cool my Lummi's are....If I had to do it all over again, I'd keep my L5 Surefire, my U60 GT HDS, buy the Orb Raw/Raw NS/ and Wee and be done with it. Then instead of the Novatac, I'd wait on Henry's new light. All other lights, save my Pierce M10i (which I cannot seem to figure out a good carry method for), will be given to my parents, sister, or brother-in-law.
Hopefully, that answers your questions...or confuses you more.
I'll be buying another Wee (a 50 lm this time) and an NS.
I cannot bring myself to keychain even the Wee, though that's why I bought it. I will say, IMO, buy the Raw. It's not bright (by today's standards) using the CR2 battery, but you have the option of the RCR2. With the RCR2, it's brighter, throws better, etc, than even my Novatac 120. HIGHLY recommended. Like I said, Rob will be getting 2 more purchases from me in the next 2-3 months. Orbs are awesome.
That said, my Fenix P1 died, it started getting hotter and hotter for shorter periods of run time. One night I was fertilizing the yard and within 5 minutes I could hardly hold it. It died shortly there after. But I'm one person...most folks have good luck with Fenix. That said...you will NOT regret an Orb....only I think the normal Orb isn't water resistant even...could be wrong on that one.
I can't say enough about how cool my Lummi's are....If I had to do it all over again, I'd keep my L5 Surefire, my U60 GT HDS, buy the Orb Raw/Raw NS/ and Wee and be done with it. Then instead of the Novatac, I'd wait on Henry's new light. All other lights, save my Pierce M10i (which I cannot seem to figure out a good carry method for), will be given to my parents, sister, or brother-in-law.
Hopefully, that answers your questions...or confuses you more
.My intended purpose is to get a light that is well made, but it will mostly be for novelty purposes. I have lots of flashlights that I grab when I need to light something up (usually a Maglite or something, I apologize in advance to any Maglite haters), but I want a nice/"neat" little light. I am normally only interested in AA lights because of the availability and cost of batteries, but since the Orb comes with a battery and charger and seems to be so well made (and "neat") I'm considering them. That having been said, I guess I'm interested in any recommendations for single AA or other small lights.
As far as the Orb goes, I thought the raw and the NS were the same thing but that the NS was made from nickel-silver. Is this not correct? I'm also not familiar with the different batteries that were mentioned. I guess if the Wee takes such a specialized battery it is probably out of the running, but I am very interested in the info on the raw/other batteries. Any pictures are greatly appreciated! Thanks!
As far as the Orb goes, I thought the raw and the NS were the same thing but that the NS was made from nickel-silver. Is this not correct? I'm also not familiar with the different batteries that were mentioned. I guess if the Wee takes such a specialized battery it is probably out of the running, but I am very interested in the info on the raw/other batteries. Any pictures are greatly appreciated! Thanks!
"Braniac" here lost his Canon DC last year or I would take some pics. If you're looking for novelty...Orb for sure...but it's not a novelty item...it has to be right up there as to one of the finest made things I own. Like I said, I opted for the Orb Raw, not the Raw NS since I wanted the ability to have a CR2 battery and some outrageous run time. If you want a blaster..just get the Raw NS. I like flexibility, hence my Raw...but I'll have the Raw NS in the near future.
So the Raw and Raw NS are more than just different metals? If you read the Orb website description of the Raw contradicts itself a bit...in the description is says 40/10 lumens, then below there is a drop down menu for three choices (none of which include 40/10). Also, it says it runs on CR2 batteries, but it comes with an RCR2 battery and charger. What is the difference between those two batteries, and which does it come with and use? Thanks!
Not to try to speak for Rob, but here's what I got, an Orb Raw CR2. It produces 40lm on high, and roughly 10 lm on low with a conventional everyday $5.00 a shot at Target CR2 battery (I just had to have one NOW...so I bent over for it, but you can get them cheaper). That said, this same torch can use an RCR2 which has 3.6V (and possibly 4.2V to my understanding) and produces a whopping 120+ lm on high and 15lm on low. It's perfect in my opinion...for whatever that's worth. Since the Orb is aluminum....it's light as a feather too. No heavy head on it or anything like the Fenix P1...it's much "lighter." Ha ha...
What you give up with the RCR2 is the long run time. The runtime of the standard CR2 is unreal! I don't have runtime plots since I don't have equipment for that so I don't know how fast it dies off, but I bet some research here would show it.
What you give up with the RCR2 is the long run time. The runtime of the standard CR2 is unreal! I don't have runtime plots since I don't have equipment for that so I don't know how fast it dies off, but I bet some research here would show it.
BSCOTT1504
Enlightened
The 40/10 version of the Raw uses a Luxeon LED. The 120 version uses a Cree XRE! The 40/10 version is less expensive and can use CR2's or rechargeables. The Cree version only uses rechargeables. The Lummi web site is a little confusing in that respect. You can e-mail Rob with questions and he will get back to you soon. Good guy and good company to deal with!
jrv
Newly Enlightened
Raw NS uses a Nickel-Silver alloy and is harder and more scratch resistant than Raw's Aluminum. Raw comes standard with a Cree emitter whereas this is an optional upgrade on Raw NS. Raw NS is smaller than Raw.
Raw an use either a CR2 or RCR2 (rechargeable CR2) battery. The voltages are slightly different but Raw can handle either.
Raw NS uses a 14250 rechargeable battery, which is 1/2 AA size. Same chemistry at RCR2 but physically smaller with 300 mAh instead of 350 mAh capacity. Neither fit into any charger as is but he includes spacers as shown on the Raw NS page so they can be charged in an RCR123 charger.
Note that Raw's RCR2 is supplied and available as a protected cell whereas I know of no protected 14250 cells. If you go with Raw NS you need to read and take to heart articles on the hazards of unprotected Li-ion cells and not over-discharge them.
Raw an use either a CR2 or RCR2 (rechargeable CR2) battery. The voltages are slightly different but Raw can handle either.
Raw NS uses a 14250 rechargeable battery, which is 1/2 AA size. Same chemistry at RCR2 but physically smaller with 300 mAh instead of 350 mAh capacity. Neither fit into any charger as is but he includes spacers as shown on the Raw NS page so they can be charged in an RCR123 charger.
Note that Raw's RCR2 is supplied and available as a protected cell whereas I know of no protected 14250 cells. If you go with Raw NS you need to read and take to heart articles on the hazards of unprotected Li-ion cells and not over-discharge them.
Mattz, since you're looking for something special I think you'll be happy with any of the Orbs. The Ns feels a little more specialized to be because of the battery size. Of course it's smaller and made of nice metal too which adds to it character. I dont think you can go wrong with any of them though.
Curious_character
Flashlight Enthusiast
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2006
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"Nickel silver" is actually an alloy of nickel and copper, and sometimes zinc. It doesn't contain any silver. See for example http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickel_silver.
As a pleased owner of an Orb Raw NS and several Fenix lights, I agree with just about everything the other posters have said. The Fenix lights are good-quality workhorses, the Orb is a work of art which is also functional. The Fenix is a mass produced Toyota; the Orb is a hand made Bentley.
c_c
