Other quality brands?

[THEPATRIOT]

I'm new to the "QUALITY" flashlights.I've only had cheapies until now.I LOVE Surefires,and hear Fenix are a close second (or just as good!)What other brands are of high quality and looked upon as good asSurefire/Fenix?And HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

[Flying Turtle]

If you consider Fenix (I do, too) as a quality brand then there are many other brands in the same price class that also qualify. You generally get what you pay for in flashlights, with occasional exceptions. If you haven't yet, check out some of the reviews here to make informed comparisons. There are many good lights available, so if you see one and can't find much info, just ask away.

Geoff

 

[Kiessling]

hear Fenix are a close second (or just as good!)

Not even near a close second. While it is true that you hear that often around these halls, there is no substance to this statement. Fenix are quality lights, I buy some, too, btw, but they are not in the same league as SF.

Other very high quality brands can include:

RA
HDS
Arc
Photonlights for what they are
JIL I think, too
... and more.

Like Geoff said, if Fenix qualifies as a quality brand then there are many more of the same category. You can really have fun there without spending a fortune on a light.

Those options are relatively new and are a huge benefit for the flashlight community IMHO, it is just difficult to filter the good ones through all that noise of cheap rubbish. Fenix, being the first of the new brands, is certainyl a good brand overall.

bernie

 

[THEPATRIOT]

Not even near a close second. While it is true that you hear that often around these halls, there is no substance to this statement. Fenix are quality lights, I buy some, too, btw, but they are not in the same league as SF.

Other very high quality brands can include:

RA
HDS
Arc
Photonlights for what they are
JIL I think, too
... and more.

Like Geoff said, if Fenix qualifies as a quality brand then there are many more of the same category. You can really have fun there without spending a fortune on a light.

Those options are relatively new and are a huge benefit for the flashlight community IMHO, it is just difficult to filter the good ones through all that noise of cheap rubbish. Fenix, being the first of the new brands, is certainyl a good brand overall.

bernie

So,the Fenix light's can't hold a candle to S.F?(pun intended!)I've read on other sites they were comparible too that's why i assumed they were.Can any of the other good brands be purchased in stores,or are they online dealers?

 

[Jake.t]

maglite???

 

[Marduke]

So,the Fenix light's can't hold a candle to S.F?(pun intended!)I've read on other sites they were comparible too that's why i assumed they were.Can any of the other good brands be purchased in stores,or are they online dealers?

You'll find there are a bunch of fanboys on either side. One will tell you Fenix (and anything else Chinese) is complete junk. One will tell you the other brands mentioned (Fenix, Olight, NiteCore, JetBeam, etc) are much more light for your money and can keep up with anyone else for 1/2 the cost. If you want to see what I mean, just Google Search "fenix vs surefire" and have a good read.

Best thing you can do is ignore anyone who is completely pro one and anti the other, buy a few of each, and decide for yourself.

 

[Kiessling]

They can hold any candle as they are at least as bright as SF
But in build quality, design quality and ergonomics they fall short. And they bestter do as SF costs a lot more $$ than Fenix.

I am German ... so no lights in stores for me :green: ... all online. Can't help you there, sorry.

One brand that gets a lot of good talk is the RA brand of Henry. If you are interested in very high quality lights without wanting to go custom, check those out.

bernie

 

[parnass]

INOVA makes some good LED flashlights, especially the tactical "T" series. You can find non-tactical INOVA lights at Target.

Find the firearms stores and shooting ranges in your area. They sell some better quality lights.

 

[american lockpicker]

maglite???

Maglites are well built they're just under powered a bit.

 

[kts]

They can hold any candle as they are at least as bright as SF

You mean at least double as bright as SF :laughing:

Surefire 6PL 80 lumens

Fenix TK10 225 lumens

BTW. I hear Surefire got the highest switch failure rate of any brand, maybe they should include 5 extra switches with their lights
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=187078&highlight=switch+failure

 

[mossyoak]

ra lights are engineering marvels.


Let the thread lock countdown begin

 

[Kiessling]

This is exactly the CPF problem. SF has the highest switch failure rate, determined by n=29 voters. It's the truth. I buy it.

Another thing is ... no one can defy the laws of physics. All use the same LEDs and batteries, and you either get more light or more runtime. It is not difficult pumping more juice through a LED. It is not a characteristic of quality. Quality is the rest.

That said ... you want the brightest LED light, you don't go SF these days.

The selection of "brightest" lights is huge, if that's what you're after. The deciding factor then is the interface. I think it is the interface that is the most important point about a light, and there are huge differences between the brands, regardless of other factors.

bernie

 

[Armed_Forces]

Excellent post Bernie,
You've illustrated an excellent point, how do you define something like "quality" and "best"?
Left open ended they are purely subjective.
Without qualifiers those terms are nearly meaningless and lead to nothing but arguments.


To the OP,
As with most things you're attempting to compare, just note the price paid. If there's a large difference you can rest assured there are valid reasons. Caveat emptor.

 

[Big_Ed]

I think there are many ways for a light to be considered "quality". When I think of quality, the criteria I use are build quality, durability and reliability.

Brightness: I don't really consider brightness (for the most part) as the main way to determine if a light is a quality one. If it's bright enough for the use you intend to use it for, that's the qualifier. Same goes for runtime in my book. There are tons of lights that are dim, or may have short runtimes, but are considered quality lights by many people. I think brightness and runtime are the factors that are the most variable ones when determining if a light is quality or not. It depends on the individual user. The advancement of technology might make a light obsolete, but it may still be a quality light, such as the CMG Infinity Ultra, or Inova X5 for example.

Build quality: Does the light have a good feel to it? Do all the parts fit together smoothly and properly?

Durability: Can the light take a bit of a beating, or maybe a fall onto the pavement and still function as it should? Does the light still work after many years of use?

Reliability: Does the light turn on every time you go to use it? Has it ever let you down?

I think there are tons of lights that can be considered quality lights (lucky for us). Unfortunately, the are just as many lights that are junk. Many of those end up in the hands of non-flashaholics, and can give similar lights a bad rap.

 

[guyg]

I find I look for features rather than brand name. I have several lights that were under $20 that perform perfectly. And I have a Fenix also and I like it also for its uses.

 

[donn_]

I can't comment on the Fenix/SF comparison, because I've never had a Fenix in my hand.

I think Aleph qualifies in all important aspects of the definition of a high quality light, except for availability.

The Aleph design concept is un-matched, across the line. They are well made, well thought-out and very reliable. They are flexible and useful.

 

[Kiessling]

Another very important factor to consider is the "mission" for the light. It has to be evaluated for its intended purpose if it should perform to a maximum satisfaction.

If the "mission" is flashaholic playing then a complicated programmable light might provide more fun than a single level LOTC. A soldier might see this a little different.

bernie

 

[Yucca Patrol]

To get away from the Surefire vs. Fenix, I'll actually give an answer that the OP requested.

My current favorite brand is Zebralight. Their lights are generally considered headlamps, but are somewhat unique as they do not use reflectors or optics to focus the light, creating a very nice and pleasing complete flood light.

Not only are they high quality, but they are very different from most everything else out there and can be used in many ways beyond their typical headlamp use. . .

 

[kramer5150]

Surefire fan speaking out on behalf of Fenix...
First of all, to discuss "quality" without defining it up front is a moot point. We all have differing definitions of what makes a quality product.

1- Fit & finish of machining and HA. Slight edge goes to SF. The tailcap threads on my L1T are just a little rough feeling, even with ample lube.

2- O-ring engagement and water resistance. EVEN tie

3- Smoothness and feel of switching mechanism. EVEN tie. The smoothness of SF twisties is just as smooth as the forward clicky in my L1T.

4- Cleanliness and overall perfection of optics and glass. EVEN tie

5- Heft and wall thickness of assemblies. Moot item since I do not own an E1B to compare to my L1T.

I don't really consider durability to be a quality criteria, IMHO its more a design element. BUT its worth mentioning that I've had an L1T since christmas. I have EDC'd it EVERYWHERE since then. I have already dropped it 4 times (I am a clutz). So far it has handled it like a champ, minus a few chips to the typeIII. One drop was waist high onto garage concrete, and the other was waist high onto ceramic tile. Both landing with a loud SMACK! These are the exact same drops that busted my inova X1-V2, and dented the bezel and chipped the pyrex of my 6P.

A third drop was from about 3 feet. At The Children's discovery Museum (Highly recommended for those of you with kids in the Bay Area)...
http://www.cdm.org/viewPage.asp?mlid=125
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UG7NivDAZv0/R5y7FW5VSmI/AAAAAAAAA-0/Ujh26nQLr3o/SEW_20080124-155448.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3037/2571320549_efa396a508.jpg?v=0

I dropped the light onto some hard fiberglass at their water-fountain display. The L1T landed squarely on the clicky, turned it on and the light tumbled another foot into the water. I cringed... but the light came out unscathed as my son continued to play around with it in the water.

THE L1T IS A TOUGH LIGHT. Those who want to knock fenix will do so. But thus far the little L1T has surpassed my Surefire and Inova... and is on track to match my Romisen RC-N3-Q5 as my most durable light.

Anyhow, to get back on topic... My best overall quality light is my M2.

 

[Hooked on Fenix]

Besides Surefire and Fenix, try Inova and Olight. On the topic of Surefire vs. Fenix, I think they are both good companies with well built lights. As a backpacker, I prefer Fenix to Surefire. They are lighter weight, brighter, more compact, use better binned l.e.d.s, and are very well built. If you don't think Fenix lights are tough enough, look at online reviews and videos testing these lights. One video showed a Fenix T1 being crushed and taking more than 20,000 lbs. of pressure before failure. Another video showed a Fenix P3D being thrown around, dragged on asphalt, dunked in water, and frozen in ice and still working with all levels. A review of an L1P online showed that one worked after being dropped hundreds of feet down an elevator shaft. If you love Surefire lights, that's great. Personally, I can't afford them, and Fenix lights offer me more bang for my buck with quality I can rely on when I'm out in the woods. If you think Fenix lights aren't even close to as good as Surefire, it's probably just because your requirements for a flashlight are different than mine. That's fine if Surefire lights are better for you. Fenix lights are better for me, and no arguing is going to change that.