P3D Q5 not impressed - Resolved

[IRML]

just arrived today, maybe I got a faulty one

even though my L2D flashes on high for a split when it turns on, the tail switch sticks out so it can't stand on its end, and the emitter is off centre, I'd still say it's better quality than the P3D I just recieved

low mode is FAR dimmer than low mode on my L2D, it also takes about a second after I press the button for it to actually turn on, and it's got a bit of bad anodizing on the tail (doesn't actually affect the light, but I'm paying for quality here)

medium and high seem to be the same as my L2D, turbo seems to be brighter than the L2D, strobe and SOS are slightly faster, so those modes are more or less as expected - except turbo mode gets very hot very quickly, if I hold the L2D on turbo in one hand and the P3D in the other and turn them on at the same time, within 10 seconds I can feel the P3D warming up and after a minute it's almost too hot to hold, the L2D is only slightly warm by this time (I did expect the P3D to run hotter on turbo, but not this hot)

what do you guys think, did I get a duff one?

 

[zipplet]

Re: P3D Q5 not impressed

What brand CR123A cells are you using? This does matter especially in turbo mode. Please tell us. It is not supposed to get hot that quickly so I think you are using duff cells and those have a high risk of exploding (venting with flame).

About low mode, as far as I know the P3D's low mode is supposed to be dimmer than the low mode on the L2D.

 

[IRML]

Re: P3D Q5 not impressed

well on fenix store and in the instrucions they both say 12 lumens for low mode, and the reflectors and LED positioning are the same so it can't be that, perhaps it is batteries

I'm using these panasonics I bought with the torch from fenix store

https://www.fenix-store.com/product_info.php?cPath=53_59&products_id=178

I've never used CR123As before, the bottom of the battery doesn't sit flush with the outer casing, I don't know if that's how they're supposed to be

 

[nbp]

Re: P3D Q5 not impressed

Well, I don't have an L2D so I cant comment on that, but I have a P3D.

It sounds like the two major complaints are the switch and the heat. First, the switch is a reverse clicky, so it won't light until the button is pressed and released. If you were expecting a forward clicky, maybe that is part of the confusion. If that's not the case and the light has some goofy delay, then disregard that comment. :shrug:

As far as the heat, I don't know--mine gets pretty warm too. In the provided information, the company did say that if you are using it in a high heat environment, limit the usage to 10 min, because it could overheat and damage itself. Also, mine really only gets the bezel hot. If yours is heating the whole body up to the point where you can't hold it, that seems weird, and there may be a problem with it.

I don't know if this is any help. Hope so.

 

[IRML]

Re: P3D Q5 not impressed

It sounds like the two major complaints are the switch and the heat. First, the switch is a reverse clicky, so it won't light until the button is pressed and released. If you were expecting a forward clicky, maybe that is part of the confusion. If that's not the case and the light has some goofy delay, then disregard that comment. :shrug:

no I know it's a reverse clicky, it's just some wierd delay, after further testing it seems to be a random amount of time mostly between 0.5 and 1 seconds

As far as the heat, I don't know--mine gets pretty warm too. In the provided information, the company did say that if you are using it in a high heat environment, limit the usage to 10 min, because it could overheat and damage itself. Also, mine really only gets the bezel hot. If yours is heating the whole body up to the point where you can't hold it, that seems weird, and there may be a problem with it.

it was the bezel area that was getting hot, I was holding both torches in the same position in each hand (just the switch end of the L2D stuck out a bit because it's longer) and they were both heating up in the same place, just the P3D was quickly too hot to hold and the L2D was only slightly warm after a couple of minutes

 

[WadeF]

Re: P3D Q5 not impressed

As far as the heat, if you are using it in TURBO are you holding it in your hand the whole time? A light like that really isn't designed to be put into turbo and then sat down somewhere, it needs your hand for additional heat sinking. With your hand wrapped around it it will get warm, but it should not get too hot to hold, or even all that uncomfortable, just warm.

Some people accidentally turn their P3D on in turbo while it is in a pocket, or in its holster, and this can cause it to get very hot as it is insulated and it can't cool itself properly.

As far as the switch, what nbp said. If that's not it, it could be a bad switch and Fenix-store would take care of it for you.

The low on the P3D is supposed to be lower, people wanted a lower low, so there you go. My P3D's low is lower than my P2D, P1D, etc.

 

[WadeF]

Re: P3D Q5 not impressed

it was the bezel area that was getting hot, I was holding both torches in the same position in each hand (just the switch end of the L2D stuck out a bit because it's longer) and they were both heating up in the same place, just the P3D was quickly too hot to hold and the L2D was only slightly warm after a couple of minutes

How exactly are you holding them? Are your fingers wrapped around the whole body and bezel for the most part? When I hold mine I have a couple fingers wrapped around the lower bezel, around where the emitter is.

 

[Crenshaw]

Re: P3D Q5 not impressed

I dont see why you would even need turbo really for massive amounts of time..:shrug: high is plenty, plenty bright...

but if the light is heating up waaay excessively, and its inconsistent with the turning on, I'd contact fenix store, it could be something is shorting...

Crenshaw

 

[IRML]

Re: P3D Q5 not impressed

The low on the P3D is supposed to be lower, people wanted a lower low, so there you go. My P3D's low is lower than my P2D, P1D, etc.

so it's not 12 lumens then? does that mean I get longer than 65 hours runtime? - if that's the case then I'm quite happy with that

How exactly are you holding them? Are your fingers wrapped around the whole body and bezel for the most part? When I hold mine I have a couple fingers wrapped around the lower bezel, around where the emitter is.

I'm holding it with all fingers closed around the torch, like I'm making a fist around the torch with the front end poking out about 5mm clear, this isn't how I would normally hold it - the L2D and P3D are small enough for me to just use my thumb and first 2 fingers almost like holding a pen, but I wanted to feel how hot both were getting as best as I could

I dont see why you would even need turbo really for massive amounts of time..:shrug: high is plenty, plenty bright...

but if the light is heating up waaay excessively, and its inconsistent with the turning on, I'd contact fenix store, it could be something is shorting...

well I'm not going to stick with a faulty torch just because I don't use turbo that much, I get these torches for the high run times on low mode, but it's great to know turbo is there if I really need it, I can't ever see myself using it for longer than 2 or 3 minutes at a time but it is heating up excessively after just 1 minute so there's gotta be something wrong here

what's thrown me a bit is my L2D is a fantastic torch, it feels solid and well built, and it performs great, and with the P3D I expected the same but so far it doesn't feel right

 

[todo]

Re: P3D Q5 not impressed

What is the meaning of HOT? We have all heard exaggerated claims of flashlights getting too HOT to hold. Such as the heat generated by the LODce when run on 10440's. It was widely stated that the lod gets too HOT to hold when run on high.

I would offer these definitions for future CPF use.

Warm... a noticeable increase in temperature.

Very Warm... a very noticeable increase in temperature, but able to hold in hand for more than 20 seconds.

HOT... When human skin touches something HOT the reflex is to put it down immediately or even drop it, to avoid a burn.

I would describe my P3D Q5 as getting "Warm+"
I would describe my LOD on 10440's as "Very Warm"

 

[divine]

Re: P3D Q5 not impressed

I just tried out my P3D Q5 with the minute being held in my hand on Turbo, and it only got mildly warm, not even warm enough for discomfort.

The low on my P3D Q5 is lower than the low on my L2D Q5.


You're lucky I read this while I was at work, otherwise I wouldn't have had either of the lights to check out.

 

[Khaytsus]

Re: P3D Q5 not impressed

P3D Low - Good thing.
P3D Hot on Turbo - Duh, but it's not an issue unless you're not holding it.
P3D weird delay - Something is wonky.

I'd say the P3D is fine except for the 'delay' which is quite odd.. I'm not sure here, but I think the L2D and P3D tailcaps will exchange, see what happens if you do that.

Otherwise, I'd *guess* the P3D head is wonky. I'd replace it if it's taking .5-1s to turn on, that's just not normal.

The other stuff is just fine.

 

[Herpn]

Re: P3D Q5 not impressed

I also have this light. I think it is the batteries you are using? Have you tried other batteries? I just posted this. I am having some issues with different batteries that I am using..

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?p=2363827#post2363827

 

[IRML]

Re: P3D Q5 not impressed

P3D Low - Good thing.
P3D Hot on Turbo - Duh, but it's not an issue unless you're not holding it.
P3D weird delay - Something is wonky.

I'd say the P3D is fine except for the 'delay' which is quite odd.. I'm not sure here, but I think the L2D and P3D tailcaps will exchange, see what happens if you do that.

Otherwise, I'd *guess* the P3D head is wonky. I'd replace it if it's taking .5-1s to turn on, that's just not normal.

glad to here the low mode being dimmer is normal, although why can't they update that on the websites, I'd like to see what runtime you really should be getting with the low mode

the tailcaps are interchangeable you say? I'll have a go swapping them over although this is annoying because my L2D tailcap doesn't let you stand the torch on its end lol

edit - is there any circuitry in the tail cap or is it just in the head of the torch? I wouldn't want to mess things up

 

[IRML]

Re: P3D Q5 not impressed

^well I think the panasonic batteries I'm using are supposed to be some of the best Primary CR123As you can get, so I would say it's likely to be a problem with some part of the torch and not the batteries

@todo - when I say hot I do mean hot like too hot to touch, I mentioned that in the first post, although I'll do some more testing on the torch

on the plus side the emitter seems to be centered better than my L2D, although there's a funny bit of extra spill that goes about 1/4 of the way around the outside of the beam, a bit of extra light doesn't do any harm now does it? lol

 

[IRML]

Re: P3D Q5 not impressed

right I can't swap tail caps because the L2D one is slightly thinner lol

d'oh!

 

[Herpn]

Re: P3D Q5 not impressed

glad to here the low mode being dimmer is normal, although why can't they update that on the websites, I'd like to see what runtime you really should be getting with the low mode

the tailcaps are interchangeable you say? I'll have a go swapping them over although this is annoying because my L2D tailcap doesn't let you stand the torch on its end lol

edit - is there any circuitry in the tail cap or is it just in the head of the torch? I wouldn't want to mess things up

I dont know for sure but I think there has to be some circuitry in the tailcap. With the touch ability it would make sense?

I can tell you I left mine on in low mode for over a day and it was still going strong..

Oh ya as for standing up on the end. Mine will stad but not flat, the rubber sticks out just a bit..

 

[IRML]

Re: P3D Q5 not impressed

right guys I worked out what's causing the pause, eureka moment lol

it's the switch, the actual clickie switch that's under the rubber boot has a different feel to the L2D one, and I guess it's just not as quality either, it's just sticking a little bit once I turn it on, that's why the pause is so random, it's not a circuitry problem but a mechanical problem

so is it possible to get a new tailcap on its own? I wouldn't want to try to take out the switch from the tailcap and swap it with the L2D one, because then I still have the same problem just on a different torch

 

[flyingbrass]

Re: P3D Q5 not impressed

My L2D's switch developed that annoying delay. Sometimes it wouldn't come on at all until smacked. I cleaned it with alcohol, yet the problem persisted. I contacted Fenix Store, and they sent me a new switch. The replacement has been working fine for months.

 

[StarHalo]

Re: P3D Q5 not impressed

does that mean I get longer than 65 hours runtime? - if that's the case then I'm quite happy with that

If I remember correctly, using primaries Chevrofreak got 77 hours regulated (before it began to dim).