P3D Q5 or CL1H V3.0?

[rumbler]

I'm a noob that's ready to take a plunge. I had a Lumistar(radio shack) 1w and thought it was the best light in the world. The battery carrier broke and I started searching the net for a replacement and ran into CPF. Sadly, you guys burst my bubble and I don't look at my poor, broken lumistar in the same light. I've searched and read reviews and have narrowed it down to the new P3D Q5 and CL1H V3.0. I want to use rechargeables(here in the VI 1 cr123 is $10+). Will EDC in holster. Will use low mostly, high to show off.

I know both are new but would like pros and cons of both and am open to alternative recommendation for something comparable.
Thanks,
Rumbler

 

[martonic]

:welcome:

The CL1H is much larger than the P3D. The P3D comes with a holster, the CL1H comes with a very good clip but it is still pretty big for an EDC.

I have CL1H Q4 3-mode and P1D-CE Rebel 100. The lowest level on the P3D (which has four levels plus strobe and SOS) is truly "low" and is only useful closeup in very dark conditions. The next level up on P3D is similar to the lowest level on CL1H.

The main advantage of CL1H is modularity. You can easily swap reflectors to get either a general-purpose light (using its orange-peel reflector) or an unbelievable spotlight (using the smooth reflector) - and the extra reflector only costs an additional USD $3.50. You can also swap in a new "pill" to upgrade your light or to convert from 3 modes to 2 or 5. With the Fenix there is no such modularity available. What you get is what you've got.

That said, the Fenix is a very fine light indeed. Unless you get CREE w/smooth reflector (not recommended), its cone of bright illumination is wider than that of the CL1H, even the CL1H using its OP (orange-peel) reflector. Also, in case of the Rebel 100 at least, the color of the beam is better - a slightly warm white with good penetrating qualities.

The Fenix will likely make the better EDC, but the CL1H is more flexible and easily converts into a long-range spotlight.

Naturally there are many more choices but you have hit on two excellent ones. Buy both!

 

[javafool]

You can run the CL1H on 18650 rechargable batteries. As a matter of fact you MUST run most of the CL1H versions on 18650 rechargables, depending on the LED module. So I guess that is a pro and a con all in one, depending on your battery choice. You can also run the CL1H on high until the battery dies without the flashlight getting almost too hot to touch. I don't have the Fenix but from experience with their other lights, I doubt you would want to do that with the Fenix.

 

[rumbler]

Thanks for the input,
I like the idea of wider beam and included holster. I would definately get appropriate rcr123's for P3D. I also like that you say it's smaller than
CL1H. So it looks like for me the Fenix wins.
I realize the CPF motto is "buy em both!" for now I will buy (1) and only one EDC(unless something much better comes along) and save up while I gain knowledge here on CPF for a "death ray" throw monster for hunting land crabs(they freeze up like deer when beamed w/ light).
Rumbler

 

[PhantomPhoton]

Let me throw my thoughts in here really quick.
Which light is more useful for EDC? I'd reluctantly admit its likely the Fenix. (yea I'm not a huge Fenix fan)
Which light is a better light? Probably the CLH1. Thicker, better built, upgradeable, can use 18650 or 2X CR123/RCR123 depending on which module you buy.
The fenix is nice and small. But has a strobe and SOS. Some people like it, some people hate it. I'm neutral on the issue. Fenix has more output options and a marginally lower low. Again some people like 4 outputs, some just want a low and high.
They're both good lights. You'll be happy with either. They're different tools for slightly different jobs/ situations. Hope I didn't make things more difficult.

 

[adirondackdestroyer]

Thanks for the input,
I like the idea of wider beam and included holster. I would definately get appropriate rcr123's for P3D. I also like that you say it's smaller than
CL1H. So it looks like for me the Fenix wins.
I realize the CPF motto is "buy em both!" for now I will buy (1) and only one EDC(unless something much better comes along) and save up while I gain knowledge here on CPF for a "death ray" throw monster for hunting land crabs(they freeze up like deer when beamed w/ light).
Rumbler

I highly recommend the P3D Q5. Insane brightness and great runtime. You might wanna look into buying some Amondotech CR123 cells for primarys.

 

[[email protected]]

I am not looking for a replacement battery holder for my Lumistar flashlight. I am looking for the manufactor (Luxeon) of the Lumistar flashlight. So that I can get a the battery holder, a replacement, do to its poor design. The "design flaw" is that the battery holder is brittle (break easely). That is cause by no cushion between the hard plastic battery holder and the metal screw-on stop or top, so the plastic has to break, being the less harder of the two. A rubber o-ring would have resolve this problem.
in search
jordan

 

[Gunner12]

I am not looking for a replacement battery holder for my Lumistar flashlight. I am looking for the manufactor (Luxeon) of the Lumistar flashlight. So that I can get a the battery holder, a replacement, do to its poor design. The "design flaw" is that the battery holder is brittle (break easely). That is cause by no cushion between the hard plastic battery holder and the metal screw-on stop or top, so the plastic has to break, being the less harder of the two. A rubber o-ring would have resolve this problem.
in search
jordan

Luxeon does not make the Lumastar flashlight, they just supply the LED, another company makes the light.

Dealextreme is a good and low priced place to start on Cree XR-E, Seoul P4 and Rebel 100 lights.

If you want to start really well, either light would be a great place to start. the P3D is smaller and the CL1H has better throw.

:welcome: