RobertM
Flashlight Enthusiast
Based on a lot of reading on here and researching different flashlights, I've now purchased my first two "real" flashlights. 
My fiancée and I gave each other the Surefire 6PL's for Christmas and I received my Fenix L0D Q4 in the mail yesterday. So here goes my first attempt at a review of my flashlights. I've included some pictures that I took today of them and I'll post some indoor and outdoor beam-shots tomorrow night (hopefully). All the pictures are also viewable here on my .mac page: http://gallery.mac.com/rmoore07#100008
Surefire 6PL
My fiancée and I absolutely love our SF 6PLs. She EDC's her's in her purse and uses it for all her flashlight needs. I keep mine in a Surefire holster in my computer bag.
The 6PL is definitely a good thrower and has a decent amount of spill too. We have used these lights walking on our property at night (5 acres of grass and woods) and they definitely have enough spill to see where you are walking yet throw well enough that we can see deer and other animals in the distance.
The beam is white with a bit of a blueish-purple tint too it. To be honest, there isn't a single thing I don't like about this light. I like its simple design, rugged/sturdy feel, and build quality. I am extremely happy in my purchase and really appreciate all the help from you guys here on CPF in my earlier thread where I was debating as to what to purchase.
Pics:
Added 02/08/2008
Fenix L0D Q4
Like I said above, I received this light in the mail just yesterday. First impressions: really small, really bright, and seems to be a good light.
It doesn't seem to have the same feel to it as the Surefire but still seems to be of high quality. I'm really impressed with how bright it is for its size and weight. I was concerned about the size/weight since I plan to keep it on my keychain regularly and I'm quite picky about keeping my key chain's overall size down (I don't keep much on my key chain unlike a lot of the general population).
User Interface: to be honest, I'd rather have the switch in a tail cap than a twisty, but that's just my personal preference. With that being said, switching between the five modes is really easy and I have no real gripes about it. On the Surefire I like the fact that it's simple (reliable) with it's single mode, but on this Fenix, I must admit that I do really like having the five different modes on my keychain light.
My only real dislike is that the beam definitely has a green tint to it along with a very green outer ring. :mecry: I think that I'll eventually be okay with it but I am somewhat disappointed.
Overall I really like this little light a lot and I can see that it will get used nearly everyday residing on my keychain.
Pics:
Size comparison to a M@g 2AA:
Update 01/27/2008
Beamshot of SF 6PL and L0D Q4; Color seems pretty accurate for both lights
Hallway shots (~20 ft.); Again, color seems pretty accurate for both lights.
Camera settings remained constant for all the shots below.
Shutter: 1/5
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure Bias: 0.00
ISO 200
White Balance: Daylight
Surefire 6PL
Fenix L0D Q4 (High)
Fenix L0D Q4 (Medium)
Fenix L0D Q4 (Low)
Hopefully soon I'll be able to take some good outdoor distance shots. Stay tuned.
My fiancée and I gave each other the Surefire 6PL's for Christmas and I received my Fenix L0D Q4 in the mail yesterday. So here goes my first attempt at a review of my flashlights. I've included some pictures that I took today of them and I'll post some indoor and outdoor beam-shots tomorrow night (hopefully). All the pictures are also viewable here on my .mac page: http://gallery.mac.com/rmoore07#100008
Surefire 6PL
My fiancée and I absolutely love our SF 6PLs. She EDC's her's in her purse and uses it for all her flashlight needs. I keep mine in a Surefire holster in my computer bag.
The 6PL is definitely a good thrower and has a decent amount of spill too. We have used these lights walking on our property at night (5 acres of grass and woods) and they definitely have enough spill to see where you are walking yet throw well enough that we can see deer and other animals in the distance.
The beam is white with a bit of a blueish-purple tint too it. To be honest, there isn't a single thing I don't like about this light. I like its simple design, rugged/sturdy feel, and build quality. I am extremely happy in my purchase and really appreciate all the help from you guys here on CPF in my earlier thread where I was debating as to what to purchase.
Pics:
Added 02/08/2008
Fenix L0D Q4
Like I said above, I received this light in the mail just yesterday. First impressions: really small, really bright, and seems to be a good light.
It doesn't seem to have the same feel to it as the Surefire but still seems to be of high quality. I'm really impressed with how bright it is for its size and weight. I was concerned about the size/weight since I plan to keep it on my keychain regularly and I'm quite picky about keeping my key chain's overall size down (I don't keep much on my key chain unlike a lot of the general population).
User Interface: to be honest, I'd rather have the switch in a tail cap than a twisty, but that's just my personal preference. With that being said, switching between the five modes is really easy and I have no real gripes about it. On the Surefire I like the fact that it's simple (reliable) with it's single mode, but on this Fenix, I must admit that I do really like having the five different modes on my keychain light.
My only real dislike is that the beam definitely has a green tint to it along with a very green outer ring. :mecry: I think that I'll eventually be okay with it but I am somewhat disappointed.
Overall I really like this little light a lot and I can see that it will get used nearly everyday residing on my keychain.
Pics:
Size comparison to a M@g 2AA:
Update 01/27/2008
Beamshot of SF 6PL and L0D Q4; Color seems pretty accurate for both lights
Hallway shots (~20 ft.); Again, color seems pretty accurate for both lights.
Camera settings remained constant for all the shots below.
Shutter: 1/5
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure Bias: 0.00
ISO 200
White Balance: Daylight
Surefire 6PL
Fenix L0D Q4 (High)
Fenix L0D Q4 (Medium)
Fenix L0D Q4 (Low)
Hopefully soon I'll be able to take some good outdoor distance shots. Stay tuned.
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