So many Fenix lights, which ones?

[shades9323]

I am looking to run a pair of Fenix lights with lock blocks. There are so many to choose from. I don't know which ones to get. Half of my commute is through an area with no streetlights or anything. The other half is more in town with intermitten lights. Which ones do I choose?

 

[TONY M]

:welcome:

The L2D is the most popular Fenix for cyclists. It runs off 2xAA batteries, is bright, has multiple modes, is proven to be reliable and I would recommend it.

The E20 is another 2xAA option. It is cheaper but has only one mode which is not always a bad thing but gives less options.

The cr123a lights are OK but have a drawback. The single use lithium cells are expensive and the rechargeable lithiums have much less capacity - unlike rechargeable AA NIMH cells that have good capacity and therefore making them a more suitable option for regular use.

Have a good search on this forum as there is lots more info on Fenix lights being used by cyclists.

 

[HEY HEY ITS HENDO]

Hi Shades, welcome to Candlepowerforums mate :thumbsup:
so how long is your commute time?
whilst your riding through town you may only need a blinkie light on?
as Tony says, AA is maybe the best battery option as they are readily available

 

[shades9323]

Hi Shades, welcome to Candlepowerforums mate :thumbsup:
so how long is your commute time?
whilst your riding through town you may only need a blinkie light on?
as Tony says, AA is maybe the best battery option as they are readily available

Total commute time is about 26 minutes. While in town on the rail trail I can get by with my helmet mount sport spot.

 

[HeadCSO]

A friend of mine cycles regularly to work. He has recently upgraded his front bike lights to 2 L2D Q5s and he is really happy with the result.

If you go for the L2D, I would suggest you also get some decent rechargeable batteries (Sanyo Eneloop are good) and a good charger.

 

[shades9323]

What is the difference between the "premium q5 cree" and a regular cree led?

 

[TONY M]

What is the difference between the "premium q5 cree" and a regular cree led?

Well in the case of Fenix lights the "regular" cree is the P4 emitter. The cree Q5 emitter is more efficient meaning more brightness! On the L2D the Q5 gives roughly 180 lumens on max and the P4 gives (app) 135 lumens on max. It sounds more than it really is.
It should be said that most of the newer regular L2Ds are Q2 and Q3 emitters meaning better performance than the P4 but less than the Q5, and as they all look identical there is no way of knowing which you may have.

 

[shades9323]

The max on the l2d is in strobe mode. Is that like a strobe light or is it constant?

 

[diff_lock2]

Strobe is strobe. Also one L2D is a great to be seen light.

Get two L2Ds, just cause they are AA based.
If you want brightness, get a Deal Extreme P7 led light, lithium cells, and a charger.

 

[TONY M]

There is a strobe mode that is the same brightness as the constant max mode.
The strobe is much faster than the blinking of most bikelights.

If you want brightness, get a Deal Extreme P7 led light, lithium cells, and a charger.

Very true but the quality and dependability isn't up to Fenix standards.

 

[diff_lock2]

I can't say anything about the deal extreme lights, but a friend just ordered two P7 lights, each costing less than a premium l2d. I am waiting to check them out in person.

 

[HEY HEY ITS HENDO]

26 minutes eh!, you could get away with a 1 AA L1D-CE,
a bit more pocket friendly when off the bike too!

 

[shades9323]

So I went with the E20. Got to use it for the first time this morning. It was awesome. I figured I didn't need the variable modes.