What are your experiences with the Fenix and Olight brands?

[CobraMagnum]

Hello, everyone. Hope all is well. I'm considering getting a new flashlight, and so far, I've almost managed to narrow my choices down between a Fenix LR35R and an Olight Warrior X Pro. I'm still keeping my eye open for other models from each brand which might suit what I'm looking for.

I'd just like to know what your experiences are with the reliability/durability and customer service for each brand.

Thanks in advance!

 

[raggie33]

i think ii know the guy who started fenix he used to post here a lot if i recall right. nice smart guy. olight and them specail batterys are not for me

 

[richbuff]

Reliability and durability have been great with my Olight S2 Baton and my Fenix TK75. I have not had the need to contact customer service. Both brands are long known for upper level quality.

 

[Labrador72]

I own many Fenix lights, use them daily: the models I have are definitely reliable and well made.

The Fenix and Olight models you mention seem to be quite different though.

 

[chip100t]

Olight make excellent torches but I will never buy another torch that uses proprietary batteries. Fenix also make excellent torches and no proprietary batteries.

 

[mpetry912]

Reliability and durability have been great with my Olight S2 Baton and my Fenix TK75. I have not had the need to contact customer service. Both brands are long known for upper level quality.

Rich, I just got a TK75 and very disappointed with it. Lots of "troubleshooting" and seems to be related to the plastic battery holder.

is there any way to get those battery holders open stock ?

/markp

 

[Eicca]

Both brands seem to be quite reliable, though from my readings I feel like Fenix takes the edge there. Fenix lights seem to be a lot more function-over-form type of designs, whereas Olight is kind of a "designer" flashlight maker.

That said, the Warrior X Pro is a serious pro-grade light. Super simple UI, incredible output, feels super solid, etc. If you really don't want the proprietary battery, get the standard Warrior X, which give you the option of using CR123s.

 

[3_gun]

Fenix hands down. I have a couple of Olight non propriety battery lights & they work nice but it's still Fenix all day. Carried a LD10 for 10+ years, replaced it with a LD12, lost it & got another. Add in 2 E01v2, SD11, E35 v3, E12 v2 along with the LD10 & LD12/17 which still work great guess you could say; got my money where my mouth is

That said overall I own more Sofirn & Mag lights

 

[Hooked on Fenix]

Both are good brands and are pretty durable and reliable. They each have their faults though. Olight has made too many of their lights require proprietary batteries. Fenix has made too many of their lights that won't work with lithium primaries (AAs and AAAs). Fenix has also started eliminating a low setting from their higher end lights (30-50 lumens is not low. Less than one lumens up to 5 lumens is low). You can go with either brand, but you might want to look at other brands as well such as Nitecore, Acebeam, and Klarus.

 

[Megalamuffin]

I carried a Fenix rc09 every day for several years. It was a very good and reliable light. The only issue it ever had was sometimes after charging it would act like the battery was not fully charged and didn't go on high or turbo, this was easily remedied by unscrewing the light and putting it back together.

My first olight was the original warrior mini. I carried it every day for 6 months or so. Like the fenix it was used and not babied, and it never gave me issues either. I now have a number of lights from both brands and don't think you can go wrong either way.

I would recommend a look at the fenix pd36r. Out of all my fenix and olights the pd36r is my favorite, it's just a dang good light.

 

[Ishango]

I too own many lights from both Fenix and Olight. Both deliver good quality lights. Olight uses proprietary batteries and angry blueish LEDs. Fenix seems to have a bit nicer tints and can be used with common off the shelf batteries available anywhere.

I have no experience with the specific lights mentioned though. I also can recommend the PD36R. A fairly compact powerhouse.

But as stated by others also look around at Nitecore, Sofirn and Acebeam.

 

[Eicca]

Both are good brands and are pretty durable and reliable. They each have their faults though. Olight has made too many of their lights require proprietary batteries. Fenix has made too many of their lights that won't work with lithium primaries (AAs and AAAs). Fenix has also started eliminating a low setting from their higher end lights (30-50 lumens is not low. Less than one lumens up to 5 lumens is low). You can go with either brand, but you might want to look at other brands as well such as Nitecore, Acebeam, and Klarus.

Which lights don't work with lithium AAs? Is the E12v2 one of them?

 

[:)>]

I have had Surefire's fail on me, 4-Sevens fail on me, a Mcgizmo fail on me (I've had lots of each) but I've never had a Felix or Olight fail on me… I'm not saying they are more durable or higher quality just offering my experience🤭

I would be comfortable recommending Olight or Fenix… but if you find me out and about, expect to see an HDS, Surefire, or a Malkoff.

 

[mpetry912]

I have a brand new Fenix TK76 (4 emitter, 4 X 18650) and very disappointed with it. Not reliable. I believe the battery holder is at fault. An earlier TK75, modded, has been very reliable.

 

[OregonMedic]

I don't have much experience with Olight (I only own one) but I do have a lot of experience with Fenix. I purchased my first Fenix flashlight back in 2012 and it still works as if it were new. I have also used Fenix flashlights in very cold AND hot climates with no issue. I can say with some certainty that they are reliable lights and many reviews/testimonials would seem to agree. Between those two options I would personally go with Fenix

 

[Tommy Tunes]

I just received 3 Olight Obulb MC packages. They left out 2 of the 3 plug-in-Charger/Motion sensors! Two were to be gifts, so I doubt I'll get replacement chargers in time to send them as gifts, IF EVER! SO ANNOYING!!!

Apparently Customer Service is swamped because I had to leave my phone Nr for them to call me back (Yeah sure, I won't hold my breath).

Additionally, I had a very hard time figuring out how to get the Motion Sensor to work. The instructions are sketchy/incomplete on how the Motion Sensor works, and the Print is only viewable using a STRONG Magnifying Glass. I didn't know there was printer that could print THAT SMALL!

I own several Olights, but this purchase may be my last, depending on the outcome of Customer NO-Service.

 

[Lynx_Arc]

I've had several Fenix lights and the quality tends to be good but you aren't getting any bargain as they can be pricey. I more favor Wowtac and Sofirn for better bang for the buck as my Wowtac headlamp compares with my Fenix HL60R for less than half the price normally and even at half price the sofirn was cheaper and came with a better battery also.

 

[Hooked on Fenix]

I own a Fenix P3D Q5, PD30 R4, L2D Q5, L1D/P2D Q5, L1T Q2, PD10 Ti R5, TK11 R2, HL30 headlight, and E01 v.2. All still work, as I never use alkaleeks in them (Eneloops only in AA and AAA lights) The only Fenix light that has failed was the original E01 (solder contact wore out on positive end). I own a 120 lumen Olight i3e Eos and gifted an Olight T20 to a family member. Neither has failed yet. Reliability with both brands is pretty good. However, there are other brands that don't leave you stuck with proprietary batteries like Olight or get rid of the low setting on much of their lineup like Fenix.

 

[Limit_hex]

The Olight Baton 3 is fantastic, but the Warrior Mini burnt my pocket, which is ok , and melted its own lens, which is not ok. Special batteries and special (not USB) chargers.

 

[parnass]

I have owned several Fenix AA and AAA lights and found them impressive. Some of the earlier lights bore the Leatherman label.

My only Olight is an I1-R2 which I stopped using after a week or so. Olights don't interest me. The flood of shills reviewing and unboxing Olights on Youtube is a turn off.