Which L2D is better?

[generic808]

I'm looking to buy my first Fenix after being a die-hard Surefire guy; just want to see what all the fuss is about. I was wondering which version of the L2D is better, the Rebel 100 or the Q5? What's the pros and cons for both of them? The output and runtimes are very similar, so which one do I go for? Thanks in advance!

Rebel 100
• General Mode: 11 lumens (55hrs) -> 50 lumens (10.5hrs)
-> 100 lumens (4hrs) -> SOS
• Turbo Mode: 175 lumens (2.4hrs) -> Strobe

CREE XR-E Q5
• General Mode: 12 lumens (55hrs) -> 53 lumens (10.5hrs)
-> 107 lumens (4hrs) -> SOS
• Turbo Mode: 180 lumens (2.4hrs) -> Strobe

 

[Jarl]

The rebel generally gives a slightly warmer tint, which some people prefer over the whiter Q5. Also, the rebel has no cree rings, which is unsurprising . However, the rebels have had a general recall; because of a problem with the manufacturing process, some rebels may die within 24 hours of use. However, buy from fenixstore and they'll replace it if it does die. (thought this isn't much help if you're out in a desert, stranded...)

 

[AWGD8]

REBEL 100 :thumbsup:

I wonder if anyone here have seen a warmer tint from CREE ?


The Rebel 100 has a little warmer tint than my 120P.

Seems like all or most CREE`s are in a cool tint side. :sigh:

 

[cal..45]

the rebel has a nicer (smoother) beam and gives better colour rendition dur to the yellowish tint. if you plan to use the light a lot for outdoor activities I would say go with the rebel, if not - well then it really doesn't matter I guess.


regards, holger

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

I'm liking my P2D Q5 a lot!

But I next plan to get a P2D R100....

 

[Flic]

Funny, I am a Fenix guy who is looking to get his first Surefire.

I have both L2Ds and even I cannot tell you which to buy. I support what others have said. I love the Rebel version for its similar output with better colour rendition outdoors. Story here.. a local zoo offers night time visits in the fall. You can see all kinds of big cats and other animals that are active at night. Thinking I was "THE flashlight guy" I brought a couple of Cree lights (L2D CE, P2D CE and MRV). Sure they put out a ton of light, but folks with their incans (yes Mag lites) showed a real difference in colour rendition. I returned with a Rebel light and can tell colour rendition was darned close to the incans. Indoors I find the Q5 looks brighter because of the cooler tint. So, it really depends on your intended use.

If throw is an issue, I know that some online retailers (such as Lighthound) offer a L2D Q5 with a smooth reflector - (I'M ordering one). You'll see the usual "Cree rings" but get better throw. This should out throw the Rebel, but I cannot confirm this yet.

 

[rizky_p]

I'll go for Rebel which has a warmer tint. All of the L2D Q5 i had were too white for my taste.

 

[jugg2]

I would say Rebel for all of the reasons already mentioned. Also, you won't even be able to see the slight lumen difference between the two models.

 

[TONY M]

I had 2 l2d Q5s, one with a smooth reflector and one OP.
The second one that I got has a more red-yellow warm tint than the first that had a blue-white tint.
I could still not say which I preferred indoors or out, I just don't think that the color made a huge difference at all. I would love to see a rebel 100 in a L2D to compare it. I considered buying one instead of another Q5 but the possible emitter failure of the r100 put me off.

BTW. The difference in beam between the smooth and OP reflectors was much less than I thought. A friend and I could not see any difference in spill but we agreed that the hotspot was just slightly smoother on the OP version but not noticeable at a glance when comparing them side by side on a white wall. I will post beamshots if I can get round to borrowing the OP L2D of its new owner, we flashaholics can infect others.:twothumbs

 

[AWGD8]

Buying a light from 4Sevens @ fenix-store rest the case.

 

[Gunner12]

Pretty much what everyone else has said.

Rebel: warmer, no rings, better color renditioning.

Cree: Cooler/whiter, one main ring around the hotspot(not visible in real use)

Both have similar output and runtime.

Don't forget the 8% off coupon, "CPF8" when ordering from Fenix Store.

I hope you like it!

 

[Flic]

BTW. The difference in beam between the smooth and OP reflectors was much less than I thought. A friend and I could not see any difference in spill but we agreed that the hotspot was just slightly smoother on the OP version but not noticeable at a glance when comparing them side by side on a white wall.

Really? Any significant difference in throw though? I'm just about to pull the pin on a smooth one but may reconsider if the difference in throw is negligible.

I did however order a second Rebel.

 

[Yucca Patrol]

I just bought two of the L2D Q5's but am going to order an L1D with the Rebel for my wife's purse since that is where one of my new lights now lives after I made the mistake of showing them to her.

So I'll get her the Rebel version and if I like it I will switch the heads and she will never know as long as I don't tell her (now that I have learned my lesson)

For my purposes while caving, accurate color rendition of brown and grey rocks isn't much of a concern, but smooth and pleasing light is and I am happy with the Q5's so far.

 

[gadget_lover]

I've decided I like the Rebel based lights.

The difference in light output between the CREE and Rebel is really small. The few percent difference is well within the range of deviation within the production batches. Even side by side you will not be able to say with certainty which is 175 lumens and which is 180.

One of the ideas I like about the Rebel 100 is that 100 lumens is the minimum output at 350ma, not the "typical output". So where the rebel WILL put out 100 lumens on "high" the cree MAY put out 107 lumens ( maybe more, maybe less, depending on the batch).

I was worried about the premature death of the rebels, but I have an easy solution. I have my spare P2D RB100 premium "burning in" at the moment. If it survives 2 days on low (one battery) it should be fine. Then I'll burn in my L0D PB80 and my EDC P2D RB100.


Daniel

 

[TONY M]

Really? Any significant difference in throw though? I'm just about to pull the pin on a smooth one but may reconsider if the difference in throw is negligible.

I did however order a second Rebel.

Flic, the difference in throw of the smooth and OP was basically neglegeable. This was my experience anyway with the 2 reflector types. I kept asking myself if I was seeing double! So yes they were very very similar.
I'll try to find a link to beamshots from the two.

 

[Jarl]

Although I don't have any experience with smooth/OP reflectors, apparently you can loose up to 50% of the throw with a textured reflector.

 

[TONY M]

Although I don't have any experience with smooth/OP reflectors, apparently you can loose up to 50% of the throw with a textured reflector.

Not in this case at least.

 

[generic808]

Thanks for all the feedback, guys! It looks like I'll probably be going with the Rebel; however, I am a bit concerned about the premature failure of them. Is it something I really have to be worried about? I've been using all my Surefire's with CREE Q5's and P4's with no problems with any of them. I'll usually only carry one light on my person--with the exception of a little keychain light--so reliability is of importance to me.

 

[AWGD8]

The answer to your question is at post #10 :thumbsup:

 

[Flic]

Thanks for all the feedback, guys! It looks like I'll probably be going with the Rebel; however, I am a bit concerned about the premature failure of them. Is it something I really have to be worried about? I've been using all my Surefire's with CREE Q5's and P4's with no problems with any of them. I'll usually only carry one light on my person--with the exception of a little keychain light--so reliability is of importance to me.

The premature failure has been tracked to production during a very specific time period. There is a LONG but thorough thread on the issue here:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=186488

You may want to contact your seller before buying if you have concerns. My lights all use emitters built outside the problem period and have proven as reliable as a stone in the ground (a lot brighter though!!!).