Which one should I buy - L0D Q4 special or L2D Q5 edition?

[LED-holic]

Hi all, I am a long time lurker here - thanks for all the wonderful reviews and info.

I bought my first upscale flashlight, the L2D Q5 edition last week and got it over the weekend. I've been playing with it the last few days and love it.

I travel frequently for work, so I'd like to leave a light at home, and take a light with me on the road in my briefcase.

I'm eyeing either the L0D Q4 or buying another L2D Q5 for travel (flying out of town for work). I'd leave the L2D Q5 for my wife to use if she needs to walk the dog, etc...

I'm having a very hard time deciding, because the L0D Q4 appears to be awesome, but I could buy another L2D Q5 for less than $20 more, and have a brighter light when traveling.

The L0D Q4 is appealing because it would be a different light to carry when I'm home, so I can choose between the L2D or the L0D. But on the road, in hotels, etc., it would be nice to have a super compact LED flashlight, but the L2D Q5 is not that big either.

So I can't decide. Any thoughts here?

 

[afraidofdark]

hi -holic, welcome to CPF!

If you get that Q4 L0D and put it on your keychain, it will be with you whenever you travel, and you'll never know it until you need it. It's that small. I've had a L0D-CE (P4) for a long time and I'm still amazed at how bright it is.


Have fun shopping. I predict many more lights in your future

 

[wrxr7]

I spent yesterday contemplating this very same question.

I have a L1P, the first light Fenix offered. I have modified it to be two-stage, and it currently travels with me. I also travel quite a bit for work.

I love the light, but wanted something for EDC, and the L1P is a bit big to pocket carry (I already carry a cell phone in one pocket and a Leatherman Wave and MiniGrip in the other).

After mulling it over all day yesterday, I placed an order for the L0D Q4. My reasoning was the same as afraidofdark's. I'll put it on my keychain, and it will always be there, whenever I need it. Not if I remember to put it in my pocket, not if I have room, but ALWAYS. Besides, isn't that the definition of EDC - Every Day Carry?

 

[garence]

I have the L0D Q4 and I really like it. The L2D has gotten a lot of praise here on CPF, too... Here's a comparison table that might help you decide.

My personal preference would be to have both lights, as they are slightly different... it's nice to experience the variety of Fenix designs. Once you have both, then later on you can decide if you want to repeat one of them for your 3rd light or get something completely different.

 

[Marduke]

Welcome to CPF :welcome:

And in CPF tradition, the "official" recommendation is...

GET BOTH

 

[JohnR66]

I have both the L2D-CE and the LOD-CE I bought last spring. The new ones are, of course, somewhat brighter. I'd get the LOD because it is a wonderful small light and I take it everywhere do to its size.

I power it with the new hybrid type ni-mh rechargables. I'm just now trying a lithium cell for a better run time. I don't recommend alkalines and do recommend keeping a spare battery in the car or desk as it tends to run through batteries a lot quicker than the L2D.

 

[LED-holic]

Thanks all for the warm welcome. I guess I will have to pick up the L0D Q4...it seems overwhelming.

In the future I will have lots more.

 

[Marduke]

Don't forget your 8% discount at fenix-store

 

[Ducati]

Don't forget your 8% discount at fenix-store

cpf8

 

[jaymasta]

I just got both these lights last week, I had oredered 3 weeks ago although I live in canada so it takes a little longer to ship up here, anyways the L2D q5 is an awesome light very bright and powerfull Iam thinking of buying another one and a couple bike mounts to use for biking, my LOD q4 went on my keychain and gets used everynight and Iam very impressed with it, its just slightly bigger then a AAA battery and didn't add any noticable weight to my keychain and no matter what I almost always have it with me. I bought a couple AAA energizer 900mah rechargables at walmart for 12 bucks with charger, have used the light for a week and a half every night I usually only for a few minutes at a time but numerous times per night and I always use it on high and Iam still on the first battery so Iam quite impressed....I was a little nervouse when I sent my paypal off as I never though I would spend $100 on a couple flashlights, although once I got them I had no regrets and if I start biking again I will have no regrets getting a couple bike mounts and another Q5 premium..

 

[TORCH_BOY]

They are both Great, but are different, I have both lights
The L0D lives on the keychain, and the L2D-Q5 sleeps in my briefcase

 

[Vikas Sontakke]

I also travel quite a bit for work.

I love the light, but wanted something for EDC, and the L1P is a bit big to pocket carry (I already carry a cell phone in one pocket and a Leatherman Wave and MiniGrip in the other).

Somewhat off topic; but can you carry Leatherman Wave on travel? I always thought TSA will take your Leatherman away before boarding a plane.

- Vikas

 

[Delta]

Don't get another P2D...try another different Fenix. Like a L2D Q5 for longer runtime and AA capability. I have a P2D and a L2D and I carry the L2D more....the runtime is that much better.

 

[Luminescent]

Somewhat off topic; but can you carry Leatherman Wave on travel? I always thought TSA will take your Leatherman away before boarding a plane.

- Vikas

All pocket knives are out since 911, so don't even think about it.

If you have checked bags you can put it there.

Getting back on topic.



I would definitely get the L0D-Q4, because it has more than enough performance for day to day EDC light tasks.

The L0D-Q4 puts out more total lumens than a standard 4 D-Cell Maglight.

The L0D-Q4 can also match the Mag's 1 hour runtime to 50% when running on NiMH and beat it on an L92 Energizer Lithium battery by running about 1 hour 20 minutes on high.

That's an awful lot of performance for a light that weighs in at about one ounce (even less than an ounce with an L92 Energizer Lithium cell).

How many folks do you know that can honestly say thier keychain light outperforms a 4 D-Cell Maglight?

Of course big Maglights are designed for throw, but in an EDC light you want a more practical slightly floody beam instead of a needle point spot.

Despite being a little on the floody side, the L0D-Q4 is incredibly bright.

In my Kudos to Fenix on the L0D-Q4 thread I did some calculations that show the central part of the beam is brighter than a 100W work light held at the same distance.

It is nice to have both lights because on 2 AA's the L2D is even brighter and has been set up to have more throw, but my L0D-Q4 seems to be able to do everything I need in a small EDC light.

 

[Delta]

So are those Q4 L0D's unsold lights that were retro-fitted with the Q4 LED? I can't imagine a lot of people bought the snowflake lights. I would think they put new LEDs in them just to move them.

 

[Bearcat]

I have the L0D Q4 and I really like it. The L2D has gotten a lot of praise here on CPF, too... Here's a comparison table that might help you decide.

My personal preference would be to have both lights, as they are slightly different... it's nice to experience the variety of Fenix designs. Once you have both, then later on you can decide if you want to repeat one of them for your 3rd light or get something completely different.

The chart states the EO has 12 lumens. I thought the total lumens on the EO was a little less than 5.

 

[Luminescent]

So are those Q4 L0D's unsold lights that were retro-fitted with the Q4 LED? I can't imagine a lot of people bought the snowflake lights. I would think they put new LEDs in them just to move them.

It's looks like the little snowflake and bell pattern has changed a little from the version offered in previous years, so I'm not sure that this is very likely.

If anything, I suspect that Fenix has had to scramble to make ENOUGH of these lights, the way they are selling.

When I started my original 'Kudos' thread about the L0D-Q4 seasonal special, I could only find this special edition light at the Fenix-Store, but I now see that even some other Fenix dealers have jumped on the 'L0D-Q4 seasonal special' bandwagon and started to carry the same offer.

Personally, I like the RED color it's makes it easier to tell my L0D-Q4 from my custom modded Rebel 100 ultrafire B3 (which is black and would otherwise be easy to confuse for the L0D).

My modded ultrafire B3 drives it's Rebel 100 at close to a full 350 mA, and beats the L0D on total lumens, but it's Runtime is only a little over 40 minutes, and the L0D-Q4 is still my favorite because of it's much better runtime and greater flexibility.

 

[chibato]

I think folks have summed it up pretty well, but I might as well add my 2 cents. I purchased my first Fenix about 3 months ago (P2D R100) from the fenix-store. I live in Atlanta, and had the privilege of meeting those guys(really great bunch.) They actually turned me on to CPF. A short time later, a fellow CPFer suggested I try the LOD as a back-up to the P2D. I decided to try it, and fell in love with that little light. It quickly became my EDC, and I use it all the time. It is very easy to carry(barely even know its there...until you need it), reliable, has great output, and very good runtimes for something that small. I didn't care for the color of the Q4 at first, but it grows on you, I think I almost prefer that color now. :thumbsup: to Fenix.

 

[coontai]

hi -holic, welcome to CPF!

If you get that Q4 L0D and put it on your keychain, it will be with you whenever you travel, and you'll never know it until you need it. It's that small.

Exactly what I was gonna say. I mean what good is a light that isn't with you when you need it...

 

[LED-holic]

Thanks again to everyone's input.

I've decided to buy both the L0D Q4 and L2D Q5 again, thus making available 2 Fenix L2D Q5s in my inventory.

These are superb quality lights, so imho it's money well spent.

Thanks all!!