Genesis 1:3
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Apr 2, 2007
- Messages
- 35
Greetings to you all from Taiwan. What an interesting party you have got here. Nice people, lots of knowledge and tons of experience to share.
Just few months ago, my flashlight knowledge was pretty much limited to the Maglite, as often seen and carried by prison guards in your movies. Today, even my 4 year old son Joe, is able to tell the difference between a K2 and Cree XRE LED. Sam, a couple of years younger, is learning the different LED colours of SF Kroma, from the catalog.
My first real contact to a quality LED flashlight was Inova XO3. Well design and built, with beautiful body and lens. We loved it so much and got a T4 soon after. I often use the T4 to drive away wild dogs, with its strong beam or less often, with its strong head. During our last holiday in the woods, we found the beam of XO3 and T4 was a bit too narrow to light up the foot path for an adult and a child, especially during ascending and decending. Upon our return to civilisation, we purchased two Fenix L2D-CE for Cathy and I; and two L1D-CE for the kids. The L1D-CE fit nicely into their small hands, and they have leant very quickly to respect its strong beam, by not pointing the light at each other. I also have a P1D-CE on the belt as my EDC. Fenix products are relatively cheaper here. With the price of a T4 from a delaer in Taiwan, you can buy all of the five Fenix lights above. I know, there is quite a big quality difference between Inova and Fenix
The Fenix honeymoon period was soon finished. During our last walk to the river bank, 2 out of our 4 LxD-CE failed almost at the same time. Both lights wouldn't switch out of the low mode. We got them replaced quickly, but this experience made me think twice, whether it is a good idea to carry all five lights of the same batch, from an average brand. There is a saying here translated into something like: you don't need a good reason to buy something expensive, just a feable excuse. I think it's about time for us to invest in a couple of SF lights.
After reading through the 2007 catalog, it was too difficult for me to pick just two from the list. I would really appreciate your help here base on your SF experience. Here we go:
1. I would like to have a small light to be used around the camp site for activities such as cooking etc. I am thinking about the E1L. Will the beam be too narrow due to its TIR lens design? Is the runtime really going to be 17 hours with the new KX1 head? Is it comfortable to use the cap clip?
2. The second light needs to be powerful with good spill (better than XO3) and runtime. This would be our primary walking light in the woods. How about the new L5 at 120 lumen?
Unfortunetely, wife and kids will continue to use Fenix. Appreciate you thoughts.
Just few months ago, my flashlight knowledge was pretty much limited to the Maglite, as often seen and carried by prison guards in your movies. Today, even my 4 year old son Joe, is able to tell the difference between a K2 and Cree XRE LED. Sam, a couple of years younger, is learning the different LED colours of SF Kroma, from the catalog.
My first real contact to a quality LED flashlight was Inova XO3. Well design and built, with beautiful body and lens. We loved it so much and got a T4 soon after. I often use the T4 to drive away wild dogs, with its strong beam or less often, with its strong head. During our last holiday in the woods, we found the beam of XO3 and T4 was a bit too narrow to light up the foot path for an adult and a child, especially during ascending and decending. Upon our return to civilisation, we purchased two Fenix L2D-CE for Cathy and I; and two L1D-CE for the kids. The L1D-CE fit nicely into their small hands, and they have leant very quickly to respect its strong beam, by not pointing the light at each other. I also have a P1D-CE on the belt as my EDC. Fenix products are relatively cheaper here. With the price of a T4 from a delaer in Taiwan, you can buy all of the five Fenix lights above. I know, there is quite a big quality difference between Inova and Fenix
The Fenix honeymoon period was soon finished. During our last walk to the river bank, 2 out of our 4 LxD-CE failed almost at the same time. Both lights wouldn't switch out of the low mode. We got them replaced quickly, but this experience made me think twice, whether it is a good idea to carry all five lights of the same batch, from an average brand. There is a saying here translated into something like: you don't need a good reason to buy something expensive, just a feable excuse. I think it's about time for us to invest in a couple of SF lights.
After reading through the 2007 catalog, it was too difficult for me to pick just two from the list. I would really appreciate your help here base on your SF experience. Here we go:
1. I would like to have a small light to be used around the camp site for activities such as cooking etc. I am thinking about the E1L. Will the beam be too narrow due to its TIR lens design? Is the runtime really going to be 17 hours with the new KX1 head? Is it comfortable to use the cap clip?
2. The second light needs to be powerful with good spill (better than XO3) and runtime. This would be our primary walking light in the woods. How about the new L5 at 120 lumen?
Unfortunetely, wife and kids will continue to use Fenix. Appreciate you thoughts.
