LF5XT or new FENIX DX10

jasonsmaglites · Jul 1, 2008

which one should i get? let me tell you what i'm looking for and maybe you can steer me in the right direction. i want the brightest high mode with a beautiful looking beam (read op reflector). a low low would be nice, especially if it was adjustable where i can pick the lumens of the low level. that would be really awesome. i do want to pick the brightness of my own levels on all settings actually. i don't know if that limits me to the LF5XT or not. i like features in the ui, as long as i can learn them reasonably. i love a flashlight i can show off to a friend, usually thats just brightness though i guess. strobe and sos suck, so turning them off would be wonderful. gotta take 14500's but i think that's both of them. i guess that should get us started. any other info comparing them would be nice. thanks,
jasonsmaglites

LightWalker · Jul 2, 2008

The D10 is made by Nitecore, not Fenix. I've read reviews on the LF5XT and I would not trade my Nitecore D10 for a LF5XT.
The D10 has a easier UI (user interface). I've read of the LF5XT flickering and whinning and other issues. I recommend searching through the archives: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/archive/index.php/f-55.html

CanadianEh · Jul 2, 2008

jasonsmaglites said:
which one should i get?

If you have to ask that question then I'm not sure you deserve that Flashaholic* title underneath your name.

If you're asking which to order first, well that's simple - the one that'll ship/reach you the fastest. So order the D10 now, the LF5XT can wait a few more minutes...

RyanA · Jul 2, 2008

lf5xt should be brighter on 14500, and from the pictures it has a nice deep reflector. Looks like a lot of fun to play with, but I think I'd prefer the d10 for edc, much simpler UI.

gadgetnerd · Jul 2, 2008

Both are great solidly built torches with true microprocessor control and features that up til now have only been found on more expensive CR123 lights. Both encompass about the same brightness (1-2lm low up to ~120-130lm high), but the LiteFlux has a flawless beam, while the PD has the usual ringy Cree beam.

Which is better for you depends on which of the different design philosophies appeal to you (and the aesthetics of course):

LF5XT: Supremely flexible programmable UI which will allow you to make the light into just about whatever you want.

D10: Simple single mode programmable UI for no fuss EDC.

At $60/$80 the D1/LF5XT both represent amazing value for money, and both have shown the occasional QC issues we've come to expect from torches in this price range. FWIW my LF5XT has no flickering and very faint inductor whine comparable to my NDI. Basically there are just not enough of either model in peoples' hands to draw blanket conclusions about flickering/noise/UI/build problems.

Personally, I'd like a D10 with the UI and beam quality of the LF5XT. Since that aint gonna happen, I got both. They're cheap enough, so you should too

Zenster · Jul 2, 2008

gadgetnerd said:
At $60/$80 the D1/LF5XT both represent amazing value for money, and both have shown the occasional QC issues we've come to expect from torches in this price range.

To better explain why it's not a cut 'n dried choice, I think it's appropriate to bring up two totally different lights as an example.

I bought both the NDI and the JetBeam I MK IBS.
From what I can see, the general consensus is that most people like the NDI better, however, I have come to like the JB better for it's UI.
So while I read lot's of wonderful reports of NDI owners, and the switch on the JB is less than stellar for it's "hard" action, my personal preference for how the UI worked left me with selling the NDI and keeping the JB.
I love to hate the JB but I still love it.

So the point is, rather than asking which is "better", it's more useful to ask specific questions about specific feature differences and make a personal choice based on those. One person's favorite UI might be another person's aggravating UI, etc.
Incidentally, the ability to tailstand is a deal-breaker for me personally in an EDC type light. So knowing that, I probably should never have bought the non-tailstanding NDI in the first place. That's just one example of how personal preferences for a feature or type of UI mean more than just simple lumens.

jasonsmaglites · Jul 2, 2008

ok, i'm kind of leaning against putting in an order for the fenix. back when i ordered the liteflux lf2x, i forgot i already put in an order for lf5xt (stupid flashaholic), which is perfect because seeing the ui can be perfectly tailored to me and the beam is beautiful, that's what sold me. the piston design is not as important as the features to me.

thanks for the info.
jm

Crenshaw · Jul 2, 2008

jasonsmaglites said:
ok, i'm kind of leaning against putting in an order for the fenix. back when i ordered the liteflux lf2x, i forgot i already put in an order for lf5xt (stupid flashaholic), which is perfect because seeing the ui can be perfectly tailored to me and the beam is beautiful, that's what sold me. the piston design is not as important as the features to me.

thanks for the info.
jm

its NOT a fenix...

Crenshaw

clintb · Jul 2, 2008

jasonsmaglites,

Repeat after me. "NiteCore D10, NiteCore D10." Fenix has absolutely nothing to do with this light. Ok, off soap box.

Like gadgetnerd, I have both lights, and really like each one. Actually, I have the D10 (AA), an EX10 (123), plus the LF5XT (one of each color).

LF5XT:
- UI that allows you to do what you want
- A real memory mode. None of this "wait x seconds to lock in the memory". It comes back on where you turned it off, no matter how quickly it was turned off after being turned on, mode switched, etc...
- Flawless finish.
- Flawless etching / lettering (not a big deal, but excellent it's attention to detail)
- No moving parts, except the switch, and it's electronic
- Perfect beam. Such an amazingly usable beam. Zero Cree rings.
- Strobe and SOS can be tucked away (you can program intensity and duration of these. Wow!)
- Battery voltage reporting
- Selectable battery over-discharge protection (you can turn it off!)
- No whine or flickering on mine

D10, EX10
- Amazingly simple UI
- Very good beam for a Cree (not to LF5XT level though)
- Excellent machining
- Piston drive, all electronic switching (should be reliable)
- Small size
- Accessories forthcoming (pistons w/ trit and pocket clips)
- Very well matched anodizing

LED-holic · Jul 2, 2008

clintb said:
jasonsmaglites,

Repeat after me. "NiteCore D10, NiteCore D10." Fenix has absolutely nothing to do with this light. Ok, off soap box.

Like gadgetnerd, I have both lights, and really like each one. Actually, I have the D10 (AA), an EX10 (123), plus the LF5XT (one of each color).

LF5XT:
- UI that allows you to do what you want
- A real memory mode. None of this "wait x seconds to lock in the memory". It comes back on where you turned it off, no matter how quickly it was turned off after being turned on, mode switched, etc...
- Flawless finish.
- Flawless etching / lettering (not a big deal, but excellent it's attention to detail)
- No moving parts, except the switch, and it's electronic
- Perfect beam. Such an amazingly usable beam. Zero Cree rings.
- Strobe and SOS can be tucked away (you can program intensity and duration of these. Wow!)
- Battery voltage reporting
- Selectable battery over-discharge protection (you can turn it off!)
- No whine or flickering on mine

D10, EX10
- Amazingly simple UI
- Very good beam for a Cree (not to LF5XT level though)
- Excellent machining
- Piston drive, all electronic switching (should be reliable)
- Small size
- Accessories forthcoming (pistons w/ trit and pocket clips)
- Very well matched anodizing

Thanks a lot for this, very very helpful.

WadeF · Jul 2, 2008

I'm still waiting on my Liteflux, but you may want to update your title so your confusion doesn't spread and confuse other people (It's the Nitecore D10, not Fenix DX10).

orcinus · Jul 2, 2008

LMAO

Should've put "IT'S NOT A FENIX LIGHT!" a few more times in those summaries. And in bold letters.

xcel730 · Jul 2, 2008

How does Fenix D10 compare with Nitecore P2d?

kevinm · Jul 2, 2008

clintb said:
D10, EX10
- Accessories forthcoming (pistons w/ trit and pocket clips)

Before I go nuts and take a drill press to my EX10 to mount a pocket clip on it, tell me more about the forthcoming accessories. :paypal:

The EX10 is amazing. I don't have the LiteFlux, but Jason, you won't be disappointed by the NiteCore.

Thanks,
Kevin

clintb · Jul 2, 2008

kevinm said:
Before I go nuts and take a drill press to my EX10 to mount a pocket clip on it, tell me more about the forthcoming accessories.

The EX10 is amazing. I don't have the LiteFlux, but Jason, you won't be disappointed by the NiteCore.

Thanks,
Kevin

4Sevens posted about it in the CPFM Dealer's thread.
http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showpost.php?p=2175520&postcount=112

jasonsmaglites · Jul 2, 2008

i have the liteflux on order so i'm holding off on the nitecore.
i already have a fenix l2d q5 and l1d q5 (lost but somewhere) so i got enough aa's to still call myself a flashoholic and not buy them both.
seems like the nitecore would be cooler light than the l1d q5 for sure. maybe i'll pick up a nitecore with the intent of replacing the fenix down the line.
i pray the liteflux comes in tomorrow. we're going out of town for a week tomorrow and i'll be crushed if it doesn't come in.

LF5XT or new FENIX DX10

jasonsmaglites

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LightWalker

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CanadianEh

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RyanA

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gadgetnerd

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Zenster

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jasonsmaglites

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Crenshaw

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clintb

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orcinus

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