I was wondering if anyone could answer a few questions for me. I have electronics education and reasonable knowledge of led technology and flashlights. However, I am by no means a flashaholic though (or should I say 'yet') 
Anyhow, I was just able to get a maglite xl100 for $15 in exchange for a aa-led model that fused shut from leaky duracells (I left them in it unused for over a year), so I figured it was worth the small price (relatively speaking) to upgrade. I know some look at maglite as a sub-pro flashlight, but they are reasonably durable (I ran over a aa-mag with my car once with not even a scratch), and the newer LED models are decent given the price. And $15 for a $40 light? Seemed like a deal.
So, either way, I've been researching a boat-load and am very interested in picking up a fenix LD10 or LD20, most likely the LD20. But I'm wondering how it compares to a light like the XL100. I've read the specs and whatnot, but I'm looking to find how it turns out in real usage. For instance, 200 lumens tightly focused isn't the same as 200 lumens spread out with a diffused focuser.
The xl100 claims to be 85 lumens running for 5.5 hours roughly, with 200 hours on low (no lumen listed), although it seems to be about half of my 8 lumen nite-ize led module, so I'm guessing 4 lumens or so? Anyhow, it takes 3x AAA alkaline only batteries in a carrier, which in my mind is a big knock mostly due to the fact that I want to use NiMH batteries.
The fenix would be one or two AA and could be NiMH. Big plus! Also, the fenix models boast brighter outputs. The xl100 has the new "user interface" utilizing the accelerometer, however I've been using it, and while it is interesting, I don't think it adds much of an improvement over the fenix interface. As a matter of fact, it seems difficult to guess which mode you're activating in the dark. You not only have to remember the positions, but also the exact degree to turn the barrel to that mode. I consider myself an advanced user, but I still find that modes other than brightness can take multiple tries to find.
Anyhow, the real reason for the post:
Would the fenix's higher output "actually" be that much better in real use? Is it noticeably brighter?
If I get a fenix, is there any opinion on the ld10 vs. the ld20? I know the technical differences, but it seems to mostly come down to sacrificing size for runtime. The ld20 does give you the higher turbo mode, but all other modes are roughly identical with twice the runtime. Ironically, you can just carry one extra battery for the ld10 and get the same runtime with the same number of batteries, albeit losing the optional lumen boost in turbo mode. Is the difference worthwhile for the size? Does the size actually make the ld20 easier to hold and use?
I would be using this as my EDC/only flashlight. My maglite xl100 would turn into a house or car emergency light with spare AAA batteries. I also have the niteize which is pretty useless other than reading with it or stuff around the house. And I have a princeton tec EOS which is fabulous, but I find the headlamp doesn't work as well for stargazing (no filters/awkward to hold) and would be solely for hiking, general use.
The fenix has diffusers, filters, bike-mount, etc. So it seems like a whole lighting solution! I would probably never use another light unless I happen to not have the fenix around (yeah right). So what to do? LD10? LD20? Am I missing anything? I've compared other brands, and think fenix is for me if I get one. Please let me know if anyone can help. :-O Sorry for the long post!
Anyhow, I was just able to get a maglite xl100 for $15 in exchange for a aa-led model that fused shut from leaky duracells (I left them in it unused for over a year), so I figured it was worth the small price (relatively speaking) to upgrade. I know some look at maglite as a sub-pro flashlight, but they are reasonably durable (I ran over a aa-mag with my car once with not even a scratch), and the newer LED models are decent given the price. And $15 for a $40 light? Seemed like a deal.
So, either way, I've been researching a boat-load and am very interested in picking up a fenix LD10 or LD20, most likely the LD20. But I'm wondering how it compares to a light like the XL100. I've read the specs and whatnot, but I'm looking to find how it turns out in real usage. For instance, 200 lumens tightly focused isn't the same as 200 lumens spread out with a diffused focuser.
The xl100 claims to be 85 lumens running for 5.5 hours roughly, with 200 hours on low (no lumen listed), although it seems to be about half of my 8 lumen nite-ize led module, so I'm guessing 4 lumens or so? Anyhow, it takes 3x AAA alkaline only batteries in a carrier, which in my mind is a big knock mostly due to the fact that I want to use NiMH batteries.
The fenix would be one or two AA and could be NiMH. Big plus! Also, the fenix models boast brighter outputs. The xl100 has the new "user interface" utilizing the accelerometer, however I've been using it, and while it is interesting, I don't think it adds much of an improvement over the fenix interface. As a matter of fact, it seems difficult to guess which mode you're activating in the dark. You not only have to remember the positions, but also the exact degree to turn the barrel to that mode. I consider myself an advanced user, but I still find that modes other than brightness can take multiple tries to find.
Anyhow, the real reason for the post:
Would the fenix's higher output "actually" be that much better in real use? Is it noticeably brighter?
If I get a fenix, is there any opinion on the ld10 vs. the ld20? I know the technical differences, but it seems to mostly come down to sacrificing size for runtime. The ld20 does give you the higher turbo mode, but all other modes are roughly identical with twice the runtime. Ironically, you can just carry one extra battery for the ld10 and get the same runtime with the same number of batteries, albeit losing the optional lumen boost in turbo mode. Is the difference worthwhile for the size? Does the size actually make the ld20 easier to hold and use?
I would be using this as my EDC/only flashlight. My maglite xl100 would turn into a house or car emergency light with spare AAA batteries. I also have the niteize which is pretty useless other than reading with it or stuff around the house. And I have a princeton tec EOS which is fabulous, but I find the headlamp doesn't work as well for stargazing (no filters/awkward to hold) and would be solely for hiking, general use.
The fenix has diffusers, filters, bike-mount, etc. So it seems like a whole lighting solution! I would probably never use another light unless I happen to not have the fenix around (yeah right). So what to do? LD10? LD20? Am I missing anything? I've compared other brands, and think fenix is for me if I get one. Please let me know if anyone can help. :-O Sorry for the long post!
