soren-hamburgo
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2018
- Messages
- 7
-- for submission in the Reviews forum --
Hello,
my first post in this forum is going to be a review of the Fenix FD65 zoom flashlight. The torch was given to me by Fenix for reviewing.
The torch comes in a nice and sturdy box with a proper padding on the inside to keep the torch safe during shipment.
The box has the following content:
The torch weights 623 grams with batteries, measures 152-158 max. length (depending on position of focussable head), has a diameter of 51mm at the body and 61mm on the head.
The touch and feel of the torch is very good, the outer surface is not slippery due to the grooves. And it is slightly top-heavy which I find quite comfortable and assuring.
Comparing the size to other torches, the FD65 is at the upper end (but has also more power than Dr. Pepper
)
The torches you see are in order from left to right:
Now let´s have a closer look at the head of the torch. The front part is smooth like silk while there is one ring with grooves at the bottom of the rotating head.
Looking into the head from the front there are three neutral-white Cree XHP35 HI leds.
They are not perfectly centered, but good enough.
The lenses in front of each led are set a little lower into the front glass. Apart from where the light exits the rest of the glass front is frosted. There is no additional glass or otherwise protection on the lenses.
The actually new feature about this torch is its focus functionality. In order focus or change the angle the light is emitted one has to twist the head on above mentioned ring with grooves. This is done stepless and quite hard in the beginning - but to be fair, the manufacturer points this out in the manual and I guess after some use this will be easier.
However, although no one wants it being loose I still could imagine that the resistance might be a little to hard for some users even after some use, especially when operated with one hand. And for use with gloves the friction of the grooves is not enough.
The focus is working by shifting the head about 6 mm to the front or retracts it in the opposite direction. When being in full focus the torch is just about 3% less brighter which is quite outstanding.
This is how it looks with no focus, ie the widest emitting angle.
And this is how it looks when in focus, ie the smallest exit angle.
The tailcap has two slits to attach the lanyard. For those who prefer their own, thicker lanyards for use with gloves etc., the slits appear to be too small, and might have to be extended with a some small rope in between. Bearing in mind that the lamp is not very light with its 4 batteries this issue might be taken into consideration by the manufacturer (of course without sacrificing the tail stand capability).
Speaking of tail stand: no problem, rock solid.
A mechanical lockout is possible but needs a lot of twists! Eleven on my count, I haven´t tested for waterproofness in lock out, but would not advise on trying.
The battery barrel is also covered in those groves.
The thread is cleanly cut and also lubricated.
At the bottom of the lamp there is a 1/4" thread for tripods.
Looking at the inside, there is a rotating disc with the four pins. This system is known to have caused problems with other manufacturers, but has a good reputation with Fenix.
In the inside of the barrel there are four springs of which two have a brass head. Unfortunately, the marking of how to insert the batteries is a) in the middle of the bottom and b) very small, both being very inconvenient for use.
The batteries needed to operate the Fenix FD65 are 4x 18650 lithium-ion (rechargeable) batteries. According to the manual you must not use other combinations like eight 16340 formats.
The batteries must not exceed 69,5 mm in lenght and 18,7 mm in width and can have either button-top or flat-top.
Two cells are being inserted with heads down and two the other way around.
A great feature of the torch is the possibility to run the device from only two 18650 batteries owing to the well thought-through wiring inside the lamp (2S2P). This fall-back option enhances the usability of the torch greatly in my opinion.
Sadly, like with the above mentioned marking of the barrel, it is not so easy to insert the batteries into their correct positions - especially not in dim light or pitch dark. I believe the designers could easily develop some kind of notch on the outside etc...
Before moving onto its use, let´s have a brief look at the provided case. It is thick and padded and of good quality.
As said at beginning of the review, there is a velcro strap which has no obvious necessity in my eyes. I guess I would strap it to the back of the pouch during use, because the torch has such a (nicely) firm position in the pouch (with 60% weight below its opening) that I don´t see the danger of falling out. Well, it´s up to one´s taste I guess.
Adding the final touch of versatiliy, there is a velcro fastened loop for the belt and a hook (for a carabiner etc.?).
The torch is being operated with two rubber-covered switches with a decent pressure-point. Since they stick out you can easily feel them in the dark, but not with thicker gloves - thin ones might be ok. The left one has the marking L for low and the right one H for high.
The switching scheme is dead easy: one can decrease brightness with a click on L and increase by one level by clicking H. The complete scheme is as follows:
For those with good eyes and bad memory there are little pictograms for the SOS- and the strobe-mode.
The beam angles are quite large.
This is in flood-position:
and this is spot-position:
The whitewall shot reveals the neutral white tint of the lamp. When not in focus (wide beam) there is a clear light impression without shadows or reflections. Only on the outside of the circle there is a yellow corona visible.
This corona is still visible in focussed position of the lamp-head. The inner corona around the spot is slightly warmer in tint and the spot itself has small shadows.
Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) could not be detected, nor made visible with the camera.
The lowest setting of the torch is ECO which is still rather bright - but again, a question of taste.
When set at wide angle (ie not in focus) the torch has full flood characteristics and a very even illumination. When in full focus, the Fenix FD65 is more of an allrounder compared to other lamps of that kind (see images). Although there were some flaws in the whitewall shot, there are not shortcomings in the field, except the little yellow corona.
A few last words to the lamp´s brightness: this is what the manufacturer says.
RS.FREAK, with whom I co-operated on this review, did some own measurements in his lab, using some of his cool tools (check out his fantastic self-made stuff and other measurements here: http://www.taschenlampen-forum.de/threads/rs-freaks-lumenmessungen-in-einer-diy-ulbrichtkugel.57382/)
Results of his measurements are as follows (using Samsung INR 18650-30Q 3000mAh)
Brightness according to manufacturer: 3,800 lm
Actual brightness with cold start: 3,674 lm (in full spot 3% less)
Actual brightness after 30s: 3,471 lm (in full spot 3% less)
Spot: 45,827 lux
Flood: 1,994 lux
He also carried out a runtime test under the following conditions:
First test with an additional ventilator to cool down the lamp. In use again the Samsung INR 18650-30Q 3000mAh at a voltage of 4.2V. After 7 minutes the ventilator was not enough any more and the torch stepped down one level of brightness. The lamp was stepped up immediately using the H-switch. Shortly after, it dimmed down again. The surface temperature of the FD65 was 47°C max.
After another 60 min. another attempt was made to increase the brightness of the lamp again, the measured brightness gained by this at that point was nearly the full rated brightness with 3,551 lm.
The voltage of the batteries was 3.78V after those first 60 min. The torch can deliver appr. 1,700 lm permenantly.
Results of this runtime tests are as follows:
The second measurement was without additional cooling, only holding the torch with bare hands at ambient room temperature. After 4,5 min. the torch stepped down to 1,633 lm, the surface temp. at that point was 51°C. Ouch!
From 3.2V voltage the torch reduces its brightness levels one after another, eventually reaching low level and indicating this by a few sporadic flashes. The torch did not shut off before reaching 2.92V!
To put it a nutshell:
The Fenix FD65 is an innovative and well-built torch. It convinces with its excellent and stable brightness measurement and a very simple user interface. The driver of the Cree leds is very good, even with half-empty batteries the torch is still able to deliver the full brightness. On the downside are the slightly too bright ECO-mode.
Also, as with most "tactical" lamps, the black colour combined with the black carrying pouch makes it hard to find when most needed - in the darkness. For all the time I do not spent on the battlefield, but working in the forest, which is basically all the time, the textures of the focus ring and the switches are not clear enough, especially with gloves at work or in winter. The same goes for the markings in the barrel for inserting the batteries. It takes a bit the fun out of the otherwise brilliant emergency-mode feature of using only two cells.
Still, the torch is a very good piece of kit in everyone´s collection - bright and long-running and simple to use - and yet not too bulky. Nice!
Soren from Hamburg
The review was made in co-operation with RS.FREAK from the German-speaking flashlight forum "Taschenlampen-forum.de", especially adding additional views on handling and use of the torch. His review can be found here:
http://www.taschenlampen-forum.de/threads/review-fenix-fd65.58970/
Thanks, Jan, especially for the brilliant images and the electronic measurements!
Hello,
my first post in this forum is going to be a review of the Fenix FD65 zoom flashlight. The torch was given to me by Fenix for reviewing.
The torch comes in a nice and sturdy box with a proper padding on the inside to keep the torch safe during shipment.
The box has the following content:
- the torch itself
- a carrying case with attachment loops for a belt and a velcro fastening on the front (not sure what that is for, the torch sits very secure in the case already)
- a lanyard that goes on the bottom of the lamp
- a manual (printed in size 6 or something, too small for my old eyes, with a box of that size I don´t see why this could not be improved, having rather a decent size English manual in 12pt rather than 52 Eastern European languages in 6pt)
- a spare o-ring
The torch weights 623 grams with batteries, measures 152-158 max. length (depending on position of focussable head), has a diameter of 51mm at the body and 61mm on the head.
The touch and feel of the torch is very good, the outer surface is not slippery due to the grooves. And it is slightly top-heavy which I find quite comfortable and assuring.
Comparing the size to other torches, the FD65 is at the upper end (but has also more power than Dr. Pepper
)
The torches you see are in order from left to right:
- Fenix FD65
- Imalent DT70
- Olight X7R
- softdrink
Now let´s have a closer look at the head of the torch. The front part is smooth like silk while there is one ring with grooves at the bottom of the rotating head.
Looking into the head from the front there are three neutral-white Cree XHP35 HI leds.
They are not perfectly centered, but good enough.
The lenses in front of each led are set a little lower into the front glass. Apart from where the light exits the rest of the glass front is frosted. There is no additional glass or otherwise protection on the lenses.
The actually new feature about this torch is its focus functionality. In order focus or change the angle the light is emitted one has to twist the head on above mentioned ring with grooves. This is done stepless and quite hard in the beginning - but to be fair, the manufacturer points this out in the manual and I guess after some use this will be easier.
However, although no one wants it being loose I still could imagine that the resistance might be a little to hard for some users even after some use, especially when operated with one hand. And for use with gloves the friction of the grooves is not enough.
The focus is working by shifting the head about 6 mm to the front or retracts it in the opposite direction. When being in full focus the torch is just about 3% less brighter which is quite outstanding.
This is how it looks with no focus, ie the widest emitting angle.
And this is how it looks when in focus, ie the smallest exit angle.
The tailcap has two slits to attach the lanyard. For those who prefer their own, thicker lanyards for use with gloves etc., the slits appear to be too small, and might have to be extended with a some small rope in between. Bearing in mind that the lamp is not very light with its 4 batteries this issue might be taken into consideration by the manufacturer (of course without sacrificing the tail stand capability).
Speaking of tail stand: no problem, rock solid.
A mechanical lockout is possible but needs a lot of twists! Eleven on my count, I haven´t tested for waterproofness in lock out, but would not advise on trying.
The battery barrel is also covered in those groves.
The thread is cleanly cut and also lubricated.
At the bottom of the lamp there is a 1/4" thread for tripods.
Looking at the inside, there is a rotating disc with the four pins. This system is known to have caused problems with other manufacturers, but has a good reputation with Fenix.
In the inside of the barrel there are four springs of which two have a brass head. Unfortunately, the marking of how to insert the batteries is a) in the middle of the bottom and b) very small, both being very inconvenient for use.
The batteries needed to operate the Fenix FD65 are 4x 18650 lithium-ion (rechargeable) batteries. According to the manual you must not use other combinations like eight 16340 formats.
The batteries must not exceed 69,5 mm in lenght and 18,7 mm in width and can have either button-top or flat-top.
Two cells are being inserted with heads down and two the other way around.
A great feature of the torch is the possibility to run the device from only two 18650 batteries owing to the well thought-through wiring inside the lamp (2S2P). This fall-back option enhances the usability of the torch greatly in my opinion.
Sadly, like with the above mentioned marking of the barrel, it is not so easy to insert the batteries into their correct positions - especially not in dim light or pitch dark. I believe the designers could easily develop some kind of notch on the outside etc...
Before moving onto its use, let´s have a brief look at the provided case. It is thick and padded and of good quality.
As said at beginning of the review, there is a velcro strap which has no obvious necessity in my eyes. I guess I would strap it to the back of the pouch during use, because the torch has such a (nicely) firm position in the pouch (with 60% weight below its opening) that I don´t see the danger of falling out. Well, it´s up to one´s taste I guess.
Adding the final touch of versatiliy, there is a velcro fastened loop for the belt and a hook (for a carabiner etc.?).
The torch is being operated with two rubber-covered switches with a decent pressure-point. Since they stick out you can easily feel them in the dark, but not with thicker gloves - thin ones might be ok. The left one has the marking L for low and the right one H for high.
The switching scheme is dead easy: one can decrease brightness with a click on L and increase by one level by clicking H. The complete scheme is as follows:
- start in low mode (150 lumen)
- press L for 0.5s
- start in high mode (1,200 lumen)
- press H for 0.5s
- switch off
- either L or H for 0.5s
- switching between modes
- click L briefly to decrease brightness
- click H briefly to increase brightness
- key lock
- hold both switches for 3s
- SOS
- press L for 1.5s
- strobe
- press H for 1.5s
For those with good eyes and bad memory there are little pictograms for the SOS- and the strobe-mode.
The beam angles are quite large.
This is in flood-position:
and this is spot-position:
The whitewall shot reveals the neutral white tint of the lamp. When not in focus (wide beam) there is a clear light impression without shadows or reflections. Only on the outside of the circle there is a yellow corona visible.
This corona is still visible in focussed position of the lamp-head. The inner corona around the spot is slightly warmer in tint and the spot itself has small shadows.
Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) could not be detected, nor made visible with the camera.
The lowest setting of the torch is ECO which is still rather bright - but again, a question of taste.
When set at wide angle (ie not in focus) the torch has full flood characteristics and a very even illumination. When in full focus, the Fenix FD65 is more of an allrounder compared to other lamps of that kind (see images). Although there were some flaws in the whitewall shot, there are not shortcomings in the field, except the little yellow corona.
A few last words to the lamp´s brightness: this is what the manufacturer says.
RS.FREAK, with whom I co-operated on this review, did some own measurements in his lab, using some of his cool tools (check out his fantastic self-made stuff and other measurements here: http://www.taschenlampen-forum.de/threads/rs-freaks-lumenmessungen-in-einer-diy-ulbrichtkugel.57382/)
Results of his measurements are as follows (using Samsung INR 18650-30Q 3000mAh)
Brightness according to manufacturer: 3,800 lm
Actual brightness with cold start: 3,674 lm (in full spot 3% less)
Actual brightness after 30s: 3,471 lm (in full spot 3% less)
Spot: 45,827 lux
Flood: 1,994 lux
He also carried out a runtime test under the following conditions:
First test with an additional ventilator to cool down the lamp. In use again the Samsung INR 18650-30Q 3000mAh at a voltage of 4.2V. After 7 minutes the ventilator was not enough any more and the torch stepped down one level of brightness. The lamp was stepped up immediately using the H-switch. Shortly after, it dimmed down again. The surface temperature of the FD65 was 47°C max.
After another 60 min. another attempt was made to increase the brightness of the lamp again, the measured brightness gained by this at that point was nearly the full rated brightness with 3,551 lm.
The voltage of the batteries was 3.78V after those first 60 min. The torch can deliver appr. 1,700 lm permenantly.
Results of this runtime tests are as follows:
The second measurement was without additional cooling, only holding the torch with bare hands at ambient room temperature. After 4,5 min. the torch stepped down to 1,633 lm, the surface temp. at that point was 51°C. Ouch!
From 3.2V voltage the torch reduces its brightness levels one after another, eventually reaching low level and indicating this by a few sporadic flashes. The torch did not shut off before reaching 2.92V!
To put it a nutshell:
The Fenix FD65 is an innovative and well-built torch. It convinces with its excellent and stable brightness measurement and a very simple user interface. The driver of the Cree leds is very good, even with half-empty batteries the torch is still able to deliver the full brightness. On the downside are the slightly too bright ECO-mode.
Also, as with most "tactical" lamps, the black colour combined with the black carrying pouch makes it hard to find when most needed - in the darkness. For all the time I do not spent on the battlefield, but working in the forest, which is basically all the time, the textures of the focus ring and the switches are not clear enough, especially with gloves at work or in winter. The same goes for the markings in the barrel for inserting the batteries. It takes a bit the fun out of the otherwise brilliant emergency-mode feature of using only two cells.
Still, the torch is a very good piece of kit in everyone´s collection - bright and long-running and simple to use - and yet not too bulky. Nice!
Soren from Hamburg
The review was made in co-operation with RS.FREAK from the German-speaking flashlight forum "Taschenlampen-forum.de", especially adding additional views on handling and use of the torch. His review can be found here:
http://www.taschenlampen-forum.de/threads/review-fenix-fd65.58970/
Thanks, Jan, especially for the brilliant images and the electronic measurements!
