Fenix L1T Experience?

[JohnKSa]

Black bear's comment and pictures of the Fenix flashlights on another thread got me to looking at the Fenix line.

The L1T looks very interesting. Runs off a single AA and has high and low output levels. Something like 3 hours runtime on high and 10 hours on low output. The fact that this can use the AA NiMH rechargeables makes it very attractive to me since I already have a few of those and a charger.

I read the review on Flashlight Review, but his brightness comparison charts always leave me floundering.

I have two questions for anyone who's played with one of these flashlights.

1. Is the lower output setting dim enough that I won't burn out my eyeballs trying to look at small details in dim light?

2. Just how bright is the high output setting?

 

[black bear]

Hi John,
Clipse did a review of the Fenix L1T in this link:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=205822&highlight=fenix+L1T

And he will be the person to contact if you need more information on the light.

Perhaps been a Luxeon III is even a better thrower than the Luxeon I in my L1P, I am very happy with the L1P's we have (3) and the LOP.

Best regards
black bear

 

[JohnKSa]

Thanks for the link!

They certainly look good on paper. It's also interesting that the same flashlight head is used for the L1T and the L2T. By switching to the L2T body (which accomodates a second AA), you get another 18 lumens of output in high mode and over double the runtime (up to 22 hours) in low mode (same light output as the L1T).

In high mode, the L1T puts out about 37 Lumens and in low mode, about 10 lumens.

It is bigger than the L0P--about 0.8" longer and about 0.23" larger in diameter. Basically to fit an AA vs the AAA used in the L0P.

It appears to be almost identical to the L1P in size and runtime, but offers a bit more brightness (7 lumens more--or another 23%) in high mode and the additional flexibility of a selectable lower output to triple battery life.

(All the runtime numbers are approximate numbers using a NiMH 2500mAH AA).

Since most of what I need a flashlight for is detail work in dim light, the option to switch to a lower output is very attractive to me.

 

[the scot]

I have an L1T and think it's a great light--at least for me. I'm not sure I'd recommend it for you, though. The low setting is still way too bright for close in work. For close up stuff, you might take a look at the new Fenix EO (single AAA) light, although, you won't be getting the great "throw" that you will with the L1T. As for me, I like the L1T for most stuff, and always carry a Photon Freedom (coin cell) light. With it, I can go as dim as I need to go.

the scot

 

[JohnKSa]

the scot,

Thanks for sharing your experience. Sounds like I may end up following your lead and using something dimmer and much smaller for my detail work.

I'm still pretty hooked on the idea of the L1T, darnit--this is how I ended up carrying more than one pocket knife at once...

 

[symr00]

Here is a neat little Accessory for it.

http://countycomm.com/AFTERBURNER.htm

 

[clipse]

Yup, I have the L1T. I like it alot. I bought it because I had lost my L1P. I was very glad I got the L1T. The low setting could be lower IMHO. That has been a gripe about the L1T by many people. If using the 'low' really upclose, you won't burn your eyeballs out of thier sockets but you will blow your night adapted vision for a while.

Fenix did just come out with an L1S. It is basically the L1T only with a Lux I. Why downstep to a Lux I when you have a Lux III light already?

The Lux III LED's are very similar to the Lux I's with the exception that they have very good thermal resistance so you can drive them a bit harder. The L1S will be dimmer but you will likely get better regulation/runtime on high since the Lux I isn't driven so hard. They also make an L2S that is the 2 celled version of the L1S.

Fenix lights are what they are, cheap, reliable, lights. I have more expensive lights and you can deffinately see the differece in fit and finish. Not really a big deal, they are still reliable. Its like the difference between a Geo Metro and Ferrari. Both will get you from A to B but ones just nicer.

I really like my fenix lights. They are wonderful for EDC and general around the house tasks.

clipse

 

[JohnKSa]

I have more expensive lights and you can deffinately see the differece in fit and finish.

The things that really made me perk up are the very small size, running off a single rechargeable AA, two light settings and reasonable run time in either setting.

I'm willing to pay more* if there's something else that will do those things better...

*Especially since I'm going to try to get my wife to buy it for my birthday...

 

[griz]

Fenix lights are what they are, cheap, reliable, lights.

Maybe I'm just not geeky enough when it comes to flashlights, but I thought $40 for a pocket flashlight was high end. I realize there are more expensive ones available. But they remind me of the custom rifles that cost $10,000 and sit in the safe because they are too expensive to risk in the field.

To each his own.

 

[clipse]

JohnKSa,

I would say fenix is your best bet. You won't be dissappointed.

griz,

When I said cheap I should have said inexpensive. Yeah, $40 is alot if your used to maglite. Pocket lights can reach pretty high in $$$. Look at Surefires 1 cell lights. While they are nicely built, they lack alot of versitility. The L1T and L1S are GREAT pocket lights that are versitile and use a very common battery type.

The more expensive lights I have (namely the HDS EDC U60 @ $160) are brighter, more versitile, and still small enough for EDC. The HDS for instance has 4 brightness levels to choose from. Those four are programable and you can choose from 20 different brightness levels. Also, you can use unprotected rechargable Li-ion batteries. The light will actually detect the battery chemistry and will protect the Li-ion battery from over dicharging and/or heating up. Also, if the light gets to hot the output will drop a level to prolong the life of the LED emitter. There are many other functions that are difficult to understand without actually seeing them working on the light.

Its all in what you want out of a light. The HDS is the perfect light for me and does everything I want it to short of being a spotlight.

clipse

 

[Q-Lock]

I do believe that after reading this thread and Clipse's review of the L1T, I'll be adding it to my "Christmas List."

Thanks for the great review and the useful comparisons.

Regards,

 

[clipse]

I am always happy to help. I really really want to try out the L1S now.

clipse

 

[JohnKSa]

I would say fenix is your best bet. You won't be dissappointed.

All RIGHT! Time to put in the "order".

 

[griz]

How does the available light from the L1T compare to something like the cheaper single CR123 lights? For instance the Dorsy (IIRC) that you can get from Target. The L1T strikes me as a quality product, I just don't want to pay that much if it isn't a step up in brightness.

Thanks, Griz.

 

[clipse]

L1T high on left, L1T low on right.



Dorcy Super 1 Watt


The L1T is brighter on high but you get the added versitility of a lower output for battery conservation.

 

[griz]

Wow! I had no idea you could get that much output from a AA battery. Looks like I need to budget for a new light.

Thanks, Griz

 

[JohnKSa]

High output LEDs have really changed the world of flashlights.

 

[clipse]

High output LEDs have really changed the world of flashlights.

That is no joke. Its amazing how bright some LED lights are. The U2 for instance puts out 100 lumens.

clipse

 

[JohnKSa]

Mini-Review

Got the L1T and have been carrying it for a month and a half. It fits nicely into my pocket.

No complaints so far.

It came with a lanyard & carrying case (I'm not using either one), a spare rubber button tailcap cover and a couple of spare O rings.

This is the brightest pocket light I've ever seen--at least it was until a buddy at work saw mine and ordered a Fenix P1. The P1 is supposed to be about 18 lumens brighter than the L1T, but I couldn't tell the difference, side-by-side. The P1 definitely seems to get warmer than the L1T though which makes me think that there's extra energy being expended. Maybe some beam shots would show the difference.

At any rate, the L1T is definitely a big step up from the smaller LED lights (like the Photon lights). Throw is tremendously better as is brightness. Changing the batteries is much easier and having the option to run off rechargeables is a huge advantage.

The low mode of the L1T is turning out to be less useful than I had thought it would be, primarily because the difference in brightness isn't as significant as I thought it would be, but I still consider it to be a good option. In a pinch, I can extend the runtime of my light by a factor of 3-- (from 3.3 hours in high mode to 10 hours in low mode) that's not something that you can do with most lights. It's also handy for small work--especially on shiny things. The high mode can be too bright for that sort of thing.

I'm using 2700maH rechargeable NiMH batteries and have yet to run one down before I do my "sort of monthly" recharging (I also use these batteries in my Black Bear Search & Rescue.) I suppose I'll have to do a runtime test sooner or later but I've been too lazy so far.

A couple of interesting asides: The documentation mentions that you can use a 14500 protected lithium rechargeable in the light--the regulator circuit in the L1T will handle the voltage. According to Fenix, you can get up to 75 lumens out of the 3Watt Luxeon LED this way. I'll bet runtime suffers badly though, and I've seen one review that implies that the low mode won't work with that much voltage going into the regulator circuit and that the light's construction probably isn't sufficient to dissipate the heat created from that sort of current draw. This seems like more of a "cool factor" thing than a useful feature.

Also, the L1T and L2T use the same head. So you can install an L2T body on an L1T head & tailcap and get L2T performance using 2 AA batteries. Fenix does offer the L2T bodies for sale separately, so some folks must see the value in this feature. You get 55 lumens out of the light with 2 AA batts and the low mode runtime is extended to 22 hours. It's no longer a pocket light though.

Thanks to all the knowledgeable folks who pushed me in the right direction!