The Fenix LD01 2010 model Review

EDC lights are some of the best lights out their on the market (EDC stands for Everyday Carry).  These lights are designed to be small, easy to carry on a keychain or in a purse.  For everyday use without having to sport a holster of sorts yet powerful enough to replace those rather cumbersome D-cell Mag Flashlights that many Americans and law enforcement agencies still use.  In fact there were two companies invested in developing these kind of lights, but were not made for the average consumer in terms of purchasing costs concerned given that one of these lights would cost close to $50.00 USD each.  The light comes from a Nichia sourced 5-millimeter white LED with a color temp hovering around 6500K with two corona rings thus creating a rather uneven light source.  None the less these EDC lights provided more than enough light to illuminate a room sufficiently to read a simple text or look for something in complete darkness.  We are talking about less than 10-lumens, which is about the same amount of light provided by a room filled with 20-wax candles.  Decent amount of light coming from a well made piece of hard anodized aluminum with the power of a single AAA battery.  Great design and great engineering made in the United States of America, but that is the only primary selling point given at that time the Chinese or the Koreans haven't been completely invested in developing EDC light professionally.

Behold, The Fenix LD01 EDC Light powered by Cree.

The Fenix Light Corporation was founded in 2001 in Shenzhen, China developing high-quality EDC flashlights at rather affordable prices.  During that time, Cree Lighting was relatively new and the one dominating the market was none other than Lumileds or Luxeon-Phillips.  Most of their LED lines consisted of both Nichia and Luxeon emitters with enough lumens to equal to that of a 15-watt incandescent filament bulb.  Now that is not saying much given back during those times of early development, the four name brands in developing EDC lights are Streamlight, Surefire, EDC, and ARC Flashlights LTD.  All four are USA brands and as such only develop their up and coming solid-state lighting technologies here in the United States so that other markets may be able to purchase truly built American products for use with applications that demand tough situations.  Surefire is the most commonly heard company in military and law enforcement applications since their lights are built for tactical and extreme duty use.  Streamlight is mainly tactical and that are mostly fitted on pistols for both military and law enforcement related field applications.  

The sum of both worlds, the LD01 provides both the illumination of a three D-Cell Mag light with the size of a AAA-battery (slightly bigger).  The meaning of illumination would be up to 80-lumens at the highest output mode while the lowest providing about 5-lumens which is slightly more powerful than the AAA-Mag Solitaire (3-lumens).  The reason I say the sum of both worlds is because the Fenix LD01 provides great light in a single AAA-battery cell package.  Massive amount of light with a very small, easy to carry lighting package.  It is true that Great Things Come in Rather Small Packages.  Something interesting and Food for Thought.

Battery life is quite good in the medium mode, which provides a more than decent 40-lumens or about .75-watt of solid-state lighting power.  Now mind everyone here reading this review, most of the Cree LEDs used are mostly under driven to increase the life span of the lamp and also to increase the battery efficiency while reducing heat generation since the entire housing and body of the flashlight acts as a heat sink.  Ah the beauty of aluminum but here is where the real kicker here is that the LD01 doesn't really produce heat per say in any of the lower illumination modes.  Only when the light is set to the highest possible output (high) is where a moderate amount of heat is generated (1.5-watts approximate value from Fenix Light) at which the LD01 is producing about 82-lumens of light or equivalent to a 15-watt halogen filament spot bulb.  If all of you reading this blog are in somewhat in disbelief, then I invite you all to test one out at a local electronics shop or just order one from www.fenixstore.com (under new management).  Here are the original technical specifications as of 2010 when purchased from Amazon.

Features• Cree Q5 7090 XR-E LED
• Three output modes: 27 Lumens (3.5hrs) -> 10 Lumens (8.5hrs) -> 80 Lumens (1hrs)
• Four days of survival use (two continuous hours per day on the lowest setting)
• Uses one 1.5V AAA battery (not included), inexpensive and widely available
• 7.35cm (L) x 1.4cm (D) (or 2.9 in (L) x 0.6 in (D))
• 14.8-gram (or 0.5 oz) weight (excluding batteries)
• Made of aircraft-grade aluminum
• Durable Type III hard-anodized finish
• Toughened ultra-clear glass lens with AR coating
• Waterproof to IPX-8 Standards
• Capable of standing up securely on a flat surface to serve as a candle
• Input voltage: 0.8V~3.3V
• Reliable twist-switch

So if one were to think about it, a single AAA-cell battery is more than capable of delivering a whopping 1.25-watts of solid-state lighting greatness or 85-lumens in a tight 20-degree spot beam.  The Cree LED Q5 XR-E LED is used in the LD01, which carries a 3-watt capacity at a minimum voltage requirement of 4.5-VDC with a max consumption of 700-mA.  Here is the interesting portion of the tech specs for the LED is that it is designed to handle up to 1.0A at 6-VDC, which translates to 6-watts continuous while when powered at the basic rating of 4.5-VDC, then the continuous current drive can be no greater than 1500-mA.  Newer versions of the LD01 uses a different XR-Lamp from Cree that yields higher output with less current draw requirements.  Since the current draw is lower, there is less heat being generated especially when the LED emitter's driver is pushing for higher light output.  In the case of the Premium-Q emitter versus the XR-N, the Q-series produces a colder color temperature of light than the N-series to the degree that delivers a near halogen type of light temperature (3800K vs. halogen 3300K vs. Q-series 5000K).

In terms of the lumens output of the Q-series versus the N-Series, the difference is 5-lumens.  Using this photo on the right as a mode of comparison, a MAG Instruments AAA-cell Solitaire is featured here to provide a certain scale of things.  The Solitaire features a mono-filament Krypton bulb with the capability to change between spot to flood with a twist of the head.  This sometimes prove to be somewhat unreliable since the twisting of the head also activates the light.  The quality of the beam is rather poor given the focal range of the reflector and bulb, but with the ability to change the focus of the light, it allows for a fair amount of throw and illumination.  The light output averages about 5-lumens give or take about a lumen or two in either direction, but with the reflective optics, the quality and amplification of light is rather diffused.  For those who have owned MAG Flashlights, then one can understand the quality of their reflective optics to the degree that when one decides to use an aftermarket drop-in high-flux LED, then the ability to change the focal range of the light is rather limited.

The Fenix LD01 features a fixed focal length reflection type optics with an anti-reflective coated mineral glass lens with a transmission efficiency factor close to 95%.  A single entry location for activating the light and access to the battery is done at the barrel of the LD01 while providing reliable switching between low, medium, and high-output emitter modes.  The ability to be propped up for use as a candle can be done with a land yard attached very easily.  And with the high-quality reflective optics, the LD01 is an excellent everyday carry light worth mentioning to those seeking the power of a large flashlight with none of the heft.  Plus with three light output levels, this EDL allows for a considerable amount of flexibility especially when a situation demands for a little bit more light.  Illuminating a backyard requires a bit more power output as such the Fenix LD01 delivers more than what most people would expect.  This is something that a MAG Solitaire and a 3-D cell MAG that is not capable of especially when delivering a high-flux, high-quality emission of light. 

At the end of the day, the Fenix LD01 is a more than capable keychain light that delivers all of the power of a large frame flashlight with all of the portability of a AAA-cell.  A 3-watt Cree Premium-Q emitter that is under driven yet still more than able to deliver the goods as it were. 

Some Food for Thought and Have A Great Year.  Year of the Dragon 2012.

LED Bulbs is the Green Energy Future

As the statement title suggests, The Green Energy Saving Future to be more exact.  Many countries including the late United States are beginning to promote the use of compact florescent bulbs and tubes.  This technology allows for increased lighting output efficiency while consuming less electrical energy.  I think that more can be done to further increase efficiency and still consuming even less electrical energy, but many advocates who produce CF lighting would disagree since volume of product allows for greater profit than with specialty items such as high-output LED bulbs.  

My latest housing purchase has been fully retrofitted with Cooper Lighting's latest and greatest in solid-state lighting.  Since I am a staunch advocate for LED lighting, I feel that it was a wise choice to use the Halo Stasis lighting solution.  Quite expensive to purchase and install since all of the wiring must be done properly since these devices require both a ground and positive polarity in order for the lighting system to function properly.  The initial sticker shock through Cooper Lighting from a friendly contractor friend came to about 66.00/unit for a 9-watt small with piped optics.  The equivalent output is around 50-watts at 35-degree narrow flood using a simple MR16 halogen, which is actually quite good with all things considered.  I have always wanted to personally replace all the lighting with the latest in modern innovation and style.  Cooper Lighting has allowed for me to accomplish what I set out to do in the form of the Halo Stasis.  This is one of many solid-state lighting solutions employed.

I used LED light ropes through simple AC/DC power puck drivers to create certain mood lighting and emergency lighting for those rather dark nights when I don't want to turn on every light in the house.  And what if I do turn on every light in the house (the Venice Canal home has a total of 89-light fixtures - Halo Stasis replacements), the total power consumption is less than what it was before the change to solid-state technology.  The original lighting consists of MR16 halogen reflector bulbs operating at 55-watts each for a near 5000-watt power consumption per hour versus the replacement Stasis draw of 800-watts/hour.  That is quite a significant decrease in power consumption for all things considered so one has to ask if it is truly worth it to change.  In the short and long term situations, Yes!

The initial costs of replacement can be very high to downright faint, but the energy savings alone would easily offset that cost.  In fact since the high life span of over 30000-hours, it easily surpasses compact florescent lighting technology.  A squiggly looking light bulb is not quite so hip as a halogen, but even a halogen is not a "Green" technology so if one is trying to appear like a cool and environmentally caring person, using old lighting tech may not be the wisest choice.  Now granted that going "Green" poses significant challenges, but if one were able to replace the bulbs in the kitchen with solid-state lighting, not only the energy costs would be lower, the replacing of bulbs would be reduced to a significant degree.  The reason is that many who use the kitchen may have experienced the environment such as the walls and cabinets with all those cooking oils of the kind.  This something to think about.

There are reading lights out there that sport solid-state lighting to a greater degree and that it is able to completely replace the typical lamp.  A compact lighting solution with all of the benefits of a 50-watt halogen with none of the typical drawbacks. That may be coming soon to a consumer convention near you, but until that day happens, we all must enjoy the beauty of sunlight.  If replacing the recessed lighting fixtures are not affordable with today's market prices, then using drop-in replacements may be a better solution.  Philips, Cree, and Seoul Semi-Conductor has designed their own direct replacement drop-in bulbs for both direct and alternating current systems as such can be used in many home and commercial installations.  In a better sense, home applications would not accurately represent the energy saving that solid-state provides over compact florescent, but small business and commercial applications would see the true benefit of the energy savings provided by LED high-flux output lighting.

Excessive waste is generated when replacing light bulbs given that we as consumers purchase bulbs to replace others while trying to reduce both our environmental and energy footprint on this planet.  In many cases this is true, but when one understands the manufacturing of compact florescent lighting technology, then this statement requires an adjustment.  As stated in some of my other blog posts, compact florescent technology requires an electronically controlled ballast and starter to ignite the mercury gas in the light tube while the ballast controls the charge thus creating the light that we so much enjoy over the many years using this form of lighting technology.  Cold Cathode lamps operate pretty much in the same fashion where a high-current/voltage charge is created to ignite the mercury within, which in turn creates the necessary ultraviolet wavelengths that excite the phosphors within the tube that ultimately create the white light that we as consumer so crave.  Many home applications are using this lighting technology to save on energy costs and plus many of the cities building codes and regulations require houses to use a more efficient form of lighting.  It both reduces the chance of a fire and also conforms to energy consumption demands.  Every little bit helps, but there is a point to make when using this type of lighting method.  Energy is not the primary but only concern at this stage until one understands how the lights are designed and manufactured.

Now we completely enter into the world of solid-state lighting.  Using epoxy, a minute dab of an organic phosphor derivative, and a cathode/anode, viola.  An LED is born with the potential to light up a room, well sort of.  Careful development of the organic phosphor determines color and intensity while the quality of the material determines life span.  If a proper heat sink method is introduced, then the solid-state lighting package is able to deliver the same output of light that many of us consumers take for granted in the form of the incandescent light bulb.  These are rather simple yet complicated to design devices that allow the average consumer to enjoy without having to understand the process.  Well this blog post should help in understanding what high-powered white LEDs are made and developed from.  Just for further informative understanding, the phosphors in LEDs are of a different material composition than what is used in the manufacturing of compact and standard form factor florescent light tubes.

Some of the newer Cree LED chips use a more energy efficient phosphor compound to provide a uniform light dispersion and color temperature while reducing the amount of current require to create the same amount of illumination.  Quite a great deal of information in a short sentence, but in the world of lighting, many would agree that quantity and quality of light is very desirable with the least amount of required energy to create.  The lower the consumption, the better the efficiency in the case of LEDs because heat is a deciding factor of longevity for these solid-state lighting devices.  Any high-flux output solid-state device requires considerable amount of cooling to maintain the level of efficiency and longevity.  Failing that results in a burnt LED or worse, a damaged electronic step-up/down puck driver.  The Puck driver's job is supply sustained voltage and regulated current to the LED to drive the chip properly.  Electronic dimmers that are designed for LED and CFL are available through Levitron are used in many of the newer home installations since when switching between the two technologies can prove somewhat useful in a dynamic sense and adds to the compatibility of the lighting system.  The old fashion mechanical type dimmers would not be able to properly operate solid-state lighting installations since a controlled dimmer circuit is required to prevent voltage spikes (voltage spikes can overload and destroy the Puck driver and LED bulb).  Many of the newer generation (3rd) LED bulbs feature a PWM (Pulse Width Modular) circuit in the Puck Driver to allow a flicker free dimming capability thus reducing eye strain for those seeking a dimmer lighting environmental setting.

At the end of blog, I personally prefer the latest in greatest method of reducing environmental waste and energy consumption, which is the world of the solid-state lighting solution.  CFL technology has its cost benefits, but the thought of mercury and somewhat toxic phosphors coating the bulb interior, the "Green" factor would obviously be the low energy consumption that it delivers.  13-watts of Compact Florescent Light delivers about 60-watts of light at 4000K color temperature, but with the use of mercury to create the necessary UV radiation to excite the phosphors to create the white light, then that "Green" factor starts to loose some of its shine.  Virtually no UV is created with solid-state lighting solutions unless the buyer specifies that UV will be needed as such the chemistry can be tailored to create the spectrum of light to include ultraviolet.

Some food for thought and to everyone reading and or following the blog, "Have a Great Day and Stay Well"

Halo LED Series - One of the Best in Light Fixtures

Having owned the Halo recessed lighting fixtures for my home and modifying them to handle custom piped optics with integrated heatsink Cree LED X-Lamp series technology, I can say that the future of lighting is coming in many stylish ways.  As far as I can tell, this is the first commercial corporation providing and producing a series of high-quality solid-state recessed lighting fixtures to complement and replace older recessed lighting in a home, office, and commercial applications.  This is worth discussing since I am a loyal fan of the Halo Corporation as such with the development and deployment of solid-state lighting, I feel that this is the next evolution in the future of LED lighting technology.  


First off, the entire lighting housing is manufactured in the United States, as such providing valuable jobs in this rather desperate economy.  The LED is provided by Cree and the heat sinks provided are through several companies that properly handle the heat generated by the semi-conductor.  Unlike CCFL and filament bulbs, LED doesn't pass heat in the form of light energy, but rather through contact patches similar to a microprocessor and heat sink package.  Since the chassis and housing is primarily made of steel and alloys, the heat is then sink out to through the aluminum casing to the housing.  I have modified Halo housings since these fixtures weren't available in 2000 so I basically used a modification to integrate the heat sink and the Halo recessed lighting housing/chassis.  The power supply line-regulator and digital dimmer circuit using current reduction rather PWM thus a flickering effect is not present.  Back in 2000, I had to convert all the lighting systems from AC to pure, double redundant line-conditioned power supplies in DC form to supply power to the Halo LED units.  Then a digital dimming line-regulator supply is used to provide the dimming capability and the Levitron digital switches used worked well with the custom modified Halo Housings.  


Now Halo offers a completely new line of solid-state lighting technologies that really make my existing system rather antiquated.  The Halo Sustainable LED design is currently installed in my enlarged WOK room and offers better lighting dispersion and higher output with is little less electrical input.  In this case, I had to run VAC into the newer Halo lighting system thus using their own Puck driver and power delivery system.  The H7 600-series is what I am using for the newly reconstructed Wok room thus having the proper lighting without having to modify the housing and or the electrical system.  First it is up to code and second I can use an industrial light switch rather than the more elegant digital light switches by Levitron.  Six of these lighting systems are employed and deliver as much light as having four 75-watt Par-60 halogen flood lights thus my electrical consumption is reduced in a vastly superior manner.  Solid-State lighting has many electrical and significant advantages over the typical filament lighting method with one of them being longevity.  

At the end of the day, Halo has reinvented itself by offering a newer lighting solution that can turn any old house into a modern day marvel.  Newer houses will appear as though "Green" friendly developers are turning up to lend a hand in reducing energy consumption and waste creation.  The rating for the new Halo lighting solutions hovers around 30000-hours, which is far greater life expectancy than that of the halogen and compact florescent light tubes.  All-in-all the future of lighting is here and Halo is one brand that comes as well respected and reliable.  


Hope this helps and everyone reading this or not, have a great week and year.  Take care and stay well.