As an owner of many Fenix, Surefire, Inova (Formerly Known as Emissive Technologies), Coast Optical, and MAG Lights, I must say that I have reached the point to understand that Fenix (pronounced the same as Phoenix) is a company that constantly reinvents itself to create the best product for the general consumer market. In fact I can say from experience that the one model that trumps all of the others I have owned is labeled the LD10. The Fenix LD10 is a single Cree XR-Lamp-E 3-watt Neutral White LED (4500 to 5000K color temp) powered by a single AA-cell either Ni-MH, Alkaline, or Lithium-Pile composition.
At its lowest setting, the Fenix LD10 produces about 12-lumens (their website states 9-lumens) measured from a Newport Corporation Light Meter setup at a distance of 2-meters rather than the industry standard 1-meter. Now 12-lumens is roughly equivalent to a 5-watt night light bulb without a diffuser optic or a simple opaque screen. The spot beam formed by the reflective optics of the LD10 is about 20-degrees with about 60-degrees of flood spill. Basically this means that a rather tight LED beam with a color temperature of 4500K with a sharp roll into the 5000K territory in the flood beam (this is the lowest output setting). The highest output setting allows for a clean 20-degree spot with a 60-degree flood also but with an even 4500K color temp (tested with a Newport Corporation Light Meter) at nearly 135-lumens and 2-meter distance from source. There are four settings of brightness, an SOS, and a medium-speed strobe flash integrated in a simple single-AA cell chassis. Giving a range of 2-hours to nearly 40-hours of battery cell life out of a single AA cell is quite impressive. Surefire does have a single-AA cell LED flashlight that utilizes a Luxeon 1-watt diode with an average color temperature of 6000K or so. The Surefire does not have the features or battery life offered by the Fenix LD10.
Now I have owned many single cell high-flux LED flashlights and have a few more in my arsenal of higher intensity. Most of the newer lights are made by Fenix. Now purchasing Surefire, Streamlight, and MAG Instruments Lights would be the more noble or patriotic thing to do, however the higher costs of the American brands don't justify what the Chinese have to offer. More light, robust construction, useful features, and excellent battery life is what the Chinese made Fenix Light provides at a lower expense point than the current American offerings today. One thing that the Fenix Light is not capable of is the 2000+lbs crush test rating, which is what Surefire, Arc, Streamlight, Mag, and other American brand tactical and utility flashlights. Technology though is constantly improving so maybe in the near future, the new generation of Fenix Lights will have the crush test factored in the design with all of the other features integrated at a similar price point. Just take a look of the line of lights offered by Fenix by going to http://www.fenixlight.com
One of my most recent purchases from Fenix is the even more powerful and modern TK60. A single Cree XM-L ultra-high-flux diode through 20-degree tight spot with an also bright 60-degree flood reflective optics is used in conjunction with four D-cell batteries. Four brightness settings, an SOS, and a very bright high-speed strobe with an optimum life of 15-days according to the website. Now the one thing I can say for sure is the brightness from a throw distance of 6-meters rather than 2-meters since I didn't want to burn out the sensor end of the Newport Light Meter. At 6-meters from light source at the highest setting, the light output is 822-lumens at 4600K color temperature. Now that is very impressive since many of the one-million candlelight power torches don't actually have a usable focusing point hence it delivers a 30-degree spot with very little flood spill. One-million candlelight power doesn't necessarily equate to lumen output, so with an independent tester use a Newport Light Meter, the lumen output averages around 500 to 600-lumens while throwing a great deal of heat.
The TK60 is my primary work light but before that was the LD10. I still keep the single-AA cell flashlight because it is more convenient to carry the LD10 then it is to carry the TK60 since it is like a four D-Cell MAG flashlight than anything else. I feel like a guard or handy man when carrying the TK60 so I end up leaving it at home while carrying the LD10 to the workplace and travel excursions.
Anyway though to make this blog a little shorter without saying that I am a rambling fool, I have had many flashlights ranging from the first generation Arc Flashlight with a switchable output DIP switch powered by a 1-watt Warm white Luxeon LED and a CR123 lithium pile battery. Back then I thought that was cutting edge. Now switch forward ten years and today the CREE LED is fast approaching the replacement of Halogen and compact florescent light sources while the former leader in this field, Phillips-Luxeon and somewhat trailing behind, the Nichia Corporation. Others in this industry are Seoul Semi-Conductor LED Tech, Osram LED, HP-LED, and Shenzhen LED Tech.
I hope this information would be helpful for those who have heard of Fenix Lights to consider this part. The flashlights offered by their company is currently being used in several cities in Southern California Law Enforcement locations over the American brands due to the lower cost, more features, and longer life. Replacement cost normally has an outcome of city spending and believe or not Surefire charges a bit for their product. Fenix Light has a wide range of products and as such offer many choices for the average consumer and those in law enforcement or government work positions.
Hope this helps and everybody have a great day, evening, week, month, year, etc.
0 comments:
Post a Comment