Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Fenix Digital P3D Black Premium Q5 or Fenix Digital L2D Black Premium Q5

i'm thinking of going with the L2D since it takes rechargeable AA batteries which, as i understand it, tend to perform better overall than rechargeable CR123 batteries. am i correct? if not, then i'd probably go with the P3D since it has a bit more output.

are they due for any updates of either of these lights? i do need a light, but i could probably get by with holding out a bit longer if the next generation lights were coming down the pipe in the next month or so.

your thoughts?

Rechargeable RCR123a batteries have pretty pitiful power storage ratings at the moment, with 700-900 mAh being pretty good. The best rechargeable AA batteries can manage 2600-2800 mAh and aren't that expensive.

As to how that translates to runtime, I don't have concrete numbers, but the RCR123A run times can't be that good. I went with the L2D CE Premium Q5 for this reason.

Rechargeable RCR123a batteries have pretty pitiful power storage ratings at the moment, with 700-900 mAh being pretty good. The best rechargeable AA batteries can manage 2600-2800 mAh and aren't that expensive.

As to how that translates to runtime, I don't have concrete numbers, but the RCR123A run times can't be that good. I went with the L2D CE Premium Q5 for this reason.

ok, thanks. that pretty much confirms it for me, looks like it's the L2D CE Premium Q5 for me.

anyone know if updated versions are due out anytime soon?

I'm not sure about any new models coming out, but I went looking around for battery runtime graphs and found this:

http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=165971

The BATTERY makes a huge difference in run time. I bought some cheapo rechargeable batteries from China which literally wouldn't last 15 minutes on turbo.

i'm thinking of going with the L2D since it takes rechargeable AA batteries which, as i understand it, tend to perform better overall than rechargeable CR123 batteries. am i correct? if not, then i'd probably go with the P3D since it has a bit more output.

are they due for any updates of either of these lights? i do need a light, but i could probably get by with holding out a bit longer if the next generation lights were coming down the pipe in the next month or so.

your thoughts?

I purchased the L2D Premium Q5 for one reason. I already had the La Crosse BC-900 AlphaPower Battery Charger and it only takes AAA, AA, C and D rechargeables. I didn't want to invest in another battery charging system just to get the RC123, although they are brighter. I figured that at 180 lumens times two (I bought two of them), I will have enough light when I'm riding at night. I've used the lights three times so far, 90 minutes each time and didn't notice any loss of light during that time. I'm using the rechargeable Duracell 2650 AAs.

I purchased the L2D Premium Q5 for one reason. I already had the La Crosse BC-900 AlphaPower Battery Charger and it only takes AAA, AA, C and D rechargeables. I didn't want to invest in another battery charging system just to get the RC123, although they are brighter. I figured that at 180 lumens times two (I bought two of them), I will have enough light when I'm riding at night. I've used the lights three times so far, 90 minutes each time and didn't notice any loss of light during that time. I'm using the rechargeable Duracell 2650 AAs.

You can find them on DealExtreme.com for about $14.00.

I went with the L2D Premium for the reasons cited above. Also, if you ever run out of charge during a ride and for some reason don't have spares, you can buy AA batteries just about anywhere. In addition, AA batteries are very light and compact, so spares are easy to carry in a seatbag. My digital camera and some taillights run on AA batteries, as well, so I would rather just keep it consistent. My other taillights use AAA batteries, but my charger can handle both AA and AAA batteries.

Runtime on the best rechargeable CR123a's is around 70min on the P3D on Turbo. I have 2 as my commuter setup. Luckily my ride is around an hour roundtrip.

If I had to do it again, I'd get 2 of the L2D, sacrifice a bit of power, but get around 2x the runtime.

Cheers

The P3D Q5 will have 215 lumen output and a bit more focused beam, the L2D Q5 will have 175 lumen output but better runtime by almost double. As was already mentioned, the battery life/cost issue is not stacked well in favor of the P3D.

Both are great lights. I use a L2D because I already have AA batteries and chargers and my commute is almost 3 hours round trip.

well, i placed an order for two l2d premium q5 lights. i hope they get here before my next night ride on tuesday.

now i just need to figure out what to do about batteries and a charger. suggestions? i wouldn't be afraid to drop a little coin if it meant i was getting a good setup.

now i just need to figure out what to do about batteries and a charger. suggestions? i wouldn't be afraid to drop a little coin if it meant i was getting a good setup.I would recommend the La Crosse Technology BC-900 AlphaPower Battery Charger (http://www.amazon.com/Crosse-Technology-BC-900-AlphaPower-Battery/dp/B00077AA5Q/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1200710982&sr=8-1) from amazon.com It's just $39.99 with Free Super Saver Shipping, and even comes with batteries.

I'm using cheapo batteries with an L2D and no issues. Paid 10 bucks for the charger and 4 batteries. My commute is only 1/2 hour and I can get two rides in easy.

I would recommend the La Crosse Technology BC-900 AlphaPower Battery Charger (http://www.amazon.com/Crosse-Technology-BC-900-AlphaPower-Battery/dp/B00077AA5Q/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1200710982&sr=8-1) from amazon.com It's just $39.99 with Free Super Saver Shipping, and even comes with batteries.

yoink, ordered!

thanks for the recommendation.

Looks like you made your decision, and a good one. I use two Fenix L2Ds. I wanted to mention that I read on this forum that the P3D had some fitment issues with the 123 batteries. Some brands were too tight a fit. Correct me if I am wrong.

yoink, ordered!

thanks for the recommendation.You're welcome. You've chosen a great flashlight and battery charger.:beer:

Looks like you made your decision, and a good one. I use two Fenix L2Ds. I wanted to mention that I read on this forum that the P3D had some fitment issues with the 123 batteries. Some brands were too tight a fit. Correct me if I am wrong.

If I recall, many rechargeable RCR123A batteries were just a bit too large in diameter and wouldn't fit into the light or had to be jammed in there and wouldn't come out easily.

The AW brand batteries sold by fenix-store.com would fit, but who wants to be limited to batteries sold by one online store only? Plus, they were something like $9 each.

I have been using an L2D premium for the past week, and I am now a believer. I was a skeptic but I needed to replace my previous lighting system. I run it my Fenix on the high setting, not turbo. L2D has plenty of light output for my commute routes. My routes have plenty of streetlights most of the way, so the Fenix is mostly about being seen by oncoming cars. So far, it does the job fine. I like the small size of the light, it replaced a bulky system I used before with separate large battery.
I use the Eveready AA rechargeable batteries and slow charger from Home Depot for a paltry cheap price. While there I bought 1/2" and 3/4" EMT conduit hangers and fabricated my own light bracket for almost nothing and it is super secure.

Another satisfied Fenix and LaCrosse owner. Imagine that!

If I had not already purchased lights I would have a Fenix on the bar and another on my helmet. Great system and there are a lot of skeptics turned believers, me included. A lot of light for a little(relatively speaking) cost and versatility to use as a bike light or flashlight. Inexpensive mounts and no wires. It does not get any better imho.

BTW I have the same light that I use as a helmet light. I am going to try it on the bars as soon as the weather allows. I made my mount using a piece of innertube per youtube video instructions.

Another satisfied Fenix and LaCrosse owner. Imagine that!

If I had not already purchased lights I would have a Fenix on the bar and another on my helmet. Great system and there are a lot of skeptics turned believers, me included. A lot of light for a little(relatively speaking) cost and versatility to use as a bike light or flashlight. Inexpensive mounts and no wires. It does not get any better imho.

BTW I have the same light that I use as a helmet light. I am going to try it on the bars as soon as the weather allows. I made my mount using a piece of innertube per youtube video instructions.

yeah, i made one of those inner tube mounts for my bars, too, using an old road tube. it seems to work ok, but it's not great. i'm thinking that might be due to the fact that i used a road tube and not a mountain tube like is shown in the how to video. i ordered a couple nite ize lite ride rubber strap mount things (basically just a strip of rubber with holes cut, a factory made version of what i already made), so maybe they'll work a little better. if not, then i may opt for one of the twofish mounts or maybe even one of the new fenix bar mounts.

my helmet mount was a different story, i basically just started wrapping a cut piece of tube willy-nilly until i finally got something that seems to work. not the most elegant helmet mount by a long shot, but it seems to work. worst part of it is that it can't be taken off and put back on too quickly/easily.

i'll keep messing around with it. i'm sure i'll eventually come up with a mounting system that works well.

I just ordered two L2D Premiums (with a three pack of mounts) and a BC-900 charger.

One mount for my helmet, and one each for two different bikes.

Between the comments in this forum, and feedback for the charger on Amazon, I figured it would be the best system for me.

Thanks to all for the great information.

skeptics turned believers

I believe. Amen brother! I've seen the light!