Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Anything similar but better than a FENIX L2D nowadays?

I've been a very happy user of my Fenix L2d over the past year. I had two of 'em, but recently donated one to my GF for various purposes such as biking and running and um, walking the dog in the dark.

I was going to buy a 2nd one for a replacement, but I was wondering if there's anything better that has come out in the past year. I'd rather stick with something with AA batteries, since I've got a lot of quality rechargeables and would rather not fiddle with two separate battery types (if I got a P7 flashlight) since I generally charge them on a daily basis when I use them.

Anything else to consider out there? (DiNotte is my main other option, but I prefer the wire-free L2D.)

You can check DX, but the brightest flashlights will continue to use 18650s for the foreseeable future. A $20 (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.15335) flashlight there will shine brighter than any Fenix, but if you're unwilling to use 18650s, you'll continue to pay much more to use AAs on weaker flashlights.

want something better? Need to ditch those AA bats then. The L2D is prolly the BEST AA light out there. Best is a balance of runtimes and brightness.

Here you go, a great roundup of 2AA lights with runtime/output graphs, beamshots, throw numbers, and comments: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=210904

Looking at the balance of output, throw, spill, and runtime at full power, it seems to me that the L2D Q5 has the best mix of characteristics in that group.

As a side note, I don't understand this AA fixation. I'm a pretty cheap guy, but it cost less than $20 to buy two protected 18650 batteries and a charger. These have worked flawlessly for my P7 since September. It was a one time purchase, and I haven't had a second thought since I started using them. It's such a small investment that opens so many doors; it's mindboggling folks are so hesitant to embrace more efficient technology.

As a side note, I don't understand this AA fixation.

Well, to start with, NiMH cells aren't inherently dangerous when wet. Note the DiNotte battery recall. However, I suppose the common availability of them at local stores, and their multiple uses, have more to do with it.

However, I suppose the common availability of them at local stores, and their multiple uses, have more to do with it.

In that case, it comes down to priorities. If you want high-powered batteries for high-powered lights, you need to invest in them. If you want jack-of-all trade batteries, you'll find them more easily, but won't find strong lights to use them with. I'd rather go with the specialized route, but it depends on the person, I guess.

My AA fixation is strictly because I've already invested in a $40 charger and at least $60 worth of high mA batteries to keep me going.

But from the sounds of it, I may have to upgrade...

From all you 18650 battery users, please recommend a light with similar build/weight/runtime as the Fenix L2D (140-180lumens, 1.5-2hr runtime) for me - I get totally lost in the P7 thread. I am willing to pay a small premium for reliability and prompt shipping as I did for the Fenix (meaning I'd prefer not to go the DealExtreme route due to minor consistency issues.) Oh yes - I'd prefer it to be similar small size, for the express reason that I would be able to use it as a running lamp (on a headstrap) as well. I think I'm asking for too much!

From all you 18650 battery users, please recommend a light with similar build/weight/runtime as the Fenix L2D (140-180lumens, 1.5-2hr runtime) for me - I get totally lost in the P7 thread. I am willing to pay a small premium for reliability and prompt shipping as I did for the Fenix (meaning I'd prefer not to go the DealExtreme route due to minor consistency issues.) Oh yes - I'd prefer it to be similar small size, for the express reason that I would be able to use it as a running lamp (on a headstrap) as well. I think I'm asking for too much!

From DX (yes, I read your preference, but it's what I know):

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13060

On medium, you'll get at least 3 hours at ~250 lumens
before the light starts to dim. The light's dimensions are below:

Dimensions: 5.91 in x 1.57 in x 1.57 in. Weight: 5.29 oz

For something similar in size and weight to a Fenix L2D, there's also the L-Mini (http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-41/mini-L-dsh-mini/Detail) from Shiningbeam. They are US-based and ship promptly, and they test the lights before sending them. If you want to read up on the L-Mini, here's Shiningbeams' thread (http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=177921) and a review by ernsanada here (http://flashlightnews.net/forum/index.php?topic=926.msg8731). Coupon code CPFuser is good for 6% off. This light is almost the same weight as the Fenix L2D series.

For something towards the premium end of the scale, I've heard some great remarks about the Eagle Tac lights. Here is the 18650 model (https://www.eagletac-store.com/product_info.php?cPath=103&products_id=612). This should have a beam pattern similar to the Fenix (good hotspot for throw, plus decent spill) but about 1.7x the out-the-front light output. Coupon code cpf8 is good for 8% off. This light is probably heavier than you'd want to use as a running light on a headband.

I'm still amazed at the stuff you lighting guys find out there. I'm STILL dazzling fellow runners and cyclists with my Fenix here in LA, and I'm already behind the curve!

True story: Was ride-commuting home on a busy LA street at night last week, and saw someone with LED lights galore on his fluoro-yellow jacket. He was a fellow commuter, complete with 3 front CatEye headlights, 4 (!) rear blinkies, a 360 degree LED blinking vest that looked like a Xmas tree, and lighting on his head. The saddest thing though, is that my simple PB Superflash outshone all his rear lights easily and his strongest frontlight was probably 35 lumens MAX. I briefly pulled up aside, and turned on my Fenix (I had it off briefly on a stretch) and he goes "HOLY CRAP! WHAT LIGHT IS THAT!" as I promptly drowned out all his other lights in my flood.

If I get a P7, he's going to be jealous...

From DX (yes, I read your preference, but it's what I know):

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13060

On medium, you'll get at least 3 hours at ~250 lumens
before the light starts to dim. The light's dimensions are below:

Dimensions: 5.91 in x 1.57 in x 1.57 in. Weight: 5.29 oz

I'm thinking of one of those guys (or more). It looks like flood-only though - is there a similar flashlight of equally high esteem that's more of a throw light?

The Eagletac P10A2 light is similar in size to the L2D but only has two modes. According to some actual tests, it outputs more light than the L2D (182 lumens for the eagletac, 145 for the fenix).

Tests (http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=211402)

I'm thinking of one of those guys (or more). It looks like flood-only though - is there a similar flashlight of equally high esteem that's more of a throw light?

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.16501

REVIEW OF THE Romisen RC-N3 CREE Q5 LED Flashlight

http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-53/Romisen-RC-dsh-N3-CREE-Q5/Detail
I'll tell you what. For $27 bucks w/shipping. This thing is excellent. It blows away the Cateye HL-500 Opticube that I replaced it with. The Opticube running on Alkalines would last about 3-4 weeks before the beam got weak. On the Ray-O-Vac Hybrids that I switched to. It would last about 10 days or so. Which was OK by me, because they're rechargeables. Good for about 1000 or so cycles. The Romisen on the Ray-O-Vacs lasts about 4 days before the beam gets weak. And I'm satisfied with that. No big deal. Using rechargeable batteries, it seems you have an unlimited supply that beyond the initial costs, will cost you virtually nothing.
The flood on this thing is huge. And I can put the spot about 50-60 ft in front of me. Cars notice me, and it doesn't get washed out in streetlights. Great bang for the buck! I use the used inner tube for a mount cause it works better that the thing I got from DealExtreme for $1.90. So I feel that I didn't lose anything from that standpoint.
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