Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - FENIX L2D - Still great? Or old news?

I recently did a search on the FENIX L2D, which I happily bought last December 2007 (12 months ago). At that time, the Fenix L2D was the smoking-hot lighting solution, with many threads dedicated to it. In fact, I recall that at one point, 5 of the 15 top electronic threads all had FENIX in the title, and the Fenix website was completely sold out of the L2D and other similar models for a few weeks around Xmas time.

Fast forward to today, and there are almost NO threads with FENIX in the title. There are occasional Fenix supporters who vouch for it when folks ask for a recommended budget lighting solution, but it seems to have been drowned out by the P7, Romisen, and other lights.

I still use my Fenix L2D on a near-daily basis during the winter for running (awesome!) and commuter cycling in LA (I'd be anxious to run anything significantly brighter in the traffic-heavy roads), and it's still every bit as good and impressive as I originally thought. I still unreservedly recommend it to my friends who ask me for lighting solutions for running/commuting. However, I did place an order for a P7 to check it out due to the rave reviews (4 weeks and has still not yet arrived.) I am now officially a lighting junkie. WTF?!

Is the FENIX old news now? Or is it still worth a strong recommendation as an excellent budget bike lighting system?

I, for one, am very pleased with my Fenix. But I agree the P7 seems to be the "it" light the past few months. I would even consider trying a P7 but am reluctant due to the different battery needed.

IMHO if you want AA battery type and a 2-hour burntime the Fenix is the one to get. There was a thread recently where Ziemas, who is quite knowledgeable, and others replied to my question about current flashlights that meet these requirements. I believe if you start at #19 and read forward it will answer your question. I looked at them but was not in the market currently so I will leave it to you to decide. Give me some feedback on whether you would still go with the Fenix or choose one of the other products.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=493777&highlight=

I, for one, am very pleased with my Fenix. But I agree the P7 seems to be the "it" light the past few months. I would even consider trying a P7 but am reluctant due to the different battery needed.

I love my P7 but I love my Fenix L2D more still.. My P7 seems to waste alot of light putting it where I don't need it. I know lots of folks complain the Fenix has a narrow beam but it is big enough for a bicycle on a long road at least if it is helmet mounted for when you need to look around a bit or around a corner.

I do wish I could use the 3.7v lithium battery with the Fenix I have since they dont' seem to be affected by the cold like my NIMH are.

I have 2 of them. When I got them they were best in class, imo. Now, I'd go for some of the clones. At 25-30 bucks a light, it is hard to say no.

still worth a consideration for a helmet light.
would be nice if they used an updated Q5-WC emitter which is even brighter than regular Q5

I'm still happy with the Fenix, even though I haven't been able to use it on the bicycle for over a month. I've used it for many other things besides a bicycle light, and was glad to see it was still working when I dropped it in the water after finding out the power was still on when our office flooded. Between the dunking it in the water and it hitting the wall while I hoped around trying to break the circuit it suffered more abuse than I thought it could take - just like me!

I bought a $22 clone from dealextreme which is not even half as bright as the Fenix. Plus the build quality leaves much to be desired. The Fenix is well built and bright, you won't find that with the cheaper clones.

If you are looking for a comparable model, look at the romisens from shining beam..

http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-Flashlights-cln-AA/searchpath/82/start/9/total/15/Categories

If you are looking for a comparable model, look at the romisens from shining beam..

http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-Flashlights-cln-AA/searchpath/82/start/9/total/15/Categories

Yeah, I have one of those and it is awesome.

The Romisen seems good (I don't own one, but do own a Fenix L2D), but seems heavier than the Fenix. (3 vs 2 oz.) For cyclists, that difference is negligible, but for runners like myself who also use the Fenix as a running headlamp, I'd definitely notice the weight difference on my head.

I too have the Fenix L2D Premium Q5 and I bought one of the $22 knock-offs from deal extreme. I agree, the Fenix is far superior. I love my Fenix, but unfortunately it stays at work most of the time. I need another one, or something close to it...

Since I've heard so many good things about the Romisen, I'm wondering how it compares. Anyone have the Fenix and the Romisen that can show/give us an insightful comparison?

The Romisen seems good (I don't own one, but do own a Fenix L2D), but seems heavier than the Fenix. (3 vs 2 oz.) For cyclists, that difference is negligible, but for runners like myself who also use the Fenix as a running headlamp, I'd definitely notice the weight difference on my head.

I agree weight while running is an issue.. The best running light I have found is the zebralight.. 2.2 ounces with batteries and headstrap for the H30... They just came out with a new model that used 18650's with more output and longer runtime..

www.zebralight.com

If money were not an option, would you say a flashlight like the Fenix L2D or a Dinotte is best as a headlight?

-I'd would use mine mounted on my handlebars (never/rarely helmet) and use it both to be seen and to see, though I rarely do more than short commuting in full darkness.

I have a good Cateye headlight that allows me to be seen, but isn't the greatest for seeing. I'm looking to upgrade.

And, if using the flashlight-style headlight, what is the nicest way to mount them? I've seen a metal clamp style used (some homemade) as well as a velcro strap holder.

I still love my Fenix L2. I use it daily on the job and with my Bike-Friday when I travel.

On the handlebars, on the helmet, my Fenix Q5 L2D just doesn't put out enough light for my dark rural night time commute. It has been shelved in favor of dual P7s. Since the P7s can kick down to low mode so as not to blind traffic, I have no use for a Fenix after sunset.

My P7s are only two-mode, so I still use my Fenix on blink in daylight.

I have a third P7 that I use at work. I need to shine down into deep tanks and storage hoppers, where the Fenix falls short.

A P7 on the bars next to a Cree MC-E, with a throw master like one of those Lowes Task Forces on the helmet might be a better combo yet.

I've been using my Fenix L2D for about 1.5 years now, and I'm still happy with it. However, if I bought another light right now, I might try a L&M Stella or Dinotte and put the Fenix on my helmet. My main complaint with the Fenix is there is no low-battery indicator. When the battery starts to lose juice it goes very quickly. I get around that by waving my hand in front of the bike from time to time, just to make sure it is not fading, and replacing the batteries more often than I need to.

L2D is still a great light, but there are alot of great options opening up for less money and more output. I like the increasing popularity of 18650-based lights, the TR-801 with Q5 has excellent output and runtime and is cheap as well.