Yet another fan of the Fenix
01-09-08 | 12:13 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Slow and Steady
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 346
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Yet another fan of the Fenix
I purchased two Fenix Digital L2D Black Premium Q5 and rode home for the first time last night. Using the fish block, I mounted on on the handle bar and using velcro, I mounted the other on my helmet.
I rode with a buddy who uses the Niterider Minewt.x2 and when we compared beams, the fenix produces a much nicer beam pattern. I'm not sure if I can explain it, but the minewts seemed to have a jagged pattern, where as the fenix is rounder and covers a wider angle. We only compared the beam intensity with the fenix on turbo (180 lumens times two) with the minewts on low. The two fenix looked a bit brighter than the dual minewts.
All in all, I think this was a great purchase.
I rode with a buddy who uses the Niterider Minewt.x2 and when we compared beams, the fenix produces a much nicer beam pattern. I'm not sure if I can explain it, but the minewts seemed to have a jagged pattern, where as the fenix is rounder and covers a wider angle. We only compared the beam intensity with the fenix on turbo (180 lumens times two) with the minewts on low. The two fenix looked a bit brighter than the dual minewts.
All in all, I think this was a great purchase.
01-10-08 | 01:27 PM
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,418
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I purchased two Fenix Digital L2D Black Premium Q5 and rode home for the first time last night. Using the fish block, I mounted on on the handle bar and using velcro, I mounted the other on my helmet.
I rode with a buddy who uses the Niterider Minewt.x2 and when we compared beams, the fenix produces a much nicer beam pattern. I'm not sure if I can explain it, but the minewts seemed to have a jagged pattern, where as the fenix is rounder and covers a wider angle. We only compared the beam intensity with the fenix on turbo (180 lumens times two) with the minewts on low. The two fenix looked a bit brighter than the dual minewts.
All in all, I think this was a great purchase.
I rode with a buddy who uses the Niterider Minewt.x2 and when we compared beams, the fenix produces a much nicer beam pattern. I'm not sure if I can explain it, but the minewts seemed to have a jagged pattern, where as the fenix is rounder and covers a wider angle. We only compared the beam intensity with the fenix on turbo (180 lumens times two) with the minewts on low. The two fenix looked a bit brighter than the dual minewts.
All in all, I think this was a great purchase.
The fenix runtime would be longer on turbo than the Minewt on high under normal temperatures. I wonder what the temperature would have to get down to for the Minewt Li-ion batteries to outperform rechargeable Nimh's.
Come on, I am a Fenix fan, too. But let's do a fair comparison! I only have one Fenix flashlight so maybe I will compare one Fenix on turbo to my buddy's Minewt.X2 Duals on low.
01-10-08 | 04:05 PM
#5
Thread Starter
Slow and Steady
Joined: Nov 2006
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I'm trying to convince my buddy to go riding tonight... if so, I'll do the comparison. But I think you're right, the dual minewt.x2 are supposed to be a total of 300-350 lumens... I'll report back if I get him to go riding tonight.
01-12-08 | 10:15 PM
#6
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 960
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I just received my Fenix L2D Premium Q5. I also have the DiNotte 200L and 140L taillight. I have not ridden with the Fenix yet but I love my DiNottes; I have used them for well over 1000 miles. Some of my initial thoughts:
1- the beam on the Fenix is tighter. What I mean by this is the spot is smaller but brighter. I plan to use it mounted to my bar, on the side opposite my DiNotte. I would rather put it on my helmet, but I have to figure out a good way to mount it.
2- I also have a 3 watt mini-Mag LED. It is not the conversion, but the kind purchased as an LED Mag for approx. $20 at Home Depot. The Fenix has 4 levels of illumination: 12, 53, 107, and 180 lumens (plus two flash modes - one is rather like a strobe light, the other is the SOS). Eyeballing it, the brightness of the LED Mag is somewhere between the 12 and 53 lumen setting. It is much brighter than 12 lumens, but not quite as bright as 53 lumens. At 53, 107, and 180 lumens, if I shine the Fenix beam on the LED Mag spot, the LED Mag spot is no longer visible.
Let's tackle the 'which one would I buy' questions separately:
1- DiNotte 200L vs. Fenix. Each DiNotte I got on sale for $100. If I had to pay full price for the DiNotte 200L, I would purchase 2 Fenix's and not buy the DiNotte. However, at $100 the DiNotte is better. There's no risk of water damage changing the batteries, the beam is wide enough to give me some maneuver room if something comes up, and it has much better flash modes. It also has a blue and red LED inside of the rear of the light housing. When it's blue it tells me it has enough power to run the mode I'm using; when it's red it tells me it needs a change of batteries. I would not get this kind of warning with the Fenix. The major drawback of the DiNotte is that it would be difficult to use as a flashlight.
2- DiNotte 140L taillight vs. Fenix with a red filter. I don't care if it's regular price or on sale, the DiNotte 140L is worth every penny. I would definitely buy the DiNotte over the Fenix. Even at 140 lumens, it lights up the road behind me. It's as bright or brighter than the brightest of car brake lights (note: I'm not talking about the car taillights, but their brake lights). Not having the DiNotte reminds me of a guy I saw riding the other night who's taillight was so dim, if I stared right at it as I went by I could barely make out a couple red dots. I have no doubt cars see me. I'm not sure why anyone would ride without one. I used to use a Superflash and a Cateye (I can't remember the specific model). The DiNotte 140L blows the Superflash away. In spite of this, I did find a good use for the SF: early morning running.
In sum, I have no regrets buying the DiNotte 200L and 140L. I would not do it differently if given the choice. However, I am excited to use the Fenix as a supplement and/or emergency light, as well as to have an extremely bright, compact flashlight.
1- the beam on the Fenix is tighter. What I mean by this is the spot is smaller but brighter. I plan to use it mounted to my bar, on the side opposite my DiNotte. I would rather put it on my helmet, but I have to figure out a good way to mount it.
2- I also have a 3 watt mini-Mag LED. It is not the conversion, but the kind purchased as an LED Mag for approx. $20 at Home Depot. The Fenix has 4 levels of illumination: 12, 53, 107, and 180 lumens (plus two flash modes - one is rather like a strobe light, the other is the SOS). Eyeballing it, the brightness of the LED Mag is somewhere between the 12 and 53 lumen setting. It is much brighter than 12 lumens, but not quite as bright as 53 lumens. At 53, 107, and 180 lumens, if I shine the Fenix beam on the LED Mag spot, the LED Mag spot is no longer visible.
Let's tackle the 'which one would I buy' questions separately:
1- DiNotte 200L vs. Fenix. Each DiNotte I got on sale for $100. If I had to pay full price for the DiNotte 200L, I would purchase 2 Fenix's and not buy the DiNotte. However, at $100 the DiNotte is better. There's no risk of water damage changing the batteries, the beam is wide enough to give me some maneuver room if something comes up, and it has much better flash modes. It also has a blue and red LED inside of the rear of the light housing. When it's blue it tells me it has enough power to run the mode I'm using; when it's red it tells me it needs a change of batteries. I would not get this kind of warning with the Fenix. The major drawback of the DiNotte is that it would be difficult to use as a flashlight.
2- DiNotte 140L taillight vs. Fenix with a red filter. I don't care if it's regular price or on sale, the DiNotte 140L is worth every penny. I would definitely buy the DiNotte over the Fenix. Even at 140 lumens, it lights up the road behind me. It's as bright or brighter than the brightest of car brake lights (note: I'm not talking about the car taillights, but their brake lights). Not having the DiNotte reminds me of a guy I saw riding the other night who's taillight was so dim, if I stared right at it as I went by I could barely make out a couple red dots. I have no doubt cars see me. I'm not sure why anyone would ride without one. I used to use a Superflash and a Cateye (I can't remember the specific model). The DiNotte 140L blows the Superflash away. In spite of this, I did find a good use for the SF: early morning running.
In sum, I have no regrets buying the DiNotte 200L and 140L. I would not do it differently if given the choice. However, I am excited to use the Fenix as a supplement and/or emergency light, as well as to have an extremely bright, compact flashlight.
Last edited by hopperja; 01-12-08 at 11:31 PM.
01-14-08 | 05:57 AM
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,418
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I purchased two Fenix Digital L2D Black Premium Q5 and rode home for the first time last night. Using the fish block, I mounted on on the handle bar and using velcro, I mounted the other on my helmet.
I rode with a buddy who uses the Niterider Minewt.x2 and when we compared beams, the fenix produces a much nicer beam pattern. I'm not sure if I can explain it, but the minewts seemed to have a jagged pattern, where as the fenix is rounder and covers a wider angle. We only compared the beam intensity with the fenix on turbo (180 lumens times two) with the minewts on low. The two fenix looked a bit brighter than the dual minewts.
All in all, I think this was a great purchase.
I rode with a buddy who uses the Niterider Minewt.x2 and when we compared beams, the fenix produces a much nicer beam pattern. I'm not sure if I can explain it, but the minewts seemed to have a jagged pattern, where as the fenix is rounder and covers a wider angle. We only compared the beam intensity with the fenix on turbo (180 lumens times two) with the minewts on low. The two fenix looked a bit brighter than the dual minewts.
All in all, I think this was a great purchase.
You saved me the trouble of proving with my buddy's lights what I already know, the Fenixes are better. And because Niterider saw fit to package the dual with the exact same battery as the single Minewt.X2, the runtimes will be as long or longer with the Fenixes using high quality rechargeables. This should be true unless it gets cold enough for the Niterider's Li-ion battery to have an advantage over NiMh's.
I have another buddy with Dinotte's that I intend to compare these to unless someone else gets to it first.
01-14-08 | 09:45 PM
#9
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 960
Likes: 80
Unfortunately, I don't have any beamshots.
This morning I went on a long run (5:00AM, so it was still dark out). I have the head-harness mount thing that NiteRider sells, so on my head I had a NiteRider Digital Evolution @ 15 watts (this harness is very nice as it allows me to use the light as a headlamp without wearing a helmet). Note: 15 watts is the highest setting; often times when I have done night singletrack riding I set it at 10 watts to get a longer run time; I've never crashed due to a lack of light.
In my right hand I had my new Fenix L2D Q5 Premium. When I shined the Fenix over the 15 watt beam from the NiteRider, the NiteRider light disappeared - it wasn't anywhere near as bright.
After this experience, I'm not sure why anyone would buy: 1- a halogen light, or 2- any light with a proprietary battery system. The high-end LEDs are just that good!
This morning I went on a long run (5:00AM, so it was still dark out). I have the head-harness mount thing that NiteRider sells, so on my head I had a NiteRider Digital Evolution @ 15 watts (this harness is very nice as it allows me to use the light as a headlamp without wearing a helmet). Note: 15 watts is the highest setting; often times when I have done night singletrack riding I set it at 10 watts to get a longer run time; I've never crashed due to a lack of light.
In my right hand I had my new Fenix L2D Q5 Premium. When I shined the Fenix over the 15 watt beam from the NiteRider, the NiteRider light disappeared - it wasn't anywhere near as bright.
After this experience, I'm not sure why anyone would buy: 1- a halogen light, or 2- any light with a proprietary battery system. The high-end LEDs are just that good!
