New review added 'Tesco Cree v Fenix L2'

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Vanoord
54.4% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

17 years ago

A new review has been added to the Gear Reviews page.

Product name: Tesco Cree v Fenix L2

Summary: Tesco move into LED lighting, with a 2x AA Cree torch that seems to be a close relative of a Maglite. But can it match the alternative from Fenix?

Review added by: Vanoord

Full review: http://www.aditnow.co.uk/gear-reviews/Tesco-Cree-v-Fenix-L2/

Hello again darkness, my old friend...

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Vanoord
54.4% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

17 years ago

The result wasn't what I'd expected!

As a slight addendum, I'm going to try and put some aluminium foil into the Tesco Cree to see if I can improve the light output by creating a makeshift reflector for it...

Hello again darkness, my old friend...

Manxman
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

17 years ago

At the risk of being shot down in flames, I went for the 2 x 'C' cell Tesco LED torch - longer burn time; better beam shape and throw 'cos of the silvered reflector. Gives comparable results with my old 55W 'ALDI' lead acid tungsten monster that only runs for 20 minutes and is unwieldy.
But the Tesco model would only be used as a backup - the Fenix sounds like a much better investment. Only time (and a friendly bank manager with £15bn reserves) will tell .....

Manxman.

:sneaky:

Wormster
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

17 years ago

SHAMLESS PLUG:

I went for a fenix with the q5 led plus the lion rechargable batteries.

Its absolultley superb, I can't fault it. It lives in my pocket at all times.

There have been occaisions when I've been with other non-undergroundy types and we've needed light and my comment has been: "Maglight pfft, don't use swear words in my persence" and yes I used to think that maglights were the dogs dangalies (esp the D6 maglite)

Better to regret something you have done - than to regret something you have not done.

simonrl
51% (Neutral)
Administration

17 years ago

Very detailed review there Mr V :)

I think it's fair to say though that the Tesco torch is a good piece of kit for the price and within the constraints of what most people want from a torch. Would be interesting to see what the beam pattern and output from the C cell version is like as well.

my orders are to sit here and watch the world go by

Vanoord
54.4% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

17 years ago

I did indeed add some foil to the back of the reflector to see if it made a difference.

The simple answer is... no. Still a very concentrated beam with no throw.

What perplexes me is that the emitter unit is so cheap and useless, when for a couple of pence more a metal reflector could be in there and the strange perspex diffuser left out, probably saving the same couple of pence.

Hello again darkness, my old friend...

royfellows
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

17 years ago

Sorry Mr Vanoord but I feel that you have missed something.

Did you do a comparison test using AA rechargeable batteries rather than the ordinary ones?

Ordinary AA battery is rated at 1.5 volts while rechargeable ones are rated at 1.2 volts. I would reasonably expect the Fenix to be an outright winner here and would compensate for the lower voltage input. I have tested the Tesco with rechargeable batteries and noticed a distinctive lower light output.

My solution to this will probably be to fit my Tescos with a better driver board if possible, and maybe even an up rated emitter. As there is a lot of aluminium in these they could be a prime contender for upgrading due to the fact that more aluminium will provide more heat dissipation.
You know what people like me are like, we just love to mess!

My avatar is a poor likeness.

Vanoord
54.4% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

17 years ago

I ran them both on Duracell AAs, of the non-rechargeable variety!

Hello again darkness, my old friend...

thorpey
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

17 years ago

I think it's fair to say though that the Tesco torch is a good piece of kit for the price and within the constraints of what most people want from a torch. Would be interesting to see what the beam pattern and output from the C cell version is like as well.

The C cell version seems to be a slightly wider spread, tried AA cell version and D against each other both on new tesco batteries D cell definatly brighter & wider.
would have compaired brightness of c cell version but it needs new batteries.
Thorpey

Nut deep in water!

simonrl
51% (Neutral)
Administration

17 years ago

#10

Maybe a full on light test / review will have to be done Vanoord? I'd like to test the Luxeon III Sten agains the Rebel 70 and pre-production Rebel 100, and the Fenix against some of the cheaper Chinese copies as well as different versions of the Tesco torch. And then burn holes in the tunnel wall with the WiseLED :lol:

my orders are to sit here and watch the world go by

Vanoord
54.4% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

17 years ago

#11

Hmmm... I was going to add in the Fenix P3 and the TK10 to the test (I've got the comparative pics and will upload them) but the whole thing got indescribably complicated!

[tweak]Here we are...[/tweak]

🔗Personal-Album-2-Image-115[linkphoto]Personal-Album-2-Image-115[/linkphoto][/link]

Hello again darkness, my old friend...

Vanoord
54.4% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

17 years ago

#12

Summary incidentally would be that the Tesco lamp is very poor in a light output comparison whereas the P3D and TK10 are a little brighter than the L2.

The TK10 does not seem noticeably different to the P3 but is a lot heavier, yet it fills a certain niche for the person who wants a very rugged and indestructible torch.

The P3D is the overall winner, as long as you have access to either a good supply of CR123As or some rechargeables. The L2 is a remarkably good torch, but its battery life is slightly lower, yet this is balanced by it running on "common or garden" AAs. Basically, buy the P3 if performance is important, but if it's a bright light to keep in the car*, get the L2.

* or to use to go out and put the hens to bed, in the case of my parents, who have an L2 which replaced one of the B&Q million-candlepower jobbies and swear it's the best torch they're ever seen. They've not seen a WiseLED though...

Hello again darkness, my old friend...

simonrl
51% (Neutral)
Administration

17 years ago

#13

Much as I'd love it if everybody bought a P3D 😉 I'm still suprised at that photograph of the Tesco torch. I've got one and I'm sure the difference isn't that great.

my orders are to sit here and watch the world go by

Roy Morton
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

17 years ago

#14

Were the photos using the Tesco Cree taken after the drop test 😮 ::) :angel:

"You Chinese think of everything!"
"But I''m not Chinese!"
"Then you must have forgotten something!"

Vanoord
54.4% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

17 years ago

#15

Before!

Hello again darkness, my old friend...