I was impressed with this :)

Pinky dropped his L1 on the Cwmorthin trip on Saturday. In excess of 150 feet vertically down a chamber - and it still worked when Vanoord found it at the bottom.

Tough little lights 😉

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One Fenix L1 following a 150' drop:

🔗Personal-Album-2-Image-074[linkphoto]Personal-Album-2-Image-074[/linkphoto][/link]

It appears to have landed on the tail end, with a bit of a dink in the metal surrounding the click switch. Close-up of damage:

🔗Personal-Album-2-Image-075[linkphoto]Personal-Album-2-Image-075[/linkphoto][/link]

So, not only can Fenixes swim, but it seems they can also fly!

The L1 works off a single AA cell and this gives about an hour and a quarter at full power. I have used one for about 2.5 hours consistently underground as a main beam attached to a helmet following the failure of my headlamp and it did the job admirably.

While the L1 does eat batteries at a bit of a rate, bear in mind that an hour and a quarter on a single AA is comparable to 6 hours on 4 AAs, which is around what I'd expect from my Silva 3W Luxeon headlamp and the L1's output is - if anything - brighter than the Silva!

Slightly gratuitous commercial plug time: I need to put another L1 order in shortly, but if anyone is interested in the couple I've got in stock, drop me a PM.

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Can't beat ruggedness in an underground torch, 'tis why I gave up using that gas discharge / HID lamp a good while back. LED all the way 🙂

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Am i reading this correctly - the L1 uses a proper AA battery, not the little fat ones that the Q5 uses?

Indeed, one single AA!

It's smaller than the P3 and not as bright - the L1 is 120 lumens and the P3 225 lumens (both use Q5 emitters).

The CR123A is a 3v battery, hence one CR123A is effectively a pair of AAs.

But bear in mind that lumens are a logarithmic scale, hence the output of the P3 is much more than twice that of the L1.

But also bear in mind a couple of other things... lumens are not everything!

The Fenix P3D uses the same emitter as the Fenix TK10, yet despite the fact that they both output 225 lumens, the TK10 is noticeably brighter due to having a larger reflector.

Similarly, the Fenix TK10 and the new TK11 have a much greater actual output than the Trustfire T1 (which looks very like the Fenix). Although they all use the same emitter (actual 227.5 lumens, quoted as 225 by Fenix and 230 by Trustfire), the Fenix produces 75% more light than the Trustfire when measured as Lux at 1m from the flashlight. Wierd eh?

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I was thinking how much cheaper in batteries the L1 would be, but i guess i might have to swallow pride and get some rechargables 😠
How much are you asking for an L1? would be useful as a 'strap-on' back up
Are there any cr123 rechargables on the market, i havn't looked 😞

Um... I can do the L1 for about £32 to you, good sir!

There is indeed a charger for CR123As - http://www.excellentstuff.co.uk/Batteries-&-Chargers/Rapid-CR123a-Mains-&-Car-Battery-Charger/p-80-136/ 

I would only tend to use the L1 as a backup, but it can be fitted to a helmet with a lockblock - I'll post up some pics later on.

Bear in mind that if you're used to the P3, the L1 will disappoint! Mind, I've got both and reckon they both have a purpose - the L1 just sits strapped to my helmet as a spare while the P3 (or TK10) is used for photos / seeing things far away etc.!

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Ahh splendid, i see that here is a 4 battery set in the rechargables, is this still £19.99?

Thats incredible. I am amazed it wasn't damaged more. I have been considering for a while now getting one of these to clip to my helmet as backup, as they are so small and unobtrusive.

I love my Fenix T1 but the CR123 vatteries are expensive whereas AA batteries cost nowt really. I am convinced about getting one now.

About CR123 rechargeables, Vanoord how do they compare with disposables? I heard they were a different size physically to normal ones. Will they still fit into a Fenix T1?

Oh also, which L1 is it, the L1T or the L1D?

Thats incredible. I am amazed it wasn't damaged more. I have been considering for a while now getting one of these to clip to my helmet as backup, as they are so small and unobtrusive.

I love my Fenix T1 but the CR123 batteries are expensive whereas AA batteries cost nowt really. I am convinced about getting one now.

About CR123 rechargeables, Vanoord how do they compare with disposables? I heard they were a different size physically to normal ones. Will they still fit into a Fenix T1?

Oh also, which L1 is it, the L1T or the L1D?

Er... I'll have a look at the box of the L1 in the morning and get back to you! I think it's the L1D Q5, giving 120 lumens...

CR123 rechargeables fit I'm pretty, but I'll check tomorrow and compare the size to the standard disposable ones.

Plus I've not forgotten about the helmet mounting for the L1, just was busy at work till 7.30! 😞

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Right, finally sorted this out!

Helmet with Lockblock flashlight holder and Fenix L1 in place:

🔗Personal-Album-2-Image-076[linkphoto]Personal-Album-2-Image-076[/linkphoto][/link]

Close-ups of lockblock - this has had one side cut back with a stanley knife and then cable-tied on to the helmet.

🔗Personal-Album-2-Image-077[linkphoto]Personal-Album-2-Image-077[/linkphoto][/link]
🔗Personal-Album-2-Image-078[linkphoto]Personal-Album-2-Image-078[/linkphoto][/link]

If anyone is interested, I'll work out a special price for an L1 and a lockblock :)


Spec is: Fenix L1D CE Premium Q5 (6 output types, 120 lumens max)

Batteries

Standard non-branded CR123A: 33.8mm x 16.5mm
Panasonic CR123A: 34.3mm x 16.5mm
WAMA rechargeable CR123A: 34.4mm x 16.6mm

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That looks great! I assume it must be the L1D if it has the Q5. I think the L1T used the other Cree is it a Q2???

Anyway yes I would like to know how much it would be for this L1 plus the lockblock thing.

Vanoord, does the lockblock device have a release system so the torch can be removed without cutting cable ties or whatever?

Also, I am worried about drilling holes in my helmet to take cable ties, would this weaken the helmet or do I worry too much? 🙂

Here we go: the Lockblock has a velcro strap on both sides, so the Fenix is held on with that.

I've also got a loop on the back of my helmet to which the cord from the Fenix is attached so that it is permanently connected just in case it gets dislodged from the Lockblock for any reason.

🔗Personal-Album-2-Image-081[linkphoto]Personal-Album-2-Image-081[/linkphoto][/link]

On the right hand of the two, I've highlighted the area that needs to be cut away in order that the Lockblock can sit flat against the helmet. Then a couple of cable ties can be threaded through the slot where the velcro strap used to be and run through the helmet and out again.

I've put several holes in my helmet and I really don't think it will weaken it to a point that will make the difference between me surviving or not!

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Talking of torches has anyone tried the Lenser LED Police Tech Focus, which with its variable focus it could be handy for photo work.

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I've uploaded an offer on the Fenix L1 and Lockblock to our store - http://www.abcstore.co.uk/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=496 . Basically, for the same price as the L1, I'll throw in a LockBlock and a couple of Duracell batteries.

At checkout, if you put "AditNow" into the comments box, I'll send them out carriage free: ignore the total price quoted as the order is emailed through so I'll remove the carriage charge before taking payment.

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