Whats the brightest single cell Light I can get?

MikeGoob · July 27, 2008, 01:41 PM

There are lots of great flashlight reviews here but its hard to tell which one would fit my needs. My requirements are brightness and size--generally the size of one 123 lithium cell.

What kind of lumens can I expect? I dont care much about how long the batteries last, I can get them in bulk.

Ive been thinking about one of the new Fenix lights.

sholling · July 27, 2008, 02:53 PM

I keep a Fenix L2D Premium on my belt. Have you asked over at CPF? Membership gets you a discount at the fenix-store.

MikeGoob · July 27, 2008, 02:59 PM

no idea what cpf is

MikeGoob · July 27, 2008, 03:07 PM

The P2D says it puts out 135lumens as opposed to the one you listed. It looks very similar otherwise--is there a reason you chose it?

sholling · July 27, 2008, 03:44 PM

CPF = Candle Power Forums, the place where the flashlight hobbyists (yes they exist) hang out. An awesome source of information but I recommend searching there before asking them a question - they sometimes get snippy if you don't.

Side by side... (*note all figures are a bit optimistic)

Premium with Q5 lamp...
Two modes of output, selected by turning the bezel

General Mode: 12 lumens (30hrs) -> 55 lumens (5.5hrs) -> 107 lumens (2hrs) -> SOS
Turbo Mode: 180 lumens (1hrs) -> Strobe

Standard L2D
Two modes of output, selected by turning the bezel

General Mode: 9 lumens (30hrs) -> 40 lumens (5.5hrs) -> 80 lumens (2hrs) -> SOS
Turbo Mode: 135 lumens (1hrs) -> Strobe

For what it's worth I own Premium versions of the L2D (on my belt) and the L3D (in my car), and have a Fenix T1 by my bed.

Bond007 · July 27, 2008, 05:08 PM

Fenix P2D is a great little flashlight. Everyone is amazed at its output. The only complaints I've heard are that some people find it a little too small, although I really like it for everyday or briefcase use.

Personally, I've had a couple brief and minor failures with the switch. Fenix seems to think everything is fine and it generally is. Every now and then it won't turn on at the first click, but the second or third will do the trick. Not too big a deal for general use, and I still love the light.

Bottom line though, is that this is what you get for Fenix quality and money (not meant to run down the brand, amazing performance for the money, just not the same quality or reliability as Surefire and others). If you need absolute reliability and quality parts, then the more expensive Surefire lights are what you're after.

Good luck.

rnr · July 27, 2008, 05:42 PM

My favorite flashlight. Streamlight TL3 xenon At 211 lumens this thing will blind you during the day! And for $65 you can't beat it. They also have a 5W LED version. But they do take 3 123's. I missed that part.

ckd · July 27, 2008, 08:02 PM

Have Fenix, Streamlight, Surefire, and several others, and for a single CR123A I daily carry the Surfire L1($135), which appears brighter than it's reported 65 lumens; equal to their new 80 lumen rate E1B. Expensive, but an excellent light for just about every application, and size wise, it is stought comfortable, tough as nails light with a two stage illumination system. A similar product which is a bit less expensive, is their new E1B($110).

Links L1, E1B: http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/.../932/sesent/00
http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/...4511/sesent/00

For the money, especially pocket carry, I have and like the Fenix L2D ($48, two AA batteries) better than their CR123A offerings. Five light stages/options, and can use rechargable AAs. I'd rate this a best buy.

Link: http://www.lighthound.com/index.asp?...OD&ProdID=2614

Flashlights are like guns, very subjective, with a great range for prices and performance.

July 27, 2008, 01:41 PM	#1
MikeGoob Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2006 Posts: 876	Whats the brightest single cell Light I can get? There are lots of great flashlight reviews here but its hard to tell which one would fit my needs. My requirements are brightness and size--generally the size of one 123 lithium cell. What kind of lumens can I expect? I dont care much about how long the batteries last, I can get them in bulk. Ive been thinking about one of the new Fenix lights.

July 27, 2008, 02:53 PM	#2
sholling Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 1999 Location: Hemet (middle of nowhere) California Posts: 4,261	I keep a Fenix L2D Premium on my belt. Have you asked over at CPF? Membership gets you a discount at the fenix-store. __________________ Proud Life Member: National Rifle Association, California Rifle & Pistol Association, and the Second Amendment Foundation. Annual Member: Revolutionary War Veterans Association (Project Appleseed) and the Madison Society.

July 27, 2008, 03:44 PM	#5
sholling Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 1999 Location: Hemet (middle of nowhere) California Posts: 4,261	CPF = Candle Power Forums, the place where the flashlight hobbyists (yes they exist) hang out. An awesome source of information but I recommend searching there before asking them a question - they sometimes get snippy if you don't. Side by side... (*note all figures are a bit optimistic) Premium with Q5 lamp... Two modes of output, selected by turning the bezel General Mode: 12 lumens (30hrs) -> 55 lumens (5.5hrs) -> 107 lumens (2hrs) -> SOS Turbo Mode: 180 lumens (1hrs) -> Strobe Standard L2D Two modes of output, selected by turning the bezel General Mode: 9 lumens (30hrs) -> 40 lumens (5.5hrs) -> 80 lumens (2hrs) -> SOS Turbo Mode: 135 lumens (1hrs) -> Strobe For what it's worth I own Premium versions of the L2D (on my belt) and the L3D (in my car), and have a Fenix T1 by my bed. __________________ Proud Life Member: National Rifle Association, California Rifle & Pistol Association, and the Second Amendment Foundation. Annual Member: Revolutionary War Veterans Association (Project Appleseed) and the Madison Society.

July 27, 2008, 02:59 PM	#3
MikeGoob Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2006 Posts: 876	no idea what cpf is

July 27, 2008, 03:07 PM	#4
MikeGoob Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2006 Posts: 876	The P2D says it puts out 135lumens as opposed to the one you listed. It looks very similar otherwise--is there a reason you chose it?

July 27, 2008, 05:08 PM	#6
Bond007 Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2005 Location: San Francisco, Ca Posts: 317	Fenix P2D is a great little flashlight. Everyone is amazed at its output. The only complaints I've heard are that some people find it a little too small, although I really like it for everyday or briefcase use. Personally, I've had a couple brief and minor failures with the switch. Fenix seems to think everything is fine and it generally is. Every now and then it won't turn on at the first click, but the second or third will do the trick. Not too big a deal for general use, and I still love the light. Bottom line though, is that this is what you get for Fenix quality and money (not meant to run down the brand, amazing performance for the money, just not the same quality or reliability as Surefire and others). If you need absolute reliability and quality parts, then the more expensive Surefire lights are what you're after. Good luck.

July 27, 2008, 05:42 PM	#7
rnr Member Join Date: March 2, 2006 Location: Denver Area Posts: 61	My favorite flashlight. Streamlight TL3 xenon At 211 lumens this thing will blind you during the day! And for $65 you can't beat it. They also have a 5W LED version. But they do take 3 123's. I missed that part.

July 27, 2008, 08:02 PM	#8
ckd Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2007 Posts: 249	Have Fenix, Streamlight, Surefire, and several others, and for a single CR123A I daily carry the Surfire L1($135), which appears brighter than it's reported 65 lumens; equal to their new 80 lumen rate E1B. Expensive, but an excellent light for just about every application, and size wise, it is stought comfortable, tough as nails light with a two stage illumination system. A similar product which is a bit less expensive, is their new E1B($110). Links L1, E1B: http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/.../932/sesent/00 http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/...4511/sesent/00 For the money, especially pocket carry, I have and like the Fenix L2D ($48, two AA batteries) better than their CR123A offerings. Five light stages/options, and can use rechargable AAs. I'd rate this a best buy. Link: http://www.lighthound.com/index.asp?...OD&ProdID=2614 Flashlights are like guns, very subjective, with a great range for prices and performance.