Fenix L1D-CE Flashlight
As a flashlight enthusiast, I review many lights on CandlePowerForums.com, a site for "flashaholics." So I'm often asked which flashlight I reach for the most. My answer: the Fenix L1D-CE, a pocket-sizeLED light that uses only a single AA battery. At one time, LED lights were considered very efficient but not really bright enough, especially when compared to the ultra-bright, xenon bulb, 2x lithium CR123 battery specialist lights like the SureFire 6P, SureFire G2 and Streamlight Scorpions (the ones frequently used in CSI). The Fenix L1D-CE uses a newer Cree 7090 XR-E LED that is spec'd to produce 90 lumens at its maximum brightness, some one and a half times as bright as the typical xenon 2x CR123 lights, which are about 60 lumens. That's brighter than the typical 3D cell flashlight -- amazing for a single AA battery!
The L1D-CE has become my EDC (every day carry) because of its versatility. Being bright and compact (about the size of a Swiss Army Knife) is a plus, but for closer tasks, a blindingly bright light is not really suitable. Most of the xenon 2xCR123 lights are just way too bright for close up work, as is the L1D-CE's Turbo setting (90 lumens).The L1D-CE also has a general mode that has 3 levels of brightness: Low (9 lumens), Medium (40 lumens), High (80 lumens), all accessed by a simple untwist of the head. This allows one to use the light at more appropriate levels for different tasks. Also, the head from the Fenix L1D-CE is fully interchangeable with other models. Fenix sells "powerpacks" with different combinations of heads and bodies, but they also let you purchase the bodies independently. Thus, the strategy is to buy one full flashlight and then just pick up the bodies as you go, like Fenix's L2D-CE (a two AA light) and even the P2D-CE (which takes a single CR123). By having the Fenix L1D-CE, I can also get the larger L2D and P2D bodies, which means having a 2x AA light that can manage 135 lumens and run on low for 55 hours. Or I can also use an even more compact 1x CR123 lithium light. So you can get three lights with one head and satisfy more needs. Like having your cake and eating it, too. Still, I always return to the L1D-CE configuration because it's just the right handy size, has brightness levels appropriate for most of my indoor uses, and I can use one rechargeable AA battery for almost no cost and environmentally-friendly illumination.
-- Vincent Tseng
Fenix L1D-CE Flashlight
$52
Available from Amazon
Also available from Fenix-Store.com
Manufactured by Fenixlight Ltd.
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Favorite (15)
Matt Gullikson
Good info all around. My Dad is a flashoholic and he loves his Pelicans, Streamlights, Surefires, Brownings and Inovas. His favorite all around lights however are his Coast LED Lensers, and in particular his model P-14. Honorable mention goes to his array of Dorcy flashlights. Most of them provide surprising bang for your buck, and are more reliable and rugged than you might think. I was so impressed by the awesome performance of his rechargeable Dorcy that he picked up @ Sears for less than 50 bucks, and rated at a very believable 220 lumens, that I had to go get one for myself. His Pelican M6 and his Streamlight TL-2 (both are compact tactical lights requiring a pair of lithium 123's each) are top notch nearly indestructible and incredibly bright little pocket lights. The TL-2 has a pocket clip and an adjustable beam giving it a slight edge. We really enjoy your web page . Keep it up!
Vallery
I'm a flashaholic too. On one car camping trip my friends counted 52 light sources available for us to use. My EDC is an extremely reliable PakLite. The flashlight itself is a tiny nub that fastens onto the end of a 9 volt battery. It has high/low, will run seemingly forever on low and half of forever on high, spreads a nice clean mid-width beam suitable for hiking, reading (but not so much for seeing what is at the top of that tree). I use the low to leave on overnight when I'm in a motel room as a night light. I camp a lot, use it around our farm (where many of the buildings have no lights), read with it at night, etc... and the last battery lasted almost a year! And it is absolutely my every day carry. There is no other flashlight that is this small with so much available electrical power... the thing in my pocket is barely bigger than the 9 volt battery yet produces the nicest light. I have the step up from their lowest priced version and love it. I gave the pilot version to a friend and it's now standard gear in her plane.