[Review] - Fenix C7 - 3000lm, 470m, 55200cd, 21700 TypeC - by Lock

LED Flashlights – General Info 21700 Flashlights
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Hi everyone, with this review we will see one of the latest Fenix flashlights: we will talk about the Fenix C7: 3000 lumen 55200cd tactical flashlight, equipped with Luminus SST70 LED and powered by a 21700 cell. The flashlight was provided by Fenix specifically for review. Here you can find the link of the company and here the link of the product.

Packaging and contents

The Fenix C7 was sent to me without original packaging, and the following is what I received:

• Fenix C7 torch

• Belt clip

• Lanyard

• Fenix ARB-L21-5000 battery

Probably in the original packaging they will also be included

• Spare O ring

• User Manual

• Warranty certificate

Main features

• Luminus SST70 LED with a lifespan of 50,000 hours

• Max Output: 3000lm

• Max Distance: 470m

• Max Brightness: 55200cd

• Max Runtime: 68h

• High performance and far-reaching beam distance

• Multi-functional side switch operates on / off and all lighting modes

• Made of durable A6061-T6 aluminum

• Premium type HAIII hard-anodized anti-abrasive finish

• IP68 Waterproof Rating

• Impact Resistance: 1m

• Magnetic Tailcap for hand-free use

• Battery Level Indication

• USB TypeC rechargeable, 3 hours for full charging

• Reverse polarity protection

• Length: 148.35mm

• Head Diameter: 40mm

• Body Diameter: 27mm

• Weight: 172g (without battery), 247g (with battery)

The body and materials

The Fenix C7 is a powerful and compact linear flashlight. It mounts a Luminus SST70 Cool White LED that releases a Turbo of 3000 lumens with 55200cd. My home measurements have shown that actually the flashlight, just turned on the Turbo, touches 2900 lumens with 55000cd.

The C7 has a single electronic switch, on the side, for managing the interface. It is non-protruding, rubberized, gray in color. The tactile feedback is good, it is particularly precise even on quick clicks, easily detectable even in the dark with bare hands, it is a little less simple to find it when wearing thick gloves. Below the switch is a small status LED that lights up when the flashlight is on providing information on the residual capacity of the cell.

The only part of the flashlight that can be unscrewed is the tailcap.

The thread arrive well lubricated. A small o-ring guarantees perfect waterproofing.

The tailcap is magnetic, so the flashlight can be positioned both horizontally and vertically on any ferromagnetic surface. Furthermore, the tailcap is flat so tailstanding is possible.

If necessary, the magnet to the tailcap can also be removed by simply uninstalling the spring that holds it locked.

The power of the magnet is such that when the tailcap is unscrewed and detached from the flashlight, the battery is also removed.

On the tailcap there are two large holes for the insertion of the wrist strap

Well done anodizing, slightly shiny. The grip is always excellent, in any conditions.

At the negative pole, as we have seen, there is a removable spring, while at the positive one a thick protruding golden button.

The reflector is smooth mirror polished. In the center the big SST70 is well centered thanks to a white centraled. The bezel is rather protruding and effectively protects the lens from any bumps.

The lens is thick and has an anti-reflective anti-scratch treatment.

The head is completely smooth without any dissipation fins. However, the heat is effectively dissipated over the whole body of the torch, thanks also to the abundant thicknesses.

On the opposite side of the switch there is the type-C charging port well protected by a rubber cap. The recharge is really fast since in about three and a half hours I was able to fully charge the 5000mAh cell supplied.

The package includes a protected cell 21700 marked with the initials ARB-L21-5000. Fenix claims that the flashlight only works with the aforementioned battery but in reality it is possible to use any 21700 battery (both protected or not) as long as it is top button and that it is less than or equal to 76mm in length.

The belt clip is quite thin, but stiff. It is free to rotate and difficult to detach. The grip in the clothes or belt is firm

In the hand the C7 is well balanced, the grip is very firm.

Output Levels and runtime

The Fenix C7 has 5 normal output levels + 2 Specials (strobe and SOS) divided as follows:

  • Turbo : 3000 lm, 52000cd (measured 2930 lm, 8.9A, 55000cd) - 1h
  • High : 1400 lm, 22500cd (measured 1450 lm, 3.3A, 26000cd) - 2h
  • Med : 400 lm, 6400cd (measured 450 lm, 0.64A, 8000cd) - 7h
  • Low : 100 lm, 1600cd (measured 115 lm, 0.16A, 1900cd) - 29h
  • Eco : 30 lm, 520cd (measured 35 lm, 0.06A, 700cd) - 68h
  • Strobe : 3000 lm (measured - lm)
  • SOS : 100 lm (measured - lm)

Runtime test on Turbo, High and Medium

Turned on to the Turbo the torch pulls out 2950 lumens and then begins its slow descent towards an output of about 1350 lumens where it remains for about 7 minutes. From here on, the output is around 1000 lumens and remains constant for about 2 hours and then goes to a level of 400 lumens before and one of 100 lumens after. Finally, it enters the direct drive, bringing the cell to its limit threshold after about 5 hours and then to the total shutdown of the torch.

The High level starts from about 1450 lumens and follows a trend practically identical to the Turbo level, except obviously for the initial minutes.

The Medium level has a stable output, a practically flat discharge curve that starts at 450 lumens and stays that way for over 6 hours !! After 6 hours and 10 minutes it goes to a lower level of about 100 lumens and then to direct drive.

In all cases, at the end of the tests, after the torch was turned off, the cell was at about 2.65V. In my opinion, the minimum voltage set on the PCB is too low, the ideal would have been 2.75 / 2.80V. If you leave the torch on until it is turned off, you risk ruining the cell in the long run.

User Interface

On-Off

Press and hold the switch> 1sec to switch on at the last level used (Memory Mode).

Press and hold the switch> 1sec to turn off the flashlight

Output selection

With the light on, click on the switch to cycle through the levels from Eco to Turbo

Strobo, SOS

In any state, press and hold the switch> 2sec to activate the strobe.

Additional single click to switch from Strobo to SOS

Memory mode

The torch stores the last used output. When restarted, the previously used output will be recalled (Strobo and SOS excluded)

Low Battery Warning

The side switch has a small LED indicator to show the battery status.

• Green light: 85% - 100%

• Green light flashes: 50% - 84%

• Red light: 25% - 49%

• Red light flashes: 0% - 24%

While charging, the switch is illuminated in Red, to change to Green when it is fully charged.

Lockout

Double click with the flashlight off to lock or unlock the interface

There are no shortcuts for Turbo, Eco or Strobe levels

Beam, Tint and Beamshots

The beam of the Fenix C7 has a good shot and a rather wide beam with a bright and usable spill for the immediate vicinity.

Here are some shots in the dark

Beamshots # 1

Beamshots # 2

Beamshots # 3

Beamshots # 4

Conclusions

Pros:

• Excellent build quality

• Good power and good shot

• Excellent regulation and excellent runtime

• Responsive switch

• Memory Mode and Lockout Mode

• Neodymium tail magnet (removable)

• High-performance 21700 battery included in the package

Cons:

• There is no direct access to the Eco, Turbo and Strobo levels

• I don't like the switching on and off with a long press (but a matter of taste)

• Switch slightly protruding and a bit difficult to intercept in the dark especially if you are wearing gloves

Thanks for reading ... XD!!!