I see on ebay there are many P7.2 clones for sale. They look very much like the official product, but much cheaper. Has anyone tried one?
Fasttech also seem to sell them, and the P5.2
I wasn’t too impressed with the genuine lenser torches I had a few years back before I discovered blf, the mount on my head torch broke off the first time I used it, so wouldn’t think the clones would be too good.
If I was looking for a decent cheap torch I’d buy one of the convoy range or similar
Dunno, I used to have a T7 that seemed very well made and designed.
Not high performance lights by BLF standards though - and very expensive for what you get.
Here’s a comment from a guy who just bought the smaller M24 Maxtoch for alot less (in NZ) than he paid for his Led Lenser P.14:
“Awesome piece of kit. Only had my Lenser p14 to compare it with but it blows that into the weeds.”
I agree with dw911’s comment above: ” If I was looking for a decent cheap torch I’d buy one of the convoy range or similar”. Richard at mtn electronics has the Convoy or XinTD C8 V5 XM-L2 U2 - both inexpensive, very useful, and he dedomes them for an added $4.99.
I’m not so sure. Lumen count isn’t everything. LED Lensers have a nice feel, especially the latest .2 models.
The Home Depot Defiant Zooming version was a better design than the Lenser Zoom light. ( i have both)
In what way?
If I’m not mistaken the M 24 is a much bigger torch, its also not really a fair comparasen. One is an XP G2 the other an XM l2.
Marc
Interesting - wasn’t aware the LL P14 has an XPG-2 these days.
In terms of size not alot in it between P14 and the M24. LL is 8” long and weighs 356 gms (with batts), and M24 is 9.3” long and weighs about 370 with batts. Both often sold as hunting lights. As you’d expect M24 has alot more output with the XML2-U2, and with its bigger head alot more lux/distance.
Don’t know the lux for a P14, but an X14 (two head model LL) we tested recently was a comparatively low 37,500 lux. M24 was 82,400 lux.
on this Defiant (with the simmilar TIR focusing lens design) The flood mode is much wider, spot is much brighter and throws more, it has a better focusing ring desig than the lenser twist-head, Defiant tail stands, the Lenser TT does not, and i modded the Defiant easily to use an 18650, (the lenser is to short to hold an 18650 and can only use 3 AAA batteries.
I am referring to this Defiant:
VS. this Lenser TT i have, (which cost three times as much): http://www.ledlenserusa.com/880227.html#start=37
LED Lensers do not have twist heads. At least the T7, P5, P7 and P14 do not. Their focusing mechanisms are excellent. They also dont have a tactical bezel which means they are smoother. Who actually needs a tactical bezel?
Sorry, the OP was asking about the P7 so I thought you were comparing the two. I can’t remember what the P14 had but the P7.2 is now XPG2 which I think would make it quite a nice light. But they are expensive and other lights do give better value. Also of course 4 AAAs don’t pack a lot of energy.
Marc.
There is a P14.2 now as well, a collegue at work has one and it is quite impressive.
Not everyone uses light outside, though. I use flashlights in buildings, and I actually find some lights too bright, especially if you accidentally shine them in your own or someone else’s eyes.
Light intensity isnt everything.
I’m not sure they are clones. I suspect they probably come from the same factory. On FastTech or Dx also have a look at POP lite. They are very led lenser like.
As for the torches themselves. They seem to be the thing to hate. But usually for no justifiable reason. Yes they use AA/AAA. But so what. It’s not as if most of us don’t have 18650 lights to use too.
Total output isn’t a head liner either. But as a rule they are not XM-L’s. The p7.2 is XP-G2. So it is expected to give a lower output than almost any XM-L based light. What they can do well is throw and flood for their relative size. My XP-E POP lite despite its low output claim will out flood and out throw an XM-L p60 @ 3amps.
+1. When I joined blf I had a P7 and I don’t think I heard a single positive comment. However I liked it. I liked the form and size, the zoom worked very well. It was a high quality light. Now I know what’s out there I still think it’s a good light especially with an XPG2. Definitely deserves more positive comments.
Marc.
I got a P5.2 from Fasttech and it’s a really sweet light, well made, came boxed and seems to be genuine LED Lenser.
I got a P7.2 on ebay and it also seems to be genuine and is excellent.
I wish I could find cheap P6.2, 14.2 and 17.2 to complete the family!
Fresnel showed in the 19th Century that the solution to efficiently getting a narrow beam from an extended source involves using both reflecting (preferably TIR) and refracting elements. It would be more efficient in terms of space and cost to have more than two elements, but LED Lenser and Coast are on the right track. So we should look for Lenser and the lighthouse lenses to be copied by others.
I think that part of the reason that most flashlights have single element optics is that they are imitating other optical devices that don’t have large LED area to contend with and therefore want to avoid the diffraction limitation of Fresnel lenses and multi-faceted reflectors.