Which to buy next?

LED Flashlights – General Info
1

My first two quality flashlights were Fenix PD35 and Fenix LD22.
I like these very much - build quality, form factor, user interface, etc.

Now I have the itch for a single CR123 light and it seems to be between the Fenix PD22 UE and the Olight S10R. (The different interfaces won’t bother me.)

The Fenix is around $65.00 and the Olight about $55.00 but, if you allow $’s for the RCR123 and charging dock its effective price is probably around $40.00

Is the Fenix overpriced? Is the Olight a bargain by comparison? Is the build quality different or related to the price? Do both brands have the same reputation for quality and customer service?

I’m just throwing these questions out so everyone can get an idea of how I’m approaching a decision.

- and no, I can’t afford both right now, although that’s what I’d like to do.

Thanks for any help and wisdom you all might have.

2

Also look at Sunwayman.

3

I have a ton of flashlights but I can tell you the one that I carry every day is the S10. It is a very bright little light with a great UI. There are lots of really great options out there this one has just worked very well for me for some time now.

Adam

4

Do you use the pocket clip or a sheath. If a sheath, which one will fit the S10?

Thanks

5

I don’t have a Fenix, or an Olight S10. But I DO have an Olight S20! I carry it every day. I like the UI, and it is a nice size for me (S10 is obviously smaller). Olight is a quality brand, and I won’t hesitate to recommend it. A couple things I don’t like: The lockout always takes you back to Moonlight mode when you unlock it. That takes extra time when you want to get to another mode besides Moon and your Olight is locked. Also, the belt clip is not that great. It usually works fine, but it is very stiff, so hard to put on the belt with one hand, and sometimes if you bump your light, it will pop off (clip lets go of the light).

Also to consider: I just looked up the Olight S10R and the Fenix PD22UE and there are a couple things to think about. The Olight is lower lumens output, but it looks to be more compact than the Fenix. The Fenix also has two switches - one tactical tail switch with momentary function if needed, plus a side switch. The Olight only has the side switch, and relies on an electronic lock-out function in the driver to keep from being accidentally turned by a bump.

6

Thanks for the responses.

What I am wondering is this: Since the Olight is about half the price of the Fenix is the Fenix overpriced? Or, is the Olight just a good bargain. Or, does the pricing reflect the overall quality of each light?

Thanks for any answers.

7

Thought I’d bump this in search of some more opinions.

Also - I’ve been reading some comments about questionable Olight quality and poor customer service. Any thoughts on this?

8

If you want small then the Olight is less than 3 inches long - I tend not to use the clip and keep it in my pocket in place of the lighter that used to be there before I gave up smoking :slight_smile:

I love the UI and use the (proper) moonlight mode far more than I thought I would. Build quality is excellent and being able to just drop it onto its charger when the battery gets low is very convenient.

9

Thanks for your advice but I’m still wondering about Olight quality vs. Fenix and the Olight customer service concerns that have been voiced.

10

I have nine Fenix lights, and four Olight lights, thus far.


The ninth light (not pictured) is a TK51, that should be coming in any day, now :smiley:

I’ve been really pleased with the quality of both Fenix and Olight. I’ve been buying lights of their for the past three years, and have never had to contact Fenix over an issue with any of their lights.

I contacted Olight about a touchy tailcap switch on the M20-X (it was too sensitive), and they addressed my issue, very quickly. They were willing to fix or replace the switch, if I mailed it in, but that was my first high-powered 18650 light, and I was unwilling to part with it lol; so I ended up finding an aftermarket seller on eBay and bought another switch, and that did the trick. Never a problem since. That light is pretty much bullet-proof.

I don’t think you could go wrong with either brand. If you’re finicky about tints, you may be happier with Fenix. I think they’re a little more picky about which tint bins they use, and tend to be a little more consistent; but that’s just a personal thing of mine. I’ve found the tints on the Fenix lights to be a little bit on the greenish side. That’s really my only gripe about those lights. They’re excellent made lights, though - extremely dependable.

I don’t think the price reflects a difference in quality, between Felix and Olight flashlights.

Another brand to seriously consider is EagleTac. I’ve got three of their lights (had a TX25X2, which was amazing, for its size, but I lost it :frowning:

They make a very high quality light, and I think their build quality is superb. They’re similarly priced to both Fenix and Olight, and make many smaller lights that would probably suit your purposes beautifully!

11

Maybe Black shadow sc03? it’s nice small and great output too :slight_smile:
Bought 10 of them and now all gone because everybody who saw it, want it :_(

12

Thanks, guys. That’s the kind of info. I was hoping for.

13

Can’t go wrong with the s10, which has been on my wishlist for a while, and the s10r made it even better.
You can pick up the solarstorm sc03 which is the budget version of the s10 (not r) for about $15
Have you checked out the EC11? There’s a pretty sweet deal going on in the group buy right now.

14

Love my pd22ue. Fits in my shirt pocket nice and deep and it stays on the mode you want until you change it because of the separate mode button. Also the blinkie modes are hidden. A also looked at the lights, but I really liked the forward clicky on the fenix.

I got it for a lot less then 65 bucks. From the following auction on eBay. Like a lot less! I offered 45 bucks and he countered with a great price.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/301395154082

I use xtar 16340s in it that you can get straight from xtar on eBay at 7.90 for 2. They’re way underrated by xtar and I get great run time. Also with the fenix in order to get the lumens they claim you have to use 16340s.

15

+1 on the EA11. I’m just about to pick one up. In the meantime, I have an EA11 (the 14500 version), and I’m loving mine. It really works best with a 14500 IMR (and it’s recommended by Nitecore), and the run times aren’t phenomenal, but it really packs a wallop! And I just throw the battery in the charger later in the day, and good to go again!

16

You have a Titanium Olight Baton? Oh, I’m jealous! Which one is it? (It’s hard to read the side of it in your picture) :heart_eyes:

17

No - I’m afraid this is a TC15 SS - stainless, running on a 14500. Evidently, it was sold in a set of three lights, as a Christmas package. I bought this and the S35, used, on CPF Marketplace, a while back. It came with white and yellow mini traffic wands.

Here’s a link with some info on the set:
New Olight Titanium, Stainless Steel XPG-S2 !!! | Candle Power Flashlight Forum!!!

18

Oh… well… it’s still Purdy… but I’m not jealous any more! :bigsmile: