Pro Tool Reviews: We came across Fenix when we saw their ad in a magazine. The light that they were promoting looked promising. When I took a closer look at their website, I realized that the lights they are producing are not the ones you’re going to find at your local Wal-Mart. They are producing lights with the kind of features and specifications to be named in conversations with LED Lenser and Surefire. They make lights that cover applications such as camping, biking, diving, general outdoors, headlamps, and tactical situations.
6 comments:
I think this flashlight is a really great product. It seems more advanced than what it would be used for in theatre. It would be more useful in a camping situation. The different features on the light can be used for many different instances. I like that there are 5 different modes for different brightnesses and a strobe. It is also very convenient to carry because it is so small. Most small flashlights only have one brightness. The charging dock is a very good idea instead of having to replace the batteries.
$119.95 is a lot to pay for a flashlight. I guess this would be useful if you were really into intense camping or some kind of security guard or something? Defensive mode sounds really cool- you'd never think that using light could be like a weapon, but I can imagine that alternating two different strobe patterns would be actually really terrible for anyone that it was aimed at. I didn't even know there was a "tactical grip" way of carrying a flashlight. I don't think I'll ever need anything this advanced, but it's good to know that somewhere out there someone is getting paid to design really high-end flashlights.
This flashlight's features and capabilities make it seems like only a small audience can take advantage of this technology. Sarah is right, $119.95 is a ton of money that most people wouldn't pay for a flashlight. I wouldn't even wont one for over $20. The defensive strobe feature is really cool and allows the user to use light as a method of defense, something that you don't see too often. I could see this flashlight good for people who do a lot of camping, hunting, or hiking.
I love my LED Lenser rechargeable flashlight, sure I payed a good amount for it but it is hands down the best flashlight I've ever owned and the features trump those in pretty much any other flashlight I've seen. That being said, the Fenix flashlights look like they could give mine a run for it's money. I really like the button layout, especially having a separate mode button. That is one issue I have with mine, switching between modes is difficult and it doesn't hold the last mode I was in. The one downside I see with the Fenix is that lack of focusable beam. I use that feature the most with my light. Being able to choose between a narrow and wide beam is incredibly useful. That being said, I'm not sure this is a total deal breaker. I would be interesting in trying a Fenix flashlight...if I got it for free. I don't feel like spending upwards of $100 on a flashlight just to try it out.
First off, to address the people who think over $100 is ludicrous to pay for a flashlight, I have to say it really is one of those things that you can't knock until you try it. The difference between a quality LED flashlight, a junky one, and not having one on you at all are all huge differences.
Now on to the UC50 in particular. For $120, this flashlight seems to have a pretty good feature set. That being said, I feel that it tries to do too much in one flashlight. If it is being marketed as a tactical or defensive flashlight, the 5 modes are somewhat counterproductive. The flashlight should default to the brightest setting when turned on, not what was last used! The strobe mode is also less than easy to activate, especially if you are under duress.
Moving beyond that, I still question whether rechargeable flashlights are more useful, especially if you need your dead flashlight RIGHT now. If there is an option to swap in non rechargeable batteries at any point in time, then it would be a non issue.
Yet overall, this seems like a pretty solid flashlight, especially for an entertainment setting, but I'll definitely be sticking with my Surefire for now...
I’ve been in the market for a new flashlight for some time now, one that doesn’t require batteries. I think I’ve found it.
I’ve always been a fan of Surefire flashlights, but I’m wondering if maybe the cost associated with a Surefire light isn’t necessarily worth it. The comparison of the $120 dollar flashlight to the SF equivalent at $665 is extraordinary.
I guess I’m always looking for a balance between cost and performance, because I want a high performance light that won’t die in under 37 seconds, but also accounting for the fact that I’m likely to lose my flashlight within a year or two.
I’d really like to see this light with a decent tether point for working at height, and an option to buy a more readily available standard replacement battery.
All that considered, it’s definitely worthy of my consideration.
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