Customer Reviews

Fenix 6 Level High Performance Cree LED Flashlight, Black, 4-Inch

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Of my dozens of fancy flashlights, this is the one I use most.

All of the parts fit together tightly. No threading problems or

The LED is one of the brightest and most efficient available. You can get brighter flashlights, but most of them are using the same/similar LED with more power run to it, so it's just a matter of trading battery life for brightness. The 120 lumens rating is probably based on LED manufacturer specs. It is similar in output to a Surefire G2, which is plenty for almost any task.

The size is perfect. Much smaller than police-style flashlights, even though it has as much power. But it's not too small to hold.

The black finish is very durable. I carry it in my pocket with keys and other junk, and it still looks mostly new. It doesn't wear down like a Maglite or most cheaper LED flashlights.

The battery life is amazing. You can use a standard alkaline AA, but a lithium AA will be worth it for long-term use.

The front end has a perfectly clear glass lens and aluminum reflector, not plastic parts like cheaper flashlights.

Operation is also perfect. It has two general modes. In "Turbo" mode, set by simply keeping the flashlight screwed together, it always turns on at full power, and can be switched to strobe mode by double-tapping the button. "General" mode, set by unscrewing the head just slightly, offers a range of 3 brightness levels which can be cycled through by tapping the button multiple times. I always leave mine set to "turbo", as I prefer to just turn it on and off.


Other options...

Fenix PD20: Almost identical to the LD10, but it uses a short lithium CR123 battery and is 50% brighter (I have one of these, and I find that the LD10 is plenty small and bright)

Leatherman Serac-3: Not a bad flashlight for the price (about 10 bucks cheaper), but it always starts at low power, requiring 3 clicks to turn on fully each time. Not as bright as the LD10, but still very good.

The Fenix LD10 is similar to the Fenix L1T; both use a single AA battery to produce a stunning amount of light. The main differences are in modes and selecting them. The LD10 starts in either standard mode or turbo mode, depending on whether the front bezel is fully tightened or slightly loosened. In turbo mode you get the highest possible light (120 lumens), in standard mode it always starts in the lowest setting (9 lumens). Other modes have to be toggled by momentarily pressing the on/off switch. The L1T simply has two modes (98 lumens and 16 lumens), chosen by turning the bezel.

The on/off differs between the LD10 and L1T. The LD10 requires a complete push-to-click, then the light operates on release. The L1T comes on as you press the button, before the "click." This means that it's possible to press the L1T's button, get light, and release it to stop the light (momentary on/off), something the LD10 does not allow.

The LD10's toggling through modes also is a little annoying if you accidentally move from 120 lumens on turbo mode to strobe by pressing the button momentarily and not getting the button to "click."

Basically, if the slightly lower and higher modes and slightly longer promised operation of the LD10 are important, or if the LD10's ability to stand on its tail is necessary, get the LD10. If none of this is a key, the L1T is simpler to use and a bit smaller and lighter. Both are great flashlights. On high they light up a back yard better than a 5 D-cell traditional flashlight. Pairing either with the Fenix headband is a great way to have versatility and hands-free light when doing projects and such.

I was looking for a small flash light to carry on my person daily. I looked into several models, with surefire being the brand I was most interested in. After looking at the offerings from surefire, I decided to purchase the fenix ld10. I am very glad that I did for the following reasons:

1.) Size - the surefire g2 led rated at 80 lumens is much larger than the LD10. The LD10 is very small and fits in my hand nicely. It is not bothersome or cumbersome to carry in a pocket.
2.) Battery type - AA are inexpensive and easy to find.
3.) Price - This flash light is very affordable, cheaper than the surefire g2, which is 2-3x it's size. It is also much cheaper than any surefire light which comes in a comparable size ( i believe the surefires in this size were ranging from $100-200, and used the more expensive battery type).
4.) Output - it is sufficient for my use and I have no complaints (I am not a light expert however). I like the mode options on it (something the surefire(s) lack - well some have modes but not as many as the Fenix).

Overall It's a great light that is small, affordable, and reliable. I am very pleased, I think it's tough to beat especially when comparing directly against the offerings from surefire.

I purchased this flashlight to use for backpacking into the woods/mountains. I also purchased the wand diffuser to go over the end of the light. This has saved me so much weight compared to trying to find room in the pack for any sort of lantern. I love every thing about this system. Its small, lite, very bright, and will light up the entire campsite. Also good for late night prowlers around the camp (raccoons, bears, etc...) and will usually scare them off. I like the fact that I can use the light across the campsite and it still focuses the beam of light in a tight circle on your target. GREAT LIGHT. I decide to go with the single battery flashlight instead of the dual battery version just because i think I would rather only have to find 1 battery when it came time to replace them instead of two batteries. I try to make sure every piece of equipment I take will all use the same batteries(I don't want to carry multiple types of batteries). This thing is so bright that it will hurt you eyes if you look into it. Small and lightweight and still very tough. You won't be disappointed with this light.

I loved my first LD10 so much I bought a second ... now I just have to order the Fenix Headband for 18-22mm Flashlights (which will hold two LD10s) and I'm all set.

This light is bright ... very bright considering it runs on a single AA battery. I strongly recommend the purchase of Sanyo Eneloop 2 Pack AA NiMH Pre-Charged Rechargeable Batteries w/ Charger, unless you already have suitable rechargeable batteries on hand.

It is equipped for self-defense, with a crenulated bezel and a strobe mode that should disorient an attacker (strobe mode is also very useful for seriously irritating your spouse, s.o., etc.) The included holster is simple, but should meet any need; it has a plastic ring for clipping, a velcro belt-loop that appears to be MOLLE/PALS compatible, and a solid stitched belt-loop. My only very minor complaint is that the holster doesn't provide for horizontal belt carry.

The light is very well made, and should stand up to whatever abuse you throw at it. It appears to be well sealed against water, and has stood up well for me in rain and snow (though I haven't tested it by submersion).

Generally, 120 lumens is enough for most folks, for most lighting tasks. Unless you just want a brighter light for the heck of it (in which case, see Fenix TK40 High Performance Cree LED Flashlight, Maximum 630 Lumens), the only reason to get a larger light is for, um, "tactical" reasons (you know, the reasons that made the monster Mag Lites popular).

Bottom line: a fantastic, ultra bright, ultra compact, self-defense worthy, reliable light, very suitable for daily carry in your pocket, purse, backpack, briefcase, or for keeping in your glovebox for an emergency. Everyone in my family is getting one for Christmas 2011 ;)

Oh, and the Fenix AD401 Headlight Diffuser Lens for L1D, L1T, L2T, L2D, P2D, P3D, LD10, LD20, PD20, PD30 & HP10 Flashlights/Headlamps fits this light, though I wasn't very impressed with it. It'll do if you have a specific need, though. Fenix also offers the following accessories for this light:
Fenix Flashlights Red Filter
Fenix Flashlights - White Diffuser Wand
Fenix Flashlights Red Diffuser
As well as other goodies, such as traffic wands, further enhancing the versatility of this light.

As a police officer and flashlight fan/collector, I have owned and used many brands of LED lights since about 2000 when they began to replace the xenon lights. I still think SureFire, Streamlight, Coast, Pelican, and a few other companies turn out great lights, but Fenix has topped them all when you factor quality for price.

The other reviews do a good job describing the various features of this light. I like the strobe, don't have much use for the SOS feature. The CR123 battery is easy enough to find here in the states, but the AA battery is a real plus if you are operating overseas. I honestly feel that Fenix is turning out SureFire quality lights at a fraction of the cost.

I'm very pleased with this product. The LD10 is very bright, well-made,
has a straightforward interface (never thought I would need to say that about
a flashlight!) and the battery life is good. I use the 3 levels of brightness
regularly, but rarely need the strobe or SOS modes. I bought this for our detector
installation at the CMS particle physics experiment at the Large Hadron Collider
and everyone involved used it and agreed this is a great light.

This is little light is a showstopper! Very light, very practical, very BRIGHT! I always keep this little baby on turbo mode and she never fails to make the shadows run, what an excellent buy!

The primary reason that I bought this light is because it is quasi-tactical, with the strike bezels and all, I figured it would be well appreciated in a non-lethal self defense roll. Thank the LORD I haven't had to use it in such a way, but as an EDC light it performs admirably. As a night custodian I use this light to reveal dirty areas that may have escaped my notice otherwise, and to illuminate the parking lot that I cross to reach the dumpster for trash disposal. I tell you what, NOTHING is concealed when the 120 Lum beam falls on it.

As an aside, my first "quality" flashlight I bought was the Streamlight Stylus Pro. This is a very good "budget" flashlight that will serve you well! It is now serving as an medical light for my first aid kit that comes with me wherever I go!

Simply stated, I love this light, it's been faithful to me for a very long time and I anticipate that status to last.

I have carried this light nearly every day in the 5 months that I have owed it.
This is a small flashlight (can fit comfortably in a pocket) that is well built. Honestly I nearly didn't buy it because of the cost but after reading the reviews I took a chance. I'm glad I did. This light had been dropped quite a few times onto hard surfaces and it has not affected operation in any way. Included is a very sturdy clip that securely clips the light to a shirt pocket.

The one downside is that the battery life could be better. I tend to use the light on HIGH most of the time because of the fantastic light output (when you need to see you need to SEE!) and the battery sometimes dies on me. The way the current regulation works is that the light DOES NOT get dimmer until the battery is dead, so what happens is that you have light then suddenly no light (or flickering light) when the battery is dead. I am using a quality rechargeable battery (Sanyo Eneloop) so the battery is not the problem. This is probably because the flashlight uses a SINGLE "AA" battery (which is why it's so small).

Also I wish the partially untwisted lens cap position would be the "medium" brightness setting instead of "low". That way I could extend battery life. I find it difficult to set the light to "medium" brightness because the lens cap must be partially untwisted (doing this sets "low" brightness) and then the button pressed once or twice to gradually increase brightness above "low". The problem is when you click the button the light turns off for a short time making it hard to determine what brightness setting you are on (unless you keep track of how many times you press the button). I find the low brightness setting useless because it doesn't output sufficient light.

Still, it's a good small flashlight despite these flaws and the fact that it uses a standard AA makes it better than some of the other Fenix models that use "weird" batteries (like CR123A). I also wouldn't bother with any LED flashlight that uses AAA batteries because AA batteries have a higher AmpHour capacity rating (i.e. AA last longer than AAAs)

A slightly cheaper version of this light that gets rid of the strobe mode (which I never use) and has a brighter "low" setting is the Fenix L1T 2 Level High Performance Cree LED Flashlight
This one is slightly different but still uses 1 AA (no pocket clip though)

I work as a stage hand and technical crew for a large roadhouse in my area, so I'm very used to the struggle for decent lighting. The problem is that nothing that provides adequate light fits comfortably on your belt or pocket, LEDs don't provide long lighting throw and have narrow beams, and regular lamps use a ton of batteries and give off less light (plus weigh a ton).

This light literally solved all my problems. The adjustable beam intensity means that I'm not blowing out my eyes when I'm trying to see just to the bottom of a road case, but the beam is PLENTY bright in turbo mode to see clear up above the grid over the stage, even with the work lights on. It's small and comes with a belt pouch, so it's not getting in the way of my tool. It only uses a single AA battery, which weighs nothing and is SUPER easy to replace (I just purchased some rechargables. Very economical). It's small enough that you can actually stick it in your mouth when you just have to wrestle with a lighting gel in the catwalks, and it's waterproof, so you can't hurt it, and even if you drop it, the MIL-Spec ratings virtually guarantee that it'll still be in working order.
With the red gel lens I got also, I can keep my night vision in a dark theater and still trace cables to my console or find my way through the back of the audience.

I depend on my light, because if it fails, I just might be stuck in the catwalks with no way to see my way out during a show, and that just won't do. That's why I went with the Fenix. It may be a poor-man's Surefire, but it is a powerfully good light for the money. If your job means that you depend on your lighting source, you owe it to yourself to check out this light, and Fenix's other models.