We were recently given the opportunity
to review and compare a few different
models of Fenix brand LED flashlights.
We reviewed the Fenix; TK10, L2D, PD30
and PD20. These are mid priced, high
quality lights that push a lot of light
from standard size batteries. Three of
these lights use the common CR123 size
battery, one uses AA size batteries.
We looked at three lights with 5 separate
functions and beam intensities. One of
these Fenix lights (the TK10) is a 'tactical'
design with two brightness intensity
options and a less complicated interface.
All of these lights include replacement
parts and other accessories in the package
when you buy them.
|
Fenix lights are packaged in
easy to open heavy paper / cardboard
packages (not plastic clamshells).
The various models include spare
parts, lanyards, belt pouches,
warranties and instructions.
They did not include batteries

|
|
Each of these lights have a
black finish and feel good in
the hand. There are no loose
parts, rattles, noises or easily
breakable parts

|
|
Each of the lights gives off
a clear white light with a bright
center and no rings or dark spots.
The LED quality seems very high

|
Fenix
L2D |
|
We took a look at this light
a while back, but since it was
available, we included it in
this review as well. because
it uses AA batteries, this light
is the longest of the lights
we tested, also the most narrow,
since the CR123 batteries in
the other lights are wider

|
|
The L2D tested outside at night
pointing at a bush about 15 yards
away. The first photo is at the
highest power output 135 Lumens,
the next three photos are the
three 'General Mode' power levels;
low 9 Lumens, medium 40 Lumens
and High at 80 Lumens (dog in
photo kept looking for what we
were shining the light at) Side
by side comparison below

Turbo
135 Lumens
|

General Low
9 Lumens |

General Medium
40 Lumens |

General High
80 Lumens |
|
Fenix
PD20 |
|
The single battery Fenix PD20
is packaged in a cardboard box
with plastic insert, not a plastic
clamshell. It's easy to open
and can be reused to store the
PD20 as well. The PD20, like
all the Fenix lights we reviewed,
includes a belt pouch, spare
parts, warranty card and instructions.

|
|
The instructions for the PD20
instruct the user on how to access
the five functions and brightness
levels

|
|
The belt pouch offers many attachment
points and holds the light securely.
The all black nylon sheath can
fit on a belt, strap of a pack
or bag, the map pocket of a car
door, and many other places.
It has a belt loop, an second
loop that opens with hook & loop
(velcro) and a plastic 'd'-ring
so many attachment options are
available

|
|
The PD20 is very small and puts
out a surprising amount of light.
The Fenix PD20 weighs just 1.9
ounces with a single CR123 battery.
It's small enough to put on a
keyring, but large enough to
be easily used with one hand.
It's not as tiny as some keyring
lights which could be lost and
are difficult to manage with
gloves.

|
|
The PD20 tested outside at night
pointing at a bush about 15 yards
away. The first photo is at the
highest power output 180 Lumens,
the next three photos are the
three 'General Mode' power levels;
low 9 Lumens, medium 47 Lumens
and High at 94 Lumens (dog in
photo kept looking for what we
were shining the light at) Side
by side comparison below

Turbo
180 Lumens
|

General Low
9 Lumens |

General Medium
47 Lumens |

General High
94 Lumens |
|
Fenix
PD30 |
|
The PD30 is packaged in a cardboard
box with a selection of accessories

|
|
Instructions for the PD30 explain
how to use the various functions
and how to switch them on. The
warranty card explains the Fenix
limited lifetime, one year free
service warranty and the 18 month
option if you register via their
website

|
|
The Fenix PD30 weighs just 3
ounces with two CR123 batteries.
The PD30 fits well in the hand
and is very easy to use and adjust
with just one hand

|
|
The belt pouch for the PD30
(and all Fenix lights we've reviewed)
is a well made all nylon black
sheath. It has many attachment
points including a sewn belt
loop, a second belt loop that
offers quick release with hook
& loop (velcro) and a plastic
loop. A very functional pouch.

|
|
The PD30 tested outside at night
pointing at a bush about 15 yards
away. The first photo is at the
highest power output 220 Lumens,
the next three photos are the
three 'General Mode' power levels;
low 9 Lumens, medium 70 Lumens
and High at 117 Lumens (dog in
photo kept looking for what we
were shining the light at) Side
by side comparison below

Turbo
220 Lumens
|

General Low
9 Lumens |

General Medium
70 Lumens |

General High
117 Lumens |
|
Fenix
TK10 |
|
The TK10 from Fenix is packaged
in a cardboard box, not a plastic
clamshell and includes many of
the most used accessories

|
|
The Fenix TK10 includes instructions
and warranty card. The Fenix
warranty is a limited lifetime
warranty with free service for
one year. If you use their website
to register the warranty is extended
to 18 months free repair

|
|
The TK10 is a good size for
a tactical light. It holds two
CR123 batteries. It fits well
in the hand, and is another solid
and well built product. Our first
impression is that this light
will hold up well if used as
an impact weapon. The Fenix TK10
has a more tactical switch than
the other Fenix lights in this
review because it offers a momentary
on feature as well as an always
on option.

|
|
The TK10 weighs 5.8 ounces with
two CR123 batteries
|
|
The TK10 comes with a lot of
extras including; a nylon belt
pouch, brass ring (for looks?),
a tactical ring (for easily holding
the light one handed), a removable
belt / pocket clip, extra screws
and tool for clip, lanyard, orange
rubber tail cap, spare rubber
'O' rings, warranty card and
instructions.
|
|
The Fenix TK10 comes with an
orange tail cap button sleeve
so the black one can be replaced.
The orange cap is very easy to
see in a bag or in shadows

|
|
I used a small multi-tool scissor
jaws to open the tail cap and
swap out the rubber button. This
requires a bit of improvisation
if you don't have the correct
tool, but these scissors worked
well, many pliers would too.
The tail cap is another well
made part and fit back together
very solidly

|
|
The TK10 also comes with a removable
clip, spare screws and tool (hex
wrench) It attaches easily in
moments, and the clip seems sturdy
and strong

|
|
The TK10 tested outside at night
pointing at a bush about 15 yards
away. The first photo is at the
low power setting at 60 Lumens,
the second photo is high power
setting at 225 lumens. Side
by side comparison below

General
60 Lumens
|

Turbo
225 Lumens |
|
|
|
The Fenix White Diffuser Tip
fits all of the lights we reviewed
except the TK10 (which is too
wide). It is a very clever accessory.
With no tools, moving parts or
instructions needed, you simply
press the white plastic cone
on the bezel of the light you'd
like to use. With low power it
becomes a lantern that is easily
bright enough to read by, with
the high output levels or strobe
settings, the flashlight becomes
a signal or traffic light.This
strong simple accessory is really
a 'must have' in out opinion
since it really adds function
to the Fenix LED lights for less
than $6

|
Surefire
E2D |
|
The Surefire E2D is another
well made light with a strike
bezel for defensive uses. It
is an incandescent bulb, not
an LED but since it was in my
pocket as I was taking the photos,
it was included in these tests
|
|
The E2D tested outside at night
pointing at a bush about 15 yards
away. The E2D has a single power
setting of 60 lumens. Side by
side comparison below

60 Lumens
|
Surefire
G2 LED |
|
This G2 is a polymer (plastic)
light body with a 65 Lumen incandescent
bulb. It is a very well built
and strong light. This one has
been upgraded to a LED light
with the Surefire P60L LED bulb
at 85 Lumens. The G2 holds two
CR123 batteries.

|
|
The Surefire G2 with LED upgrade
(P60L) tested outside at night
pointing at a bush about 15 yards
away. The P60L has a single power
setting at 80 Lumens. Side by
side comparison below

80 Lumens
|