Reader Reviews

Rating: 5 / 5

Fenix LDO1 Flashlight

The Fenix LDO1 is a significantly upgraded version of the 50/60 lumens Fenix brand LOD. Like the LOD the LDO1 is an AAA cell powered, light weight (.5 oz w/o battery) flashlight. It has three regulated power setting going from medium to low to high while generating an advertized 27 lumens-10 lumens-80 Lumens. The above text is correct. The LDO1 generates near 80 lumens. The diameter of the reflector is quite small however so other units, with larger reflectors that are rated at 80 will appear “stronger” and provide more “coverage” than this little light weight unit does. There is no strobe or SOS feature, like the LOD, but I find the absence of these features a positive.

I became interested in flashlights early in life because I like to see my surrounding at night. This flashlights beam projects very well and the flood is wide for the small diameter of reflector. Pictures of the spot and flood with a description of the LDO1 are available on www.fenixstore.com. I have been using this light for six months now. It comes with a clip that allows attachment to cap bills or pants pockets.

To operate the unit the head of the light must be rotated, which takes two hands. However it is very easy to adjust from one power setting to another. For more information on this simple process I suggest the above listed Fenix website. I appreciate lights that can be operated with one hand but I dislike push switches as they can be accidently turned on while in a pack. I consider this to be much easier than having to remove the battery every time it is packed away. The runtimes one gets with lithium batteries is impressive.

While the Energizer website lists the limitations of their AAA sized lithium batteries in ordinary temperature ranges I am experiencing 90 minutes of continuous regulated runtime at near 80 lumens with their lithium batteries. Runtimes with alkaline cells are much shorter and the unit falls off regulation much earlier than I find acceptable. For this reason I can only recommend this unit if Lithium cells are utilized.

I am submitting this Use Review, in part, because I learned of Fenix lights from someone who several years ago took the time to post a User Review on the LOD. I hope I have now returned the favor.

Rating: 5 / 5

I've used this light for about 8 months and it has been excellent in all aspects. The above review is pretty thorough in its description so I'll just give my own anecdote to reinforce how tough this little light really is. I was carrying the light in my pocket one day and completely forgot about it, as it is so light and small (blessing and a curse). Those jeans went through the wash before I noticed the light was missing and as I was unloading the washing machine I heard something scraping around the basin. I looked in and there was my LD01. It looked no worse for the wear but I was sure that its goose was cooked. Just for kicks, I twisted the light to see if it would fire up and, lo and behold, the light came on. It didn't need to be dried out and the battery did not need to be replaced; the LD01 worked right out of a full washing cycle and it's still going strong 6 months later with regular use. Tough little light.

Edited by poor_vagabond on 07/08/2010 15:31:00 MDT.

Rating: 5 / 5

This is an extremely bright flashlight, particularly when compared to headlamps of similar weight.

I can turn it into a headlamp by clipping it to a headband (or a neckwarmer jacked up like a headband).

It's so small that I imagine it might be easy to lose! So I put some reflective bike tape on mine.

Rating: 4 / 5

Unless you're taking extra batteries, it's not going to last you on longer trips at the brightest settings. And do yourself a favor and use lithium batteries. Otherwise, it's a fantastic high quality piece of gear.