Emergency flashlights: what's comparable to Inova, but better? (Fenix L0P?)

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MatthewVanitas

MatthewVanitas

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I've had Inovas for a few years now, taken them on two Iraq deployments, given them as gifts, etc. Good for illuminating your immediate path, reading or doing small tasks in the dark, etc. Extremely small and flat, costs $8, battery lasts forever, etc. Many good things.

However, I've managed to kill about three or four of them so far. Unrelated to battery strength, I've had them develop a tendency to only work in pressed mode (not in switch-on mode) to intermittently work in either mode, etc. Worst of all, the one I had attached to the MOLLE loops on my armor during my second Iraq tour developed a tendency to turn permanently on without squeezing or switching, which made me extremely unpopular until I stowed it in my pack.

Is there any flashlight which is approximately as tiny as the Inova, which has most of its virtues, but is of better quality? I realize this means the price will be higher, but I can cope.

Is the Fenix L0P small enough to be a true keychain flashlight? I realize that some of you carry big Surefires for EDC, but between cellphone, wallet, hankerchief, SpacePen, Benchmade Mini-Griptilian, etc., I'm running out of pocket space.

Thanks for any info,

-MV
 
Hey, Matthew.

I've experienced similar problems with the little Inovas, in similar circumstances.

Two suggestions: one, the original quality micro-light, the Photon II. (Photon I is squeeze-only.) Two, I prefer: slightly larger, but still plenty small to attach to your IBA, is the Pelican L1.

John
 
...the original quality micro-light, the Photon II. (Photon I is squeeze-only.)
Click to expand...

I had one of those for a while. The problem I ran into with it was that the bulb was not recessed. After a few months of carrying it around on my key ring the whole bulb end just broke off. I don't know if they fixed that on the Photon II or not.
 
My inova has even withstood a trip through the washing machine and still works. Admitedly the switch is a bit tougher to push, but on the plus side it doesn't accidently turn on in my pocket anymore:D

If pocket space is a concern, you might try this small Pelican light. I have one and like it. It clips to a hat brim or pack strap, is pretty adjustable for direction, and is a little brighter than the key chain lights. I've only used mine for a year while hunting, so can't say about long term reliability.
 

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I think 3/3 of the small Inovas I've had, developed a switch problem.
 
Matthew,

Since you asked about the L0P, I'm assuming that you're okay with a twist switch rather than a push switch. Here are manufacturer links to the Fenix L0P and E1 (which includes physical dimensions). As a comparison, I'm also putting in a link to the ARC AAA-P.

http://www.fenixlight.com/flashlight/fenixl0.htm
http://www.fenixlight.com/flashlight/fenixe1.htm
http://216.71.117.133/arc-aaa.shtml

Here are user reviews of two of those lights:

http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/arc_aaa-p.htm
http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/fenix_e1.htm

The L0P is the brightest light of the group, with a commensurately lower battery life (approx 1 - 1.5 hours). The ARC leads the pack in battery life with six hours or thereabouts. The E1 splits the difference at 3 hours (rated).

FWIW, there have been reports of DOA's with the Fenix lights. They're apparently selling a lot of them, so the reports might be based on the sheer volume going out. I have a Fenix L1P, and though I like the light a lot (incredibly bright for its size, which is Fenix's forte), I found the tail-clicker switch unreliable out of the box. As a result, I use it basically as a twist-switch, though the clicker WILL work if you nurse it just right.

The ARCs have a reputation for being the Sherman tanks of the flashlight world -- incredible build quality and reliability. I bought one on that basis but haven't had a chance to test its reputation yet. But it's definitely a pocket-able light. It also has a great beam, quite a bit better than my CMG Infinity Ultra (another favorite of mine -- an AA light with a phenomenal 15+ hour life), with more spill. The ARC is just a hair smaller than the E1 and L0P, so I'm assuming they're pocket-friendly also.

I'm not shilling for any companies, but I've had good service from brightguy.com and lighthound.com. I bought my ARC from the manufacturer, who had it priced competitively versus other resellers.

Good luck in your quest!

-- JFrame
 
I have had inovas and photon II's in my key chains, but for brightness and durability none had beat my clone key chain $1.00 light from Lighthound.com

I even send them out in the strap of my BOREALIS (when ordered with the QD Swivel) as a navigation light.

black bear
 
JFrame: outstanding response, much appreciated. I'm taking a very hard look at the ARC as a target for my birthday money.

For my purposes, there are only two things that I'm not thrilled with on the ARC: 1) twist seems harder to do one-handed than pressure. 2) Comes only in bluish-white, not in blue or red.

Both of these are, honestly, probably only a factor if I go back to do a deployment in the Reserves, or end up in a sketchy area as a contractor or State Dept bubba in the post-college future. I should probably go ahead and get the ARC as a civilian EDC, and worry about finding a high-quality red or blue LED, one-handed light at some point in the future if circumstances dictate. My life isn't particularly "tactical" now, and the ARC does seem outstanding for non-field work.

Thanks for all the info. If anyone else is trying to maximize the utility of their pockets, I highly recommend the Benchmade Mini-Griptilian and the Fisher SpacePen (with one or two folded index cards in the wallet, so you can always take or pass notes).

-MV (Living out of his pockets)
 
I have a Gerber Recon DIAL which I like alot. Runs a LONG time on 1 AA and has a rotating bezel for White, Green, Red and Blue light.
 
Fenix LOP

I bought four Fenix LOP's. One for myself and three for gifts. One was DOA.

I hope that it is a case of DOA or live forever... I certainly love this little light. It is brighter than my Surefire E1e, and has better beam quality.

The Fenix LOP is almost exactly the same diameter as a AA battery and 1.5 times as long.

I gave one to a security guard friend who just bought a Scorpion a week or two before, and he liked the LOP so much that he said it may become his primary light!!!
 
Sharpdogs, who are you addressing? Do you mean better than the Inova, or LOP, or all small lights?

John
 
I was referring to Phantom Warrior's post about the bulb on the photon II. The bulb is protected with the covert model.
 
Matthew,

Glad I was able to contribute to your research -- I HOPE I'm steering you in the right direction with the ARC AAA-P... :)

I know what you mean about the absence of a button switch on some of the smaller pocket lights. I guess that's the trade-off with some lights to get the absolute smallest form factor and increased reliability. I've been using my CMG Infinity Ultra for so long that turning the twisty switch one-handed has become pretty much instinctive (though certainly still not quite as convenient as a pressure switch). I find that the ARC has JUST enough grippable surface to also be a decent one-handed light (excellent texturing on the aluminum body and head).

You prolly already know this, but with flashlights rated to take them, you get a big lift from using lithium batteries with the equivalent voltage. They're lighter than alkalines, don't suffer power loss from sitting around, don't risk leaking acid, provide way longer battery life, and usually provide a modest boost in brightness. I've been using a lithium in my CMG a lot over the past 1 1/2 years (including accidentally leaving it on for hours at the bottom of an overnight case), and I still don't see an appreciable loss in performance. I keep a lithium in my ARC also...

BTW -- thanks for the recommendation of the Fisher pen! I've heard nothing but good things about them, and I think your endorsement put me over the edge to finally pick one up. Anything to minimize my pocket-load so I'm not waddling is a good thing! ;)

-- JFrame
 
I have an ARC clone that's been fitted with an orange-red "spider" LED. The tiny little thing runs on 1 AAA, and is enough to keep me from running into things in the dark.

At the other end of the spectrum, Black Bear's Bear Cub is small enough to stay on duty gear (2 C-cell MagLite size), and I've used it to illuminate the 300-meter sign on a night range.

John
 
JFrame: glad to hear that I managed to pass some info back your way too. The Fishers are indeed a great pen. You just have to have some plan to make sure that they stay in your pocket, as they're very small and smooth. For $5, Fisher makes a little suede sleeve which grips the pocket far better than the slick stainless steel of the pen. But someone who's got even basic craft skills could knock out something better in twenty minutes.

I lost two Fishers out of the pocket of my cammies (in garrison, not in the field) until I started carrying it in a sleeve. I've managed to not lose this one (with my name engraved on it just in case) over the last six years, with maybe two changes of ink @ $5 each.


I'm just about set on the ARC. The numbers say it has less output than the Fenix, but a lot longer run time. Since neither is a blinding 4-D Mag-lite, I'm not too concerned about max output, I just need enough to find my way around should darkness suddenly fall upon me.

Thanks for everyone's advice, -MV
 
Matthew,

I appreciate the additional advice on the Fisher pen.

I really hope the ARC works out for you (if you do decide to go with it). At least you know you don't have to baby the thing... :)

I also have to say -- for where you've been, and wherever you may be deployed in the future, many, many thanks for your service! "You be careful out among the English."

-- JFrame
 
The Fenix's look nice--but I was put off when I went to the website and found out that they are made in China----pretty sure my next light will be a Surefire L4.
 
Just bought an ARC AAA Premium. I feel a bit decadent buying a $44 keychain flashlight, but then again I've destroyed $36 worth of Inovas over the last four years, and I'm due for a new one.

My only gripes with the ARC AAA (having not physically held one) are the lack of alternate colors (wanted blue or red so as not to lose night vision), and the assumed difficulty of one hand operation. But as said before, if I'm going into the situation where those would be needed, buying yet another $50 flashlight won't be a worry in the big scheme of things.

Thanks to all for the advice. -MV
 
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I just had a Fenix 1LT in for a leather sheath. Got to play with a bit. Throws a lot of light for its size. and it had a clickie button as well as the twist.

I have my Surefires but the lights like the Fenix and Nuwaii ( 3 watt , take 1 CR123 ) are cheap enuff to have one in each room in the house. I call em wife/kid lights , this way they leave my dam Surefires alone :D
 
I've had Inovas for a few years now, taken them on two Iraq deployments, given them as gifts, etc. Good for illuminating your immediate path, reading or doing small tasks in the dark, etc. Extremely small and flat, costs $8, battery lasts forever, etc. Many good things.

However, I've managed to kill about three or four of them so far. Unrelated to battery strength, I've had them develop a tendency to only work in pressed mode (not in switch-on mode) to intermittently work in either mode, etc. Worst of all, the one I had attached to the MOLLE loops on my armor during my second Iraq tour developed a tendency to turn permanently on without squeezing or switching, which made me extremely unpopular until I stowed it in my pack.

Is there any flashlight which is approximately as tiny as the Inova, which has most of its virtues, but is of better quality? I realize this means the price will be higher, but I can cope.

Is the Fenix L0P small enough to be a true keychain flashlight? I realize that some of you carry big Surefires for EDC, but between cellphone, wallet, hankerchief, SpacePen, Benchmade Mini-Griptilian, etc., I'm running out of pocket space.

Thanks for any info,

-MV
Click to expand...
The Fenix L0P is the Premium model of the Fenix L0 series (actually there are only 2 - the standard and the premium). Both use 1 watt Luxeon LEDs for illumination, are powered with a simple, easy to find AAA alkaline or rechargeable cell, and are very small and lightweight. The premium model uses an R Binned Luxeon (higher quality) and has a type III anodize hard coat finish. The light comes in a gorgeous presentation box.
Source: http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/fenix_l0p.htm
 
I'm closing this down because a lot has changed in availability in the last four years. If someone wants to start a new thread about current lights, that's fine.

John
 
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