Tired of Fenix Lights Failing

[Str8stroke]

Not sure if the battery question has been resolved? Anyways.

Elzetta, Surefire, Malkoff, Solarforce with a Malkoff Drop in, Maglite LED, Rayovac Industrial.


FWIW: I have beat the heck out of one of my Fenix PD lights, never had a problem with the light.

 

[radiopej]

I've got a bunch of Fenix lights (PD32 UE, PD22, LD12, E99Ti, E01, E05, LD50, LD02, TK22, TK16) and of them all only the TK16 has had issues. The tailcap on that one failed twice.

The rest of them have never failed, and the PD32 UE has fallen out of a 2 story window onto a steel awning and then grass.

From what you've said, it sounds like your batteries failed. Cheap batteries will do that (my Soshine failed after a 1 metre drop). Pop in some KeepPower batteries if that's all that failed and you should be fine. Or send the lights to me

 

[tom-]

If there is a source of other than Chinese lights-similar in features: output/runtimes/beam patterns-I have yet to see any. For lights I continue to use it is down to two brands, a vintage Surefire L2 and three Fenix, LD60-TK22-TK35UE, (I do have a classic Streamlight SL20-a few Pelicans and of course some mags but they are simply not in the same performance class). Surefire produces a fine product, for what the lights are capable of and in my opinion herein lies the issue with this brand for us-generally very short run times and very very limited in use (spots only)-which is fine as this is the market they choose to serve. Fenix in particular and the other Chinese brands in general have nailed it-pick your beam, runtimes and even tint, the darkness is no longer your enemy.

I was prepared to spend huge dollars for the purchase I just made, I didn't have to as nothing; and I mean nothing was available that even approached the periphery of what Fenix provides. I am NOT an employee of this Company and I do NOT have an interest in Fenix sales, other than getting for us light that meet our common sense needs.

Besides, when all is said and done-isn't everything on the inside of any light from the same geographic location?

 

[aginthelaw]

how about sending it to one of the modders out there for beefier springs, updated led, and maybe a kick *** driver? it's probably a better host than anything else there

 

[GarageBoy]

Sorry to hear that yours failed
Oddly enough - I gave my friend a foursevens quark XML 2XAA - and THAT died in a drop... - foursevens warranty dept said it wasn't covered, so he just binned it

 

[CelticCross74]

The PD35 I had that had the lower modes go out on had been dropped kicked thrown and drowned in a sewer during a flash flood(it was on turbo I climbed down and retrieved it)etc etc. it sits on my desk in front of me today repaired for free and working like new. The PD series are as tough as they come potted or not. If you really want to take a step up in all around quality that is nice and small and easy to carry check out any Zebralight they average $85-99 but are more than worth it. They are fully potted have built in protections, ingot like fit and finish thermal regulation the latest emitters etc.

 

[etc]

I got a L2D almost 10 years ago.... the 2xAA model, which at the time, was earth-movingly bright (and still is) 200 lumens maybe and compare it to the competition at the time.

first one failed, went into some kind of morse code mode...lost high and other modes.

second one I replaced it with did more or less the same thing. while the first unit lasted months, the second replacement failed almost immediately. I got a replacement and sold it in the box.

I got a bad batch apparently. It seems luck of the draw.

You got to give them credit for being innovative and competitive, but I have been into Malkoffs for the last 10 years ever since I overcame my fear or Li-Ion, strange and unusual batteries that you need to recharge and cannot buy in places like Chimart. Dumped AA and never looked back.

I wouldn't turn down a free Fenix, one of those with Mega lumens.

 

[tom-]

Are Malkoff and Surefire unable or unwilling to make the lights that others are producing? (and selling by the container full)

 

[peter yetman]

Bearing in mind that Malkoff is pretty much a one man show, he seems to be able to sell everything that he makes. Hence the sold out signs on his site. I think he's cornered his market and produces to supply it. If he can make a living doing something he enjoys, don't knock it. SF are a massive company and there is no camparison between the the two.
P

 

[Woods Walker]

I had two rebranded fenix LODs fail. Just died for no reason. No other problems but don't often (though do) drop my lights. If it has to work it's Malkoff.

 

[carl]

I had an older AAx2 Fenix and the rubber cover over the side button blew outward due to outgassing from the primary batteries.

Two lessons learned: use only rechargeable batts and don't get a light where the rubber cover over the switch will blow outward due to internal pressure.

 

[seery]

My wife is hard on lights, especially the ones she uses in and around the barn. In the past several years she has killed many lights, most by dropping them.

A couple Surefires, two Malkoffs, an HDS, and a NovaTac. There are probably others, but those are the ones we can remember.

Her Fenix TK35UE took a beating, always came back for more, and never failed her. She now uses an Acebeam K60 and a Fenix HL55 as her all around lights.

Last week I saw her toss the HL55 onto her tack box. It slid across and went off the back, dropping onto concrete from about ~36". I said holy smokes you don't treat that light very nicely.

She replied...

"It's a flashlight...I don't care and I'm sure it doesn't either...unless you're telling me flashlights have feelings!!!".

 

[Illum]

For some reason, and I have never seen it like this before, but checking on Amazon there's a beginning trend of single star reviews on just about all the Fenix E series lights and they all seem to point at the fact that the lights crap out for no reason within very short times. This is alarming given the prevalence of the reviews. Makes me wonder whether or not recent changes in manufacturing or QC is to blame. The other remark is "terrible customer service."

 

[hiuintahs]

For some reason, and I have never seen it like this before, but checking on Amazon there's a beginning trend of single star reviews on just about all the Fenix E series lights and they all seem to point at the fact that the lights crap out for no reason within very short times. This is alarming given the prevalence of the reviews. Makes me wonder whether or not recent changes in manufacturing or QC is to blame. The other remark is "terrible customer service."

I was curious so I went to Amazon and just checked the E05, E12, E15 and saw good comments and no trend. The other E series lights, I didn't check as I have not had any interest in them. But at least the ones I've liked seem good. Maybe you are referring to the E series with the single electronic switchs.

 

[fenix1]

Hi therock, I am sorry to hear that.It's possible that the damaged batteries influenced your flashlights.Pls contact our CS, [email protected] ,they will offer you the solution.Thank you!

Myself, and two co-workers whom were influenced by me to go with Fenix lights, The PD series, have had them fail form drops of about waist high. A couple of occasions it was the batteries (orbtronic) pcb coming off and one battery split. (we use Xtar WP6 chargers)

But each of us now have a useless flashlight. We have done all the webbsite trouble shooting. We are industrial maintenance techs so we have the inclination. No body around here will buy another Fenix.

I don't want to send it in and get another light that will make me fear another small drop failure. These lights have embarrassed me by failing so easily on the folks I recommended them to.
In the trash mine will go. I'll not be recommending lights of any kind to people ever again.

So I go shopping and see several brands of these small straight lights that look just like the PD series with small differences in body machining. So who looks like who? I don't want to buy another Fenix build with a different name or button configuration.

Can I get recommendations on a pocket light in this performance category that is more capable of handling a small drop from say 6 feet?

Armytec is one I am trying now but I don't like the beam or the blinking switch light. The LED has a magnifying looking bubble over it and I suspect that is why. But I had to have a light like this on the job so I am trying it as an "anything but Fenix" mode.

I know lots of you will come to Fenix's aid but I and three others have had bad luck.

Thanks

 

[vadimax]

My wife is hard on lights, especially the ones she uses in and around the barn. In the past several years she has killed many lights, most by dropping them.

A couple Surefires, two Malkoffs, an HDS, and a NovaTac. There are probably others, but those are the ones we can remember.

Her Fenix TK35UE took a beating, always came back for more, and never failed her. She now uses an Acebeam K60 and a Fenix HL55 as her all around lights.

Last week I saw her toss the HL55 onto her tack box. It slid across and went off the back, dropping onto concrete from about ~36". I said holy smokes you don't treat that light very nicely.

She replied...

"It's a flashlight...I don't care and I'm sure it doesn't either...unless you're telling me flashlights have feelings!!!".

Now the main question: why is she trying to hurt your feelings?

 

[tom-]

peter, not comparing the two Companies simply wondering why neither make lights that even come close in performance (referencing beam patterns, output and run timesl leaving out build quality here) to what is available from others.

 

[Lumencrazy]

peter, not comparing the two Companies simply wondering why neither make lights that even come close in performance (referencing beam patterns, output and run timesl leaving out build quality here) to what is available from others.

The flashaholic is getting what he is asking for: more and more lumens at a discount price.

 

[seery]

Now the main question: why is she trying to hurt your feelings?

She uses her lights, doesn't baby them, and could care less if they get beat up. As long as they perform as they should, it's all good.

But I'm missing the point as to why you think she's trying to hurt my feelings???

 

[Woods Walker]

She uses her lights, doesn't baby them, and could care less if they get beat up. As long as they perform as they should, it's all good.

But I'm missing the point as to why you think she's trying to hurt my feelings???

Flashaholics are known to have emotional connections to some gear items.