..............I miss the Fenix of old, they should stick to what they do best (and that includes not canceling popular lights like the LD01 and the E01). They seem to have lost a great deal of their market share over the last 10 years. I think this WF05E light is the latest in a long line of mistakes they have made. Harsh words, but really, look at them compared to around 2009-2012, their mistakes helped catapult other makers into the mainstream.
The peak for me acquiring Fenix lights was maybe 2 to 5 years ago. (The era of the first PD35's, PD32, LD12, new lanterns, upgraded twisty like the E15, E05, TK35's that would take flat top batteries, and some headlamps.) Lots of new lights from all manufacturers are coming out with built in chargers and single electronic side switches. Fenix seems to be following in that trend too. I simply do not like those but maybe market share is dictating it...........I da know.
There are a number of new Fenix models that I have lost interest in. I have been a big Fenix fan boy since early on. They have discontinued a bunch of lights that were favorites of mine without coming out with something that I would consider worthy of replacing what I already have. The trend into some stiffer tail cap switches, too flashy of headlamp straps, built in chargers, single side switches, built in proprietary batteries, only take button top batteries..............just isn't my liking.
Now full circle back to the WF05E. That light kind of intrigues me because its a twisty, starts on low, has a neutral white LED. But the mode spacing isn't great. 10-30-80 lumens. I don't care if 80 is the max out of a 2xAAA light. It just means longer run time. But a low of 10 lumens with the next mode up only 30. Sheesh, you'll hardly tell the difference. A spacing of something like 3-30-90 would have been better! The run time charts looked horrible. You see sagging output from the start on high battery current on a turbo or max level but not on a 2xAAA at 30 lumens. Those are not charts of a current regulated light.
So while this light looks intriguing, it just isn't something I feel I have to have. Maybe if it ever goes on a killer sale. But not at $34.95. Maybe the price represents the certification cost........but I don't think it represents performance.
