That left one is indeed very representative of most of the ones I got - good photo.
Fenix E01
- Thread starter RemcoM
- Start date
That left one is indeed very representative of most of the ones I got - good photo.
This is exactly it, in my opinion.
mcnair55
Flashlight Enthusiast
Purple tint in 2015 with the upgraded version sounds a real deal.:crackup:
As I recall, my 'older' versions of the E01 suffered from the dreaded purple tint - in about half of them. You never knew which until you opened one and viewed the beam. And those, IIRC, averaged around $12-14 depending on when you bought/who you bought from.
So scout24 clued me into the steel wool treatment for my older ones - it works wonders. Even with the arthritis in my hands a significant transformation can be made to the beam with a minute or so of rubbing the emitter and reflector with 0000 steel wool.
Naturally I set out to treat my new one - oh, yeah, the new one that costs ~$10 shipped and is ~75% brighter.
These are not the best photos - 5:30AM using my iPhone as a camera. An honest before and after of the same light. This light measures 14 lumen in my sphere before the treatment - I'll check the 'after' shortly and update this post. But as you can see (and I have absolutely not altered the photos in any way), the steel wool treatment makes quite a difference.
EDIT/UPDATE - after the 'treatment' the output dropped slightly from 14 to 11.
Before
After
So this new one replaced the old one on my key ring. Oh, sure - it ain't perfect - but good grief, the thing costs $10 shipped, will drain an AAA (I know run time tests are underway), will seemingly survive TEOTWAWKI, fits nicely on my key ring and makes decent light when needed.
I may order a few more...
So scout24 clued me into the steel wool treatment for my older ones - it works wonders. Even with the arthritis in my hands a significant transformation can be made to the beam with a minute or so of rubbing the emitter and reflector with 0000 steel wool.
Naturally I set out to treat my new one - oh, yeah, the new one that costs ~$10 shipped and is ~75% brighter.
These are not the best photos - 5:30AM using my iPhone as a camera. An honest before and after of the same light. This light measures 14 lumen in my sphere before the treatment - I'll check the 'after' shortly and update this post. But as you can see (and I have absolutely not altered the photos in any way), the steel wool treatment makes quite a difference.
EDIT/UPDATE - after the 'treatment' the output dropped slightly from 14 to 11.
Before
After
So this new one replaced the old one on my key ring. Oh, sure - it ain't perfect - but good grief, the thing costs $10 shipped, will drain an AAA (I know run time tests are underway), will seemingly survive TEOTWAWKI, fits nicely on my key ring and makes decent light when needed.
I may order a few more...
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Need to go find where I can buy some 0000 steel wool. After 9 hours and 40 mins, the beam is still bright. Had to throw it in a drawer overnight since it was lighting up the room.
Edit: just ordered some steel wool from amazon.com
Edit: just ordered some steel wool from amazon.com
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scout24
Flashaholic
You may need some popcorn, Cerealand. If I may ask, what cell are you using? Nice to see the steel wool still works, Dan. Can't wait to get mine! :twothumbs
scout24
Flashaholic
Cool. Thank you.
ForrestChump
Flashlight Enthusiast
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2014
- Messages
- 3,097
Fenix actively reads CPF, and after a million mentions of the steel wool, you would think they would spend the extra penny per light on their "upgraded" version.
They freshened up the E01 for what looks like marginally better results, so they saw it fit that there would be a demand for a slightly refined version.
I would pay $12.50 for the second picture & $0 for the first.
The "new" E01 just doesn't make sense to me? Even Joe Blow would appreciate the white beam over the black light purple?
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scout24
Flashaholic
Steel wool cuts the throw that some people like and value more than the cleaner beam and tint afforded by the steel wool. You also can't un-do it, where as you can undo not doing it... :) This is one of their best sellers and most buyers aren't tint and beam quality obsessed like we are are here on cpf.
That's the beauty of capitalism. We as consumers can vote and make ourselves heard with our wallets. I differ from you - I don't mind the minute spent rubbing the lens whether I save $2.50 or $0. And the good news is you can take it even farther or rub it less for more spot with the residual purple...i.e., 'customize' the light to your tastes.
YMMV - different strokes - and whatever other cliche I can come up with!
I mean, well, really, after all - it's a $10 light.
Remember when Vinh modded E01s with a warm emitter and they sold out quickly for $35 each? Now, you don't get anywhere close to sweet tint of the Vinh mod with the steel wool, but it is so much better than stock....and, again, it's $10.
:rolleyes:
In support of and not to step on Cerealand (thanks for doing the test, Cerealand!) I decided to do a run time test also. I have a couple of large packages of USA made Duracell Alkaline AAAs that I need to open (keep on hand for SHTF - just bought a new supply). Started my test at 12:15 Central time today. Battery measured 1.45V straight out of the package. If it's still running when i got to church in the morning I'll either suspend the test or just take it with me.... ;)
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JBE
Newly Enlightened
It's a $10 keychain light so I'm not expecting tint perfection on a light that's mainly used as a "back-up" or for emergencies when nothing else is readily available. With that said, I just ordered a purple one from fenixgear that should be at the Post Office on Monday.
ForrestChump
Flashlight Enthusiast
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2014
- Messages
- 3,097
:shrug:
Ok
I'd spend a couple more bucks for no purple, thats all.
Ok
I'd spend a couple more bucks for no purple, thats all.
scout24
Flashaholic
Give Vinh a shout, see if he is still willing to mod them. My oldest (Senior in college) has been carrying a Vinh modded black one since I purchased it, still works like new. Not looking new after a couple of years of student keychain carry, but ticking right along.
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RobertM
Flashlight Enthusiast
After
Wow, that's a pretty significant difference! So, I assume you just take a ball of the steel wool and keep twisting it circularly inside the reflector area of the E01? Any pictures of what the emitter and "reflector" looks like after you're done?
How much does it cut down on throw? Marginally or substantially so? I'm tempted... :devil:
Is that a flashlight in your pocket or have you got the Holy Spirit on you this morning Dan?!?! :crackup:
With all credit to Scout24 and to Carrot, yes, that's all you do. Take your steel wool - bunch it up into the reflector area and twist, push, rub for around a minute or so. Remember, you can't go back....but you can always buy another E01 for $10!
In relative terms, yes, you lose throw. Who knows how much - I never really used an E01 for another other than 'near' lighting, but the good news is that the pattern is much more even. So I'd have to say "substantially"....
Here's the one I modded with a brand new one next to it. Probably obvious, but un-modded left, modded right.
Hope this helps.
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WalkIntoTheLight
Flashlight Enthusiast
I assume the phosphors are on the inside of the LED "bulb", so you're not removing the phosphors?
