Gear Review: Fenix Lighting Headlamps and Flashlights

August 2, 2011 By: Marshall Cutchin

A few months ago, Angling Trade managing editor and now MidCurrent gear editor Tim Romano wrote this about Fenix headlamps and flashlights:

“We were recently sent a sampling of Fenix lighting headlamps and flashlights, specifically the LD15 flashlight (suggested retail $44.95) and HP10 headlamp (suggested retail $67.95). I thought both functioned extremely well and for the cost was very impressed with the quality. The HP10 claims to be the world’s brightest headlamp, runs off AA batteries at 225 lumens, and features four different levels of output, allowing you to dim the light to as low as 7 lumens, which will keep it running for up to 210 hours. This sucker IS bright too…more than any headlamp I’ve ever worn. It’s a touch heavy on the battery compartment, but overall a great backcountry accessory for any fishing situation.”

We’ve also been testing and torturing the Fenix products for several months now on MidCurrent trips, and we wholeheartedly agree that the Fenix lights are the brightest headlamps and small flashlights we’ve ever used.  The HP10 LED Headlamp we tested  is impressive not only in its intensity, but in its ability to shine with multiple levels of brightness and in different modes.  If there is a downside to this headlamp, it’s that you do feel you have a high-tech machine strapped to your noggin (you do), but for the price it would be difficult to find a better value. (For the record, Fenix has just released a couple of new headlamps, one with a separate battery pack and one that weighs only 1.5 ounces.)  The Fenix LD15 LED flashlight fits in the palm of the hand  and is made of Type III hard-anodized anti-abrasive finish aluminum and waterproof.  These things throw a ton of light, and they do so for exended periods: 1.5 hours on high (117 lumens), and 39 hours on low (a light level which seems comparable to the average flashlight).

See fenixlighting.com for more details.