Re: Fenix HP11 Headlamp
Posted: Jul 8, 2011 5:17 pmI just received my Fenix HP11 today via UPS. Shipping from Ohio to TN was $8.72. Shipping was faster than anticipated.
After arrival I had to put the stretchy head bands on as well as cord clips, diffuser filter and then attach it to my helmet
via additional helmet clips that I paid extra for.
My first impression is that without the diffuser the light puts out a concentrated spot beam that is good at all four brightness
levels for shining ahead. However, that spot will likely be useless for illuminating your feet while walking. With the defuser
attached the light is just about useless on the low setting but is useable in the other three brightness levels. Unfortunately
each brighter level reduces run time dramatically. The minimum useable setting with defuser covering the lense is the
mid level which gives a run time of only 25 hours when using rechargeable 2500 ma batteries. The HIGH level with the
defuser is pretty good but only gives a run time of 9.5 hours. On Turbo it will only run for 3.8 hours. The defuser reduces
the light output dramatically which will require use of higher out put levels to see well. Obviously the most useable setting
with the defuser (which flips up easily) will be the HIGH level.
I haven't used the light in a cave yet but I'm already missing my APEX light which puts out excellent lighting for my feet and
ahead without the use of a diffuser at all. If this defuser ever breaks it will be interesting to see what I can come up with
to replace it. The defuser is made of cheap plastic so I don't know how long it will hold up. But the mounting ring the defuser
attaches to fits very tightly on the head piece.
The battery compartment has a finger screw which seems to hold the battery compartment shut tightly and does not require
any special tools to open. Although it doesn't look all that water tight to me. Time will tell. Warranty is 1 year from Brightguy
lights and two years from Fenix lights.
I'll report again later after I've used the light in a cave a few times.
After arrival I had to put the stretchy head bands on as well as cord clips, diffuser filter and then attach it to my helmet
via additional helmet clips that I paid extra for.
My first impression is that without the diffuser the light puts out a concentrated spot beam that is good at all four brightness
levels for shining ahead. However, that spot will likely be useless for illuminating your feet while walking. With the defuser
attached the light is just about useless on the low setting but is useable in the other three brightness levels. Unfortunately
each brighter level reduces run time dramatically. The minimum useable setting with defuser covering the lense is the
mid level which gives a run time of only 25 hours when using rechargeable 2500 ma batteries. The HIGH level with the
defuser is pretty good but only gives a run time of 9.5 hours. On Turbo it will only run for 3.8 hours. The defuser reduces
the light output dramatically which will require use of higher out put levels to see well. Obviously the most useable setting
with the defuser (which flips up easily) will be the HIGH level.
I haven't used the light in a cave yet but I'm already missing my APEX light which puts out excellent lighting for my feet and
ahead without the use of a diffuser at all. If this defuser ever breaks it will be interesting to see what I can come up with
to replace it. The defuser is made of cheap plastic so I don't know how long it will hold up. But the mounting ring the defuser
attaches to fits very tightly on the head piece.
The battery compartment has a finger screw which seems to hold the battery compartment shut tightly and does not require
any special tools to open. Although it doesn't look all that water tight to me. Time will tell. Warranty is 1 year from Brightguy
lights and two years from Fenix lights.
I'll report again later after I've used the light in a cave a few times.