trogman wrote:Has anyone else used one of these? I have a Sten, but am looking for a less expensive light for a friend just getting into caving. I have seen some issues raised concerning both the Apex and the Fenix HP-11, and I don't want a light that uses odd batteries, such as CR123. If anyone has any experience with one of these Lensers, I'd like to hear about it. Thanks!
Trogman
I ordered one of these to test it out. It is incredibly bright, that is the good thing. Now the bad things.
1.) The wire from the lens head to the battery case is very thin/fragile and easily broken. It is the thinnest wire I have ever seen on a cave light.
2.) The battery case is not a case but a rubber cover that slips over the batteries. I would say it is not even water resistant in light rain.
3.) The lens does focus by turning it. It is actually a great idea as it can focus from a very wide beam to a very narrow beam. But, if any grit or a piece of sand gets under the outer ring of the lens assembly it will ruin the ability to turn/focus. There is nothing to guard dirt or sand from entering the len assembly and it will most assuredly happen during the first cave trip.
4.) After playing with this light for a few minutes it quit turning on. On close inspection the positive wire came lose in the battery case. The light was not dropped or handled roughly. The connection came lose from picking up and turning the light on and off.
FYI....Dozens of these lights are available on Ebay under different names from different sellers with each of them claiming different specs. STAY AWAY.