At risk or reopening 'torch war' / 'battery battle'/ 'Lumen Lambast'
I've had a few various makes over the years and recall ( defn signs of a. old age and b. having no social life ) travelling the length of Derbyshire in the 1980's to get a 4 D Cell Maglite - which ( aside from thumping people with it ) is out classed on most every level by torches only slightly bigger than a pen.
There are many good makes I dare say, through no particularly scientific method I've gravitated toward Fenix and since that first one - possibly pushing ten years ago - have never had reason to change. So caveating my experience is limited, but equally shows how well Fenix have done for me.
Original torch still working and still used - though near brushed aluminium finish from use. Think it was the LD20 - 2x AA size. Only failure was the carry holster gave up after 8 years. Now carry a LD22 daily - though to be honest not sure it give me personally much over the LD20. Picked up a Fenix headtorch off here earlier in the year - love it. Finally have a TK41 - night to day time!
All with AA batteries for commonality - just works for me.
So far, so samey! The bit I wanted to put forward is about sourcing. Hong Kong and E bay will always be there to flog whatever it is for 99p including postage. What you get may or may not be what it is supposed to be, but for 99p why worry?
Well from the start I bought from Rob Balzan ( then traded as The Photon Shop ). The guy knew his stuff, gave great advice - even if it resulted in a 'cheaper sale' and did a great deal to promote the Fenix brand in the UK. Any problems at all - even if it was actually down to a dopey operator ( me ) - and he was there and got things sorted. All of this uphill as the Hong Kong crowd swept up sales after he'd shown the way. Such is global capitalism er I mean free enterprise.
Then Fenix added one of the 'big boys' as a distributor - with a bit of respect ( cant generate more than that ) to them, I know for certain that the level of customer/ product care cant touch Rob.
So really the rant is just to say, I think Fenix a good choice ( there may be others ), but if you do go Fenix, please keep Rob in mind and if you can ( I fully appreciate sometime it simply isn't possible ) put other matters ahead of just the price and keep Rob in mind for your purchase.
No direct link to Rob - I buy from him when I can.